MARKING CEREMONY - NIGHT ONE
~TATE'S POV~
The sacred clearing felt alive with magic. Candles flashed in perfect circles around white stones that seemed to glow from within. Protective words shimmered in the air like heat waves, and the scent of sage and something sweeter filled my lungs with each breath.
The entire Pack surrounded us, standing in reverent silence. I could feel their expectation pressing against my skin, their hope that this ceremony would finally complete what we'd started months ago.
Mathias stood before me, shirtless, his chest marked with swirling symbols painted in something that looked like gold dust. The crescent moon hung directly overhead, bathing everything in silver light.
"Are you ready?" Vida asked softly.
I nodded, not trusting my voice. My heart hammere
