The altar of the moon was a natural plateau of white stone, situated at the highest point of the Black Mountain. It was a place of ancient power, where the veil between the world and the Moon Mother was thin.
The seven Alphas were already there, stripped to the waist, their bodies covered in tribal markings. They shifted as I approached not into full wolves but into the "Crinos" form, a terrifying blend of human and beast designed for maximum c*****e.
Killian stood at the edge of the plateau, held back by the laws of the trial. I could feel his heartbeat through the bond, a frantic, rhythmic drumming. “Elara, watch Garrow,” his voice echoed in my mind. “He uses earth magic. He’ll try to pin your feet.”
I didn't answer. I stepped onto the white stone, my feet bare. I wore only a simple t
