Page 25 of The Onyx Covenant

“All champions and their Omegas must remain on the Covenant grounds from this moment forward,” Melian continues. “The binding magic requires proximity—no more than fifty paces between bound pairs at any time. Behind the Covenant building are lodgings where you will stay tonight, simple quarters with separate rooms for each pack, though none larger than thirty feet in any direction, offering ample space to accommodate for the binding’s constraints.”

“Training will commence at dawn. Families and friends must depart within the hour. Say your farewells now,” Tarek adds.

With those words, the two Onyx Covenant members turn as one and disappear into the building, the obsidian doors closing behind them with a sound like distant thunder.

The crowd begins to disperse, champions and their chosen Omegas huddling together to discuss strategy, families offering last-minute advice. My father approaches, his anger now replaced with quiet resignation.

“I wish we had more time,” he says. “But it seems the moons have other plans.”

I nod, suddenly exhausted. “I know.”

“I’ll help her get ready,” Aria offers.

Father hesitates, then nods. “Very well.” He embraces me, his arms strong and secure around my shoulders. “Whatever happens, know that we are proud of you, Lyra. And we will be waiting when you return.”

When, not if. The confidence in his voice brings tears to my eyes, which I quickly blink away. “Thank you, Father.”

Mother presses a small pouch into my hand. “Moondust,” she whispers. “For protection. Use it wisely.” She kisses my forehead and steps back. “Trust your instincts, Lyra. They’ve never led you astray.”

“We’ll be watching from the ceremonial viewing area until you leave for your mission.” Father adds, “Remember your strength.”

With final embraces, they turn to leave, joining the other departing families. I watch them go, feeling suddenly adrift despite the dozens of people still milling around the clearing.

“Well,” Aria says once they’re out of earshot. “That was intense. Ready to become a warrior overnight?”

I glance across the clearing to where Theron stands. I hate how my breath catches. It’s not just the pull between us—though there’s still that, damn him—it’s something deeper. As if we both know there’s no going back from this moment.

All entrants start moving to the structures behind the onyx building.

“Come on.” Aria tugs me in that direction, too. “We should check out our quarters and get you ready for tomorrow.”

I follow her, acutely aware that Theron isn’t too far behind, alone, more of the contestants, including Orion, farther behind coming this way. I see how Orion stares at Nadia, another Elios Omega. I wonder if Aria noticed?

Turning back around, I take in a shaky breath. This isactuallyhappening.

And the weird thing is that beneath all the fear and anger, there’s a spark of excitement I can’t quite squash. Like maybe, finally, I get to show everyone who I really am.

And if Theron Shadowmane thinks I’m going to make this easy for him, he’s about to learn just how wrong he is.

ChapterFive

THERON

Alongside her friend, Lyra strolls to the bunkers, the blonde of her hair disappearing into the darkness of the tree line. She glances back in my direction, but there’s no reaction on her gorgeous face, and it fucking kills me.

My jaw clenches as I stroll after her until she reaches the stone building nestled farther behind the onyx building. Our home for tonight is a low and imposing structure—smooth gray walls gleaming under moonlight, carved with ancient runes. Two heavy ironwood doors stand side by side, sitting open, one marked with Elios’s crescent moon, the other with Umbra’s shadowed orb, designating the separate quarters for each pack. Narrow windows, more like arrow slits, pierce the stone.

Lyra pauses by her door, her slender fingers tracing one of the glowing runes etched into the stone. Even from this distance, I sense her hesitation and can see the tension in her shoulders before she disappears inside with a final glance in my direction. I linger close, remaining outside, desperate to drag her somewhere alone—just the two of us—to talk, to show her I’m not the asshole she thinks I am. Like old times.

Other participants from both packs file inside, chatting among themselves. No one spares me a glance, even though I know they’ve all been talking about Lyra and me.

Fuck. This all went to shit, didn’t it?

The binding wasn’t supposed to happen like this, but when I saw her standing there on the balcony in the capital, something primal and undeniable took over. The manacle activated before I could think it through.

Her face, when it happened, one of shock and devastation, is burned into my memory. Like I’d betrayed her all over again.

“Enjoying the night air?” Kieran pauses at my side near the bunkers, his voice low enough that only I can hear.

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