CIAN
"No matter what happens." Gabriel's voice came steady despite the fear. "I'm fine with it."
Moira gestured for him to begin. Her hands came up in a blessing pose, fingers pointed toward the ceiling.
"Say with me: I swear my loyalty to Alpha Cian Donlon and to the pack of Skollrend. I swear to serve with honor and truth. I swear this on my life and on the goddess who watches over us all."
Gabriel drew a deep breath. I closed my eyes. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, impossibly loud in the cell's silence. Each pulse felt like it might be counting down to divine retribution. To the goddess deciding that Gabriel was too tainted by Aldric's presence to be allowed to live.
My mother's hand found mine. When had she come down? I didn't know. I didn't remember hearing her footsteps on the stairs. But her fingers wrapped around mine and squeezed. Grounding me and keeping me present.
Gabriel's voice filled the space.
