Aria's POV

I turn around to see Mara walking towards us. "Mara... What the hell is she doing here?" I mutter under my breath, but Lucien turns to flash me a stare.

"Mara is family, Aria, you don't need to be told that, or do you?" he says and walks away to welcome her. She closes in on him and stops right in front of him. His arms encircle her waist while he plants a peck on her cheek.

She blushes at the gesture, but it soon fades as her gaze lands on me. Way to go. Now she isn't going to let me hear the last of it after I crashed her party. They start making their way towards me, and I excuse myself to another part of the training ground.

I can't even imagine putting up with her. Ugh, she's so impossible. Sparring is my worst thing to do, but I'm in for something to keep my mind occupied. My eyes fall on a wooden staff, and I pick it up to practice sparring.

I step forward, spinning the staff with both hands, lunging it in all directions while pretending to block attacks. I duck my head as though someone is sending a spear over it, all in one swift move. Just then Adrian makes his way back to the training ground. He greets Mara and pulls Lucien away in a bid to tend to something important.

Mara moves her gaze towards me and begins walking in my direction. As she closes in on me, I remain focused on training.

She stops at my back, applauding as she utters, "Wow. Way to go, party wrecker. Such an impressive move you've got there." I pause at her words. Party wrecker. Now that's the height of it. Someone needs to call her out on her BS, and if no one is going to, then I am.

I whirl in her direction and meet her cold gaze. I know that look all too well, but sadly it doesn't scare me a bit. I push my staff onto the ground, pinning it in one place while my fingers encircle it.

"Party wrecker," I sigh. "You really think I'd sabotage your party on purpose?"

She picks up a staff beside her and directs its end at me. "Then what does it look like? Huh. You tell me, since you seem to know more than me." She replies with raised brows.

I push the end of her staff away with my hand. "Mara, I don't have all the time in the world for this. I was busy before you interrupted me. So if you don't mind, run along." I pick up my staff to return to training. But Mara does something unbelievable; she lifts her staff to hit against mine.

Shocked, I pause, my face drenched in anger. I grab hold of her staff, my knuckles white around it as I try to dislodge it from her hand, but she doesn't budge, fastening her grip around it.

"Have you lost it already?" I ask, my tone cutting through the air.

She smirks and dislodges the staff from my grip instead. "You bet I have. And you just wait and see how I ruin your big day tomorrow. I bet you can't tell what's coming for you." Her eyes widen, her breathing heavy against my skin. "You messed with the wrong person, Aria. You weak Omega." She proceeds to take her leave, but I pull her by her clothe.

My heart pounding, pupils dilating, knuckles white around her fabric. She spins around, and I point my staff directly at her.

"You think you've got what it takes? I dare you, Mara. I might be that weak Omega to you, but I bet you I don't take threats like this lightly."

She frees herself from my grip and tries to speak, but I cut her off before she can even utter a word.

"You better brace yourself, 'cause I'm not letting you have your way. Not so easily." My gaze pierces into her, and she is too surprised to respond. She wasn't expecting this side of me, and I really don't care what she's thinking right now. I launch my staff onto the ground and begin walking away from her.

As I close in on the exit, she lets out a mocking laugh and fires back, "Run away, you scary little wolf. Ooooh, I'm so scared." She quivers in false fear, her voice rimmed with mockery. I bite the inside of my lip to suppress my anger while making my way out without looking back.

On my way, I encounter Lucien and Adrian making their way back. Lucien flashes me a confused look as he approaches. "Where are you heading off to so early?" he says.

I suck in a breath and let it out at the same time, trying to calm myself in order not to transfer aggression. Once my head suddenly feels lighter, I reply, "I promised to watch Raymond practice, so I should be there." I observe his mood shift; his face suddenly wears a frown, which he tries to conceal with a quick, light smile.

Lucien also plays basketball. He's on the opposite team from Raymond. I know it sounds absurd, but I've never made an attempt to watch him practice. Shocking, considering the fact he's my brother-but it's not like he ever involves me in that part of his life either.

I move past them to make it in time for Raymond's practice. I arrive at the college basketball court, where the practice is taking place. As I go down the stairs to help myself to a seat, I sigh in relief, realizing I really need a breath of fresh air. And this practice works well. I spot Chloe already on standby. I draw closer to her, exchanging hugs and warm greetings.

Practice begins, and we settle into a seat, watching with keen interest as everyone on the team displays their incredible skill on the court. As the practice progressed, Chloe and I show our support by waving foam fingers in the air.

As they continue practicing, the coach draws in their attention by blowing his whistle. "Time out, boys. Take a quick break, then we'll continue," he says, and they halt their practice.

Raymond moves towards Chloe and me, seated in the spectators' section of the court. We smile, waving at him with the foam fingers, while he smiles back.

He approaches us and collapses into a nearby seat. His hand reaches into a cooler carrying refreshments like carbonated drinks and water.

He grabs a bottle of water, twists off the cap, and drenches his face with it before gulping down the remnants.

He lets out a heavy sigh and finally finds his voice. "Hi, girls. Glad you could make it," he says, exhausted, his hands dangling weightless by the sides of his seat.

"Anytime," Chloe and I chorus together. We stare at each other, smiling at the unison in our words.

"Jinx," Chloe blurts out, and we both simultaneously point to each other. "I said that first," she says and cuts my finger with hers, while we all giggle at the same time.

Just then Drake passes by and winks in Chloe's direction. She blushes. My eyes move fast, catching the drama from Drake and then back to Chloe. Raymond witnesses the scene as well, making us both let out a chuckle.

I spin in Raymond's direction,"Raymond," I say while he looks at me with a wide smile spread on his face.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I tease and he readjusts into his seat.

He replies, "You bet I am," Chloe nudges our shoulders in a playful manner, still blushing like she has just seen her prince charming.

Raymond doesn't stop there but proceeds to tease further.

"Tell us, Chloe, what is this chemistry I sense building up between you and Drake?"

I nod in agreement. "Yes, Chloe, please tell us."

Aria's POV

"Stop it, guys," Chloe says, playfully protesting against our teasing, her cheeks turning pink from blushing too hard. "There's nothing going on between me and Drake. And if there is, you guys will definitely be the first to know about it," she says, and we're forced to withdraw from teasing her further.

"Okay Chloe, we'll let you off our hook this time. But just remember; we've got our eyes on you," I say with a mock–stern look while Raymond nods in approval. Together, we move two of our fingers from our eyes and back at Chloe. After this gesture, we all laugh in unison.

Raymond chips in just when the laughter dies down. "Come to think of it, we get to see the full moon tomorrow, same time as your birthday, Aria." A small gasp escapes my lips as I remember the full moon event taking place tomorrow. My stomach flips in excitement; my birthday alongside the full moon event. It just can't get any better than that.

"Wow. Aria, that's nice. Your eighteenth birthday lands right on a full moon. Not many wolves are that lucky, you know," Chloe says as she playfully nudges me by my shoulder.

My lips curl upward in a smile. "You're really lucky, Aria. A full moon on your birthday. That's double your blessings from the Moon Goddess." Just when Raymond utters this, Chloe cuts in. Her face brightens as though something pops into her head.

"I have an idea, guys," she says, and our gazes drift to her. "How about we shift and go for a run in the woods near the park borders, after Aria's party and the Full Moon event?" My face and Raymond's suddenly wear satisfied looks.

"Wow. Way to go, Chloe, that's a great idea," I say, while she smiles and Raymond agrees with a raised brow accompanied by a head gesture.

Chloe tugs onto my arm, with a warm expression framed against her face. "Kiara and I can't wait to see your wolf, Aria," she says. "Our wolves will be the best of friends, just like us." She adds, and we all chuckle while the sound of the whistle shifts our focus. It's Raymond's coach hinting at the end of their break.

Raymond rises to his feet. "Gotta go, girls. I have a basketball tournament to practice for." He stretches and warms up to return to practice. Practice ends at around 5:00 pm. By then, the sun is dropping below the horizon. We all set out to our various houses in a bid to rest for the next day.

I arrive at the park house a little too late, my heart beating frantically in my chest. As I make my way up the stairs, I hope Mum doesn't have any clue I stayed longer than promised. Once in my room, I slowly shut the door behind me, trying not to make a sound that could alert her.

She doesn't notice, I realize once I'm ready for bed. Guess she gets caught up in birthday preparations and Full Moon event planning.

Tired from today's practice, I collapse into my bed, my whole weight sinking in as I think of tomorrow's event. My mind reminisces about what tomorrow holds for me. The Full Moon event, coupled with my eighteenth birthday, looks like a good sign from the Moon Goddess. At this point, I mumble a silent prayer, hoping everything goes as planned. And Mara!! She is definitely the last of my worries. I know she doesn't stand a chance against me. And with this thought, I slowly fall into a deep sleep.

In the Morning,

The rays from the sunrise filter into my room, warm against my skin as my eyes flicker open to another lovely morning. The atmosphere feels lighter than usual. The thought of me turning eighteen settles in my mind, causing a smile to tug on my lips and sending a flutter of excitement through my heart.

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead." My eyes widen in surprise as I pull myself into a sitting position on the bed. My eyes scan my room for anyone. I didn't see anyone around, causing me to wonder who might be pulling such stunts. Then the voice comes again, now with a laugh that feels all too real.

"It's me, your wolf, Alera." A strange blend of awe and nervousness surges through me.

"Alera," I mutter under my breath. It sounds pure, powerful, and soft at the same time.

"What a nice name. I love it," I tell her.

"I'm glad you do," she says and proceeds to add, "Now get out of bed, we don't have all day. Mila has already sensed my presence, and she can't wait to meet her pup." I peel myself out of bed, freshen up, and get dressed for the morning.

As I glare into the mirror to assess my look, my eyes drift to a small package. It's wrapped in white paper, with a red bow sitting perfectly on top of it. The package is placed on my dressing table, and beside it is a note.

I move over to the package, picking up the note resting on top. A light smile settles on my face as I read Lucien's familiar handwriting:

"Happy birthday to the best sister in the world. A little gift for you on your big day; wear it to your party."

A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I lower the note. While I move to the package and begin tackling the ribbon; then the white wrapping paper follows. Soon my hard work pays off as it exposes a medium-sized box. From its packaging, I can tell the item inside is luxury itself.

As I open the box, I shudder in surprise at seeing the lovely gift inside.

Aria's POV

I glare at the diamond jewelry set. It sparkles as the light hits it, its luster refracting brilliantly and pulling in my attention.

"It's beautiful," I whisper, my lips widening into a smile.

With gentle hands, I place the necklace around my neck. It fits perfectly, sparkling under the light. Just beautiful. A wave of excitement surges through me, like a thousand butterflies all swarming up in my belly. With this gesture, my feelings for Lucien intensify.

I return the necklace back into the box and put it away in my wardrobe. Excited to see everyone, I freshen up and hurry down for breakfast.

I glare at Mum, dishing out instructions for the maids to carry out. She looks busy, so caught up with planning that she doesn't notice me at first.

"Mum," I say, shifting her focus towards me. She smiles and urges me to come closer for a hug. We hug while she pulls away to look at my face, her face lighting up as she moves my forehead closer to plant a kiss.

"Happy birthday, my dear," she says. " Mila has sensed Alera. She can't wait to see her pup." I smile while she continues. "I can't believe you're turning eighteen already and on such an auspicious day like today."

I pull her closer, my arms wrapping around hers. "I'm excited as well, Mum."

"You're indeed one lucky child, dear. The Moon Goddess has truly blessed you," she says, while we make our way towards the dining room.

"Thanks, Mum," I say, and we drop into our seats to eat breakfast. I look around for any sign of Dad or Lucien, but I don't see them around.

Curious, I proceed to inquire about their whereabouts. "Mum, what about Dad and Lucien? I don't see them around."

"Honey, they're at the council meeting. You know how it is during any Full Moon event. The pack has to plan well for this auspicious event." I raise my brows in approval.

She proceeds to stand to her feet. "They might take some time, dear, but don't worry. They'll be back soon. So eat and get some rest, okay." She leans in closer and kisses me on the head.

"Thanks, Mum." My lips curl into a reassuring smile, while she snuggles my shoulder in a one-sided hug before leaving.

Once done, I return to my room. In dying need to hear Lucien's voice, I open up our mind link. It's my first time, and I'm so excited. I try once and it connects instantly.

"Happy birthday, Aria. I see you finally got your wolf," he says, causing me to blush at his words.

"You bet I did," I tease, while I sense his soft chuckle echo through our mind link.

"I got to go, Aria, I'm in a meeting. See you soon," he says and disconnects our mind link. I bury my head in a pillow, muffling my squeal as my legs kick out with excitement. I can't wait for what today will bring.

In the evening,

It's time for my party. I slip into a silver metallic-colored gown, paired with the diamond jewelry Lucien gifted me earlier. My hair is packed in a top bun with light makeup sitting perfectly on my face.

The pack beautician finishes my whole look and proceeds to take her leave. I glare at my reflection in the mirror, beautiful just like I expected it to turn out.

The party is to take place in our pack hall, a few meters away from the pack house. A lot of wolves, from the lowest ranking to the higher ranks, are in attendance. Alphas from other packs are coming too.

I feel happy, but at the same time a nervous feeling surges through me. "Keep it together, Aria... it's your big day," I say, releasing the tension setting in. I can't believe I get to see so many people today.

Satisfied with my look, I head down to go to the venue. At the end of the stairs stand Mum, Dad, and Lucien, all dressed and ready for the party.

Once I approach the stairs, a small surprised gasp escapes their lips. I smile at the surprised look on their faces while I descend the stairs with grace.

Once down, everyone comes to compliment my look. "Wow, Aria, you look beautiful, dear," Mum says, pulling me in for a hug.

"You bet she does," Dad adds. Mum breaks away from the hug, surveying my whole look once more before attempting to leave.

"Okay kids, come on now, we don't want to be late." She takes Dad by his hand and they leave together. I turn to see Lucien still staring, his eyes wide in surprise.

"And you, Mr Alpha," I say, and he snaps back to reality. "What do you have to say to the birthday girl?" He moves forward, hands in his pocket, while he mutters.

"Wow, I'm impressed. You look gorgeous," he says, and I blush at his words... while I feel a soft tingle inside.

"Shall we?" Lucien says, and I proceed to snake my hand around his. We chuckle as we exit the packhouse.

We arrive at the pack hall. It's beautifully decorated. We enter, and it's magnificent, more beautiful than the outlook.

The room is filled with wolves of different ranks and Alphas from different packs. I almost tense up, seeing so many people in attendance.

As I slip into the room, it erupts into wows and shocked gasps. Everyone's eyes narrow in on me like I'm some kind of celebrity. I slowly navigate my way into the crowd. I notice I'm slowly becoming the center of attention. I hear someone whisper, "Who is she?" while another person answers, "She's the princess of the Silver Moon Pack."

I don't stay to hear them dally about me when someone with a familiar voice calls out to me. It's Chloe. Raymond is also with her. They close in on me and their expressions are just as surprised as everyone else's.

"Wow. Aria, you look beautiful," Chloe says, holding my hands out to glare at my dress.

"Wow. Aria, you look incredible," Raymond adds.

"Thanks, guys," I reply.

Just as we continue talking about how good I look, my eyes catch a gleam of Mara with her minions. She doesn't say anything, just a long lingering stare, and before I know it, she's out of sight.

My heart cuts in my chest. For one, I'm scared she might sabotage the party. Then I remember-she couldn't even if she wanted to. Today is a sacred day and doing that attracts dire punishment. Soon the feeling in my mind slowly fades away.

Chloe pulls me away to meet with other people. In her words, "Everyone has to see how beautiful you look." Sounds cute, I think to myself. The party kicks up in full swing with music, entertainment, games among the young wolves, and even paired-couple dancing.

I'm not left out of the fun, as I'm forced to take a break whenever I have too much fun. Mara keeps her gaze fixed on me throughout the entire party, but I ignore her. Being the center of attention feels great, and now I understand why she fought so hard to have it. I mean, you can't really blame her.

Then comes the moment we've all been waiting for, the Full Moon. Dad orders that the glazed panel of the rooftop be raised. The room falls into silence. Once raised, we see the night creep in, then the starlight follows before the Silver Full Moon in her glory.

Everyone cheers in excitement. Her gaze above us is magnificent. Under the moon's glow, I feel a strong pull inside, the scent of sandalwood and something dark lingering around me.

Something suddenly awakens in me. Alera starts to howl inside.

"Mate," she says.

Mate? The bond begins pulling me in his direction. Wherever he is, I'm sure he feels it too.

I stop right next to him, my eyes widening in surprise. It's Lucien. He's our mate. It feels like a dream come true. Lucien turns and our gazes lock in on each other.

Alera howls in excitement, because she has seen her mate. I don't hold back anymore when I utter the word,

"Mate."