Chapter 6

Clara’s POV

Today is the day of the Luna Ceremony, and my heart feels like it might burst.

“You’re going to do great, sweetheart,” Alpha Damien tells me softly, kissing my cheek and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I love you. I’ve waited my whole life to crown you as my Luna.”

I gaze up at him adoringly, still not quite able to wrap my head around everything that’s happening. He didn't just accept my secret; he chose me, hybrid and all. He is my fated mate, my protector, and my home.

“I love you too,” I whisper, melting into his chest. His scent of rain and cedar wraps around me like a promise. “Are you sure you can’t stay just a little longer?”

He chuckles and caresses my cheek. “I wish I could, but“I’ve got to go wrap up the last couple details for the ceremony. I’ll see you at the altar, my beautiful Luna.”

“Alright,” I whisper as he presses a final, lingering kiss to my temple. “I’ll see you soon.”

With a wink, he slips out of the room, leaving me alone with everything I need to prepare for the ceremony ahead of me.

When I hear a knock on the door, I assume it’s Layla here to help me get ready. But when I open the door, the girl standing before me isn’t Layla.

In fact, I don’t recognize her at all.

“Luna Clara. I’m Chloe,” the girl says, already stepping into the room. I raise an eyebrow and watch her enter. “I’ve been sent to replace Layla. She’s busy tending to other matters for the ceremony right now.”

“Oh,” I murmur, a little disappointed by the sudden change. “Okay. Let’s get started, then?”

Chloe nods eagerly, doing my makeup carefully. I close my eyes and let her do her job.

Well, it’s somewhat unexpected–Layla has been even more excited about the ceremony than me, gushing constantly about hair and makeup and dresses and how great it’s going to be that I’ll be the Moonstone pack’s Luna.

For her to suddenly vanish and send a stranger in her place feels wrong. It isn't like her to miss the one moment she’s been planning for weeks.

“Maybe she has something bigger planned—a last-minute surprise,” Marigold suggests, her mental voice warm and reassuring.

“I guess,” I mutter, trying to settle the nagging feeling in my gut.

I’ve been far more worried about all the finer details of my new appointment, though. Elder Claude has openly objected to the ceremony, going so far as to not attend, and I know the rest of the pack stands with him. Among the higher-ranking members of the pack, only Gamma James supports our bond.

“Done!” Chloe says cheerfully, stepping away so I can look at myself in the mirror, and I realize I’ve been so lost in thought I’ve barely paid attention to her work.

When I gaze at my reflection, I can hardly recognize the girl staring back at me.

My long blond hair has been pulled back into a sweeping half-up-half-down braid, with small gold-and-emerald flowers pinned into the plaits. I gasp in delight as I realize the hairpin colours perfectly match my eyes. My lips have been painted a delicate, blushing pink, and my eyes have been lined with gold. I look unlike I’ve seen myself before–stunning, statuesque, almost regal.

Like a Luna.

I can’t help but smile at the sight.

“You look beautiful, Luna Clara,” Chloe says softly. 

“Thank you,” I say as she helps me into a stunning gown.

The thick skirt falls around me like running water, and I can’t help but marvel at the elegance and luxury. Before I can admire it for too long, though, Chloe takes my arm again.

“The Moonstone necklace, which has been passed down from Luna to Luna for generations, is stored in a special chamber,” she says, leading me out of my room. “I’ll place it around your neck there, and then we’ll be ready to go.”

“Okay,” I say excitedly, somewhat giddy.

I hike up my skirt and follow Chloe through the halls of the palace. She stops in front of a door, pulls a key from her pocket, and smiles at me as she twists the door open.

But just as a wave of rank, musty air hits me, Chloe places a hand on my back and shoves me hard into the room.

The world seems to tilt all at once. I cry out as I stumble to the floor, managing to untangle my skirts and rise to my feet, but the door has already slammed shut behind me. A lock clicks shut.

No, no, no, this–this can’t be happening. Not here. Not now. Not today!

I’ve got a mating ceremony to attend. I’m going to be Luna…

I scream desperately, beating my fists against the doorframe, but it’s no use. No one comes. And that’s when I notice Elder Claude lying in the corner of the room, barely visible in the dim lighting.

The smell of wolfsbane hits me immediately, sharp and pungent. My heart is beating like a drum as I press my hand to Elder Claude’s forehead. He’s hot and clammy, breathing faint, face ashen.

‘Wolfsbane!’ Marigold howls mournfully in my mind. ‘He’s been poisoned!’

“Elder Claude!” I shout hopelessly, shaking him in a desperate attempt to rouse him.

His head lolls weakly to one side, but his eyes flutter open. I whisper a silent prayer of thanks. “Cut it out,” Elder Claude says clearly. “Cut… release the poisoned blood…”

“I’ll try,” I reply frantically, searching around the room.

Much to my relief, I spot a small dagger in the room. Without a moment’s hesitation, I return to Elder Claude’s side, grab his hand, and slash his wrist open.

The heavy scent of blood fills the room, sharp and metallic, mingling with the acrid scent of wolfsbane poison. The blood that spills across my gown is purple, not red. I hold back a gag as I angle Elder Claude’s wrist downward, trying to help the poisoned blood flow out.

Suddenly, the door to the room is kicked in.

“She’s here!” Someone cries out.

The sound of wood cracking and splintering fills the air. My heart leaps to my chest at the prospect of rescue. “Thank goodness–” I begin to say, dropping the dagger and rising to my feet.

But that’s when I see who it is.

Rachel is standing at the broken-down door, a pair of guards flanking her, staring at me with an expression of abject terror as she takes in the scene before her: Elder Claude collapsed on the floor, and a bloodied dagger in my hand.

A wave of sudden terror washes over me.

Oh, no…

Slowly, tremulously, Rachel raises one hand and points towards me. She screams, voice shrill and merciless.

“Murderer! Arrest her!”