14

He’d drugged my wine as seamlessly as a human magician made a coin vanish.

I gritted my teeth and forced myself to focus on what was important: my ceremony. When I looked at Jayson, I almost faltered. He didn’t have the customary runes and symbols painted on his face. I kept walking but wondered why. Maybe the Ninth Pack wasn’t as traditional as others. Still, he was dressed in some of the nicest clothes I’d ever seen, and as I approached, he stepped forward to face me. My worries quickly faded.

We stood facing each other for several awkward seconds. Traditionally, the male mate spoke first, but Jayson was looking around, almost as if he was uncomfortable. Had I ever attended a Ninth Pack mating ceremony? Did they do things differently? Maybe.

Inwardly rolling my eyes, I decided to take the reins and get things started. I was sure the goddess would overlook such a small change to protocol.

Pulling my shoulders back and lifting my chin, I began. “I, Kira Lana Durst, bring myself to bes