Cosme picked up the ceremonial blade and slowly brought its sharp edge against his palm. With one clean motion, he drew a shallow s***h across his skin. Blood immediately welled from the wound, staining his hand a deep crimson. He closed his fingers into a fist and gently squeezed, allowing drops of blood to fall into the crystal goblet resting before them.
Once he had finished, he handed the blade to Xorran.
Without a word, the Alpha accepted it.
He repeated the ritual with the same calm expression. The blade cut across his palm, and fresh blood flowed from the wound before dripping into the goblet, mixing with Cosme's.
Ellio's eyes remained fixed on Xorran.
As he watched the Alpha silently pour his blood into the glass, memories he had fought so hard to suppress resurfaced one after
