Chapter 4: The Sacred Slate

Sadie’s POV

Both Delphine and I followed the soldier, although we kept our distance from each other. I cautiously scanned my surroundings, puzzled as to why this time the Prince’s Luna selection had made an exception by allowing all she-wolves to participate. What was so special about it?

We were brought out to the square behind the pack house. Soldiers stood guard around the perimeter. They were a formidable force, with stern faces. The entire pack had already gathered. Apparently everyone was waiting for us.

As we approached, a column of soldiers suddenly marched forward. They had an intimidating presence as they split into two rows, making way for a burly, muscular man to step out.

I could tell right away that he was the Beta of the Lycan Prince. I could also tell by the way the soldiers regarded him that he was responsible for overseeing the selection process.

“Line up,” the Beta barked. “Make two lines,” he ordered, his voice carrying an air of authority.

Immediately, the she-wolves shuffled into place, exchanging nervous glances with one another. I noticed though that their eyes were drawn to a figure sitting in the shadows behind the Beta.

The man said nothing. He just sat there, in the darkness, still and silent. Yet we could all feel it, his presence. It was suffocating. I squinted and looked towards him. It was impossible to see his face from the distance I was at, but his unrestrained Lycan aura rolled off of him, rippling through the air. It spoke louder than words.

He must be the Lycan Prince. 

No one needed to tell us that. We could all feel it, as clearly as we felt the sun on a hot day. We didn’t need any confirmation. Every nerve in our bodies screamed it – this man held a power that superseded physical strength. He was dominance personified, and the sheer strength of his aura alone made us tremble. We felt small and insignificant in his presence.

The Beta continued, causing us to tear our eyes away from the Lycan Prince sitting in the shadows. His tone was stern as he explained the ceremonial rules.

“Each of you will take a turn stepping up onto the stage. Once you are on the stage, you will touch the Sacred Slate. The she-wolf who awakens the Sacred Slate is the chosen one. She will be the Prince’s Luna.”         

Two soldiers stepped forward, straining as they carried out a massive, ancient slate. Even with their Lycan strength, I could tell they struggled to bear the weight of the mysterious slate. It took both their efforts just to lift it, a testament to how heavy it really was.

I watched as one by one, the she-wolves ascended the stage and pressed their hands onto the slate.

But nothing happened. The slate remained unresponsive.

I had no idea what was supposed to happen. None of us did. But whatever it was clearly wasn’t happening, as one by one, every she-wolf in our pack stepped up and touched the slate.

Finally, it was Delphine’s turn. I assumed she’d be reluctant, seeing as she’d just professed her love for Karter. So I was surprised when I saw her eyes gleaming with anticipation. She walked up to the stage quickly and placed her hand on the slate.

A fierce gust of wind swept through the square as soon as her hand made contact. We watched, wide-eyed as the stone trembled. A faint glow emerged, as if from inside the very slate itself. The crowd erupted into a cacophony of gasps and murmurs.

Was she the one?

But just as quickly as the slate had stirred, it stilled. The wind died down and the glow disappeared. The Beta exchanged a glance with the Prince, then he gestured for Delphine to step down.

I was the last she-wolf. The Beta motioned for me to approach the stage. I did, painfully aware that all eyes were locked on me. Including the Prince’s – I felt his gaze on me as I approached the stone. He seemed to recognize that I was the Alpha’s daughter, and his sharp eyes followed my every movement.

I stood in front of the stone, my heart pounded, feeling conflicted and anxious. Part of me feared not being chosen. If I wasn’t, I’d fail to save my father and he’d die. But another part of me dreaded being chosen. If I was, I’d be bound to a fate I didn’t want. I knew, deep down, that even without Karter I couldn’t spend my life with a man I didn’t love, even if he was a prince.  

     

I paused as these emotions swirled inside of me.

“Go on,” the Beta ordered.

I’d stalled long enough. It was time to seal my fate, one way or the other. I took a deep breath and placed my hand on the slate.

Instantly, the impossible happened. A bright, golden light erupted from the slate’s runes, illuminating the square. An ethereal gust of wind ripped through the square, whipping my long hair around my face, as if touched by some sort of divine being. I was flooded with warmth, my nerve ends tingling with a strange sensation.

The crowd froze, stunned into silence. I did too.

Somehow, I’d awoken the Scared Slate.

We were all shocked, our eyes fixed on the glorious golden light, rendered speechless by the miraculous sight before us.