Ten days until the ceremony.
Skyler had been summoned to Chrome & Fang for what Marcus called "pre-ceremony preparation." Which meant the male pack members were planning the ceremonial hunt, and I wasn't invited.
"Should I be worried?" I asked as he got ready.
"Probably." He pulled on boots. "Marcus said something about 'testing my endurance' which could mean anything from a long run to ritualized combat."
"Combat?"
"Symbolic. I think." He kissed me quickly. "I'll be fine. The males have done this for every mating ceremony. It's tradition."
After he left, I found myself at loose ends. The gallery was closed for the day. My painting felt uninspired. I ended up at my parents' house, finding Mom in her garden.
"Skyler's doing the hunt preparation," I said, settling on the bench beside
