As we step out from the manor and onto the path leading to where the ceremony will be held, all I can taste is ash and rose petals. It’s an odd combination, but I understand ash. Not the flowers. Not until I see some up ahead, laying around in a circle.

I step barefoot into the circle at the heart of the training grounds, which I find is an odd place to hold this at. A ring of torches flicker all around us. They cast long shadows that dance across the faces of our pack who have gathered here ...