Chapter 19: The Moon Rite

The Moon Hall at Highmoor has no roof over its middle.

When the moon cleared the east tower, the light came straight down onto the basin in the centre of the floor, and every pack in the north went quiet.

There were eleven Alphas on the dais and six hundred wolves standing round the walls.

Torin stood on my left, close enough to touch.

On my right the place beside Magnus stayed empty, and I did not step into it.

Aldous came in last, in his grey robe, leading Jessamine by the elbow.

She carried the baby in a white blanket and she did not look up.

"Found in the lower garden, in a state," Aldous told the room softly. "Poor child. It has been a hard few weeks."

I felt the Healer's hand close on my sleeve.

Magnus stood at the head of the basin with his hands at his sides.

His face was composed and his mouth was shut.

I had never admired him until that moment.

"The Moon Rite," Aldous said, and the hall hushed to hear him.

"At the first full moon, the child of the Crown is brought before the moon, and the moon names his father."

"King Magnus. Bring your hand."

Magnus held out his palm, and Aldous cut it with a silver blade.

The blood fell into the stone bowl with a small sound.

Jessamine held out the baby's foot.

Aldous pricked the heel, quickly, and the baby wailed.

Two drops.

Aldous lifted a small stoppered jar and poured the water onto the blood with a flourish.

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