Mark by Destiny.
Alpha Dean’s chair scraped faintly as he rose to his feet, his face etched with disbelief.
Loretta’s cup nearly slipped from her hand. She stood, crossing the space between them in hurried, ungraceful steps — so unlike her usual composed self. Her fingers trembled as she reached out, almost afraid to touch.
“By the Goddess…” she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. Her voice cracked as her fingertips brushed the mark. “This… this is the crescent of destiny.”
The mark pulsed under Loretta’s touch, faintly glowing, sending a ripple of energy through the room. Even those who did not understand the weight of it felt its power.