Chapter 2

My apology left them speechless.

My father was the first to recover, and when he cleared his throat again, his voice had softened.

"That's more like it. We're family, Elara. There is no reason we can't talk through a misunderstanding. Your sister is receiving the Moon Goddess's blessing tonight. The least you can do is give her this one day."

"I understand," I said with a small nod.

My mother visibly relaxed and reached for Rosalie's hand again. "See? Your sister isn't angry. Go change out of the gown before it tires you out."

They led Rosalie toward the fitting room, surrounding her so completely that the moonstone skirt seemed to float through the middle of them.

My mother had chosen every stone herself, each one meant to absorb the Moon Goddess's blessing beneath a full moon.

I turned toward the door, but before I could step outside, a hand closed around my wrist.

Kael had followed me away from the others.

He studied my face, something unreadable still lingering in his eyes.

"You're really not angry?"

He kept his voice low, as if he did not want anyone inside to hear.

For one dangerous moment, tears stung the backs of my eyes.

Our wolves had recognized each other as mates when we were sixteen.

I once thought a fated mate would never choose Rosalie over me, but even a sacred bond could wear thin beneath enough disappointment.

I lowered my gaze. "No."

Relief softened his face.

He raised a hand as though he meant to touch my cheek.

"I knew you'd understand."

I reached inside my coat for the examination results. "Kael, I need to tell you what the healer said about Astra—"

Before I could finish, his expression shifted. "There is something else I need to talk to you about."

My heart sank before he said another word.

Kael's concern never came without a reason.

He hesitated, carefully arranging the sentence in his head. "I want to postpone our marking ceremony."

When I looked up, he turned his eyes toward the window.

"Rosalie has always been frail. Now that she's the Saintess, all she wants is to visit Moonstone Falls before the full moon and receive the Moon Goddess's blessing. I promised years ago that if she made it safely to adulthood, I'd take her."

He spoke quickly, then added, "She's only an Omega. She'll never threaten your place as my Luna. This isn't too much for her to ask."

I said nothing, and Kael finally met my eyes with a slight frown.

"We're postponing the ceremony, not canceling it. You are still my mate-to-be. Nothing between us has changed."

The burning in my throat had grown worse.

The reaction was spreading through my bloodstream, and the silver markings around my wrist had darkened, but my voice remained calm.

I knew the allergic reaction would make Astra deteriorate faster.

Every minute I remained without the tonic narrowed our chances of survival.

"All right."

Kael blinked. "What did you say?"

"I said we can postpone it."

He watched me for several seconds, clearly expecting a fight.

When none came, a relieved smile touched his face.

"Elara, you're finally trying to understand me."

I almost smiled back.

As long as Rosalie was there, our marking ceremony would never truly belong to us.

I turned to leave.

The healer had given me a vial of emberroot tonic, but it was in my room at home.

I needed to stop the reaction first, then return to the clinic and ask the healer to file a formal appeal with Kael for the Silver Spring water.

I had made it only a few steps when Rosalie called after me.

"Elara."

She stood in the bakery doorway with red-rimmed eyes, one hand twisted into the sleeve of her moonstone gown.

"Are you upset that I'm the Saintess?"

I kept walking.

Her voice grew smaller behind me. "If you want the title that badly, I can give it back. I'm only an Omega. I probably don't deserve to stand at the altar anyway."

Aiden's expression darkened. "Elara, Rosalie is speaking to you."

He strode after me and blocked the path. "You just said you weren't angry, and now you're punishing everyone with this attitude."

"I need to go home for my medicine."

Aiden scoffed. "Here we go again. Every time Rosalie gets something good, you suddenly become sick."

My father stepped out of the bakery behind him.

"Enough, Elara."

My mother stood beside Rosalie, her disappointment plain. "Your sister has waited so long for this day. Can't you let her enjoy it without making her worry about you?"

Kael remained at Rosalie's side.

His Alpha pressure settled over me before he spoke, and my knees weakened beneath it.

When he looked at me, there was accusation in his voice.

"Postponing the marking ceremony was my decision. If you're angry, be angry with me. Don't take it out on Rosalie."

I tried to answer, but my throat was closing too quickly. "I need my medicine."

Rosalie bit her lower lip. "Elara, if I cancel the trip to Moonstone Falls, will you feel better?"

Aiden's expression hardened, and before I could react, he slapped me across the face.