Chapter 2

Suddenly the stranger popped up and sent a jolt straight through me. My parents immediately stepped in front, shielding me. The stranger, cloaked in shadows, took a deliberate step forward, his presence exuding an unsettling aura.

“Who are you?” my dad demanded with his firm, commanding voice.

The intruder’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “Names are of little importance. What matters is the message I bring.”

My mother narrowed her eyes. “What do you want?”

“It’s not about what I want," he responded, his voice full of sharp displeasure. “It’s about what’s coming. The prophecy I've always believed in is unfolding right in front of us, and you've just become the driving force at its centre.”

A chill ran down my spine. “What prophecy?” I managed to ask, my voice trembling.

The intruder’s gaze locked onto mine. “It speaks of a union destined to either unite or destroy the packs. And you, Elara, are the key.”

Before I could process his words, he turned abruptly and vanished into the night, leaving us in stunned silence.

My father clenched his fists. “We need to prepare. If what he says is true, danger has crept up much closer than we expected it to.”

My mother placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We’ll face this together, as a family.”

But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life had just been irrevocably changed, and an unknown destiny awaited me.

The intruder’s departure left an unsettling silence in the room. As I stood there, trying to process his cryptic words, a sharp sting on my wrist drew my attention. Glancing down, I noticed a peculiar mark etching itself into my skin—a symbol I didn’t recognise, glowing faintly before fading into a silvery scar.

“Elara, are you alright?” My mother asked, her voice laced with concern.

I quickly hid my wrist behind my other hand and gave a fake smile. “I’m fine, just a bit shaken.”

My father, ever the protector, scanned the room as if expecting another intrusion. “We need to stay vigilant. Elara, if you notice anything that seems out of the ordinary, you really need to let us know right away.”

I nodded, though my thoughts were already drifting elsewhere. Tomorrow was the night of the ball—the event I’d been anticipating for years. The thought of falling in love and meeting someone special took precedence over this strange mark on my wrist.

The next day passed in a blur of preparations. When the sun dipped and took us out with a golden wash of warm light, Skyla stood at my door, eyes sparkling like polished stones, bursting with excitement inside her.

“Elara! Can you believe it’s finally here?” She exclaimed, pulling me into a tight embrace.

I laughed, the sound easing the remnants of my earlier unease. “I’ve been dreaming about this night forever.”

We made our way to my room, where a whole bunch of dresses stretched out across the bed. Skyla picked up a deep sapphire gown and draped it against herself. “What do you think?”

“It matches your eyes perfectly,” I replied, admiring the way the fabric shimmered.

She grinned, tossing the dress onto a nearby chair. “And for you, this emerald green one will make those eyes of yours pop.

With fine enthusiasm buzzing all around, we put on our clothes. Skyla styled her golden hair into braids and tucked in some tiny wildflowers that were so pretty, as if nature herself put them there. I kept my dark hair all soft and free, simply let them flow down my back like twilight sky.

Just as I was doing the zip  on my dress, the door creaked attractively and gave a gentle knock. “Come in,” I called.

My mother entered, carrying a small velvet box. “I have something for you, Elara.”

She opened the box to reveal a delicate silver necklace, adorned with a single moonstone that seemed to capture the light of the room.

“This necklace has been passed down through the women of our family for generations, she explained, her eyes misting with emotion. They say it brings blessings from the Moon Goddess.”

I felt a lump form in my throat as she fastened the necklace around my neck. The stone rested right at my heart, its touch comforting but also energising.

“Thank you, Mother. I’ll cherish it always.”

She cupped my face in her hands and pressed a gentle kiss right there on my forehead. “May it guide you to your destined path.”

As the first stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Skyla and I made our way to the grand hall where the ball was to be held. There stood the building tall and proud against the backdrop of trees deeply green and their branches swaying gently with the soft breeze. Outside, the light from windows within danced and sparkled warmly, paired with the music and happy voices drifting into the evening.

Upon entering, we were greeted by a dazzling sight. The hall was adorned with garlands of ivy and twinkling fairy lights, casting a magical ambiance over the gathering. Wolves of all packs mingled together, each trim of fur dressed up, showing their status and rich background.

Skyla nudged me, nodding toward a group of young men near the centre of the room. “Look, the alphas from the neighbouring packs have arrived.”

I followed her gaze, noting the commanding presence of the young alphas. They all gave off a strong sense of authority, their eyes keen and probing as they looked around the room.

One in particular caught my attention—a tall figure with raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes. He stood slightly apart from the others, his expression unreadable.

“That’s Kieran, the Alpha of the Shadow Claw Pack, Skyla whispered. “They say he’s as ruthless as he is powerful.”

I tore my eyes away from everything else and turned to look at faces I know well, the ones that make up my pack. Yet, a strange pull tugged at my senses, urging me to look back at Kieran.

Before I could dwell on it further, the music shifted to a lively tune, signalling the start of the dances. Skyla grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the dance floor.

“Come on, let’s enjoy ourselves!”

We joined the swirling mass of dancers, laughter bubbling up as we moved to the rhythm. For a while, I managed to push aside the uncertainties of the night, losing myself in the joy of the moment.

As the evening progressed, I found myself standing near the refreshment table, sipping a glass of sparkling cider. The mark on my wrist tingled faintly, a subtle reminder of the previous night’s encounter.

As the night deepened, the grand hall was buzzing with anticipation. The air had scents from different packs combined, each unique yet blending into one intoxicating aroma. A soft glow from chandeliers cast light upon all guests, highlighting all detailed designs of their attire and a gleam of anticipation in their eyes.

I stood close, near the border of the dance floor, the mark upon my wrist now concealed underneath the delicate lace of my sleeve. Its presence was as a constant, subtle thrum against my skin, but I pushed the unease aside, focusing instead on the evening’s promise.

Skyla approached, her blue gown flowing freely with each step. “Elara, have you met several potential mates yet?” She enquired, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I shook my head, offering up a smile. “Not as yet. But the night is still quite young.”

As if on cue, the music shifted to a more slow, more intimate melody. Some couples began to pair off, moving as one in a waltz. I watched, struck by much of the elegance of it all, when a presence there drew my attention.

Turning, I found myself almost face-to-face with Kieran. Kieran was the Alpha of the Shadowclaw Pack. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. It was an unreadable expression on his features.

“May I have this dance?” He said, holding a hand toward me.

All sorts of mixed strong feelings welled up inside me—curiosity swirling along with nervousness and an unusual pull I found hard to trace or understand. After a brief hesitation, I placed my hand in his, allowing him to lead me onto the dance floor.

As we started to move, everything around us started to dissolve into background music; the world itself seemed to fade. There was this undeniable chemistry, a magnetic attraction that pulled me irresistibly toward him.

“I’ve heard much about you, Elara,” Kieran murmured, his voice a deep timbre that sent shivers down my spine.

“Well, I really hope all are good things ," I smiled.

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Mostly.”

As the dance continued, I became acutely aware of the mark on my wrist, its tingling sensation intensifying. I glanced down briefly, noticing a faint glow emanating from beneath the fabric.

Kieran followed my gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What is that?”

Before I could respond, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance of the hall. The doors flew open, and a group of unfamiliar men strode through, each one making a commanding presence with their very movement and imposing arrival.

Gasps went round the room like magic when the leader of the group stepped forward. His eyes swept the crowd and focused unerringly on me.

“Elara," he called out clearly, his voice carrying a strong tone of command. “It’s time.”

Confusion and fear clashed within me. Time for what? Who were these intruders, and what did they want with me?

Kieran’s grip on my hand tightened protectively. Stick close," he murmured in a voice that seemed to whisper readiness.

The leader took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. “The prophecy must be fulfilled.”

A hush fell over the hall as all eyes turned toward us, the weight of the moment pressing down like a tangible force.

My heart started pounding, and the burn where the mark is on my wrist was intense and impossible to ignore. Destiny, it seemed, had come to claim me.