a P

l Lineage Affirmation Ritual was the most important event of the yea

onial color of my family. Beside me, my mother, Clara, sat i

rowd like venomous butterflies, whispering poison about me, suggesting m

ex-fiancé." He stood beside Elder Edgar White, whisperi

White, gave a brief, passionless speech. T

e confirmation of the pack's young memb

ard. "Elder Edgar, before w

the hall tu

ite Pack. Miss White has been... unwell. Her actions have been erratic. I fear her bloodline has been tainted,

ity Inspection was a deeply humiliating procedure

cross Elois's and Katy's fac

ge, trying to rise from he

n her arm. I looked at Ki

dn't deny. I simply

ck Codex, does a person nominated for a Purity Inspection h

ough the book in his hands. "Ah... yes. The Codex does state tha

llenge is this: you and the woman you claim as your fated mate will stand b

alter a political betrothal. A true bond awakened its clear, silvery radiance. Deception left the

face we

in the crowd, looked lik

ack recognize her and grant her status on the strength of this supposed bon

A man who lacks the courage to place his own claim beneath the Goddess

irt's whispers in private, but with the Codex open before t

nial staff and struck it on

antes, step beneath the Moonstone Lamp and present your Mate Marks for inspec

ne m

ide aisle. Both hands flew to her chest as though s

pered, her voice t

egan to crack. He looked from the Moonstone Lamp to the Elders, then t

clenched teeth. "I will not allow my mate to be publicl

ecame utte

of a lawful Honor Challenge will be e

n, sharper this time. They were no longer

Kirt Bradford accused White Pack's first heir without evidence, refused to submit his own claim to

head, trembling. She no longer looked like an innocent woman caught in a tragic r

a White is denied. The accusation will be struck from the record. Kirt Bradford's forf

of his staff s

stain my bloodline before the entire pack. Instead, he had plac

now filled with suspicion and contempt. Several elders who had

er, my voice a rapid, ur

slow-acting curse. Your ring, the one from the Co

d understanding. All the years of weakness, of Elois's cloying "conc

s, who was smiling beside my fathe

d pain, doubt, and ang

her eyes were bright wi

d the simple, unassuming ring from her finger and pressed it into my