Page 77 of The Onyx Covenant

“Sounds easy enough,” Kieran calls out, earning a few nervous chuckles from the gathered attendees.

“Indeed, it is a race,” Melian acknowledges with a thin smile. “But not as simple as you might think. There are dangers beyond this wall that you won’t expect, so be cautious of everything you encounter.”

“There is no time limit,” Tarek explains. “But be warned—those who become lost may wander the labyrinth for months or years before finding their way out again. Some never do.”

A shiver runs through me at his words. Beside me, Theron stands tall, his expression determined rather than fearful.

“One rule above all must be observed,” Melian states firmly. “Once found, the Onyx Moonstone must be freely given to the Sacred Circle. It cannot be forced or coerced into position. Only a worthy team, acting in true harmony, will be able to complete this final task.”

Tarek steps forward, raising his arms to the thinning clouds above.

“May the twin moons guide your paths and illuminate your true purpose. May your hearts be light and your spirits strong. The Harvest Ritual’s final trial begins… now.”

With a grinding creak that vibrates through the ground beneath our feet, the massive gates begin to swing inward. Heat and shadow roll out from the opening, but it’s not total darkness—flaming torches cast a flickering glow that makes everything feel far too alive.

We’re ushered forward in pairs, each team directed to different entrances that are arched gaps carved into a towering wall of living thorns, pulsing faintly as though it breathes.

Theron is shoulder to shoulder with me, both of us staring incredulously at where our path leads. The ground dips suddenly in front of me—and my breath catches.

A vast maze sprawls below, winding paths twisting and looping so far across the valley that they disappear into shadow. The torchlight doesn’t reach the far end, leaving the edges to bleed into pitch blackness. From where I stand, it looks endless.

“Gods,” I murmur. “We’re going to get lost and die in there.”

From a few entrances down, Kieran’s voice pipes up. “Speak for yourself. I have an excellent sense of direction—just not when I’m hungry, tired, or mildly inconvenienced.”

Laughter breaks some of the tension, but only for a moment.

Beside me, Theron exhales slowly, his gaze locked on the maze as if he’s already memorizing every twist and turn.

“Stay close. The maze is alive. It will try to separate us.”

A chill creeps down my spine.

The walls tower at least fifteen feet high, constructed entirely of thorns and tangled, dried branches so dense that no light penetrates through them. The only illumination comes from small round orbs spaced along the walls at irregular intervals—like fireflies trapped in circular glass, giving off a faint, bluish glow that barely pushes back the darkness.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, stopping at the threshold. “How are we supposed to find our way through there?”

Theron takes my hand, his grip warm and steady. “Together,” he says simply. “We’ll find our way together.”

I look up at him, searching his face for any sign of doubt or fear. There is none—only determination and something else, something that makes my heart flutter despite the terror of what lies ahead.

“Are you ready?” Melian asks, standing beside our entrance.

I’m not. I’m absolutely not ready for whatever nightmare labyrinth they’ve constructed for us, but I square my shoulders and nod.

“Good luck to you both,” she states, and it almost sounds sincere. “Remember, not everything in the labyrinth is as it appears. Trust your instincts… and each other.”

With that cryptic warning, she gestures us forward. Theron steps through first, holding my hand, and I follow close behind.

The moment we cross the threshold, the world changes. The air grows thick and oddly sweet smelling while sounds become muffled as if we’re underwater. Behind us, the entrance disappears, replaced by more thorn walls, sealing us in the labyrinth completely.

“No going back now,” Theron murmurs, his voice sounding strangely distant despite his proximity.

I swallow hard, fighting down the surge of panic that threatens to overwhelm me. “Forward it is, then.”

“Stay close.” He squeezes my hand, a silent reassurance that somehow penetrates my fear. “Whatever happens in here, we face it together.”

Together. One word, so simple yet so complex given everything between us—our packs, our histories, the night in the cave, and now this final challenge that will determine the future for our pack wolves.

---