Filed To Story: Secret with Betas Daughter: Skylar Story Series
“Let’s begin setting up. I think you girls have waited long enough. I’m here now and no one else can delay this process. It is meant to be and must happen now, before time runs out.”
Well that was cryptic. Mina says over the mind link.
Might as well talk out loud, I think she can read our minds or hear our thoughts. Whatever it is, there is probably no way to keep secrets from her. I responded.
“You are a smart one.”
She looks at me. “You both are and you both are very important. I have spoken to Nickolas and we will begin shortly. He is not a part of the ceremony, but he will be standing guard. Both of you will be vulnerable for a few hours while the spell works. This takes time even without all of the fluff your elders seem to think necessary.”
We both just nod and wait anxiously for directions.
Without words, the witch, who still has not said her name, hands us different items from the boxes and points to different locations of the room. She is consulting, what I think is a compass and some kind of chart while she does all of this.
There are candles everywhere, all different shapes and sizes. Many of them look handmade and have leaves, flowers and herbs mixed into the wax. Some look like they have been used many times, others are brand new.
We have drawn a large circle onto the wood floor with a white substance that is the consistency of flour or crushed up chalk. I’m not sure. In the center of the circle is a small metal bowl on three legs, like a mini fire pit, if the smoke smell coming off of it is an indicator.
There are small clumps of different materials from outside.
Dirt, rocks, moss, dried flowers, gemstones in all sorts of colors.
“We are ready to begin.”
She finally says after hours of setting up and adjusting the things around the room.
She waves her hand and all the candles light at once. My eyes go wide and I can feel my jaw drop open. It’s the first ‘ magical’ thing she has done all day. I wonder if she could have set all this up in ten minutes with magic, instead of the painstaking manual set up we did.
“Of course child, but no one appreciates the things that come too easy. You must first understand what things are for, where they come from and how to obtain them properly to truly appreciate what you have.”
And she at least confirmed that she can, in fact, read minds. “Please step into the circle ladies.”
We both step forward looking at each other, not sure what to expect since this is the most she has said all day. The only other instruction we were given was to change into a black sports bra and shorts, like at training, and pull our hair back.
Our faces illuminated by the flickering light of candles. A sense of reverence and anticipation fills the air. The witch steps forward, as close to the circle as she can be without stepping over the line.
Another wave of her hand and the herbs in the fire pit between Mina and I lights. I jump a little at the sudden spark and heat, but I don’t move from my position.
She begins humming and then chanting under her breath. It’s a language I don’t understand, but the flame in the pit goes from a warm yellow orange to a deep green. “Tonight, we initiate these two into our Elite Warrior brotherhood and sisterhood. To mark their devotion, we shall bestow upon them the symbol of the Royal Elite.”
She begins humming again and the flames change to blue. As she continues to hum she places a long metal pole into the fire, this must be the branding iron. “Are you willing to pledge your loyalty and power to the Elite Warriors, regardless of the consequences?” She asks. We both respond without hesitation. “Yes.”
“Are you willing to put the Kingdom’s needs above your own and do all in your power to protect Its vast members?’ ‘Yes.”
We reply no breaking eye contact with each other. The air in the room begins to thicken with the smoke from the candles and the fire pit, but also the tingling of whatever magic she is wielding. “Will you uphold the integrity of the Alpha King and Luna Queen? “Yes.”
“Will you lay your life on the line to protect those who are weaker than you?” “Yes.”
The flames turn purple this time. “You are being granted a great honor and hold the power to help the Royal Pack grow and thrive. Do you swear, on your life, to uphold that honor while you wear your brand?’ “Yes.”
“Kneel then raise your right arm, inside of your wrist up.”
We both follow her instructions. She kneels between us and grabs the handle of the brand and lifts it from the purple flame. She moves to Mina first, chanting low under her breath, gently holding the back of Mina’s hand and pressing the branding iron to the inside of her wrist. can hear the skin sizzle and see the smoke lift from her skin.
Other than a sharp intake of breath, Mina doesn’t move or say anything. Her arm is visibly shaking from the pain, I’m sure, she feels and tears run from her eyes, but she doesnt move to wipe them away.
The branding iron is pulled away and placed back into the fire pit, turning the flames a bright white. The witch reaches for vials of herbs sitting next to her and she begins chanting again, in more of a melody while she sprinkles little bits of things on Mina’s burnt flesh.
Mina’s tears subside, by the time the witch is done with her and she just stares at me, but it feels more like she’s not seeing me. She’s lost in her mind somewhere and it takes everything that have to not go to her and comfort her after all of that.
I thought I might fall into a panic memory like the first time we got to see the mission camp when I smelt her burning flesh. The panic fought to take over. I had to keep reminding myself that this is not Kaley’s torture, but something that will make me stronger, I have survived worse and Mina and Nickolas are here with me. I’m not going through it alone.
I take a deep breath and look at the witch who seems to just be waiting for me to go through my own panic and be ready for her. I blink and nod. She grabs the branding iron from the still white flames and begins chanting and repeating the ceremony she just completed with Mina.
This time the searing pain and the smell of burning flesh pull me into my memory, but I am still conscious enough to keep my body still, but the struggle is real. I hear her soothing voice chanting next to me, but I also hear a voice in my head that isn’t my wolf.
You are very strong and important. Remember that Little One. All of those you come into contact with and help will benefit, but be wary of those who seek you out for favors. You still have trials in your future that must be navigated through. Keep pushing forward, you are stronger than anyone knows. This ritual is different for all who go through it, even though the physical branding appears to be the same. No one speaks of their expenence or what is revealed to them through the process. Each must make their own journey without bias or influence. Remember that when you speak of your ritual. I slowly blink and come back to the present. Mina and I are still kneeling in front of the fire pit, but it is cold and all the candles have been blown out. The room isn’t completely dark though. Small rays of light are coming through the window in the kitchen. Have we been here all night? “Oh, man. I feel like I got hit by a truck.”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.