They prepared Kael in a clearing at the mountain's peak.
Ancient stones formed a circle. Carved with symbols older than written language. The Silvermoon pack surrounded them. Witnesses. Guardians. Ready to intervene if the transformation went wrong.
"The process is simple in theory," Aldric explained. He stood beside Kael, a blade in his hand. Silver. Ceremonial. "I cut. You bleed out the cursed blood. We replace it with ours. Your body accepts it or rejects it. You live or you die."
"Comforting," Kael muttered. He was strapped to the stone altar. Not restraints. Protection. To keep him from thrashing during the transformation.
"I won't lie to make you comfortable," Aldric said. "This will be the worst pain you've ever experienced. Worse than the curse. Worse than any transformation. Your DNA will literally rewrite itself. Cells dying and being reborn with new instructions. Many don't survive the shock."
"But some do."
"Some do."
