ire

o a deafening roar. A torrential downpour blurred the carriage windows, turning the outside world int

orses, unaccustomed to such violent weather during a parade, began to panic and

seemed that with my rebirth, the butterfly ef

h a dense forest-we weren't far from the

y, followed instantly by a crack of thunder so l

continue the march. The extravagant wedding gifts and dowry would be ruined, a

ing over the storm. "Alpha! The road ahead is washed

d barely make out his silhouette on horseback, pointing furiou

oon T

, our entire procession scrambled into the grand cou

he courtyard, were the dark, imposi

g his soaked ceremonial suit, and t

satin of my skirts in my fists, took a deep br

of independence, but with so many of his subordinates watching, he quickly masked it. P

fur cloak. "The Pack Seer promised clear skies today! If we miss the auspicious hour for the ma

ked, his fake gentleman persona cracking under the stress. "And secu

, Al

avy chests inside, the temple grew chaotic. Yet, beneath the shouting and

was the girl who had been sold t

ear the entrance and sat down, irritably b

red in mud. I can't present myself to the Moon Goddess like this." I pointed toward the darker, recessed area near

ly waving his hand dismissively

rs squeaking softly against the damp stone floor. I slipped deeper int

wolf sentinels, the sound of the crying grew louder

lcoves, their doors hanging crookedly on rusted

st alcove, I f

shoulders shook with violent, suppressed sobs. Her gown wa

and aimed directly at her own throat,

el D

out to kil