via'

cred grove, the gentle rustling of leaves a stark contrast to the turmoil in my heart. My sisters

d pleaded earlier that day. "He's an ou

love for Zachary transcended their fears. But no

tively reaching for the ceremonial dagger at my hip. Relief washed over me a

e you," he said, closing

eathing in his scent. "It's ok

ened around me. "Abo

y, I... I don't know if I can do this. My sister

fore it settled back into a mask of concern. "Octavia, my love, y

now,

hands. "I need you to understand something. It's n

in my throat. "

wavering. "To truly be with me, to be my Luna

is. "My... my powers? But Zachary,

e powers, you'll always be torn between two worlds. I want you fully i

You're asking me to give up

ered. His voice softened. "I love you, Octavia. More than anythin

e weight of his request crushed me. Give u

time to think

ke all the time you need. But remember, the mating cer

peared back into the forest, leaving

. They begged me to reconsider, to see reason. But with each passing hour, my resolve strengthened.

sacred prayer ground. The air hummed with ancient magi

ure if I was addressing the

my lips, each syllable feeling like a betrayal. I could feel my conn

via,

hine bursting into the cleari

ere?" I asked, hastil

eard your sisters talking. They said you were going to give up your

There's nothing to talk about, S

this really what you want? O

nsisted, but even to my own e

your friend. I want you to be happy. But this... this d

vince myself than her. "Zachary says it'

e, so quickly I almost missed it. "A

I snapped, defensi

ay, okay. I just... I want you to be sure. Th

n in her eyes. "I know what I'm doing, S

is is truly what you want, I won't stand in your wa

of my shoulder, she le

e last word left my lips, I felt something fundamental shift within me. The c

. My powers

pack grounds. Tomorrow was the mating ceremony.

et me revise the ending of the chapter to include a proper introduction of Se

g, excited voices reached my ear

the center stood Zachary, his face alight with jo

dreams, and laughter. She was the one person outside of Zachary who truly knew me, who I trusted comple

news about giving up my powers. But something in their st

ss the clearing. "My fellow pack members, I have wonde

s was it he was going to ann

e words that sha