My Secret, My Bully, My Mates by Miss L

She begins humming and then chanting under her breath. It’s a language I don’t understand, but the flame in the pit goes from a warm yellow orange to a deep green.

“Tonight, we initiate these two into our Elite Warrior brotherhood and sisterhood. To mark their devotion, we shall bestow upon them the symbol of the Royal Elite.” She begins humming again and the flames change to blue. As she continues to hum she places a long metal pole into the fire, this must be the branding iron.

“Are you willing to pledge your loyalty and power to the Elite Warriors, regardless of the consequences?” She asks. We both respond without hesitation. “Yes.”

“Are you willing to put the Kingdom’s needs above your own and do all in your power to protect Its vast members?’ Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

‘Yes.” We reply no breaking eye contact with each other.

The air in the room begins to thicken with the smoke from the candles and the fire pit, but also the tingling of whatever magic she is wielding.

“Will you uphold the integrity of the Alpha King and Luna Queen? “Yes.”

“Will you lay your life on the line to protect those who are weaker than you?”

“Yes.”

turn purple this

Pack grow and thrive. Do you swear, on your life, to uphold that

inside of your wrist up.” We

the handle of the brand and lifts it from the purple flame. She moves to Mina first, chanting low under her breath, gently holding the back of

intake of breath, Mina doesn’t move or say anything. Her arm is visibly shaking from the pain, I’m sure, she feels and tears run from her eyes,

away and placed back into the fire pit, turning the flames a bright white. The witch reaches for vials of herbs sitting next to

the time the witch is done with her and she just stares at me, but it feels more like she’s not seeing me. She’s lost in her mind somewhere and it takes everything

into a panic memory like the first time we got to see the mission camp when I smelt her burning flesh. The panic fought to take over. I had to keep reminding myself that this is not

at the witch who seems to just be waiting for me to go through my own panic and be ready for her. I blink and nod.

conscious enough to keep my body still, but

benefit, but be wary of those who seek you out for favors. You still

all who go through it, even though the physical branding appears to be the same. No one speaks of their expenence or what is revealed to them through the process. Each must make their own journey without bias

to the present. Mina and I are still kneeling in front of the fire pit, but it is cold and all the candles have been blown out. The room isn’t completely dark though. Small rays of light are coming through the window in the kitchen. Have we been

got hit by a truck.” Mina

understand why it takes days.” I blink like I’m trying

brands. It is a simple crescent moon shape with the opening facing towards our elbows. That is the only smilarity though. Mina’s crescent is delicate, made from thin intertwining lines like vines dancing upa lattice. Mine is more sharp

same brand for both of us.” I exclaim looking closer at the details