The night felt different in moonveil citadel, too quiet and empty. Elian sat by the tall window of his new chamber, his knees drawn slightly inward, his fingers resting loosely against the cold stone ledge. Beyond the glass, the forest stretched endlessly-dark, and unfamiliar. Nothing like home. The moon rose high above, silver light spilling across the trees, casting long shadows that seemed to move when he wasn't looking directly at them. Elian stared at it in silence. Back home, the moon never felt like this. It had always been something gentle. Something distant. Something beautiful. Here... It felt like a countdown. His fingers curled slightly. Mother would have finished preparing dinner by now... The thought came uninvited. Soft. Painful. He could almost see it-the small wooden table, the dim firelight, the familiar scent of herbs lingering in the air. His mother moving quietly between tasks, his sister talking too much, laughing too loudly... Alive. Normal. Safe. Elian let out a slow breath, his chest tightening. Are they eating? Or... are they waiting? His jaw clenched slightly. No. They wouldn't wait. His mother wouldn't allow that. She would insist. She always did. Even on the worst days- Especially on the worst days. Elian lowered his gaze, pressing his forehead lightly against the cool glass. "...I'm fine," he murmured under his breath. Like they could hear him. Like saying it would somehow make it true. But the silence that followed only made the distance feel greater. He closed his eyes. And for the first time since arriving- Home didn't feel like a place he could return to. --- Silvermist Pack: The fire crackled softly. Too softly. The house, once filled with warmth and small, familiar sounds, now felt empty. Empty in a way that couldn't be fixed. Two plates sat on the table. Only two. Selena stared down at hers, unmoving. The food had gone cold. Across from her, their mother sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, her posture straight-but her eyes distant. Tired. Neither of them had spoken for a long time. Not since the sun had set. Not since- Selena's fingers tightened slightly. "...Tell me, Mother." Her voice broke the silence, sharp in the quiet room. Their mother looked up slowly. Selena's gaze was steady. Too steady. "Why did my brother agree to be the next bride... when it clearly wasn't our turn yet?" The question hung in the air. Heavy. Direct. Their mother didn't answer immediately. She looked down at the table, her fingers curling slightly against the fabric of her dress. A pause. Then a soft sigh escaped her lips. "You are right," she said quietly. Selena didn't move. Her eyes didn't leave her mother's face. "Elian didn't go willingly," she continued. Something shifted. Subtle. But dangerous. Selena's voice dropped. "...Then he was forced." Not a question. A statement. Their mother hesitated. Just for a moment. But Selena noticed. She always did. "By who?" Selena asked. Simple. Calm. Too calm. Lydia chest rose and fell slowly. She knew that tone. She knew that stillness. And it scared her more than anger ever could. Because if Elian was stubborn sometimes- Selena was something else entirely. Still... She couldn't hide it. Not from her. Not when the truth would find its way to her eventually. "...It was the family chosen for the next offering," she said carefully. Selena's expression didn't change. But her fingers curled tighter against the table. "Their son," her mother added quietly. "Lucas Viremont." Silence. The name settled into the room like a storm waiting to break. Selena blinked once. Slowly. "...Is that so." Her voice remained even. Controlled. But there was something underneath it now. Something sharp. Something cold. Lydia heart sank because she knows that look, She had seen it before- On the day someone had insulted Elian in public. On the day Selena had nearly started a fight she could not win. On the day she realized her daughter did not forgive. She endured. She waited. And then- She acted. "Selena," her mother said softly, a warning threading through her tone. "Don't-" But Selena was already standing. The chair scraped lightly against the floor. Not loud. But final. Her mother watched her carefully. "...What are you going to do?" Selena paused. Just for a second. Then turned slightly, her expression calm- Too calm. "He made a choice," she said. Her voice was steady. Measured. "But so did they." Her mother's chest tightened. "Selena-" "I won't do anything reckless," she interrupted gently. And somehow- That was worse. Because Selena wasn't reckless. Reckless people made mistakes. Selena didn't. She planned. She waited. And when she moved- It mattered. Her mother swallowed. Because she knew, in that moment- This wasn't over. Not even close. Far away, under the same moon- Elian sat alone in a castle that didn't feel like his. Unaware- That the storm he left behind... Was already beginning to rise.

The knock came suddenly, making him flinch. He quickly straightened. "C-come in..." The door opened gently. And for the first time since arriving in the castle- Someone smiled. She stepped in with a tray of food, balancing it carefully in her hands. Unlike the others, she didn't look terrified. Just... cautious. But warm. "Good evening!" she said softly, placing the tray down on the table. "You must be Elian." Elian blinked, a little surprised by her tone. "...Yes." She turned to him with a small bow. "My name is Mary. His Majesty has assigned me as your second personal maid." Elian's eyes widened slightly. "My... maid?" Mary nodded, then leaned in just a little, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Yes-but don't let the title scare you," she whispered with a playful smile. "It just means I'm the only one brave-or foolish-enough to come near you." Elian couldn't help it. A small laugh escaped him. Soft. Barely there. But real. --- Mary's eyes lit up. "Oh! There it is! You can smile!" she said, clearly pleased. "Good. I was worried I'd be stuck with a gloomy master." "I'm not your master," Elian said quickly, his voice gaining a touch of firmness. She tilted her head, her expression curious. "You live here. The king assigned me to you. That makes you important." Elian shook his head slightly. "No... it just means I'm... temporary. A captive, really." Mary didn't respond immediately, her gaze softening as she considered his words. Instead, she walked over and gently pushed the tray closer to him. "Eat first," she said gently. "You'll need your strength, no matter how long you're here." Elian hesitated, glancing at the simple meal of bread, cheese, and stew... then nodded, picking up the spoon. --- As he ate, Mary move lightly around the room, straightening a curtain here, dusting a shelf there, but her eyes kept drifting back to him. Curious. Observant. "You're not what I expected," she finally said, folding a cloth with deliberate care. Elian paused mid-bite. "What did you expect?" She shrugged lightly, a hint of empathy in her voice. "Someone either crying all day... or plotting to run at the first chance." A small silence followed, the weight of her words settling in. "...I thought about it," Elian admitted quietly, setting the spoon down. "Running, I mean. But the blindfold... the guards... it's pointless." Mary didn't look surprised. She sat on the edge of a chair nearby, her posture relaxed but attentive. "But you didn't. That takes guts, you know. Staying put when everything screams to fight or flee." Elian met her gaze, "What choice do I have? This place... it's like a cage made of shadows." Mary studied him for a moment... then smiled again, warmer this time. "Well," she said lightly, standing up, "if you're going to stay, you might as well not be miserable the whole time. Let me help make it bearable." Elian gave a faint smile in return, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. "I'll try. Thank you, Mary." "Good," she said, satisfied, her tone encouraging. "And if you need anything-anything at all, from extra blankets to just someone to talk to-you call me. I'm right down the hall." She moved toward the door, then paused, her hand on the knob. "Oh-and one more thing..." Elian looked up, sensing the shift in her demeanor. Her expression turned just a bit more serious. "Don't wander at night." A pause hung in the air. "Especially when the moon is full. Things... change under its light." The door closing softly behind her. Leaving Elian alone once more- But not quite as alone as before. After she left, the room fell silent again. But it didn't feel as suffocating as before. Elian lay down slowly, staring up at the ceiling through the blindfold's veil. His body was still warm. Still reacting. Still... restless. He placed a hand lightly over his chest, feeling the fast beat of his heart. "...Mate..." The word felt foreign. Dangerous. Impossible. And yet... His eyes slowly closed. Sleep came-but not peacefully. --- Elsewhere... Kael stood near the window of his chamber, the night sky stretched wide before him. The full moon rose high. Bright. Unforgiving. His fingers were clenched tightly at his sides. His control- Slipping. Go to him, the voice echoed in his mind Low and Insistent. "I said no." Aries. Mate, "I know what he is." Ours. Kael exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. "You felt it," he muttered. "That reaction... that scent..." His jaw tightened. "Too strong." Go. The command was louder this time. More forceful. More demanding. Smell him. Confirm him. Claim him. Kael's breathing grew heavier. His control was cracking. Piece by piece. "I won't lose control," he growled, his voice a low rumble. You already are. Silence. Heavy. Dangerous. Then- Kael moved. Elian's Room: The door opened without a sound. No guards noticed. No footsteps echoed. It was as if the darkness itself had allowed him passage. Kael stepped inside. And immediately- He felt it. The scent. Soft. Sweet. Faint-but unmistakable. Even suppressed... It called to him. His eyes, hidden beneath the blindfold, narrowed slightly. His wolf stirred violently. Mate. There, on the bed- Elian lay asleep. Peaceful. Unaware. Completely vulnerable. Kael stood still for a moment. Just watching. Listening. Feeling. "...So this is what you look like... when you're not afraid." His voice was barely above a whisper, laced with a raw hunger. Slowly... He stepped closer. Each step controlled. Measured and dangerous. He stopped beside the bed. Close enough to hear Elian's breathing. Close enough to feel his warmth. His hand lifted slightly. Hovered. Then- Paused. For the first time in a long time- Kael hesitated. "...If I touch you..." His voice dropped. Rough. "...I might not stop." Elian shifted slightly in his sleep. A soft sound leaving his lips. And just that- That small, innocent movement- Snapped something inside him. Kael leaned down. Slowly. Carefully. His face nearing Elian's neck- He inhaled. And everything went still. His grip tightened instantly. A low, dangerous sound rose in his chest. His wolf surged forward. Wild. Possessive. Uncontrollable. "...You're really mine." The words escaped like a vow, dark and fervent. But instead of pulling away, Kael's restraint brakes further. His hand moved, fingers brushing Elian's jaw with a trembling touch-warm, almost tender, yet edged with desperation. Elian's lips parted in his sleep, a soft exhale inviting the inevitable. Kael couldn't stop. He lowered his mouth, capturing Elian's lips in a fierce kiss. It started possessive, his teeth grazing the soft flesh, and when Elian open a little, Kael's tongue pushed in, claiming every inch, licking deep and demanding, tasting the sweetness that had haunted him. Elian's body arched instinctively, but his hands fisted in Kael's shirt, pulling him closer in confused need. Kael growled into the kiss, one hand sliding to the nape of Elian's neck, holding him firm as he s*ck*d on his lower lip, then plunged back in, tongues tangling in a wet, heated battle. His free hand roamed down Elian's side, gripping his hip possessively, fingers digging into flesh as if to mark him. Elian moaned softly, the sound vibrating against Kael's mouth, his own tongue tentatively responding, licking back with growing hunger. The kiss turned sloppy, saliva trailing as Kael devoured him, breaths ragged and hot, bodies pressing together in the dim moonlight filtering through the window. Warmth bloomed in Kael's chest along the storm-a vulnerable ache beneath the dominance, his wolf whining for more even as he fought to hold back. He broke the kiss briefly, lips hovering, panting against Elian's swollen mouth. "Mine," he whispered, voice cracking with intensity. Finally, Kael pulled back. Abruptly. As if burned "No." His voice was sharp. Final. Strained. He stepped away from the bed. Breathing heavier now. His control hanging by a thread. "...Not like this. Not yet." One last glance. One last inhale. One last pull- Then he was gone. Vanishing into the darkness as silently as he came. On the bed- Elian stirred fully now, his lips tingling, body flushed with unexplained heat.

The Elder's Pavilion was quiet, filled with low murmurs and the glow of torchlight. Seven elders sat in a semicircle, their presence heavy with authority. At the center was Elder Maltheus, his gaze sharp and unreadable. Selena Silvermist walked in without hesitation. At seventeen, she already carried herself like an Alpha-back straight, chin lifted, eyes steady. She stopped before the council. "Elders of Silvermist," she said, voice firm, "I, Selena Silvermist, challenge Lucas Viremont for the title of Pack Leader in the coming trials." Silence fell. Elder Mira leaned forward. "You?" she said, disbelief clear. "The trials are not for children. Your wolf hasn't even manifested yet. And Lucas comes from a powerful line. This isn't something you play at." Selena held her ground. "I'm not playing. My eighteenth moon is close. My wolf is coming-and I know what it is. My father was Orion Silvermist. His blood runs in me." At the mention of her father, the room shifted. Elder Maltheus spoke next. "Tradition still stands. The Alpha seat has always gone to males. And Lucas's family holds influence in the Citadel. This challenge could cause problems." Selena's jaw tightened. "Then let it." A few elders exchanged looks. "I'm not doing this just for power," she continued. "Lucas is targeting my brother. He's been tormenting Elian for years, and now he made my brother agree to be sent to the Citadel-as a bride to the King." That drew sharper reactions. "Elian refused him," Selena added, her voice hardening. "So Lucas decided to use him for politics. I won't allow it. If I become leader, he loses that control." Elder Garrick frowned. "And you think this won't bring trouble? The King's court is not something we provoke lightly." Selena stepped forward. "Then we stop bowing to it. Lucas doesn't want strength-he wants control. He wants Elian broken. I won't let that happen." The room fell into debate. Voices rose, then quieted again. Finally, Elder Maltheus lifted a hand. "Enough." Silence returned. He studied Selena for a long moment. "You carry your father's will. And your wolf is near awakening. Very well." Selena stilled. "The challenge is accepted," he said. "You will face Lucas in the trials." Relief flickered in her chest, but she only nodded. "I won't fail." --- By the time Selena left the pavilion, the sun had begun to set. The forest was quiet as she made her way home, but her mind wasn't. Everything had changed now. The trials were real. So was the danger. A scent hit her first-sharp, familiar. Lucas. He stepped out onto the path, two others behind him. His expression was already twisted with anger. "You've got nerve," he said. "Challenging me like that." Selena didn't stop walking. "The elders agreed. Deal with it." He let out a harsh laugh. "Because of your weak brother?" She froze. Lucas stepped closer. "I wanted Elian," he said plainly. "He would've been useful to me. But he refused. So I found a better use-offer him to the King." Rage burned through her. "You're not touching him," she said. Lucas smirked. "You think you can stop me? You're not even an Alpha yet." "Try me." His expression darkened. "You're nothing but a girl playing warrior." Selena met his stare. "And you're nothing without your father." That did it. Lucas lunged. Selena moved faster. She stepped aside and drove her elbow into his ribs. The hit landed clean, knocking the breath out of him. His companions hesitated, then stepped back. Lucas staggered, glaring at her. "This isn't over." "It never is," she replied. He backed away slowly, his voice low with threat. "At the full moon, you'll lose. And when you do, your brother is mine to decide." Then he disappeared into the trees. Selena stood there for a moment, her heart still racing. The trial were coming. And she will not lose. ************************* The forest path opened into Silvermist's homes, fires glowing softly in the night. The scent of woodsmoke wrapped around Selena, familiar and grounding. Her knuckles still ached from the fight with Lucas, the pain keeping her anger sharp. The moon hung low. Soon, it would be full-and with it, her change. When her home came into view, fear settled in her chest. Her mother was already waiting. Lydia Silvermist stood at the door, arms crossed, eyes fixed on her. The moment Selena stepped closer, the tension between them snapped tight. "What have you done, Selena?" Lydia's voice shook. "Why would you go for the title? You promised me. And now this? Throwing yourself into that fight?" Selena stopped. The words hit harder than any blow. She didn't argue. Instead, she stepped forward, gently taking her mother's hands and guiding her inside. The fire burned low in the hearth. Selena led her to a chair and knelt in front of her, holding on tightly. "Mother," she said quietly, "I know what I promised. I meant it. But Lucas crossed the line." Lydia's eyes searched hers. "He sent Elian away," Selena continued, her voice tightening. "To the Citadel. Like he's nothing. Like he's... expendable. You know how Lucas has always treated him. I couldn't stand by this time. I won't let him destroy Elian just to gain power." Lydia's expression broke, tears filling her eyes. "Elian..." she whispered. "He's always been gentle. Too gentle for this world." Her gaze returned to Selena. "But you... you're not. You're like your father." Selena squeezed her hands. "I'm turning eighteen next week. My wolf is coming-I can feel it. And I know what it is, Mother. I know what I'm meant to be." Lydia said nothing. "If I win," Selena went on, softer now, "I can protect him. I can protect all of us. Please... trust me." Silence filled the room, broken only by the fire. Finally, Lydia sighed, her shoulders sinking. "I always knew," she said quietly. "The training... the bruises... you never really stopped." Selena looked down. "I let it happen," Lydia admitted. "Because it kept you strong." She reached out, cupping Selena's cheek. "Alright. Go for the title." Selena looked up, startled. "But listen to me," Lydia added, her voice firm despite the tears. "If it becomes too much... you walk away. I won't lose you too." The words cut deep. Selena stood and pulled her into a tight embrace. "You won't lose me," she whispered. "And you won't lose Elian either. He promised he'd come back." Lydia held on to her, shaking slightly. For a moment, they just stood there, holding each other. "I'll bring him home," Selena said. "I swear." When they finally pulled apart, Lydia managed a faint smile. "Then go, my Alpha pup. But remember-strength isn't just power. It's who you fight for." Selena nodded. "I know." Later, alone in her room, she lay awake staring at the ceiling. The moonlight spilled through the window, cold and steady. Everything was set in motion now. There was no turning back.