The moon hung high above Blackthorne Pack, bathing the forest in silver light. Wolves howled in the distance, their voices carrying through the cold night as members of the pack gathered in the grand courtyard.
Tonight was the Moon Bond Ceremony.
The night every unmated werewolf dreamed about.
Selene Ashcroft stood near the back of the crowd, nervously smoothing the wrinkles from her simple white dress. Unlike the expensive gowns worn by the Alpha families, hers was plain. She had never cared much for fancy clothes, but tonight... tonight she wanted to look beautiful.
Because somewhere in this crowd was her mate.
Her heart raced as she glanced toward the grand staircase leading to the Alpha House.
The doors opened.
A tall man stepped out.
Damien Blackthorne.
The future Alpha of the Blackthorne Pack.
His black suit fit him perfectly, making his broad shoulders look even wider. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his icy blue eyes swept over the crowd with confidence.
Women couldn't stop staring.
Men lowered their heads in respect.
He was everything an Alpha should be.
Strong.
Feared.
Untouchable.
Selene lowered her gaze. Someone like him would never notice someone like her.
"Selene!"
She turned as her best friend, Aria Everwood, rushed over.
"There you are!" Aria whispered excitedly. "Can you believe this? Tonight we finally meet our mates."
Selene smiled weakly.
"I hope mine is kind."
Aria laughed.
"Forget kind. I want mine to be handsome."
Selene couldn't help laughing.
Before she could answer, Elder Magnus stepped onto the stage.
"The Moon Goddess has blessed this night," the old elder announced. "When your wolf recognizes its mate, do not fight the bond."
The crowd fell silent.
One by one, unmated wolves stepped forward.
Some cried with happiness.
Some embraced.
Others laughed through their tears.
Selene watched every pair, wondering when it would be her turn.
Minutes passed.
Then
Her wolf stirred.
A strange warmth spread through her body.
Her heartbeat quickened.
No...
It couldn't be.
The scent of cedar wood and rain filled her senses.
Her wolf whispered one word.
Mate.
Selene slowly lifted her head.
Her eyes met Damien's.
At that exact moment, Damien froze.
The entire courtyard seemed to disappear.
His wolf had found her too.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
"The future Alpha found his mate!"
"It's Selene?"
"The orphan girl?"
"No way..."
Selene's heart filled with hope.
The Moon Goddess had chosen her.
She took one careful step toward Damien.
Another.
Then another.
A smile slowly appeared on her face.
But Damien's expression grew colder with every second.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes filled with anger instead of joy.
"No."
The single word echoed across the courtyard.
Selene stopped walking.
Damien stared directly at her.
"There has to be a mistake."
The whispers grew louder.
"What did he say?"
"He doesn't want her?"
Selene's smile slowly disappeared.
Damien walked down the stairs until he stood only a few feet away from her.
He looked her up and down.
Disappointment flashed across his face.
"My mate..." he said coldly, "...cannot be someone this weak."
The words struck harder than any slap.
Selene's fingers trembled.
"I..."
She couldn't speak.
"I reject you."
Silence.
Even the wind seemed to stop blowing.
The crowd stared in disbelief.
Damien's voice remained calm.
"I, Damien Blackthorne, reject Selene Ashcroft as my mate."
Pain exploded inside Selene's chest.
It felt like her heart had been ripped apart.
Her wolf cried out in agony.
Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
Not here.
Not in front of everyone.
Around her, people began whispering.
"I knew she wasn't worthy."
"A future Luna? Impossible."
"The Moon Goddess made a mistake."
Selene lowered her head.
Every word pierced her heart.
Damien turned away without another glance.
To him...
She wasn't worth another second.
Aria rushed forward and caught Selene before she collapsed.
"Selene!"
"I'm... fine."
But she wasn't.
Her chest burned.
Her breathing became uneven.
She felt as though something inside her had shattered forever.
Without looking back, she pushed through the crowd and ran.
She didn't stop.
She ran past the training grounds.
Past the pack houses.
Past the gates.
Only when she reached the quiet forest did her legs finally give out.
She fell to her knees beneath an ancient oak tree.
The tears she had been holding back finally spilled down her cheeks.
"Why?" she whispered to the moon.
"What did I do wrong?"
The forest answered with silence.
Suddenly
A cold breeze swept through the trees.
The ground beneath her began to shake.
A faint silver glow appeared around her feet.
Selene frowned.
"What...?"
The glowing light spread across the forest floor like flowing water.
Ancient symbols slowly appeared beneath her knees.
She had never seen them before.
Then a gentle female voice echoed through the night.
"The blood of the First Luna has awakened."
Selene's eyes widened.
The silver light burst into the sky, bright enough to turn the entire forest white.
Miles away, every Alpha in the Northern Territories looked toward the Blackthorne forest.
Including one man.
A ruthless Alpha whose crimson eyes narrowed as he felt the ancient power rise.
A slow smile crossed his face.
"So..."
He stood from his throne.
"After all these years..."
His wolf growled.
"She's finally awake."