#Chapter 58 New mating ritual

I closed the door behind him. He gave me a light peck on the lips, but I knew him well enough that something major was on his mind. He hardly looked at me, but his face was darkened with concern. "How were the Elders?" I said. While he paced, I stood watching him my hands tightened to fists, and fear gripping my heart. I knew the nature of the news but it would still hit me like a blow to hear it from Ryan's voice, and I dreaded knowing his reaction to it. He swung to face me, and took my hands in his. "I'll start with good news. The Elders have officially declared that I could be an Alpha candidate. I accepted. They even said that Jacob is showing some signs of deteriorating health all of the sudden." Despite my turbulent mood, that lightened it ever so slightly. "Then the poison is working already." He nodded. "My thoughts exactly. And they do assume it is the curse taking its toll as you said it would." There was that part at least. I enjoyed hearing