Chapter 5: Mated To All Three
{Elira}
~**^**~
The clearing was already full when we arrived.
Torches burned in a wide circle, casting flickering gold across faces lined with anticipation.
Every ranked family stood tall, dressed in fine silks, precious stones, and polished pride. Elders took their seats. The high priest waited in his ceremonial robes at the center of the ring.
And above it all, the Mating Moon hung low, heavy and red—a perfect sphere of quiet judgment.
As soon as we arrived, all eyes were on Regina.
She walked ahead of me in her purple dress, her arm looped around Lady Maren’s like royalty. Her hair glittered with silver clips, her lips curled with quiet victory.
She had already decided this would be her moment.
Regina and Lady Maren liked the attention. They wanted it, even prepared for it. Hence, the deliberate delay on our way here.
They wanted all heads to turn in their direction on their arrival. And it happened.