Alright... let’s make this fun for all of us. 😌

Here’s how I’m rewarding you, my special readers, and the ink to my pen.

1. Hit a top ranking for a week straight → mass release of 3 Chapters.

2. Send a super gift → mass release of 5 Chapters.

Now for the real mischief, these are the rewards. Also, this is where the real chaos lies.

1. Top interactive reader in a week → gets a shoutout

2. One-time super gift → gets a Chapter dedicated to you.

3. Repeated super gifts → you start getting little spoilers + future hints.

4. Highest Golden Ticket sender of the month (20–30 range) → you get a permanent role in the book

Yes, an actual role. 😅🥹 Immortality secured.

Let’s build this story together 🤍

.......

The maids moved quickly, in a rush to make sure everything would be perfect for the day. They scrambled around the room.

Aire stood still in the middle of the room, with her arms slightly lifted.

They worked around her like she wasn’t there. Their hands brushing past her ski, tugging. Adjusting, and tightening. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Madam wasn’t there. Even yesterday, Madam didn’t step into the room. She haven’t seen Madam since the training grund incident, and that solidify accusations towards her.

"My lady, we must hurry." A maid’s voice cut through her thoughts.

Aire didn’t respond. She let them lead her, and prepare her for the council elders.

The bath was long. Hot water soaked into her skin, but it didn’t relax her. It didn’t even soften anything.

If anything, it made everything feel... stupid. She coukd just choose Damien, and walk away from all of these. However, there was a sharp tug in her chest whenever she thought of leaving te Alphas.

She remembered the little gil on her bed, and once again, that sick, horrible crack replayed in her head.

Aire’s fingers twitched under the water. Her nails pressed hard into her palm.

Her chest rose slowly. She might be cursed but most of her life, Aire had fantasies about the kind of life she’d have, and the kind of man she’d want it with.

The triplets were the direct opposite of what she had always dreamt of. They were all unkind, and distant.

Perhaps, Damien would be different.

She fidgeted with her fingers. All her life, familiarity had been all she ever wanted. These few moons with the Alphas had managed to put her heart at rest, and she was beginning to losen up.

If she choose Damien, she doesn’t know what awaits her there.

"You must not react." One of the older maids spoke quietly as she poured scented oil into the water.

Aire’s eyes lifted slightly. "What?" she asked, completely dazed.

The maid hesitated, then lowered her gaze. "As qe know, the council will be present. However, not just the council member, even the elders." She paused. "And the pack."

Aire said nothing.

"They will... test you," the maid added carefully. "You_"

"Just bathe me, would you?" Aire cut her off.

She was tired of people lecturing her for their own benefits.

When they were done, they dressed her. The woman’s face flushed red, and she swallowed.

"Yes, Lady Aire."

They wore her a white gown with layer after layer. The fabric was light, but it felt heavy. It had pearls all over the chest, with a beautiful silk on her lower body.

The veil came last. The veil was thin, and transperent. It fell over her face.

Aire looked at herself once. She didn’t recognize the woman staring back.

"Are you ready, my lady?" a maid asked.

Aire didn’t answer. Rather, she walked out. The maids took that as a cue, and immediately followed behind her.

One of them stayed back to watch after the human girl.

The air changed the moment she stepped out. The forest stood tall around them.

There were torches lit around the path, with wolves lined the sides.

The wolves were watching, whispering, and judging her every step. Other wolves from other packs also made themselves present.

Aire could feel their rejection, their disgust, and their doubt.

Her steps didn’t falter and at the center of the clearing, she saw Nate, Xanden, and Alaric. All three were dressed in black.

The elders stood behind them, and the council spread out in a half-circle.

Aire stepped forward, and stpped where she was meant to be. She bowed politely, and wauted for them to aso her to stand.

"Lift your head." An elder’s voice said.

Aire lifted her head slowly. Her black eyes locked with his.

The veil shifted with her movement, and aurmur rippled through the crowd, low and unimpressed.

"So this is her?" someone who had never met Aire, whispered to the oerson close to her. "She looks... fragile."

"Unworthy." the person, who happened to be Hannah replied. "A disgrace to the bloodline."

Hannah didn’t whisper. She was at the front row, so she wanted Aire to hear her.

Aire’s fingers curled slightly at her sides.

"Step forward." an elder ordered.

She did. An elder stepped closer to her, with his eyes scanning her like she was livestock.

"No wolf." He said it like a verdict.

Another elder scoffed.

"Tell me, girl." The first elder spoke again. "Do you understand what this means?"

Aire met his gaze. "Yes."

"Say it." He ordered.

Aire stayed silenct for a second. Then, her gaze meet King Elijah who sat at one edge of the hall with Damien right beside him.

She swallowed, and looked at the Alphas. Then, she said. "I will belong to them."

King Elijah straightened immediately. Damien’s hand curled by his side.

A low chuckle. "Belong." The elder repeated the word like it amused him. "You already belong to this pack," he corrected. "Tonight, you have to prove you are not a threat to it."

Aire didn’t look away.

"Proceed," the elder ordered.

A servant stepped forward immediately, holding a small silver knife on a tray. The blade caught the torchlight, glinting sharply.

Nate moved first.

Of course he did.

His steps were slow, controlled, and deliberate. His gaze flickered to Aire for a brief second before settling into being unreadable.

Nate picked up the knife.

Without hesitation, he dragged it across his thumb. It was a clean slice, and blood welled instantly.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Nate stepped closer.

Aire could feel the heat of him even through the thin veil.

His hand lifted, paused for half a second, and then he pressed it against her lower lip. The contact was warm, wet, and claiming.

Aire’s breath remained steady, but her fingers curled tighter at her sides.

Nate’s thumb slid upward, pressing firmly against her forehead. Then he stepped back.

Xanden moved next.

A small smirk tugged at his lips as he picked up the knife. He didn’t rush, and didn’t hesitate either.

He cut his thumb deeper than necessary. It was a deliberate choice, and blood dripped slightly before he even reached her.

The crowd grew quieter.

Xanden stepped in front of her, tilting his head slightly as he looked at her through the veil.

"Don’t flinch," he murmured, low enough for only her to hear.

Aire didn’t respond.

His thumb pressed against her lip, and dragged on slightly. His hand then went to her forehead, right over Nate’s mark.

His smirk deepened faintly before he pulled away.

Alaric was last.

He simply took the knife, cut his thumb, and stepped toward her. His gaze met hers through the veil for a brief second.

His gaze softened, but she didn’t have the time, or the right to understand before it disappeared again.

His thumb pressed gently against her lip, then her forehead. He stepped back immediately after.

"Seal it," the elder ordered.

Every eye in the forest shifted to Aire, daring her to hesitate.

Aire’s tongue moved slowly.

She licked her lips. The taste hit her immediately, and she had a blurry flashback. It was quick, and burning.

A murmur spread through the crowd again.

"Bow." the elders ordered.

Aire bent slightly. Just enough to complete the ritual, and follow the rules.

Murmurs raised immediately again.

"With no wolf?"

"She won’t last."

"This is a mistake."

"She’ll ruin the bloodline."

The whispers weren’t quiet.

Hannah smiled faintly from where she stood, her arms crossed as she watched Aire.

Aire heard all of it. She heard every single word. Her back straightened slowly. Her chin lifted slightly and for the first time, the looked at them.

Not nervously.

Her gaze moved briefly to King Elijah. He was watching her carefully. Then, her eyes shifted to Damien.

His jaw was tight, and his gaze locked on her, unreadable and tense.

Then finally, her gaze moved to the Alphas.

Nate stood still, unreadable as always. Xanden looked amused. Alaric was the only one not looking at the crowd.

He was looking at her.

Aire didn’t hold that gaze for long. She looked away first.

Author’s note: If you’ve read up to this point, I appreciate you. PLEASE don’t forget to drop a review before scrolling.