Lilith
The candles burn out, and the doors open. The last echo of fireworks fades, and just like that, the ceremony ends, but the tension doesn't.
Victor moves quickly, too quickly. Before the weight of what just happened can settle, before anyone can speak, he steps forward with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. It's the same smile he's used my entire life when something inconvenient needs smoothing over.
He is in damage control mode. Little does he know it is too late for that.
"Lilith," he says warmly, as if the failed ceremony never happened. As if he didn't stand frozen while I was humiliated. As if he didn't try to erase me from my own future. "Tonight has been… emotional. But family endures."
Family.
He gestures broadly to the pack, to the elders, to the room
