He did not return.
The hunting grounds were reserved, the ceremonial pelts were prepared, and the ritual was planned. Every day, I sent these to Liam as if they were subordinate reporting duties. There was no response, but no angry howls came in, so I knew Liam or Nova was satisfied.
That’s fine; at the moment, all I want is to leave smoothly.
Seven days later, Liam stood in the centre of the challenge circle, formally challenging Nova, but before he could mark her as his chosen, the entrance to the ceremonial grounds was unexpectedly pushed open from the outside. The gray-furred Elder Jane pointed at Nova and snarled loudly:
‘I will not allow her to join our pack; the Luna of the Black Moon Pack can only be Isabelle! Liam was also angry.
He took Nova’s hand, looked at his mother, and asked loudly:
‘Why! Why! Mother, even if my wolf spirit leaves me today, I will claim Nova as my own!His mother clutched her chest and trembled all over.
Looking at Liam, who was also angry in front of her, she sobbed and said, “Son, you ask mother why? It’s because she and her father murdered your father! Mother asked Isabelle to mate with you! Son! You can’t be confused anymore!’
Liam had planned ten thousand words to refute his mother, but her words left him completely stunned. He took a step forward and walked ahead of his mother. Only then did he realise that his and Nova’s hands remained tightly clasped together. He didn’t intend to let go. He stepped forward to wipe his mother’s tears away, trembling: “Mother, what are you talking about?” Are you old and confused? Or did Isabelle, the dead she-wolf, come to find you?”No matter what you say, Isabelle and I cannot be together. Allowing her to be my Luna shows my deepest respect for her, and it also serves as an explanation to you. I want to spend the rest of my life with Nova.’ He didn’t believe his mother’s words because he had personally confirmed it eight moons ago. Looking at his mother in tears, he recalled the mating night eight moons ago. That day, he looked at the shy Isabelle on the den floor and asked her what he had been thinking: ‘Isabelle, if we don’t complete the mate bond, will your father refuse to help the Black Moon Pack?’
The bright red ceremonial pelt made Isabelle’s face appear even more shy.
She looked at him for a long time before nodding.
Liam vividly recalls the humiliation he experienced.
However, at the time, the Black Moon Pack had only recently emerged from the abyss and was far from fully recovered.
Even if he felt humiliated, he dared not act.
So he kept his emotions under control and returned his gaze to Nova.
‘My mother had never enquired about my mate bond, but this time she was adamant. Did your father force her?’
Liam remembered that when he asked this question that day, Nova had tears in her eyes and appeared to want to say something.
