Chapter 29
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Crimson Tides and Broken Bones.
After the montage concluded, a live feed of Lanie’s actual blood bond ceremony commenced. They were at the restored Prince’s Manor in the Silvermoon Pack territory, engaged in a traditional Moonpetal Pack ceremony. The manor was draped in crimson silks; the sounds of
traditional Moonpetal Pack instruments and celebratory music filled the air.
Watched by everyone, Lanie, in a magnificent ceremonial gown, rode in a palanquin, led by a horse–drawn carriage.
The procession, accompanied by the rhythmic clang of gongs and drums, scattered silver coins and sweets.
Pack members scrambled to collect them, offering blessings for the new pair.
Guests at the main venue received silver ingots and sweets as well.
The extravagance was breathtaking.
Benjamin and Adam witnessed the procession on the screen, stopping at the manor gates. Zoe Jackson dismounted gracefully, lifting Lanie from the palanquin and carrying her steadily towards the manor.
Benjamin’s lip bled; his eyes were bloodshot with rage. His Guardian Wolf’s usually calm demeanor was shattered, its protective instincts overriding all other considerations.
*Thump!”
Adam slammed his fist on the table, seizing his jacket and rushing out, leaving Benjamin behind. He sped towards the manor in his speeder. He had to see her.
If he couldn’t stop the blood bond itself, perhaps he could still disrupt the ceremony.
He drove recklessly, failing to notice a speeder approaching him.
*Crash! Adam’s speeder was severely damaged; his leg was trapped and broken.
He felt no sensation in his leg! Warm blood flowed down his face. For a moment, he thought he was dying.
Instinctively, he tried to contact Lanie. He’d forgotten his comm–link had been blocked.
Unsurprisingly, the transmission failed.
Benjamin, consumed by a similar jealousy, followed, unable to stop Adam’s reckless pursuit. Though equally affected by his feelings for Lanie, he maintained outward composure. It was merely a blood bond; separations existed.
Countless ways to unravel the union between Lanie and Zoe Jackson existed!
Their years of brotherhood couldn’t be erased, and that in itself could create doubt in Zoe Jackson’s mind! He repeated this to himself, but it offered little solace.
On his way to the manor, he witnessed Adam’s accident.
He chose to abandon his plan to disrupt the blood bond ceremony.
Adam’s life mattered more. They were brothers; he couldn’t abandon him.
Benjamin rushed Adam to the pack healer; by the time Mrs. Adam arrived, Lanie’s blood bond was complete.
Within a day, Benjamin appeared haggard and worn. Adam’s life was saved, but his leg required a complex bone–realignment, and its future was uncertain. He’d promised Qiana he’d stop riding speeders; fate had fulfilled that promise in a brutal way. Whether he recovered fully or not, his racing days were over.
