- Aurelian Salvatore:
The moment the ceremony ended, the entire atmosphere of the clearing shifted.
Only minutes ago, everyone had stood quietly beneath the tall trees while our vows were spoken. The air had been filled with reverence and anticipation, every pair of eyes focused on the three of us standing together on that wooden platform.
But now the seriousness had melted away.
Lanterns hanging from the branches above glowed brighter as the evening deepened, casting warm golden light across the clearing. Crimson and silver ribbons tied between the trees fluttered gently in the cool breeze. The scent of pine, earth, and faintly sweet night flowers drifted through the air as wolves moved freely around the celebration.
Music soon followed.
A small group of musicians seated near the edge of the gathering began playing, the slow rhythm of strings and soft drums blending with laughter and cheerful conversation. The entire clearing seemed alive with warmth and movement now.
