Chapter 185: Hold Applause (0% Success Rate)

When the green wolf circled the couple the man’s eyes surged gold.

Nova had seen this at the Moonfire and knew it meant matebond. So, apparently, did everyone else in the chamber, because the applause doubled, the room collectively arriving at a conclusion roughly as subtle as the giant green wolf that had just lapped the arena.

The wolf trotted back home into the flame like a very good boy who had shown off and was basking in the applause.

"The ancestors have spoken. The oath is accepted." The priestess inclined her head. "Let her be known as Clara of House Valmont, of the Thunderfang pack."

When Clara and her mate turned to face the hall, they were both glowing at Nova specifically, which did not help her case that she could not control it.

The High Luna’s eyes moved from the glowing couple to Nova. Nova pretended like she didn’t see it. Tavian and Sebastian were staring right at Nova, just in case the crowd didn’t watch the Moonfire.

Alpha Thunderfang was staring at the fire, perplexed, seeming to be the only person who didn’t need reminding that Nova wasn’t controlling it.

The priestess raised a hand. "Please refrain from applause until the conclusion of the rite."

That did not work.

A wolf came for the next couple too. Another arranged marriage. Everyone clapped when the man’s eyes surged for his mate. Then the wolf reared up on its hind legs and spun in a full circle and the room lost its collective shit.

"Hold applause until the end," the priestess called again.

The next couple didn’t get a wolf at all.

The priestess waited, confused for a moment, then looked at Nova like Nova knew what was happening. The crowd followed. Nova moved her head from right to left, a subtle no, signaling she had no control over it. It was supposed to be subtle. It is difficult to be subtle when everyone is watching you.

The priestess took it as the couple was not worthy of a wolf and so did the crowd. Nova closed her eyes realizing that a second too late.

The couple left looking less happy than the first two. The woman glanced back at Nova once, and Nova felt it land.

It continued.

The crowd would look at Nova before the couples went up, watching for a hint. Nova focused on being a statue so there was no hint.

Not every pair got a wolf. All of the Moonfire ones did. About a third of the non-Moonfire ones did as well. The rest? Nothing. Nova couldn’t help but feel bad for those ones because it made it seem like those weren’t as good of matches, which wasn’t their fault.

Every couple was watching Nova like she was the judge, jury, and executioner. The ones who got a wolf would give her a "you did this" look after they went, like she had handed them the love of their life.

She hadn’t. The optics begged to differ.

The ones who didn’t looked heartbroken.

When it was coming towards the end, Sierra turned to Nova, looking very anxious.

"I don’t control it. But every Moonfire has gotten one. There’s no question in my mind you’ll have one," Nova whispered, just for her.

Sebastian unsheathed the ceremonial dagger of House Stormholt, a sapphire set deep in the handle. After he sliced their palms and they joined hands, he guided hers into the flame.

WHOOSH.

The fire rose to five feet and roared sapphire. Subtle, it was not.

The crowd gasped.

Sapphire light poured into Sierra where she stood. A sapphire wolf showed up right on schedule.

It ran around the chamber. Once. Twice. Did a backflip. Nailed the landing. Looked around for applause, which it got in abundance.

The crowd was on their feet, cheering like it was a sporting event. The priestess had given up after the fifth wolf of light and was cheering with the crowd now.

When it circled the couple, Sebastian’s eyes surged again, just as they had the night of the Moonfire.

Then the wolf jumped back into the flame.

"The ancestors have spoken. The oath is accepted. Let her be known as Sierra of House Stormholt, sworn as Gamma Luna of the Thunderfang pack."

Sierra didn’t return with the other couples. She stood next to Sebastian, part of Thunderfang leadership now. The smile on her face melted Nova’s heart.

"Let the designee for Beta Luna of Thunderfang come forward."

Maria gave Nova’s arm a squeeze. Then she met Tavian at the fire. The look on his face was the look of a man who had been waiting a week to watch exactly this.

"You stand within this hall to take upon yourself the oath of Beta Luna of Thunderfang. Do you vow before the ancestors and Alpha to guard the people of Thunderfang, to guide with measured wisdom, and to grant mercy without frailty and justice without vanity?"

"I do."

"Do you bind yourself to this land and to its long memory, to carry the counsel of the Beta line and to wear the aura your mate bestows upon you as both shield and burden, in service of this pack above yourself?"

"I do."

"Then let the ancestors render judgment, for if you are worthy, you shall not burn."

Tavian drew the ceremonial Beta dagger of House Voltcrest. The moment their joined hands went into the flame, the fire roared silver, climbing five feet tall. Silver light poured into Maria at the same moment.

Then a silver wolf jumped out of the fire.

Did two backflips in a row.

Dropped low. Spun on one shoulder and kicked its legs out.

It was goddamn breakdancing. There was no other word for it. Another spin on its back. Opposite direction.

Nailed a freeze mid-pose and held it.

The crowd was louder than it had been all night. This wolf was the winner.

Even the High Luna’s composure cracked into a short, surprised laugh before she smoothed it back over.

"The ancestors have spoken. The oath is accepted. Let her be known as Maria of House Voltcrest, sworn as Beta Luna of the Thunderfang pack."

Maria joined Tavian at the front behind the basin. And then there was one left. Nova’s turn. Suddenly she felt a bit anxious. Mainly because to be initiated into a pack, you have to have a wolf. And even though there was some evidence of a wolf in her, Nova hadn’t shifted yet and was not convinced.

"Let the designee for the Crown Princess of Thunderfang come forward."

Nova blinked. Right, that was her. That was also a classic forgetting the obvious. She hadn’t thought titles through until right this second. But Derek was the Crown Prince, and this was how it worked, and so she was the Crown Princess.

She stepped forward. Alpha Thunderfang met her in front of the basin, standing in for Derek.