The Welcome Party

Selvara’s POV

"Don’t stare at him like that, you’ll embarrass yourself."

That was Queen Celine, my stepmother, her voice rang as she dropped the wine she held in her hand. Her eyes flicked toward me in disgust. Zyros was back.

The entire pack buzzed around him like moths drawn to fire. He had been gone for years to train abroad, earning his title as the next Alpha. I watched him quietly from the corner I was in. He stood in the middle of the crowded hall, broad-shouldered, jaw tight, every inch of him made my body burn. 

I hated the way my heart raced. I was supposed to be his sister. Step-sister, yes, but still. My wolf stirred restlessly, ignoring my efforts to stay calm. The whispers around me only made it worse.

‘He looks stronger than his father ever did.’

‘Do you think he already has a mate?’

‘I heard he’ll have to pick soon. One of the Alpha daughters."

None of them mentioned me. They never did. I was just an invisible Omega whose existence meant nothing to the Pack.

Alpha Orion, the Alpha of the SilentMoon Pack and Luna Celine’s husband, found me lying in the woods and took me in. Although foggy, I remember him treating me kindly until it was revealed by the Pack’s seer that I was possessed by demons and killed my parents. The council of elders advised Alpha Orion to keep me within reach to avoid me destroying the pack. Ultimately, the said demonic powers I possessed were suppressed and I was demoted to Omega and forced to serve as a slave for not just the royal family, but the entire pack as well.

Zyros’s eyes swept the crowd, sharp and steady. For a heartbeat, they landed on me, and I froze.

It was like being burned alive. My throat tightened, my pulse quickened. My wolf whispered one dangerous word I refused to hear. Mate. 

Why would the Moon Goddess make that kind of pair? "No. No, no, no." 

I dropped my gaze quickly, pretending to focus on the grapes on my plate. This wasn’t happening. My heat wasn’t due for weeks. There was no way my instincts were already acting up.

But I could feel it. The tug in my chest. The pull toward him.

I forced myself to look away, to think about anything else. Was it the time I got thrown into a dungeon with just panties and bras? Or was it when I was starved for an entire week? I hit my head hard, I really have to silence whatever thoughts are brewing inside of me. 

The sound of heavy footsteps made me look up before I could stop myself. Zyros was walking toward us.

The crowd parted for him, wolves bowing their heads slightly. I really thought he was coming for me, I heaved as he stopped in front of Queen Celine.

“Mother.” His voice was deep, steadier than I remembered. He kissed her cheek quickly, then turned to me.

“Selvara.” He said just my name, but I could feel my heart in my stomach, my wolf whimpering.

I swallowed hard. “Zyros.”

He gave a small nod, but his eyes lingered, studying me like he couldn’t quite place what had changed. My skin heated under his gaze, and I hated myself for the way my lips parted.

“Welcome home,” I managed, my voice smaller than I wanted it to be.

For a second, silence stretched between us. I felt Queen Celine’s hand tighten on my arm, her nails digging into my skin. Zyros blinked, then finally looked away, greeting the rest of the pack.

At that point, the air left my lungs.

I slipped out before anyone could notice. My chest was too tight, my legs too weak. I just needed air, a moment to breathe away from the eyes, the whispers, and him.

The night outside was cool as I moved to the courtyard. I leaned against a pillar, sucking in deep breaths. My wolf still hummed beneath my skin, whispering things I couldn’t allow myself to believe.

Fated mates? With Zyros? Impossible. Not just impossible, forbidden.

“Running already?”

I heard a voice behind me and spun around. Zyros leaned against the doorway, his eyes on me, unreadable.

“I wasn’t running.” My voice shook, betraying me.

He tsk-ed, pushing his weight off the doorway. “Strange. You used to follow me everywhere.”

That stung more than I wanted it to. “That was a long time ago.” I managed to reply.

He studied me for a beat, eyes sharp, as if he could hear the truth beneath my words, the racing of my heart, the war inside me. My breath caught when he stepped closer, his scent hitting me. It was strong and wild.

I backed away fast, gripping my dress to keep my hands from trembling. “You should get back inside. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

He tilted his head slightly, then nodded. “We’ll talk later.”

Talk? About what?

Before I could ask, he turned and walked back inside. I stood frozen, my heart slamming against my ribs, my wolf howling in my head. Mate. I shook it off. I couldn’t think like that. Not about him.

“Still chasing shadows, are you?”

I jumped at the voice. Two older Alphas stood at the corner of the courtyard, half-hidden in the dark. They hadn’t seen me yet, and I didn’t dare move.

One of them snorted. “Zyros will ruin himself if the rumors are true.”

The other chuckled low. “A fated mate too close to home? It would break the pack. He’ll have to choose between blood and bond.”

My blood ran cold. They were talking about me.

I pressed my back against the stone, covering my mouth to stop the sound that wanted to escape. My heart hammered so loud I was sure they’d hear it.

Fated mate? Ruin?

I didn’t know what scared me more, the thought of it being true… or the thought of everyone finding out before I was ready to face it.

__________