Miles away from the Silver Crest Pack, the mountains surrounding Nightfall territory stood tall beneath the glow of the moon.

The land here was harsher, dense and dangerous

Wild forests stretched endlessly across the valleys, and the wind carried the scent of pine, earth, and wolves strong enough to survive in this unforgiving terrain.

At the center of it all stood the Nightfall Packhouse,

a massive structure built from dark stone and timber, overlooking the valley like a fortress.

Inside, warriors trained even late into the night.

But on the highest balcony overlooking the forest, one man stood alone.

Alpha Kael.

The wind moved through his dark hair as he stared up at the full moon hanging high above the mountains.

His silver eyes reflected the pale light.

Inside him, his wolf stirred restlessly.

Still nothing.

Kael exhaled slowly.

"I know," he muttered.

It had been years.

Years of waiting.

Years of hoping that one day, somewhere out there, the Moon Goddess would reveal the woman destined to stand beside him.

His mate.

His Luna.

But every full moon came and went without a sign.

Behind him, footsteps echoed across the balcony floor.

"Still talking to the moon?"

Kael didn't turn.

"I prefer it to talking to you, Roran."

A low chuckle followed.

Beta Roran stepped beside him, leaning against the railing as he glanced at the sky.

"You've been standing out here every full moon for the past five years."

"And?"

"And I'm starting to think the Moon Goddess enjoys watching you suffer."

Kael smirked faintly.

"That would be cruel."

Roran shrugged.

"She is a goddess."

Kael remained silent for a moment.

Then he said quietly, "The gathering is tomorrow."

Roran nodded.

"Yes."

Every year, packs across the region gathered under the full moon to celebrate peace between territories.

It was also the best opportunity for unmated wolves to meet their fated partners.

Kael had attended every one since becoming Alpha.

And every time...

Nothing.

Roran glanced at him carefully.

"You think she'll be there this time?"

Kael's wolf stirred again inside his mind.

Restless.

Impatient.

"I don't know."

Roran crossed his arms.

"You're the strongest Alpha in the northern territories. If the Moon Goddess hasn't revealed your mate yet, maybe she's waiting for something."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Like what?"

Roran grinned.

"Drama."

Kael shook his head.

"You've been reading too many old prophecies."

But deep down...

A strange feeling settled in his chest.

Something he couldn't quite explain.

As if something important was about to change.

Back at Silver Crest Pack, the atmosphere was very different.

The packhouse buzzed with activity.

Tables were being moved into the main hall.

Decorations hung from the wooden beams.

Omegas rushed back and forth carrying food and supplies.

The Full Moon Gathering was the most important event of the year.

And everything had to be perfect.

Lira balanced a tray of glass cups carefully as she crossed the busy hall.

"Careful with those!" one of the older omegas warned.

"I will," Lira replied softly.

She placed the tray gently on the long wooden table before stepping aside.

Across the room, Clara stood near the entrance, giving orders like she owned the place.

Which, in many ways, she did.

As the Alpha's daughter, she was already treated like a future Luna.

Even though she wasn't mated yet.

"Those banners are crooked!" Clara snapped at two young wolves.

They quickly adjusted them.

Lira tried to stay unnoticed while she wiped down the table.

But Clara's sharp eyes spotted her immediately.

"You," she said.

Lira froze.

"Yes?"

Clara walked closer, her heels tapping against the wooden floor.

"You'll be serving drinks tomorrow night."

Lira nodded.

"Yes."

"And try not to look so miserable."

Lira blinked.

"I'm not-"

"You always look like someone kicked a puppy," Clara interrupted.

Her friends laughed.

Clara leaned slightly closer.

"Remember something, Lira."

Her voice dropped just enough to sound like advice.

"Tomorrow night powerful Alphas will be here."

Lira nodded again.

"Yes."

"So stay out of the way."

Clara straightened and walked off without another word.

Lira remained where she stood for a moment.

Then quietly returned to work.

That night, long after the packhouse had gone quiet again, Lira walked to the edge of the forest.

She needed the silence.

The cool night air brushed against her skin as she stepped beneath the trees.

Above her, the moon shone brightly.

Something about it always drew her here.

She didn't know why.

Lira sat down near the base of an old oak tree and looked up.

"Why do I feel like I'm waiting for something?" she whispered softly.

The forest offered no answer.

But deep inside her chest...

That strange warmth returned.

Stronger this time.

Almost like a pulse.

A soft whisper brushed against her thoughts.

So faint she almost missed it.

Soon.

Lira frowned slightly.

"Did I imagine that?"

A sudden howl echoed across the distant mountains.

Deep.

Powerful.

Dominant.

Lira felt it in her bones.

Her heart skipped.

Because even from this far away...

She could feel the strength behind that sound.

And somewhere beyond those mountains, Alpha Kael lifted his head toward the same moon.

His wolf growled suddenly.

For the first time in years.

One word echoed inside his mind.

Mate.

Kael's eyes widened slightly.

Because tomorrow night...

The Moon Goddess was finally going to reveal her choice.

And neither of them were ready for what fate had planned.

The Silver Crest Pack had never looked so alive.

By the time the sun began to set, lanterns had already been lit across the pack grounds. Warm golden light glowed from the packhouse windows while long wooden tables were arranged outside beneath the open sky.

The Full Moon Gathering happened only once a year.

It was a night when rivalries were set aside, when packs shared food and stories beneath the moon. It was also the night many wolves secretly hoped for.

The night fate revealed mates.

Lira stood near the kitchen entrance, adjusting the tray of glasses she carried. Her hands trembled slightly, though she wasn't sure why.

The pack felt... different tonight.

Charged.

As if the air itself was humming with anticipation.

"Lira."

She looked up.

The older omega, Mara, stood beside her.

"Are you alright?" Mara asked softly.

"Yes," Lira replied quickly. "Just nervous."

"That's normal tonight."

Mara smiled kindly, something few people in the pack ever did.

"Just remember to stay near the serving tables. The visiting Alphas will bring strong auras."

Lira nodded.

She had heard that before.

Powerful wolves carried energy that weaker wolves could feel. Sometimes it made omegas dizzy or uncomfortable.

But tonight...

Something inside Lira felt restless instead.

Almost curious.

Mara gently touched her arm.

"If you feel overwhelmed, step outside for air."

"I will."

The older woman nodded and walked away.

Lira picked up her tray again just as a loud howl echoed across the pack territory.

One of the warriors near the entrance straightened.

"They're here."

The visiting packs had arrived.

Outside the main hall, wolves began gathering near the entrance.

Warriors lined the path as guests approached the packhouse.

Lira stepped carefully between the tables, placing fresh glasses down while trying not to draw attention to herself.

She heard the first group arrive.

The Iron Ridge Pack.

Their Alpha greeted Silver Crest's Alpha with loud laughter and firm handshakes.

More wolves followed.

The River Fang Pack.

Then the Storm Valley Pack.

Each arrival brought stronger scents and stronger energy into the air.

Lira could feel it building like pressure in her chest.

But it wasn't overwhelming.

Not the way Mara had described.

Instead...

It felt like something inside her was waking up.

She paused for a moment.

A strange warmth spread through her chest again.

The same feeling she had felt beneath the forest moon.

Before she could think about it further-

Another howl echoed across the valley.

This one was different.

Deeper.

Stronger.

Dominant.

Every wolf in the courtyard fell silent.

One of the warriors whispered quietly.

"Nightfall."

The Nightfall Pack had arrived.

The moment Alpha Kael stepped onto Silver Crest territory, he felt it.

Something shifted in the air.

His wolf stirred instantly.

Mate.

Kael froze mid-step.

His Beta, Roran, noticed immediately.

"What is it?"

Kael inhaled slowly.

The scent was faint.

But unmistakable.

Warm.

Soft.

And completely intoxicating.

His wolf pushed forward inside his mind.

She's here.

Kael's eyes darkened.

After years of waiting...

His mate was somewhere inside this pack.

Roran watched him carefully.

"You smell her, don't you?"

Kael nodded once.

"Yes."

Roran grinned.

"Well, that explains the look on your face."

Kael ignored the comment.

His senses sharpened.

Every scent.

Every movement.

Every heartbeat around him.

The bond was pulling him forward.

Drawing him toward the packhouse.

Toward her.

Inside the main hall, music had begun playing.

Wolves laughed and talked around the long tables as food was served.

Lira moved quietly between them with her tray.

She tried not to notice how many eyes were watching the visiting Alphas.

But the moment the Nightfall Pack entered the hall...

Everything changed.

The air grew heavier.

Even the music seemed to soften.

Lira felt it instantly.

A powerful presence filled the room.

Her heart began beating faster for no reason she could explain.

She kept her head down as she approached one of the tables.

"Wine?" she asked softly.

No one answered.

A strange silence spread through the hall.

Lira frowned slightly.

Then she felt it.

A pull.

Strong.

Sudden.

Her head lifted before she could stop herself.

And across the crowded hall...

Her eyes met his.

Alpha Kael.

The world seemed to stop.

The moment their gazes locked-

Something inside Lira's chest exploded with warmth.

Kael's breath caught.

His wolf roared inside his mind.

MATE.

The word echoed through him like thunder.

He stared at the girl across the room.

Small.

Quiet.

Dressed in simple servant clothes.

An omega.

Impossible.

But the bond didn't lie.

The Moon Goddess never made mistakes.

Kael began walking toward her.

Every wolf in the hall instinctively stepped aside as the powerful Alpha moved forward.

Lira's heart pounded harder with every step he took.

Why was he coming toward her?

Had she done something wrong?

When he finally stopped in front of her, she could barely breathe.

The tray in her hands trembled slightly.

Kael stared down at her.

Up close, her scent was overwhelming.

His mate.

After all these years.

His wolf growled softly with satisfaction.

Ours.

Lira lowered her gaze immediately.

"Alpha," she whispered respectfully.

Kael's voice came out low and steady.

"Look at me."

Her eyes lifted slowly.

The moment she looked into his silver gaze...

The bond snapped fully into place.

Kael felt it surge through his entire body.

Powerful.

Unbreakable.

His wolf surged forward inside him.

Claim her.

The entire hall waited in breathless silence.

Then Kael spoke the words that would change everything.

"MATE!!."

Gasps erupted across the room.

Lira's eyes widened.

"What...?"

Kael didn't look away from her.

"You are mine."

Across the hall, Clara shot to her feet in shock.

"That's impossible!"

But Kael ignored her.

His gaze remained locked on the girl in front of him.

The omega.

The one no one expected.

The one the Moon Goddess had chosen.

His Luna.

And far above them, the moon shone brighter.

For several seconds after Alpha Kael spoke, the hall remained completely silent.

No one moved.

No one spoke.

It was as if the entire room had forgotten how to breathe.

Lira still held the tray in her hands, her fingers trembling slightly as Kael's words echoed in her mind.

MATE!

Her heart pounded against her ribs.

That couldn't be right.

There had to be some mistake.

She was just an omega.

Across the hall, whispers began spreading like wildfire.

"Did he just say-"

"An omega?"

"That girl?"

"I thought Alphas always mated with strong wolves."

Clara stood frozen near the head table, her face slowly turning pale before anger quickly replaced the shock.

"This is ridiculous," she snapped.

The murmuring stopped as everyone turned toward her.

Clara stepped forward, her heels striking sharply against the wooden floor.

"Alpha Kael," she said loudly, forcing a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "There must be some misunderstanding."

Kael didn't look at her.

His eyes remained fixed on Lira.

"There is no misunderstanding."

Clara's smile tightened.

"With respect," she continued, "that girl is a sla......an omega."she stuttered.

Lira felt the words like a slap, even though she had heard them countless times before.

But this time, something about the way Clara said it made her stomach twist.

Clara gestured toward her dismissively.

"She has never even shifted. She has no wolf."

The whispers grew louder again.

"She's right..."

"How could an Alpha mate with someone like that?"

Lira's chest tightened.

Part of her wished the floor would simply open and swallow her whole.

But Kael finally turned his head toward Clara.

And the moment he did, the entire room felt the shift in his aura.

Power rolled through the hall like a storm.

His silver eyes darkened.

"Be careful and choose your next words carefully," he said quietly.

The warning in his voice was unmistakable.

Clara faltered for a moment, clearly not used to being spoken to that way.

But her pride pushed her forward.

"I'm only pointing out what everyone else is thinking," she replied.

Kael stepped slightly closer to Lira.

Not aggressively.

But protectively.

The gesture alone sent another wave of whispers through the crowd.

"She's an omega," Clara repeated. "Surely the Moon Goddess wouldn't choose someone so... weak."

Something inside Lira twisted painfully.

She lowered her gaze again, gripping the tray tighter.

The words shouldn't hurt anymore.

But tonight, they did.

Kael's voice cut through the noise like steel.

"The Moon Goddess does not make mistakes or are you saying She does?"he added with a dangerous to

The room went quiet again.

Even Clara seemed momentarily stunned.

Kael looked back at Lira.

For the first time, she noticed something unexpected in his expression.

Not frustration.

Not disappointment.

Something softer.

Curiosity.

Almost wonder.

"You," he said gently.

Lira swallowed.

"Yes... Alpha?"

"Tell me your name."

Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

"Lira."

The moment he repeated it, something inside her chest fluttered strangely.

"Lira," Kael said.

The way he spoke her name made it sound important.

Like it mattered.

"Do you feel the bond?"

Her heart skipped.

"Yes," she admitted quietly.

She had been trying to ignore it, but the strange warmth spreading through her chest was impossible to deny.

It felt like invisible threads pulling her toward him.

Something ancient.

Something powerful.

Kael nodded once.

Then he turned back to the room.

"You have your answer."

Clara crossed her arms.

"This changes nothing."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"This pack will never accept an omega as a Luna," she said coldly.

Several wolves shifted uncomfortably.

No one openly agreed with her.

But no one defended Lira either.

That silence felt just as loud.

Lira stared at the floor.

She wished this night would end.

Wished she could go back to cleaning floors where no one noticed her.

But Kael's voice spoke again.

And this time, it carried the unmistakable authority of an Alpha.

"My mate will be respected."

The command rolled through the hall like thunder.

Several wolves instinctively bowed their heads slightly.

Even Clara hesitated.

But she wasn't finished.

"You may believe she's your mate," she said carefully, "but Silver Crest is still my father's pack."

Her eyes flicked toward Lira again.

"And she belongs here."

The meaning behind those words was clear.

Lira wasn't free to leave.

She was pack property.

Just an omega servant.

Kael's eyes darkened.

"Does she?"

His voice had grown colder.

Silver Crest's Alpha finally stood from his seat at the head table.

The older man had remained silent throughout the confrontation, watching carefully.

Now his deep voice filled the hall.

"That depends."

Everyone turned toward him.

The Alpha studied Lira thoughtfully.

"If the bond is real," he continued slowly, "then she may choose to leave."

Clara's head snapped toward him.

"Father-"

"But," he added, raising a hand, "the decision must be hers."

The entire hall fell silent again.

Every pair of eyes shifted toward Lira.

She suddenly felt very small standing there.

Kael looked down at her.

"Lira."

Her heart pounded.

"Yes?"

"If you come with me," he said quietly, "you will be my Luna."

The words felt unreal.

His Luna.

No one had ever spoken about her like that before.

But Kael continued.

"You will be protected."

Something deep inside her chest warmed at that promise.

"But the choice is yours."

The room waited.

Lira's mind raced.

She looked around the hall.

At the faces she had known all her life.

Most of them avoided her gaze.

Some looked annoyed.

Some looked curious.

But none looked like they would miss her.

Slowly, she looked back at Kael.

The strange warmth inside her chest pulsed again.

Stronger now.

Like a heartbeat waking up.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

Her life didn't have to stay the same forever.

"I..." she began.

But before she could finish-

A sudden pulse of energy rushed through her body.

Lira gasped.

The tray slipped from her hands, glasses shattering against the floor.

For a split second, the lanterns hanging from the ceiling flickered violently.

The entire hall seemed to tremble.

Then everything went still again.

Lira stood frozen.

Her heart racing and she slumped

"What... was that?" someone whispered.

Kael stared at her, his expression suddenly intense.

Because the energy he had just felt...

Was not the power of an omega.

And somewhere deep inside Lira's soul...

The seal placed there years ago had just cracked for the first time