The next morning, servants hurried through the pack house carrying fresh flowers, polished silver trays, and embroidered table linens. Every hallway buzzed with excitement.

"They'll be here before noon."

"I heard Luna Lydia is as beautiful as the moon itself."

"And her daughter?"

"They say she shifted when she was only thirteen."

"I can't wait to see them." Aria stepped out of her room just as two maids hurried past.

Neither acknowledged her. Their excitement was reserved for someone else.

She watched them disappear down the corridor before quietly making her way downstairs.

The scent of fresh bread and roasted meat drifted from the dining room. Today wasn't an ordinary breakfast.

The long dining table had been prepared for honored members of the Alpha's household.

Beta Morris sat beside his wife and son, Damien. Across from them sat Gamma Simeon, his wife, and Lina.

Several respected elders had also been invited because of Luna Lydia's arrival.

Aria slipped silently into the last empty chair.

A servant poured tea into her cup before moving on. The conversations continued.

"I heard Luna Lydia is kind."

"And Lady Selene?"

"I've heard she's already stronger than most young warriors." Damien smirked as he broke off a piece of bread.

"I'll believe it when I see it." Lina glanced briefly toward Aria before lowering her eyes again. She knew Aria hated gatherings like this.

Moments later...

The doors opened. Alpha Magnus entered. Everyone immediately rose to their feet. "Alpha."

Magnus acknowledged them with a nod. "You may sit."

Breakfast continued, though much quieter now. Magnus ate in silence. When he finished, he placed his cup on the table.

"The welcoming procession will arrive shortly." Every head lifted. "I expect everyone to conduct themselves with dignity."

The meal ended shortly afterward. One by one, everyone rose from the table.

Servants immediately stepped forward to begin clearing the dishes. Aria waited until almost everyone had left before quietly standing.

She had almost reached the doorway when Magnus' voice stopped her.

"Aria." She froze. Slowly, she turned around.

"Yes, Alpha?" Magnus walked toward her.

"There will be Alphas, elders, and guests attending today's welcome. You will stand at the back."

 She nodded. "Yes, Alpha."

"And don't draw attention to yourself. His expression remained unreadable. Without another word, Magnus walked past her and left the room.

Aria remained standing where she was for several seconds. Only when Lina gently touched her arm did she move.

"Don't listen to him," Lina whispered.

Aria managed a faint smile. "I'm used to it."

Lina's smile faded."I wish you didn't have to be." Together, they walked toward the front courtyard.

By the time they arrived...

Nearly the entire pack had assembled. Warriors stood in disciplined rows.

Pups sat on their fathers' shoulders, eager to catch their first glimpse of the new Luna. The elders gathered near the front.

Aria quietly slipped into the last row. Exactly where Magnus had instructed her to stand.

From there...

She could barely see the massive entrance gates. A horn echoed from the watchtower.

"They're here!" Excited whispers spread through the crowd.

The enormous wooden gates slowly swung open. An elegant carriage rolled through the entrance, escorted by mounted warriors bearing Silver Moon banners.

The courtyard fell completely silent. The carriage came to a graceful stop before the Alpha.

A servant hurried forward and opened the door. A woman stepped out first.

She wore a flowing emerald gown embroidered with silver thread that shimmered beneath the afternoon sun. Her chestnut hair rested neatly over one shoulder.

There was warmth in her smile, and kindness in her eyes.

"Luna Lydia..." Someone whispered reverently.

Lydia smiled at the gathered wolves before bowing her head gracefully.

Then...

Another figure stepped down from the carriage. She appeared to be around Aria's age. Tall, elegant and beautiful.

Long raven black hair framed delicate features, while quiet confidence radiated from every movement she made.

Unlike her mother...

She wasn't smiling. Her sharp gaze wandered slowly across the assembled crowd. Until...

Alpha Magnus stepped forward.  "Lydia."

"Welcome to Silver Moon Pack."She returned the gesture with a graceful smile.

"Thank you, Alpha Magnus."

Magnus turned toward the crowd. "Today marks a new beginning for Silver Moon." His voice carried across the courtyard with practiced authority.

"I expect each of you to show Luna Lydia and Lady Selene the respect they deserve."

Beta Morris stepped forward. "In seven days, we will hold a welcoming ceremony in honor of our new Luna and her daughter."

"The neighboring packs have already been invited." A wave of excitement spread through the crowd.

"The neighboring Alphas are coming?"

"I heard even Nightfang received an invitation."

"They say Alpha Kael never attends ceremonies."

"What if he actually comes?" Aria listened quietly. She knew little about the neighboring Alphas.

Only that Alpha Kael of Nightfang was feared by almost everyone. The ceremony came to an end.

Almost immediately, the wolves surged forward to greet their new Luna. Children gathered around Lydia.

Warriors bowed respectfully. Several young wolves surrounded Selene, eager to introduce themselves.

Aria remained where she was. She waited until the crowd grew thicker before quietly stepping away.

The fewer people who noticed her...

The better. She had nearly reached the entrance of the pack house when a calm voice stopped her.

"Leaving already?" Aria turned.

Selene stood a few steps behind her. There was no one else nearby.

"I wasn't feeling well," Aria replied softly. Selene took another step closer.

"So you decided to disappear."

"I wasn't trying to disappear. I didn't think anyone would notice."

"I did." Her answer came so quickly that Aria didn't know how to respond.

Selene studied her from head to toe. "So..."You're Alpha Magnus' daughter."

Aria nodded once."Yes."

Selene tilted her head slightly. "You don't look much like an Alpha's daughter."

Aria lowered her eyes. "Well that's not new to me. I've heard that countless times."

 "I imagine you have." Silence settled between them. Then Selene asked, How old are you? Seventeen. And you've never shifted." It wasn't a question.

Aria's fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress. "No."

 Selene reached out and took hold of her wrist. Her grip wasn't hard. "You should learn something now..." She leaned in slightly. "...before someone else teaches you." Aria tried to pull her hand back. Selene didn't let go. "Know your place." Only then did she release her.

Aria instinctively rubbed her wrist. Selene's pleasant smile returned as though nothing had happened.

"I think we're going to spend a lot of time together." She turned and walked away.

Aria remained standing where she was. A strange unease settled in her chest. She turn towards her chamber.

Selene stood beneath the stone archway, watching Aria disappear into the pack house. The smile returned to her lips.

Then she quietly murmured to herself, "She won't last for long."

The welcoming ceremony arrived beneath in a blink of an eye.

From the moment dawn broke, Silver Moon Pack buzzed with excitement.

Servants hurried through the pack house carrying embroidered tablecloths, and baskets overflowing with fresh white lilies. Outside, warriors fastened banners bearing the Silver Moon crest along the walls of the great hall while cooks disappeared in and out of the kitchens with enough food to feed an army.

Everywhere Aria looked...

There were preparations for a celebration she didn't feel a part of. A quiet knock sounded at her bedroom door.

"Aria?" Lina stepped inside carrying a neatly folded dress over one arm.

"I thought you might need this." Aria managed a faint smile.

"You borrowed another dress?" Lina shrugged.

"My mother won't notice." She unfolded it carefully.

It was a simple pale blue gown. Nothing extravagant like the dresses prepared for a ceremony, but far prettier than anything Aria owned.

"You can't attend the ceremony wearing your everyday clothes." Aria ran her fingers over the soft fabric.

"It's beautiful."

"It'll look even better on you."

A few moments later, Aria emerged from behind the folding screen. The gown fit almost perfectly.

"I knew it." Aria looked at her reflection in the small mirror. A loud horn echoed through the pack house. Lina's smile faded.

"They're here." Together, they hurried outside.

The enormous courtyard had already filled with wolves from every corner of the pack. The entrance gates stood wide open.

Elegant carriages rolled inside. Each bearing the crest of a different pack.

Warriors lined both sides of the courtyard, standing perfectly still as the honored guests stepped from their carriages.

Aria instinctively moved toward the back of the gathering. Just as she has being instructed.

Another horn sounded. This one was louder than the others. Every Alpha turned toward the entrance.

A black carriage trimmed with silver rolled slowly through the gates.

Unlike the others it bore no unnecessary display. Only a single silver wolf engraved upon its door.

A murmur swept across the courtyard.

"Alpha Kael of the nightfang pack, he came."

Even Alpha Magnus straightened. The carriage came to a stop. A palace guard stepped forward and opened the door.

A tall figure emerged. Broad shoulders, dark hair and a deep ocean eyes.

An air of quiet authority that silenced the courtyard without a single word.

Alpha Kael. His sharp blue eyes swept calmly across the assembled crowd as though assessing every person present.

Even several visiting Alphas inclined their heads in acknowledgment.

Without realizing it, Aria looked up. For only a heartbeat, their eyes met. Then she quickly looked away.

She never noticed Kael pause for the briefest second before continuing toward the great hall.

The grand hall gradually fell silent as everyone took their seats.

Visiting Alphas occupied the seats closest to the high table while elders and distinguished guests settled behind them. Aria quietly slipped into the last row.

At the head of the hall, Alpha Magnus rose to his feet. His goblet caught the candlelight as he lifted it.

"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Silver Moon Pack." He turned toward Lydia. "welcome home." Applause echoed throughout the hall.

"It is an honor to stand beside the Alpha of Silver Moon." Magnus smiled before extending a hand toward Selene.

"And her daughter..." "Lady Selene. May the Moon Goddess continue to bless her path." Once again, applause filled the hall.

Selene looked every bit the future Luna. When the hall finally grew quiet, Magnus remained standing.

"There is one final matter." His voice immediately drew everyone's attention.

Aria's stomach tightened. She had this feeling that, whatever came next had something to do with her.

"As Alpha... I have always placed this pack above all." He paused. "Even when those decisions are difficult." A murmur spread through the hall. Magnus continued.

"My daughter, Aria..." The sound of her name made every head turn toward the back. "...has reached the age of getting her wolf, yet, there's no sign of it.

Aria lowered her head.

Each word struck harder than the last. "I can no longer ignore what everyone already knows." His voice became colder. "A wolfless daughter cannot continue living as a member of the Alpha's household." Gasps rippled through the hall.

"Therefore, beginning tomorrow, Aria will be transferred to the Omega Quarters."

Aria felt her throat tighten. She stared at the polished floor beneath her feet, to avoid seeing the pity on everyone's faces.

Then...

A chair scraped sharply across the marble floor.

Every whisper died instantly. Alpha Kael stood. His breathing had become uneven.

His wolf surged violently inside him. "MATE." The word thundered through his mind.

His jaw clenched. "No..."His gaze searched the crowded hall. It stopped on Aria. The girl standing completely alone. His heartbeat quickened.

Without realizing it, he took a step toward her. The guests instinctively moved aside, clearing a path between them.

Aria looked up. The moment their eyes met...

A strange warmth spread through her chest. She frowned. Why did it feel as though something invisible was pulling her toward him?

Kael stopped only a few feet away. He stared at her. Disbelief flickered across his face.

"So..."His voice echoed through the silent hall. "It was you."

Aria's lips parted. "I... don't understand."

A humorless laugh escaped him. "The Moon Goddess has a cruel sense of humor."

His eyes hardened."I, Kael Trevor Dominus, Alpha of Nightfang Pack, reject you, Aria Magnus, as my mate." The words struck like lightning.

Pain exploded through Aria's chest. A cry escaped her lips. She stumbled backward, clutching at her heart as tears blurred her vision.

The hall erupted. "She was his mate?"

"I would've rejected her too."

Aria shook her head weakly. "No..." Her voice broke. "You can't do that." But Kael's expression never changed.

The last fragile piece of hope inside her shattered. Everything around her faded...

Until a familiar hand gently caught hers. "Aria..." Lina's voice trembled. "Let's go."