The Ceremony Of Lies
623 Words
# Chapter 15: The Ceremony of Lies
The first rays of dawn broke through the trees as Damon and his warriors raced toward the Blackwood Pack.
No one spoke.
Every second that passed brought Selene closer to becoming the pack's Luna.
Elena sat beside Ryan in one of the vehicles, nervously twisting the silver bracelet Damon had returned to her.
She stared out of the window.
The closer they got to the pack...
The heavier her heart became.
"I never thought I'd come back," she whispered.
Ryan heard her.
"I know this place holds painful memories."
She let out a bitter smile.
"It holds every memory."
---
Meanwhile...
The Blackwood Pack's ceremonial grounds were filled with wolves from neighboring territories.
Colorful banners fluttered in the morning breeze.
The elders stood before the sacred platform while pack members whispered among themselves.
"Where's Alpha Damon?"
"They said he'd return before sunrise."
"What if he doesn't?"
At the center of it all stood Selene.
She wore a breathtaking white ceremonial gown embroidered with silver thread.
A jeweled crown rested on a velvet cushion beside the Alpha's throne.
To everyone watching...
She already looked like their Luna.
Inside, however, her thoughts were far darker.
*Once that crown is on my head... no one will ever take it from me.*
---
The Head Elder stepped forward.
"The ceremony shall begin."
He raised his staff.
"Since Alpha Damon has failed to appear, we will proceed according to pack law."
The crowd fell silent.
Selene lowered her head, pretending to be humble.
"My Lady," one elder said with a smile, "today you will receive the honor you deserve."
Selene fought to hide her excitement.
Everything was going exactly as she had planned.
---
Far down the mountain road...
Damon's vehicle came to a sudden stop.
"What happened?" Damon demanded.
One of the guards jumped out.
"A massive tree has fallen across the road!"
Ryan frowned.
"It wasn't here yesterday."
Damon immediately understood.
"Selene."
She had planned this.
Without another word, Damon opened the door.
"We're going on foot."
The warriors quickly followed.
Ignoring the pain in his still-healing shoulder, Damon ran faster than anyone.
He had made one terrible mistake by rejecting Elena.
He refused to make another.
---
Back at the ceremony...
The Head Elder lifted the silver crown.
"Do you, Selene Ashcroft, swear to protect the Blackwood Pack with loyalty and honor?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to stand beside your Alpha through life and death?"
"I do."
The elder smiled.
"Then by the authority entrusted to us—"
"STOP!"
A commanding Alpha voice echoed across the ceremonial grounds.
Every head turned.
Damon strode into the clearing, breathing heavily after running through the forest.
Ryan and the Blackwood warriors followed close behind.
Selene's smile vanished.
"You..."
Damon climbed the platform and stood between Selene and the elder.
"This ceremony is over."
The Head Elder looked confused.
"Alpha Damon, according to our laws—"
"I said..."
His Alpha aura burst across the grounds, silencing the entire crowd.
"This ceremony is over."
The elder lowered the crown.
"May we ask why?"
Damon slowly turned toward the thousands of eyes watching him.
His gaze found Elena standing near the entrance, uncertain and frightened.
Then he spoke words that stunned the entire pack.
"Because Selene Ashcroft..."
"...will never become my Luna."
Gasps spread through the crowd.
Selene's face turned pale.
Before she could speak, Damon continued.
"My true mate has returned."
He raised his hand toward Elena.
"And before every elder and every member of this pack..."
"I welcome Elena Ashwood home."
The crowd erupted into shocked whispers.
For the second time in her life...
All eyes were on Elena.
But this time...
Everything was different.
**End of Chapter 15**
- Writer
