Convocation Day

Elsa’s Pov

The palace was alive with noise and light from the moment dawn broke. Every corner of the estate had been scrubbed, polished, or decorated with silk banners bearing the Crescent Moon crest. The air carried the sharp scent of roses, candles, and polished wood. Laughter and chatter filled the halls, spilling from every room as guests prepared for the ceremony.

Convocation day. The day Crystal had dreamed of. The day she would be crowned Luna before all the packs.

And the day I was forced to serve her glory.

“Move faster!” a senior maid barked, tossing a folded gown into my arms. “Crystal doesn’t tolerate delays today.”

My arms trembled as I carried silks, jewels, and trays, running back and forth through the hall like a shadow. Sweat trickled down my neck, but I dared not falter.

Lila caught up to me near the servants’ corridor, her eyes filled with worry. “Elsa, you haven’t eaten. At least take some water…”

“No.” I shook my head. “If she sees you helping me, she’ll punish you instead.”

The truth burned. I could take the punishments. I had been beaten, mocked, and humiliated, but Lila was softer, gentler. Crystal would break her without hesitation.

When the sun hung high, the bells tolled across the palace grounds. Guests streamed into the great hall, a sea of silk gowns and polished uniforms. Elders shuffled into their seats, betas and warriors stood along the walls, and Alphas from allied packs arrived with their entourages. The air grew heavier with expectation.

Crystal’s voice rang from her chamber, sharp and commanding. “Bring me to them!”

We maids hurried to her, four of us in total Lila, two others, and me. Crystal stood radiant in a gown of pale gold, her hair wound into a shining crown of braids, a jeweled circlet glittering on her head.

She looked like a queen.

And she wanted everyone to see me kneeling at her feet.

“Escort me,” she ordered, sweeping past us without a glance.

The hall fell silent as the doors opened. Trumpets blared. We followed her down the carpeted aisle, carrying the long golden train of her gown. My fingers gripped the silk tightly, my head bowed, the weight of dozens of eyes stabbing into my back.

Every step was a reminder of what I had lost of what I might have been, had Caleb not cast me aside.

At the far end of the hall, Caleb waited on the dais, dressed in black and silver. He was a vision of authority, cold and distant, as if this moment meant nothing to him but duty.

Crystal reached his side, her smile bright as fire. She basked in the adoration of the crowd, bowing gracefully.

I tried to keep my eyes on the floor, but something a presence, heavy and commanding pulled my attention to the back of the hall.

And there he was.

The stranger from the storm.

My breath caught. The torchlight flickered across his sharp features, his tall frame cloaked in dark, commanding attire. His eyes scanned the hall with calm authority, and when they landed on me just me my knees nearly buckled.

Mate.

My wolf Amy roared inside me, so loudly I nearly gasped aloud. The word rang through my blood, undeniable, unshakable.

I gripped the fabric harder, my hands trembling. No. No, this couldn’t be real. Not here, not now, not in front of everyone.

But Amy surged against my chest, desperate, certain. Ours. He’s ours.

I forced my head down, praying no one had seen my reaction. My heart hammered so loud I thought the entire hall would hear it.

“What’s wrong with you?” one of the other maids hissed under her breath. “Keep moving!”

Crystal stepped onto the dais beside Caleb, raising her arms as the elders began the ceremonial chants. The room was alive with voices, cheers, and clapping. But to me, the sound was a distant roar.

All I could feel was his gaze.

The man from the car. The one who told me to survive, to fight. Now here, at the convocation. Watching me.

Why?

The ceremony dragged on. Elders recited blessings. Pack warriors shouted oaths of loyalty. Crystal played her part flawlessly, her every gesture calculated to dazzle the guests.

But beneath her victory, beneath the applause, my secret burned.

Every time I dared to glance up, he was there silent, unmoving, his eyes fixed on me. It was not pity. It was not disdain. It was something colder, heavier, a weight I couldn’t yet name.

And Amy thrilled at it.

He sees us. He knows.

I clenched my jaw until my teeth hurt. I couldn’t allow this. If anyone noticed the way my body reacted, if Caleb saw, if Crystal guessed… it would destroy me.

When the oaths ended, the feast began. Maids rushed to serve food and wine, darting between rows of long tables. I moved like a machine, placing goblets before sneering guests, setting plates before strangers who laughed about the “fallen mate forced to serve her rival.”

Crystal’s laughter rang loudest of all. She beckoned me forward and, with a smirk, let a piece of meat fall deliberately to the ground.

“Pick it up,” she said sweetly.

Heat rose to my cheeks as I crouched to gather it. Murmurs ran through the hall. Someone snickered. Another scoffed.

I straightened, face burning, only to see him still watching.

Not moving to help. Not speaking. Just watching.

And that made it worse.

By nightfall, the hall glittered with candlelight, the convocation in full swing. Dancers twirled across the floor, musicians filled the air with music, and Crystal glowed at Caleb’s side.

But I felt none of it. I felt only the weight of those eyes in the shadows, the echo of Amy’s voice repeating again and again: Mate. Mate. Mate.

I wanted to scream at her to stop. I wanted to deny it. I wanted to vanish.

But deep down, beneath the fear and the humiliation, something dangerous stirred.