POV: Nyxara
The council chamber felt like a tomb. Every pair of eyes turned to me as Elder Morwen explained the ancient law, her voice heavy with reluctance.
"The Law of Unclaimed Mates is old, from a time when packs were smaller and bloodlines precious." She unrolled a scroll covered in faded text. "If a Luna with multiple potential mates has not completed the bonding ritual with any of them, an outside challenger can claim her through ritual combat."
"That's barbaric," I said, my voice shaking with anger.
"It's the law." Lyssara's smile was venomous. "And you've been here three weeks without accepting any of your mates. You did this to yourself."
"Enough," Zephyr snapped.
"The combat will be to submission or death," Morwen continued. "If our champion wins, Theron and his army leave
