Chapter 149 The Mating Ceremony

• MILLIE’S POV
• The dawn didn't break with a burst of gold; it crept into the sky in shades of deep, bruised violet and charcoal grey. The air in the sacred grove at the edge of the pack’s territory was biting, carrying the thick, damp scent of pine needle earth and ancient stone.
• I stood at the perimeter of the ritual circle, my skin tingling under the weight of the traditional ceremonial attire. This time, there was no white silk or lace. I wore a heavy, midnight-black velvet tunic embroidered with thick silver threading along the collarbone, paired with a matching deep crimson cloak that pooled around my shoes. The fabric felt anchoring, a stark contrast to the vulnerability pulsing through my veins.