Jackson leaned against the wall, his expression thoughtful. "If we announce your return at the Conclave, we'll need irrefutable proof of your identity. The pendant alone won't be enough to convince sceptics."
"The Blood Rite," Luna Mara suggested, her voice hushed with reverence. "It's ancient magic, performed only in the presence of the High Council. If Marabelle participates, her Graystone lineage will be undeniable."
"What exactly does this Blood Rite involve?" I asked, wary of any ritual I hadn't heard of before.
"A drop of your blood on the Sacred Stone," Uncle Mateo explained. "If you're truly Graystone royalty, the stone will glow with your family's signature blue light. It cannot be falsified or manipulated—the magic predates even the oldest pack alliances."
I touched my pendan
