The ceremony had already begun by the time Celine arrived—which was unfortunate, considering she hadn’t exactly been invited.
But today wasn’t just another feast or political gathering.
Today was the second part of the Luna Ceremony—the one that had been postponed after her failure. Today, Leon would choose his Luna.
Officially.
Technically, she wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near this event after failing to shift. She should’ve been tucked away in her room, licking her wounds in silence like a good little reject.
But Celine had never been good at technically.
So she stepped into the clearing.
It was like dropping a stone into still water. Heads turned. Conversations died mid-sentence. The string musicians faltered, a few awkward notes squeaking out before they stopped completely.
Someone gasped. Gasped.
A little dramatic, honestly.
“She failed,” someone muttered near the front.
“She’s not supposed to be here.”
“She’s got nerve,” another whispered.
At the head of the gathering, beneath the ceremonial arch woven with silver branches and moonstone, Sasha turned. Her gown shimmered like a dagger in moonlight, her smile sharp and poisonous.
“Oh, Celine,” she said, sweet as venom. “This is… sad. Honestly. You should leave before Leon has you dragged out.”
A low murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. Even a few snickers.
And okay—fair. There was a very real chance Leon might do exactly that.
But then—
“She’s got more guts than all of you combined,” Felix called out, grinning like it was the best show he’d seen all year.
Lucy, bless her impulsive heart, started clapping. Actually clapping. “That’s right, Celine! Burn it down!”
A few more heads turned. Warriors exchanged glances. One or two even nodded. The room’s energy shifted—uncertain, curious.
Sasha’s smile twitched.
Lilith’s fingers curled into her silk gown like she was imagining tearing Celine apart with them.
And Leon, he turned.
His expression was unreadable as always, but his gaze locked on her with the force of a tidal wave. Celine straightened, heart pounding.
He was going to shut her down. Tell her to leave. Tell her she was embarrassing herself. That she had no place here.
Instead, his brow lifted. Calm. Cool. “You’re late.”
The crowd went still.
Her stomach flipped like it had no sense of self-preservation. “I had something to do.”
Leon’s head tilted slightly. His eyes searched her face—not dismissive. Focused. Measuring.
Then, just for a breath, the corner of his mouth tugged upward. Barely there. But it was real.
“Then let’s see if it was worth it.”