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.”

flames turn

and thrive. Do you

raise your right arm, inside of your wrist up.” We both

and grabs 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 Mina’s hand and

say anything. Her arm is visibly shaking from the pain, I’m sure, she feels and tears run from her eyes, but she doesnt move to wipe them

witch reaches for vials of herbs

more like she’s not seeing me. She’s

her burning flesh. The panic fought to take over. I had to keep reminding myself that this is not Kaley’s torture, but something that

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. She grabs the branding iron from the still white flames and begins chanting and repeating the ceremony she just completed with

searing pain and the smell of burning flesh pull me into my memory, but I am still conscious enough to keep my body still, but the struggle is real. I hear her soothing voice chanting next to me, but I also hear a

important. Remember that Little One. All of those you come into contact with and help will benefit, but be wary of those who seek you out for favors. You still have trials in your future that must be navigated

same. No one speaks of their expenence or what is revealed to them through the process. Each must make their own

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

feel like I got hit by

why it takes days.” I blink like

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

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