[ AURORA’S POV ]

( three weeks ago )

Sunlight spilled through the curtains, painting golden stripes across my bedroom floor. My chest fluttered, a jittery hum running through my stomach as I smoothed my dress for the third time.

 Today was the day. The day my wolf would finally find me. And I would be announced as the pack Luna.

I moved to the mirror, smoothing my hair and taking a deep breath. My reflection mirrored my restless fingers and the tiny tremble of my lips. 

I forced them into a half-smile, straightening my shoulders, counting on the look of confidence. 

I had prepared for this day for months—the perfect dress, the carefully practiced posture, the words I would whisper when the moon called to me. Tonight, under the silver glow, I would become complete. With my mate by my side. Forever.

A soft knock at the door made me jump. My father’s tall figure and Seraphina my sister filled the doorway, my father’s gaze lingered, lingering longer than usual. 

He straightened a lock of my hair, lips pressing into a thin line as if holding back words.

“Are you ready, Aurora?” His voice was steady, but I could hear the careful note beneath it, the weight of all he hoped for me.

“Yes, Father,” I said, eager and bright. My hands gripped the edges of my dress as though holding onto my courage. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

He stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over me as if measuring the distance between the girl I was and the woman I would become tonight. 

“Your wolf will come tonight at the ceremony,” he said softly. “Trust yourself. Trust the bond. Don’t rush it. Let it find you, and be ready when it does. Tonight changes everything, Aurora, but it is only the first step of who you are meant to be.”

I nodded quickly, swallowing hard. My throat felt tight, my stomach tickled with anticipation, a warmth that made my fingers tingle and my feet tap against the floor, nearly spilling over. 

I wasn’t just Aurora, his daughter, a member of the pack. Tonight, I would stand at the center of it all. Tonight, I would meet the part of me I had been waiting for my entire life.

“I’m so happy for you, Aurora. I can’t wait for your wolf to appear tonight so the whole pack will respect you as their Luna.” Seraphina said, running her eyes over my dress.

“Thanks Seraphina,” I said.

My eyes found my reflection again. I studied the way the light caught my hair, the way my dress fell softly around me, and the hint of color in my cheeks. 

There was something different today, something in the way my shoulders felt lighter, my heart sharper, my mind focused. I could feel the anticipation like electricity under my skin.

My father smiled briefly, pride softening his features, then stepped back. “Go forward with courage, Aurora. The moon watches. The pack watches. Tonight, you step into who you are meant to be.” he said softly.

And like that. He was gone but Seraphina stayed. Helping me make arrangements for tonight.

————————-

By late afternoon, the clearing was alive with anticipation. The sun sank low, gilding the pine trees in gold, while the moon began its slow climb, pale and luminous. 

My heart pulse hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum that made my breath catch. I wanted to run forward, and yet stay rooted at the same time.

Excited voices filled the air. 

The teen who would be shifting tonight and their families were gathering at the ceremony ground. Pack members filled the space.

The crowd parted as I walked forward, my steps purposeful, my dress swaying lightly around my knees. And then I saw him, my mate.

 The Alpha of the stone moon pack. My eyes lit up, and a bright smile spread across my face. 

He stood near the stone platform, golden light from the moon glinting in his hair, aura calm and steady, as if he had been waiting for me all this time.

I rushed to his side, unable to contain my joy. It was radiating off me.

“Aurora,” he murmured, lifting a hand to smooth my hair back, his touch warm and grounding. “You look radiant tonight. Like always.”

“I’m always ready for you my love,” I said, my voice full of confidence. “Tonight…I can’t wait so I can finally be your Luna.”

He smiled, a flicker of pride in his eyes. “I know and I’m eager as well,” he said softly, his gaze lingering on me.

Seraphina stood frozen, her fingers brushing against each other before she raised a slow wave. My lips curved without thinking, returning her silent encouragement.

The sun sank below the horizon. The moon rose, full, bright, watching. I lifted my face despite myself, wondering how its light would reflect off my fur when I turned.

Elder Mariam stepped onto the platform.

“ Children of the silver moon pack,” she said,” tonight you’ll stand at the threshold between youth and destiny. When I call your name, step forward and offer yourself to the moon.”  

Names rang out. 

One by one wolves emerged, a massive black wolf. A sleek gray female. A smaller she-wolf marked with silver. Each shift was met with cheers, applause, and proud embraces.

“AURORA VALE.”

 My name cut through the clearing. I leave Alpha Mabel’s side after he pecks my cheeks softly.

My pulse slammed against my throat, loud enough that I was sure the wolves closest to me could hear it. Each step dragged, my feet sinking into the earth as if the ground itself were resisting me.

I lifted my face toward the moon and closed my eyes and pressed my hands against my chest. Nothing happened. 

My heart hammered wildly, the rhythm uneven, my vision blurring at the edges as I swayed on my feet. My lips barely moved as the words slipped out, fragile and desperate.

 Please, moon goddess, let me belong.

I reached inward again. And again. Pushing past the steady rhythm of my heartbeat, past the echo of my own breathing, into emptiness.

Still nothing.

The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, pressing against my ears. 

Whispers broke out behind me, sharp, uneasy sounds that crawled up my spine.

I glanced at Elder Mariam, my jaw tight, shoulders tensing. Please…do something, my eyes begged.

I stole a glance at my mate. His face gave nothing away. His eyes met mine for a heartbeat…then slid toward elder Mariam

A cold hollow spread through my chest, squeezing my lungs. I swallowed, but no words came, only the frantic pounding of my heart.

It had to be a mistake…my hands clutched the folds of my dress, knuckles white. I stepped forward, voice trembling.

“Please…check me,” I whispered to Elder Mariam, the words barely escaping as my knees threatened to buckle.

[ AURORA’S POV ]

“Elder Mariam,” my father called sharply.” Check her. Aurora can be dumb at times.”

A few snickers flickered at the edge of the crowd.

Elder Mariam approached. Her presence was heavy as she placed her hands on my shoulder, and heat shot through me, curling up my spine and prickling my skin. My chest fluttered, I sucked in a sharp breath, hoping, praying, for the spark to ignite.

This was it.

I reached inwardly desperately.

There was nothing.

The warmth passed through me without resistance, like a light passing through glass.

Elder Mariam's brow furrowed.

Her hand pressed more firmly. Seconds dragged. The Mummurs grew louder.

My knees weakened. I swayed,  and caught myself before anyone could notice.

Then her hand withdrew.

The cold rushed back in, sharp and unforgiving.

I turned towards my family.

My mother stood perfectly still. My father’s jaw is tight, his disappointment unmistakable,  in public, burning.

Elder Mariam straightened.

“There’s no wolf,” Elder Mariam said. 

My hands dropped to my sides. The space in my chest stretched, hollow and aching. I swallowed, but my thirst refused to make a sound.

I opened my eyes slowly, and I let my breath hitch. My vision blurred and I blinked hard until tears spilled over.

I grabbed the elder Mariam’s hand, gripping it tightly.

Almost pleading through tremor, “No, no please check again. There must be a mistake. Touch me. Check it again, I could feel your power wash over me. There must have been a mistake. I can’t be empty.”

I held her hand tightly, placing it over my chest. She took her hand away from me. And stepped back slowly. She looked back at my parents and shook her head with pity.

“I’ve checked three times,” she said gently.” There’s no wolf. The child is….Empty.”

The word echoed once in my head, hollow and loud. My vision blurred, and the floor rushed up to meet me.

I looked at my mother, desperate for something. The surprise on her face lasted only for a moment. Then her lips curved into relief. I was shocked.

“Aurora darling,” she said loudly for all to hear.” Having no wolf doesn’t diminish your worth. Some of us are meant to serve others in some ways. So I say we go home and get a good rest huh?”

My father's expression hardened into a cold calculation.” I looked away, couldn’t look at him.

“Mother,” I whispered, stumbling toward her .” Please, there must be a mistake.” I said, holding onto her manicured hands.

She pulled her hands away from me roughly.” Go home,” she said. Turning away from me.

Her words burned me. It hit me like fire along my skin. My chest tightened, and I staggered a step, breath catching in ragged gasps.

“Go home,” perhaps next year, the goddess might decide to bless you with a wolf.” my father said before I could reach his side.

My hands balled into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms. Every warmth, every sparkle of hope drained from me. I rushed forward to my mate’s side, heart full of panic, I reached his side and placed my hand over his.

But he’s not the same man I knew. Something in his expression shifted. His hand fell from mine, and his gaze hardened.

I blinked, confused.

“I… I thought” I began, but he stepped back.

“Don’t touch me with those dirty hands of yours. You’re not worthy enough.” He said.

The word rang in my head. Heavily.

“What…what do you mean?Mabel, it’s me. Aurora.”

But instead of telling me it’s okay. Instead of telling me he would help me find a solution. His voice rang out.

“I, Alpha Mabel,” he boomed, his voice echoing across the clearing, “will not choose Aurora Vale as my mate.”

My heart skipped a beat, and the bright certainty in my chest wavered. He was joking. I keep saying to myself 

His eyes swept past me, landing on my sister. Seraphina stepped forward, her expression triumphant, her hand brushing against his chest with ease.

“I choose Seraphina as my Luna and wife,” he declared.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. My knees trembled.

“No…no, Mabel. You can’t do this to me. What about what we shared?”

“We share nothing, Aurora. I chose you because I thought you were stronger than your sister and now that I know you’re not. You’re of no use to me any longer.”

I step back. My ears couldn’t believe what it’s hearing.

“And Seraphina is also pregnant with my child. The future Alpha of the pack.” He added.

My gaze moved to Seraphina who was holding on to Mable tightly. Her lips stretch into a broad smile.

That was when I knew that he was not only rejecting me, but he had been cheating on me with my sister. And she’s carrying his pup. Hot tears streamed down my face, blinding me. I couldn’t stop them, they spilled in a steady, burning river.

“That’s a good choice, Alpha,” my mother said, her voice calm and approving, eyes shining as she looked at Seraphina.

“Aurora. Now that the  Alpha has chosen your sister as his Luna. You wouldn’t mind would you?

Her question landed like a stone in my chest. My legs gave way, and the world tilted, the ground rushed up to meet me as vision streaked with tears and pain.

“My word is law, and it is final, Mable’s voice thundered across the clearing. “From this moment on, you will all respect Seraphina as your Luna. Her words must be obeyed.”

Seraphina’s lips curved slowly, deliberately. She stepped closer to him, her fingers spreading over his chest, stroking as if she owned the very heartbeat beneath her palm. Her eyes never left mine.

She smiles wider.

Mabel turned, guiding her away, and the pack moved without hesitation, bodies shifting, heads bowing, a path opening before them. They passed through the crowd hand in hand.

I stayed where I was.

My ears rang. The clearing blurred faces melting into shadows as they walked farther away. My fingers twitched, useless at my sides, as if my body hadn’t caught up with what my eyes were seeing.

Darkness swallowed me.

[ AURORA’S POV ]

I blinked against the dim light, the world turning as my eyes darted open. The sharp, earthy scent of herbs stung my nose, making me cough and choke.

I jerked upright, heart beating, scanning the unfamiliar room. “Mabel?” My voice cracked, small and desperate.

From the doorway, Elder Mariam stepped forward, her robes rustling softly. “You’re awake,” she said, her voice calm but steady, carrying the weight of someone who had seen too much.

I scrambled to my feet, knees wobbling, eyes frantically searching the room. “Where… where is Mabel? My father?” The words tumbled out, ragged, almost pleading. “Where is everyone?”

She held me firmly, fingers pressing into mine, anchoring me. “My child,” she murmured, voice low, patient. “I asked the guards to bring you here, from the gathering.”

Her hands, warm and lined with age, closed over mine. I clutched them like a lifeline, tears streaming down my cheeks. My sobs shook my shoulders as I sank to my knees beside her. 

“Help me… please… do something,” I gasped, voice breaking with every word. “My wolf can’t just vanish like that. Help…please.”

She squeezed my hands, and I could feel the faint pulse of her own heartbeat beneath my fingers. 

“Aurora… Some wolves don’t come on the wolf awakening day. Some arrive stronger, some never arrive at all. But…don’t lose hope. You mustn’t give up yet.”

I pressed my forehead to hers, gripping her hands as if letting go would make everything vanish. Sobs rattled my chest, hot and unstoppable. 

The room swirled around me, her perfume, the herbs, the soft rustle of her robes, and for the first time in hours, it felt like a tether, a small thread I could hold onto.

————————

I walked back to the gathering and climbed the platform once more. The wood was cold beneath my bare feet, familiar in a way that made my chest tighten.

I reached inward, searching, pushing past the echo of my breath, past the frantic pounding of my heart.

The same hollow silence stared back at me. My shoulders sagged. Whatever strength had been holding me up upright slipped away, and I stumbled off the platform, legs unsteady.

I made it only as far as the nearest tree before my knees gave out. I sank weakly beneath a tree, my back pressing into the rough bark as if it were the only thing keeping me upright.

 The night air felt colder here, heavier. My body finally gave in, trembling like it had been holding back, shoulders caving inward as the sounds of the ceremony blurred into something distant and hollow.

I closed my eyes.

Images of their betrayal flash across my mind unbidden, twisting my stomach. My fingers clenched the bark, and I squeezed as if I could hold back the memory.

But I couldn’t.

Seraphina’s hand on Mabel’s arm.

The way his body had angled toward hers. Holding her in place as if she’s the most expensive treasure in the world.

The certainty in his voice when he chose her.

I hadn’t watched them leave. Seraphina was laughing and smiling as they called her Luna.

Her leaning into him, already comfortable, already claimed. His arm around her as it belonged there, like it always had. The pack parted for them.  

My butt sat rooted to the ground. The world shifted around me, laughing and claiming what I had imagined for myself. I couldn’t feel my hands.

A jagged ache tore through my chest. I gasped, shoulders jerking as the air escaped me in a strangled sound.

 My heartbeat slammed against my ribs like a caged thing. A broken sound escaped my throat before I could stop it, and then the tears came—hot, uncontrollable, sliding down my face and dripping onto my hands clenched in my lap.

I wiped at them angrily, but they kept coming.

When I forced my eyes open, I searched the clearing without meaning to.

My parents were gone.

The space where they had stood earlier was empty, trampled grass and fading footprints the only proof they had ever been there.

 No one was looking for me. No one had stayed behind. It was as if my failure had erased me.

My fingers curled into the dirt, gripping the soil until it worked its way beneath my nails. I welcomed the ache in my hands. It was solid. Real. The grit under my nails digs into my palms. The sharp ache grounded me, real and heavy.

“No…” I whispered, voice cracking. My lips trembled, word barely escaping as if the sound itself could break in my throat.

The words sounded fragile, like they might shatter if I said them too loudly.

My throat burned.

I pushed myself up unsteadily, legs wobbling beneath my weight. My legs wobbled beneath me. I sank my teeth into my lower lip, forcing one trembling step after another. 

The word spun, but I didn’t fall. Sitting there wasn’t helping. Letting the memory replay was killing me.

I needed answers.

Or maybe I just needed to hear him say it again, to my face, to be sure Seraphina did not tie him down with a pup.

That must be it. The reason why he acted like that toward me. I will accept it. I will take the pop as mine.

I turned and ran.

I ran without looking, feet carrying me instinctively through the road. The path to the pack house stretched ahead of me.

 lit by ceremonial lanterns that blurred through my tears. My dress snagged against branches, my breath tore painfully from my lungs, but I didn’t slow.

 The pack house looked bright with different ceremonial lanterns but was silent. Ahead, the echoes of what I couldn’t undo pressed in on me, cold and unyielding.

———————-

I burst into the pack house, my breath tearing in and out of my chest. The heavy doors swung wide, slamming against the stone walls with a sharp echo that rang through the halls.

No one stopped me.

The guards standing by the entrance glanced up, recognition flickering across their faces. I was Aurora Vale. The Alpha’s chosen, at least I had been. 

Their hands stayed at their sides as I passed, eyes following me in silence. No challenge. No orders to turn back.

That hurt more than if they had blocked my way.

My footsteps slapped against the cold marble floor as I moved deeper into the house.

 The air pressed against my skin, thick with authority and expectation. My stomach knotted. Every echo of footsteps, every shadow along the marble walls, weighed on me like stones.

I didn’t slow down. I didn’t hesitate.

The doors to the king’s lounge stood ahead, tall, carved with ancient symbols of dominance and rule. Light spilled out from beneath them. Voices murmured inside. Familiar. Intimate.

My hand trembled as I reached for the handle.

I pushed the doors open.

Heat hit my face as laughter echoed in the lounge. My eyes darted around, scanning, every muscle taut, every straining.

I’m looking for only one person. My mate.