|| Lilac’s POV ||

The golden bowl hit the ground with a hollow clang, rolling across the grass as the last of the purple tinged flames flickered out. The acrid scent of burning blood and sacred herbs clung to the air, mixing with the shocked silence that had fallen over the gathered pack. My hands trembled at my sides, fingers curling into fists so tight my nails left crescent moons in my palms.

So this was how it was supposed to happen.

With the entire kingdom watching. ...