Chapter 1

I stood at the edge of a small open area, feeling the cool, wet ground under my bare feet. I was really looking forward to what was going to occur.

When I exhaled, I observed that my breath created minimal clouds in the cold air. In three days time I’ll be turning 18—a big day for young werewolves. At this point the Moon Goddess presented to us our fate partner, the "mate".

“Elara!” A whisper broke through the night.

Turning around, I saw Skyla walking out of the shadows, her blonde hair shining in the moonlight. Her eyes shone with impishness as she sauntered towards us, a smile curving her mouth.

“Couldn’t sleep either? Skyla asked, her voice barely above a murmur.

I shook my head; a smile formed on my lips. “Too much on my mind.”

Skyla agreed and looked up to the sky. “It’s difficult to believe, isn’t it? In just a few days, we’ll be eighteen. The ball… finding our mates…”

My heart fluttered at the mention of the ball—a grand event where young wolves of age gathered, a tradition held for generations. The possibility of meeting my mate there was exhilarating, yet uncertainty gnawed at me.

“ Do you ever think", I said softly, "whether our mates will be part of our pack" Or perhaps…”

“And what about one of the young alphas from these other packs?” Skyla replied, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded, my thoughts drifting to the tales I’d heard of the other packs—especially the formidable young alphas who led them. Their reputations were as intimidating as they were intriguing.

“I’ve heard stories,” Skyla continued, her tone conspiratorial. “They tell us that Alpha Kieran of the Shadow Claw pack is as savage as he is handsome. And then there’s Alpha Darius of the Blood Moon pack—they say he can bring a wolf to their knees with just a glance.”

I shivered, but I couldn't tell if it was from the cold or the story. “Do you think it’s true? That the Moon Goddess brings us together with the one who completes our soul?”

Skyla shrugged, her expression thoughtful. “That’s what they say. But I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.”

We stood in quiet contemplation, the burden of the future ahead pressing down on us. The forest appeared to pause, seemingly recognising the importance of this moment.

“Come on," Skyla finally said, pushing with her elbow. “Let’s get some rest. We’ve got a big day ahead .”

I nodded, casting one last glance at the moonlit forest before following Skyla back towards the village. The path was familiar, yet tonight it seemed different, charged with the promise of change.

As we approached the cluster of wooden cabins that made up our home, the scent of pine and earth filled my senses. The luminescence emanating from lanterns spilled from the windows, creating soft pools of light on the earth.

“Sleep tight, Elara," chirped Skyla softly as we got to her cabin, her eyes sparkling.

“Goodnight, Skyla,” I replied, watching as she slipped inside.

Making my way back to my cabin, I opened the door. The interior was modest but cosy—a woven rug covering the wooden floor, a small hearth with embers still glowing, and a bed nestled against the far wall.

I lay down on the bed and snuggled up under a quilt. Staring at the ceiling, my mind raced with possibilities. Would my mate be someone I knew? Or a stranger from a distant pack? The unknown both thrilled and terrified me.

As sleep began to claim me, a distant howl echoed through the night—a haunting melody that sent a shiver down my spine. It was a reminder of the untamed realm outside our village— a realm in which I was on the verge of entering wholeheartedly.

Events were unfolding rapidly in the days leading up to the ball. Families in the village bustled with activity, adorning their houses with garlands of evergreen and twinkling lights. The scent of baked goods wafted through the air.

Skyla and I amused ourselves all day long by helping with decorations, and our giggles echoed throughout as we tied ribbon and hung ornaments. However, beneath the merry surface, an undercurrent of excitement ticked along.

That evening, the day before the ball, I faced the mirror in my cabin, polishing the fabric of my gown. The deep green fabric matched my eyes, and the fine embroidery at the hem told of many hours of painstaking craft.

As I adjusted the deep green fabric of my dress, a soft knock resonated from the door. Come in,," I said, turning round to see my father, Alpha Aric, walk in. His imposing figure filled the doorway, but his eyes held a warmth reserved only for family.

“Elara," he said, his voice a low, resonating boom. "You are beautiful, darling."

A blush crept up my cheeks. “Thank you, Father.”

He approached, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Tomorrow is a significant day. You will not only start your first shift, but also have the chance of falling in love"

The mention of my mate sent a flutter through my heart. “I’ve been thinking about it constantly. I wonder who he might be, what he’ll be like….”

Before I could continue, my mother, Luna Sera, entered the room, her presence bringing a sense of calm. “Dreaming about your future, Elara?”  she teased, her eyes twinkling.

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. “I just hope… I hope our bond is as strong as yours.

My parents had a brief, unspoken conversation that resonated strongly. Their connection was the best representation of love and partnership between teammates, something I had always been impressed by.

“The Moon Goddess absolutely has a plan for each of us,” my kind mother stated, as she softly took my hand. When I first met your father, I felt a powerful pull, a definite recognition deep within my soul. The connection transcends understanding.

My father offered all indications of total agreement. “It is a bond constructed upon trust and respect, coupled with love that, over the course of time, always gets stronger. You’ll feel like you truly belong when you meet your mate.”

I sighed, hope and anxiety swirling powerfully within me. “I want to find someone who understands me and complements me as you two do each other.”

My mother gently squeezed my father’s hand . She also squeezed my hand: “Your paths will cross when the time is right; trust in the Moon Goddess’s wisdom because your mate is out there.”

My father looked at me for a long time. As he did, his eyes softened quite a bit. ” Elara, bear in mind that every bond between mates is sacred. You will learn and grow together as you go on it together.”

Their words provided solace, easing the chaos within me. We sat together, sharing many stories in addition to laughter. The complete warmth of family enveloped us as the night deepened very gradually. With all parental support and the Moon Goddess's entire plan in motion, I felt a renewal of hope and a greater anticipation of all that was to come, even though I still did not know everything that would happen.

Dawn's initial light started to trickle through all the trees when a solitary, far-off howl pierced the undisturbed morning calm. It sounded haunting and also strangely familiar, a sound unlike any I'd heard before.

My parents exchanged a glance, and their expressions slowly changed from warmth to concern. "Stay here," my father commanded, and his voice was tense, and he and my mother moved quickly towards the door of the house, their movements synchronised, showing years of each other's complete partnership.

Unable to quell my curiosity, I stepped to the window, peering out. Through the mist, I saw a massive, shadowy figure at the forest’s edge, its eyes glowing a piercing blue. A chill ran down my spine as the creature’s gaze locked onto mine.

Before I could react, the figure turned and vanished into the woods, leaving me with an unsettling sense of recognition. Who—or what—was that? And why did it feel like a part of me had just walked away?

My parents returned, their faces etched with worry. “Elara”, my mother began, “there’s something we need to tell you.”

But before she could continue, the ground beneath us trembled, and a distant roar echoed from the heart of the forest. The air grew thick with tension, and an unspoken dread settled over us.

“It’s starting,” my father muttered, his eyes darkening.

“What’s starting?” I demanded, fear creeping into my voice.

He looked at me, his expression a mix of sorrow and resolve. “The prophecy.”

What prophecy?

Before I could ask more, a deafening crash sounded from outside, and the door burst open, revealing a figure cloaked in shadows. “They’re here,” my mum said.

My heart pounded in my chest as I realized that everything I thought I knew was about to change.

And in that moment, I understood: my journey was only just beginning.