MARKING CEREMONY - NIGHT TWO
~DAXON'S POV~
The second night felt heavier than the first. Where Mathias's marking had been about connection and claiming, tonight felt like completion. Like the final piece of a puzzle sliding into place.
But it also felt dangerous.
All day, scouts had reported increased activity along our borders. Nightshade Pack warriors moving closer, then pulling back. Testing our response times. Counting our guards. They were planning something, and everyone knew it.
Marcus had wanted to postpone the ceremony. Put it off until the threat passed. But Vida had been firm. The bond was rejecting itself. If we didn't complete it tonight, Tate could die. We all could.
So here we stood in the sacred clearing again, the Pack surrounding us, knowing that enemies lurked just
