Page 23 of The Onyx Covenant

As we emerge from the tree line, the full force of the gathering hits me. The clearing is packed with wolves from both packs, carefully maintaining distance from each other, the invisible boundary between Elios and Umbra territory evident even here on neutral ground. Conversation dies as we pass, curious gazes following our progress across the cobblestones.

I hold my head high, refusing to shrink under their scrutiny. Let them stare. Let them whisper. I may not have asked for this, but I won’t cower from it, either.

My parents stride toward the imposing obsidian structure of the Covenant building, where the members wait on the steps, their black robes blending into the night. I follow several paces behind, and my attention is drawn to the other participants gathered near the entrance.

The champions stand around chatting. Theron joins his friends. He’s taller than the others, his broad shoulders and lean frame accentuated by the fitted black shirt and tight-fighting pants he wears. A curved blade hangs at his belt, and his wild black hair flutters in the breeze.

“Lyra!” Aria’s voice rings out, and I turn to her jogging toward me, her face bright with excitement. Unlike the formal ceremonial attire most have chosen for this gathering, she’s dressed practically in fitted leathers, ready for action at a moment’s notice. Unlike me, still in my simple blue dress with silver embroidery along the hem. I’d insisted on stopping at home before coming to the Covenant grounds to change my clothes, making him wait outside while I traded a constricting dress for something I could at least move in. A simple knee-length dress with a black belt cinched at my waist that holds a small dagger—barely ceremonial, but better than nothing.

“There you are,” she says, embracing me quickly. “I thought you might not come.”

“Did I have a choice?” I hold up my wrist, displaying the manacle that binds me to Theron. “The moment he bound me, I couldn’t leave the grounds even if I wanted to. Not unless I want to be injected with poison from the manacle. You’ve heard the stories of what happens when Harvest Ritual couples stay apart for too long.”

Aria’s eyes widen, too busy focusing on my wristband than my words. “Holy shit, it’s real. I heard the rumors, but… by the Veiled Moon, Lyra, how did this happen?”

I shrug, unable to explain what I don’t understand myself. “He grabbed my arm, and the manacle just… appeared.”

“That’s not how it’s supposed to work. The manacles only bind compatible champions and Omegas from the same pack.” Her gaze narrows suspiciously. “Unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless there’s more between you two than you’re letting on.” She studies my face closely, and I’m reminded of Mother’s suspiciousness. “He’s the one, isn’t he? The reason you’ve been moping around for the past year?”

I hesitate, then nod once, the admission feeling like surrender.

“I knew it!” Aria exclaims. “It all makes sense now. But Theron Shadowmane? Seriously? You couldn’t have fallen for someone less… I don’t know, lethal?”

“It wasn’t exactly planned,” I mutter, unable to stop myself from glancing in his direction again. He’s watching me. A shiver runs down my arms.

“Can’t blame you, though,” Aria continues, following my gaze. “Look at him, all broody and mysterious with those shoulders and chest. And the way he moves… No wonder half the females in both packs are drooling over him.” She nudges me playfully. “How’d you two even meet? Secret rendezvous in the forbidden zone?”

Despite everything, I feel my lips curving into a small smile. “He almost shot me with an arrow.”

“What?”

“I was gathering moonberries near the border. He was hunting, didn’t see me until the last second, and redirected his shot. The arrow missed me by inches.” I pause, remembering the moment—the shock on his face, the immediate regret, the strange tension that sprang between us like lightning. “We started talking, and something just… happened. Like I couldn’t bear to be away from him.”

“Instant attraction.” Aria nods sagely. “The most dangerous kind.”

“Not that it matters now,” I state. “He showed his true colors a year ago. There’s nothing between us.”

“Sure doesn’t seem that way,” she replies, glancing meaningfully toward Theron.

I make the mistake of looking up, meeting his gaze directly. The intensity in his stare sends heat flooding through me. I glance away quickly, cursing myself for the reaction.

“It’s complicated,” I say finally, the understatement of the century.

Aria holds up her own manacle, changing the subject. “Well, I’m officially in, too. Orion chose me as his Omega. Can you believe it?” Her eyes sparkle with excitement. “The top warrior in Elios, and he picked me!”

I force myself to focus on her news, genuinely happy for my friend despite my own turmoil. “Of course he did. You’re the best fighter. I know you’ll make our pack proud.” I squeeze her hand. “Just stay alive, okay?”

“Please,” Aria scoffs. “You know me better than that. I’m too stubborn to die in some ancient ritual.” She studies me for a moment. “The real question is, what are you going to do? Are you really going through with this?”

I stare down at the manacle. Am I? The thought of participating in the Harvest Ritual terrifies me. I’ve trained in secret with Aria, yes, but nothing approaching actual danger. And being bound to Theron adds layers of complication I can barely begin to untangle.

I’m torn in a way I’ve never felt before, caught between fear and pride, duty and desire. Between the safety of the path carved out for me… and the chaos that waits beyond it. And then there’s Theron. The sting of his betrayal still claws at me, even after a year. I still see him with her, the woman his father deemed more suitable. Like I was never even a choice.

“I don’t know,” I admit, the weight of indecision heavy on my shoulders. “Part of me wants to run as far from this as possible. Another part wants to prove I can do this, that I’m more than just a priestess reciting prayers in a temple.”

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