Page 26 of Wolf Bonded (Rejected Moons 2)

“And your mother probably didn’t want to leave the pack to go off with some Moon Caster,” Milo says. “If I had to guess, I’d say they had some kind of passionate affair, and he did the blessing because he wanted what was best for you, but then he had to leave, and the two of them decided to part ways.”

“That makes sense,” I say. But it also has me wondering.

Does that mean my father’s still out there somewhere?

Could he be part of a coven—like this one—maybe reminiscing fondly about the woman he loved all those years ago, who he had to leave behind?

I was born just before the Lunar Reversal. So he wouldn’t be worried about whether or not I survived. Back then, almost every baby did.

But I’ll bet he would be wondering if I ever found out the truth about what I am.

Wilder rests a hand on the small of my back, drawing my attention back to what’s happening in front of me.

Regine has lifted her hands above her head, and the moon seems to be shining directly on the women as if it was placed there just for them. Their skin is practically glowing. They’re radiant.

Something in me longs, suddenly, to get up and join the line. To receive this blessing too.

I am definitely not pregnant. I just had my period, so I’m about as sure as a person can be. But even so, I want to be one of them right now.

I know I can’t. I haven’t been invited. It would be completely wrong of me to stand up and try to join their ceremony.

But maybe someday.

The idea fills me with anticipation and excitement. It’s the first time I’ve actually beenthrilledto know that I am a Moon Caster, that I belong to this elite club. There’s power here, and I can be a part of it.

Regine blesses the women, and then several in the group stand aside. They look radiant and happy, and some of their bellies are slightly swollen, so I know these must be the ones who are already pregnant.

The second blessing is for fertility. She calls on the power of the moon to fill the bodies of the coven’s women and to make them ready to bear strong and healthy children, to help the world recover from the horrible damage that was caused by the Lunar Reversal.

And sitting there, off to the side, I close my eyes and imagine that this blessing is for me, too.

15

MILO

“Didyoulikeit?”Wilder asks.

The ceremony has broken up. Some people went back downstairs, but most of them are still on the roof, milling around and chatting. It looks like the end of any social gathering—not that I have extensive context for that.

But I remember this now. Just like I remembered something before when I came upon the people playing ball with one another. I don’t know if I’ve seen this specific ceremony before or not, but I’ve seen something like this.

“I did enjoy it,” I tell Wilder.

He nods. “I’m glad you came.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t come to meet your High Sorcerer earlier.”

“That’s okay,” Wilder said. “Emlyn told me you had some kind of baggage about that.”

It’s weird to hear him referring to my past so casually. For me, it’s always been a big dark stain in the center of my mind—something I do my best to just avoid thinking about. “What did she tell you?”

“Not much. She said it was your business. But she mentioned you’d belonged to a coven before.”

I nod. “I did.”

“I’m guessing that wasn’t a good experience for you."

“My mother was a shifter,” I tell him.

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