Sunlight warmed the stone of the grand plaza. From the dais, I could see the gathered Silver Blood members and the survivors of the recovering Blood Moon Pack.
Caspian stood beside me. Between us, the Alpha-Regent’s crown rested on a velvet cushion, woven from silver leaves and set with moonstones.
He turned to me and kept his voice low enough for me alone.
“Your past is waiting at the edge of this ceremony,” he said. “Before we continue, I have to ask. Are you certain you want to be the one who closes it?”
He waited for my choice. No order followed the question.
I nodded. “I am.”
Caspian lifted the crown. Before it reached my head, a howl broke across the plaza.
It came from the main gate, ragged and desperate.
Every head turned. A gaunt man clung to the iron bars. His clothes hun
