The ceremony hadn't even begun yet, and my body already felt like it had been dragged through dust.

"Doris, hurry up with ironing my dress!"

Veronica's sharp, impatient voice echoed through the house.

It hadn't even been five minutes since she'd dumped the dress on my hands, yet she'd come to check on it at least five times. Not because the dress wasn't ready, but because frustrating me was the point.

She was the only one who had found a mate.

Julius Armstrong would claim her today, obviously.

When I finished ironing, I carried the dress to her room and laid it carefully on her bed. 

I didn't wait for approval, I quickly turned and left her room immediately.

"Doris."

Henry's voice stopped me.

"You're not dressed yet?"

I looked down at myself, then back at him. I tugged lightly at the torn gown I was wearing, silently telling him this was it. 

This was what I had.

His brows pulled together in confusion.

"Wait... Doris," he said slowly. "Is this what you're wearing to the ceremony?"

He pointed at my gown.

"Even a beggar wouldn't dress like this," he muttered, anger slipping into his voice.

Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and pulled me along.

He didn't stop until we reached his room.

He released my hand and walked to his bed. "I got this for you."

I followed his gaze.

A dress lay neatly spread out on the mattress.

Long beautiful pink gown.

My breath caught.

Tears burned my eyes before I could stop them, and the next thing I knew, I was hugging him tightly.

When I finally pulled away, questions rushed into my head. 

I grabbed my notebook and quickly wrote them down.

How did you get the money for this?

You didn't steal it from the twins, right?

I held the notebook up to him.

"No," he said quickly, shaking his head as a small laugh escaped him. "I didn't steal it, mom gave me the money."

Relief washed over me, and before I could stop myself, I smiled.

I picked up the dress carefully. It was soft beneath my fingers, lighter than anything I'd ever owned. 

I held it against my body and turned slowly, the fabric brushing my legs as I spun.

Henry smiled at the sight. "Why don't you go put it on?" he said gently. "The ceremony will start in a few minutes."

He nudged me playfully toward the door, and I hurried to my room.

I slipped into the dress carefully, afraid of tearing it. When I finally looked up, my gaze met the mirror or rather, the broken piece of one nailed to the wall.

The girl staring back at me didn't look like someone used to hiding in corners.

For the first time, I looked beautiful.

Excited, I rushed out of my room to show Henry.

I didn't make it far.

My stepmother stood at the corridor.

Her eyes swept over me slowly, from head to toe, that familiar look of disgust settling on her face.

"Where did you steal the money to buy this dress?" she asked coldly, stepping closer.

Before I could react, her fingers grabbed the fabric.

The twins stepped out of their room just then.

"So now you're stealing from us?" Vanessa sneered, her face fully done, eyes sharp with jealousy.

"How can you wear a dress prettier than ours?" Veronica added. "It's not like you even have a mate, you mute girl."

My stepmother tightened her grip on the dress. "Go back inside," she ordered. "Change into that rag you were wearing before and give this gown to Veronica."

My hands shook.

"No." Henry's voice cut through the corridors.

He came running toward us, his eyes dark with anger.

"I bought the dress for her," he said firmly. "She's wearing it to the ceremony. Is there a problem with that?"

My stepmother turned on him, her lips curling. "So I gave you money to buy clothes for yourself, and instead you wasted it on this sl*t?"

Before anyone could stop her, she yanked the fabric hard.

The sound of tearing filled the house.

The dress ripped against my body.

I gasped, clutching the torn fabric to my chest as tears spilled down my face, hot and unstoppable.

Henry reacted instantly, he pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around me, shielding me from their eyes.

"Come," he said softly, guiding me back toward my room.

He stood between me and them until I was safely inside, then closed the door.

I slid down to the floor, shaking.

The dress lay ruined at my feet.

A few minutes later, the door swung open.

"Doris."

My stepmother's voice was sharp, impatient.

"Get up and come out. Now."

She didn't wait for a response, the door slammed as she walked away.

I pushed myself off the floor, my body still trembling, I slipped back into the old torn gown and stepped out of the room.

For a moment, I just stood there.

The twins were already dressed, glowing in expensive fabrics and jewelry. Their laughter filled the house... I was barefoot, my feet pressed against the cold floor, watching them like someone who didn't belong in the same space.

A sharp clap echoed.

"Doris," my stepmother snapped. "Stop staring like a fool and start walking."

I obeyed.

I carried cartons of drinks from the house to the ceremony grounds. 

My arms shook under the weight, but no one noticed or maybe they did and simply didn't care.

The twins laughed loudly with their friends, snapping their fingers at me as if I were a pet.

"Doris, bring more wine."

"Doris, wipe this."

"Doris, you spilled that."

Each command peeled away another layer of my dignity.

Around us, other girls sat proudly beside their families, their faces bright with excitement. Today, they will be claimed officially. 

High-profile ladies occupied the front rows, whispering amongst themselves. 

There were rumors the Alpha would choose his Luna today.

Most believed it would be Clara Anthony.

She sat at the center, her posture perfect, chin lifted, confidence written into every movement. 

She had been close to the Alpha since childhood, to everyone else, the match made sense.

I stood at the edge of it all, holding a tray, invisible.

Then an elder in the pack stepped forward.

His staff struck the ground once.

"The mating ceremony," he announced, voice carrying across the crowd, "has begun."

"Doris, hurry up with those drinks."

My stepmother's sharp voice cut through the music and laughter.

I lowered my head and obeyed, I always did. After all, I had learned early how to disappear.

The tray felt heavier with every step, my hands trembling beneath its weight. Sweat soaked into my clothes, I didn't smell like perfume or excitement like the other girls...I smelled like dirt.

By the time the ceremony truly began, my entire body ached.

As I moved through the crowd, one of the twins brushed past me deliberately. Her shoulder hit the tray, and a cup slipped free, shattering against the ground.

She gasped loudly, eyes wide in fake shock.

"Oh no," she said, turning quickly to her mother. "Look at the mess Doris made."

Her voice carried.

"I don't understand why Doris can't do a single thing right," she added, shaking her head.

Every conversation stopped.

All eyes turned to me.

My heart slammed painfully against my chest as I dropped to my knees, gathering the broken pieces with shaking fingers. 

The glass bit into my skin, but I didn't stop.

No one cared.

Except two people.

A shadow fell beside me.

Then another.

Before I could react, someone gently pulled my hand away from the shards.

Blade Lucious.

He took over without a word, picking up the broken glass carefully. Henry knelt beside him, helping just as quietly.

I shook my head, panic flooding me, I didn't want them dragged into this neither do I want more troubles.

They both looked up at me.

And smiled.

"It's okay," Blade said softly.

He gathered the last pieces and walked back to his seat as if nothing had happened.

Henry stayed a moment longer. He disposed of the glass, then pressed a clean cloth into my hands.

I nodded.

His mother noticed.

"Henry," she snapped. "What do you think you're doing? Go sit with the other boys. That's where you belong."

He hesitated, then obeyed.

Her gaze shifted to me coldly.

"And you," she said quietly, her voice low enough to cut deeper. "After today, you won't be coming back to my house."

My breath caught.

"I don't need you anymore," she continued. "I don't need trash like you under my roof."

I stood there, frozen.

"There's a rejected omega who needs a mate," she went on casually, as if discussing groceries. "You'll be going to him."

Her lips curved slightly.

"Veronica will be mated to the Gamma. Vanessa will be mated either to the Alpha or the Beta. I won't have your bad luck around my family anymore."

I nodded.

That was all I knew how to do.

I wasn't invited to sit anywhere, so when no one was looking, I slipped away to a corner. I leaned against the wall at the edge and watched from there.

An outsider.

Then the music faded.

A figure stepped forward.

Alpha Ryder.

The crowd erupted in cheers as he raised his hand.

"Today," he announced, his voice carrying across the grounds, "I will be choosing my Luna, according to the laws of our pack."

The cheers grew louder.

Alpha Ryder Stone had ruled Moon Park for three years.

I'd heard how he took the throne after his parents were poisoned and killed, a tragedy that shook the entire pack. 

Many had doubted him then because he was young.

They had been wrong.

In three years, Ryder had proven himself. 

The pack was secure under his rule, its borders reinforced, its enemies silent. 

Whispers said rivals feared Ryder more than even his father.

Alpha Ryder's gaze searched the crowd and settled on me. I looked away quickly, but not before I caught the faint smile on his lips.

~ Ryder's POV ~

I would be lying if I claimed yesterday wasn't still weighing on my mind during the mating ritual, the painful scene of Julius rejecting Doris replaying over and over.

Part of me had felt satisfaction and relief. She had been out of his reach and for reasons I couldn't explain, that made my chest tighten in a strange kind of happiness. 

But there was also guilt. The rejection had been brutal, and I had seen how badly it hurt Doris.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I said, straightening.

The door swung open, Julius and Blade walked in-my closest friends since childhood.

"Don't tell me you're not going to the ceremony today," Julius teased, leaning against the doorway with a smirk.

Blade chuckled, giving me a light punch on the shoulder before sliding into the chair at my desk, calm in contrast to Julius's energy.

"Obviously, I'm going to the mating ceremony," I replied evenly, my voice steady.

Julius raised an eyebrow. "But come to think of it, Alpha Ryder," he emphasized the title with mock bowing, "you don't even have a mate or a girl you're dating, so how are you going to pick your Luna today? 

The elders make it compulsory. You can't rule for years without a Luna, you know the principle.

Blade leaned back, smirk tugging at his lips. "Except he's probably going for Clara."

Julius's eyes widened in mock horror. "Clara? Really? Clara rejected every mate that came near her. Yeah she's probably been waiting for you all this time, that's so classic."

Blade laughed quietly. "It's going to be a show. Clara Anthony doesn't even know what's coming."

I rolled my eyes and stepped closer, catching Julius by the shoulder and giving him a playful shove. 

"Who says I don't have a Luna in mind, huh?" I said, letting the challenge hang in the air. "And who says it's going to be Clara Anthony? You'll see. It's going to be a surprise for both of you."

They laughed, but I held my ground, smiling faintly. "Now, it's time for you two to leave my room."

"No, no," Julius protested, flopping onto the edge of my bed with exaggerated flair. "We are not leaving. 

Come on, Ryder just tell us who your Luna is. We're your Beta and Gamma-you should tell us first."

Blade crossed his arms, grinning faintly. "Yeah. We're your left and right hands, Alpha. Transparency is part of the job."

I shook my head, laughing softly. "No. Not until the ceremony because I want it to be a surprise for everyone."

Julius groaned dramatically. "You're impossible."

Blade simply shook his head, smiling faintly, as if he had expected nothing less.

I brushed past them toward the door. "Consider this your warning...leave my room, or I'll drag you both out myself."

They exchanged a look, amused but exasperated, and slowly got up. Julius threw a teasing wink over his shoulder, and Blade gave a small nod. 

The door clicked shut behind them.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Today, the ceremony and I would find her.

A few hours later, it was time for the ceremony. 

By the time I stepped onto the grounds, everyone was already seated. 

The crowd buzzed with anticipation, but as I walked forward, murmurs quieted.

 All eyes fell on me.

I paused, letting the weight of the moment settle, then raised my voice.

"Today, I will be picking my Luna, following the rules of our pack," I announced. 

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Raising a hand for order, I continued. "But first, we will honor those who have already found their mates."

"If you have a mate, or one you wish to choose as your mate, come forward with them so the elders and I may bless your bond before I select my own Luna."

Immediately, pairs stepped forward. 

Julius took his mate Veronica by the hand, leading her confidently. 

Together, they stood before the elders and me, their union blessed and bound by tradition. Their proud smiles spoke of the ceremony's promise reserved only for the worthy.

And then my focus shifted.

I scanned the crowd for the one who had quietly captured my attention. 

My eyes finally landed on her. 

Doris.

She stood at a distance, almost invisible, quietly observing everything. 

The moment our eyes met, she quickly looked away, hands tightening at her sides.

No one dared meet my gaze.

"I, Alpha Ryder Stone, take Doris Charles as my Luna and chosen mate of the Moonpack," I declared. 

Silence fell immediately. Every whisper, every movement froze as the crowd processed what had just been announced.

I walked toward her, ignoring the murmurs and whispers. Doris's eyes widened, and instinctively she covered her ears, shaking her head as if she'd misunderstood.

She even stepped back, ready to flee.

I stopped right in front of her, my gaze never leaving hers.

"There's no running from this," I said softly, but firmly.

I held out my hands. She hesitated, pulling back, but I stepped closer and gently took her hands in mine. 

Her fingers trembled as she walked beside me toward the center of the ceremony.

Then I noticed she was barefoot, her feet cold against the ground, exposed.

I lifted her into my arms without a second thought. She stiffened, startled, but I held her close, steadying her as I carried her straight to the center.

Once we reached the center, I set her gently on the floor. She pressed herself against my chest, as if trying to hide from the world.

I noticed just how scared she really was, and my gaze softened. She had never felt protection like this before.

I lifted my head, letting all eyes fall on us. "As promised, I present to you the Luna of Moon Park."

The grounds fell silent and all eyes were on us. She pressed closer, hiding against my chest, every inch of her body tight with tension.

Then I raised my hand, signaling the end. 

"The ceremony is concluded, everyone may now celebrate with their mates-visit your mate's family or any place you wish to honor your bond."

I walked with the elders, Doris remained quiet at my side, leaning lightly against me. She barely moved, simply letting me lead her where we needed to go.

That's when her family came into view. I led Doris toward them, ensuring she remained safe under my watch.

I could feel her fear, even without a word, and it was her family that frightened her most.

This was only the beginning, from now on, my Luna would never face fear without my protection.

~ Doris's POV ~

My heart was hammering so hard I thought it might jump out of my chest.

I couldn't believe what had just happened on the field. In front of the entire pack, Alpha Ryder had looked straight at me and said the words no one ever expected.

"She's my Luna."

Me.

The one everybody calls "a loser" right in my face.

I stayed close to him as he guided us through the crowd, my arms tight around his waist. His body was solid, like a wall between me and the rest of the world. Even so, I felt their eyes burning into my skin, no one tried to hide it.

"Why her?"

"A mute Luna? Seriously?"

"She can't even speak during meetings, how's that gonna work?"

"Ryder must've lost his mind tonight."

"Probably felt sorry for her. Charity case."

"Clara Anthony would've been perfect, at least she can open her mouth."

Every word stabbed a little deeper, I pressed my face harder against Ryder's shirt, breathing in the clean smell of vanilla and something warm.

His hand rested gently on my back.

We finally reached my family near the edge of the gathering. Dad stood up straight the second he saw us coming and for once he didn't look angry. 

He actually stepped forward and shook Ryder's hand.

"Alpha," Dad said, voice low and formal. "Welcome."

Mom stayed sitting, arms crossed tight over her chest, watching everything like a hawk. 

Her lips were pressed into a thin line, I knew that look. It meant trouble.

Before I could even catch my breath, Mom grabbed my wrist and yanked me a few steps away, pretending she just wanted to "fix my hair" or something. 

The second we were out of their earshot she leaned in close.

"How did you do it?" she hissed. "How did a useless thing like you trick the Alpha into picking you? You think you're special now? You're still bad luck and always have been."

Her words landed like slaps but I kept my eyes on the ground, staring at the patches of my worn gown. 

What was I supposed to do? what would I say to the woman who'd spent years telling me I was nothing?

She dragged me back to the group and sat me on a low wooden bench in the corner. 

Every time Ryder glanced over, she flashed him that big fake smile she saves for important people but when she looked at me? Nothing but cold stares.

I curled my fingers into the edge of my dress and tried to disappear inside my own head. Why me? 

The question kept spinning around and around. Did Ryder even know I was mute? Like, did he really know? Or did he just see a quiet girl and think it was cute? What happens when he finds out I can't give speeches, can't yell orders, can't even argue back when someone insults the pack?

A shadow fell over me, I looked up and there he was-Ryder, tall and calm with those dark eyes watching me like I was the only person in the whole world.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

I swallowed hard and nodded once. It was all I could manage.

He crouched down a little so we were closer to eye level. "Can we go somewhere quieter? Just to talk? There are a few things I need to say before we move forward."

Before I could even think, Dad jumped in. "Our house is close by we can go there."

Ryder nodded. "That works perfectly."

The walk home felt like a dream. Ryder kept his hand on my lower back the whole time. Like he was saying I've got you without using words. 

Dad actually walked beside us instead of ahead like he usually did, he kept stealing little glances at me, like he was seeing me for the first time.

When we got inside, Mom rushed to offer Ryder the good chair and a glass of cold water. 

He thanked her politely but didn't sit, he stayed standing, looking around our small living room like he was measuring it.

"I don't want to drag this out," he said, voice steady. "Doris is my chosen mate now and that means she's my Luna." 

"Tonight she becomes my wife in the eyes of the pack, I'm taking her with me when I leave but first I want your blessing. Both of you."

The room went dead quiet.

Then Vanessa exploded.

She'd been sitting in the corner pretending to scroll on her phone, but now she jumped up so fast the chair scraped the floor.

"Are you serious?" she snapped, staring at Ryder like he'd lost his mind. 

"Her? The mute girl? You're the strongest Alpha in three territories and you pick her? She can't talk! She can't lead! She's... she's nothing! Look at her, she's plain, she's awkward, she's basically a charity case." 

"I mean, even the beggars in the market have more dignity than her!"

I felt my face burn, I shrank back against the wall, wishing I could melt into it.

Ryder didn't even blink, he just looked at Vanessa calmly, like she was a barking puppy.

When she finally ran out of breath, he spoke.

"I heard you," he said simply. "But my decision isn't changing."

Mom saw her chance, she quickly stood up, smoothed her dress, and gave Ryder her sweetest smile.

"Alpha, please," she said in that soft, fake-nice voice she uses when she wants something. "Can I talk to you for a second? Alone?"

He nodded and followed her to the far corner near the kitchen doorway.

I stayed where I was, but the house is small. I could hear every word.

"Look at her, Alpha," Mom started. 

"She can't speak, not even a single word. How is she supposed to be Luna? The other packs will laugh at us and they'll think we're weak."

"She's messy, dirty and a sl*t just like her real mother was with no class but Vanessa?" Mom waved a hand toward my stepsister. 

"Vanessa is beautiful. She's confident and she can talk to anyone, charm anyone. She's exactly what a Luna should be."

My chest hurt so bad I could barely breathe.

Ryder let her finish, then he answered, voice low and even.

"Mrs Anna," he said, "I'm not picking a Luna because she's pretty or loud." 

"I felt the bond with Doris, I looked at her and I knew that's it. No one and not you, not Vanessa, not the whole pack is going to change my mind. Unless Doris herself gives me a reason not to trust her, she's coming with me tonight."

Mom went quiet, I could almost hear her teeth grinding.

Ryder walked back over to me, his eyes softened the second they met mine.

"Doris," he said gently, "go pack a few things. Whatever matters to you. We're leaving soon."

I shook my head a little. My hands felt shaky as I signed the words slowly so he could understand: Nothing important to pack.

He studied my hands for a second, then nodded like he got it. 

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Okay. Then we'll get you new things and whatever you need."

I looked around the tiny living room one last time, the spot on the wall where Henry had drawn a stick-figure wolf when he was six. 

This place had never really felt like home for nineteen years. 

Just then the back door banged open.

Henry came running in, cheeks red, grinning so wide it almost split his face.

"Doris!" he shouted. He threw his arms around me and squeezed tight. "You're gonna be Luna! Luna! Can you believe it?"

I hugged him back just as hard. Tears stung my eyes.

He pulled away a little, still smiling. "I'm so happy for you, sis. You deserve this. Go be amazing. And visit me, okay? Promise?"

I nodded fast, throat too tight to even try signing.

Henry glanced at Ryder and gave him a shy little wave. "Take care of her, Alpha. She's the best."

Ryder dipped his head. "I will."

Henry gave me one more quick hug, then stepped back.

I took a long, shaky breath. The air tasted different somehow, like the start of something new.

Ryder held out his hand.

I looked at it for a second, then I placed my smaller one in his.

His fingers closed gently around mine.

Together we walked out the door.

I didn't look back.

For the first time in my life, I wasn't running away from something.

I was walking toward something better.

And for once I wasn't walking alone.

Vanessa ran over and bent close, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

"Enjoy it while you can," she whispered. "You're stealing my place, and I won't let you keep it."

She smiled sweetly, then turned and walked away.