The Moonstone Pack territory loomed before us as our truck wound through the mountain pass. Massive pine trees flanked the road, their shadows dancing across the dashboard as we drove deeper into Alpha Ryan Mitchell's domain. I'd heard stories about the Moonstone Pack—their strength, their prosperity, the ancient power that seemed to flow through their very land. Now, seeing the sprawling territory bathed in moonlight, I understood why this was the most coveted invitation for the annual Mate Ceremony.

My wolf stirred again, that same restlessness that had plagued her since we'd crossed the territory line. The scent of night-blooming jasmine seemed stronger here, mixing with the pine and earth in a way that made my heart race inexplicably.

*Something important is here*, she whispered inside me. *Someone*.

I pushed the thought away as Jake parked in front of an impressive stone lodge. Warriors immediately approached to greet us—or rather, to greet Jake and Madison. I climbed out of the back seat, stretching my cramped legs while Madison's tinkling laughter filled the night air.

"Jake! It's been too long," a tall warrior called, clasping Jake's hand. His eyes slid to Madison appreciatively before finally landing on me with obvious confusion. "And you are...?"

"My girlfriend, Emma," Jake answered before I could speak. "She's an Omega from our pack."

The way he said it—like an afterthought, like an apology—made my cheeks burn. I fought the urge to remind him that this entire trip was supposedly for my shift anniversary.

A Beta led us through the lodge to our accommodations, explaining the schedule for tomorrow's ceremony preparations. The interior was magnificent—polished wood, stone fireplaces, and windows positioned to capture the moonlight. I couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship, my fingers trailing along the intricate wolf carvings that adorned the walls.

"And here we are," the Beta announced, stopping before a set of double doors. "Our guest Alpha quarters. Best view of the moon in the entire lodge."

My heart lifted. Perhaps Jake had arranged something special after all. But as the Beta pushed open the doors, revealing a stunning suite with a private balcony overlooking the ceremonial grounds, Jake turned to Madison.

"This will be perfect for you," he said, guiding her inside with a hand on the small of her back. "You can see the entire ceremony from here."

I stood frozen in the doorway, confusion washing over me. "Jake?"

He glanced back, as if just remembering I was there. "Oh, the Beta will show you to the common area. There's a couch there you can use."

"A couch?" I repeated, certain I'd misheard. "In the common area?"

Madison sighed dramatically, dropping her designer bag onto the king-sized bed. "Don't make this difficult, Emma. I need to be close to the moon after what I've been through. You wouldn't understand the pain of rejection."

I looked to Jake, waiting for him to correct this—to say there had been a misunderstanding. Instead, his expression hardened.

"Emma," he said, his voice dropping to that commanding tone that made my wolf instinctively want to submit. His aura expanded, pressing against mine with uncomfortable force. "Madison needs this more than you do. Don't be selfish."

The accusation stung like a physical blow. I wasn't being selfish—this was supposed to be *our* trip, *my* celebration. But as his aura continued to press against mine, I felt my resolve weakening.

"I just thought we'd be staying together," I said softly.

"Well, we're not," he snapped. "Now stop making a scene."

The Beta shifted uncomfortably beside me. "The common area is quite comfortable," he offered kindly. "And you'll have easy access to the kitchens."

Like a good little Omega, I thought bitterly, but nodded my acceptance. What choice did I have? I followed the Beta down the hall, feeling Madison's smug gaze burning into my back.

The "couch" turned out to be a worn loveseat in a busy thoroughfare, positioned directly under a flickering light. Wolves passed through constantly, some giving me curious looks, others ignoring me completely. I sat on the edge of the lumpy cushion, clutching my small bag to my chest, fighting back tears of humiliation.

By the time I'd composed myself enough to join the welcome feast in the great hall, Jake and Madison were already seated at a table near the Alpha's dais. Madison had changed into a revealing dress that sparkled in the firelight, while I was still in my travel clothes, having had nowhere private to change.

"There she is," Jake called, waving me over with casual indifference.

I slid into the empty seat beside him, acutely aware of how out of place I looked among the finely dressed wolves. A server placed a plate before me—noticeably less elaborate than the ones Jake and Madison had.

"I was just telling everyone about Madison's last hunt," Jake announced proudly. "Took down a buck twice her size. She's one of the best warriors in our territory."

"You're too kind," Madison purred, leaning into him. "But it's true."

They laughed together while I picked at my food in silence. Throughout the entire meal, Jake never once introduced me to anyone, never mentioned that we were here for my shift anniversary, never acknowledged me at all except to ask me to pass the salt.

My wolf growled deep within me, a sound of hurt and anger that I struggled to contain. *This is wrong*, she insisted. *We deserve better than this*.

As the feast continued around me, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was right. And somewhere in the back of my mind, that scent of night-blooming jasmine called to me again, stronger than before, promising something I couldn't yet name but desperately needed to find.

As the feast continued around me, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was right. And somewhere in the back of my mind, that scent of night-blooming jasmine called to me again, stronger than before, promising something I couldn't yet name but desperately needed to find.

A sudden hush fell over the great hall. The massive windows that lined the wall revealed the night sky and the forest beyond—and there, emerging from the tree line, was the largest wolf I had ever seen. His midnight fur absorbed the moonlight rather than reflecting it, making him appear like a shadow given form. Even from this distance, I could feel the power radiating from him.

"Alpha Ryan," someone whispered reverently.

The great black wolf paused, his head turning toward the hall. For a heartbeat—just one—his amber eyes found mine through the glass. A jolt of electricity shot through me, so intense that I gasped aloud. My wolf surged forward, pressing against my skin as if trying to break free.

*Him*, she whispered with a yearning that frightened me. *It's him*.

"Emma!" Jake's sharp voice yanked me back to reality. "What's wrong with you?"

I realized I was half-standing, my hand pressed against my chest where my heart thundered wildly. The wolves around us were staring, some with curiosity, others with poorly concealed amusement.

"I... I thought I saw something," I stammered, sinking back into my seat.

Jake's eyes narrowed, following my gaze to the window where Alpha Ryan had been. The massive wolf was gone now, melted back into the darkness.

"What, the Alpha?" Jake snorted, his lips curling into a cruel smirk. "Don't tell me you're getting ideas above your station, Emma."

Madison giggled, the sound like breaking glass in my ears. "As if the Alpha would look twice at an Omega who can barely shift."

"True," Jake agreed, his voice carrying just enough for the surrounding tables to hear. "Lucky you I tolerate your weak shifts. Most wolves would be embarrassed to be seen with someone who took so long to awaken their wolf."

Laughter rippled through our table, each chuckle like a knife between my ribs. I lowered my gaze to my plate, shoulders slumping under the weight of their mockery. If only they knew the truth—that my wolf was a magnificent silver Lycan, powerful enough to challenge any Alpha in this room. But I had chosen this path, this disguise, and now I was paying the price.

The feast eventually wound down, and I escaped to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face. When I returned, I found Madison had taken my seat. She was now draped across Jake's lap, wearing a gown so sheer it left nothing to the imagination. The fabric shimmered with the telltale iridescence of healer's blessing—an expensive protection charm that most wolves could only afford for ceremonial occasions.

She caught my eye and smiled, deliberately running her fingers through Jake's hair. "Oh, Emma, there you are. I was just telling Jake how *comfortable* this dress is. The healer blessed it specially for me."

I stood awkwardly beside the table, acutely aware that I had nowhere to sit. Jake hadn't even noticed my return, too busy whispering something in Madison's ear that made her giggle and press closer.

"Jake," I said quietly, "could we talk for a moment?"

He looked up, irritation flashing across his face. "What?"

"I'm... not comfortable with this," I gestured vaguely toward Madison, whose gown had slipped further down her shoulder.

Jake's expression hardened. "With what, exactly?"

"The way she's dressed, how close you two are..." I trailed off, hating how petty I sounded even to my own ears.

"Wow," Jake said, his voice dropping dangerously low. "I didn't realize you were so narrow-minded, Emma."

Madison's eyes gleamed with triumph as Jake's aura expanded, pressing against mine with crushing force. The dominance wave he unleashed was meant to silence me, to remind me of my place. It washed over me like ice water, making my knees weak and my breath catch.

"Madison and I are pack siblings," he continued, each word dripping with condescension. "This is natural behavior between wolves who grew up together. If you can't understand that, maybe you should go back to the common area and think about your attitude."

I wanted to fight back, to tell him that nothing about this was natural or appropriate. But his dominance held me in place, my wolf whimpering under the pressure. All I could do was nod mutely and retreat, the weight of humiliation burning like acid in my throat.

As I walked away, I felt a strange sensation—like being watched. I turned and caught a glimpse through the window of those same amber eyes, now in human form, observing the scene with an intensity that made my skin prickle. Before I could react, he was gone again, leaving me wondering if I had imagined it all.