Chapter 12: The Moon Stone

The Moon Stone stood on a bare ridge above Highcrest, a single slab of white rock taller than a man.

The moon came up behind it, full and enormous.

Every Alpha in Colorado stood on the grass below in a half circle.

Winnie held my left hand and her mother held my right.

I wore the green dress again, because I wanted to be seen.

The envoy stood by the stone with his leather case and read the rule aloud for the last time.

"Two claims, one wolf," he said. "The stone will answer. Whoever it answers is the mate. There is no appeal."

Dane stood on one side of the slab in his pack jacket.

He had a bruise the size of a fist blooming above his collar, and he did not look at Caius.

Caius stood on the other side in his black suit, with his hands at his sides.

Behind them, four Silver Creek wolves carried Orrin up the path on a stretcher.

They set it down at the edge of the grass, and the old man lifted his head to look.

I walked up to the stone alone.

It was cold under my hands.

"The first claimant may speak," said the envoy.

"I am Dane Brickell, Acting Alpha of Silver Creek," Dane said. "She is my mate. I marked her three years ago."

He stepped up behind me and laid two fingers on the mark.

The stone said nothing.

It stayed white and dumb under my palms, and the crowd shifted.

"Again," said the envoy.

Dane pressed harder.

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