Chapter Three

Ayla

The sun is high and hot on our skin as Selene and I walk through the gathering grounds. Laughter and music fill the air. Everyone looks so perfect. The females wear flowing dresses. The males are already in their ceremonial wear. Most of them don't even look at us.

I keep my head high. Selene walks quietly beside me, her hands clasped in front of her. We try to greet a few people. A wave here, a soft hello there.

"Hi, Liana," I say to one of the Beta’s daughters. She barely glances at me.

Selene gives a shy smile to a tall boy from the hunter ranks. He doesn’t even nod back.

“They’re ignoring us,” Selene whispers.

I nod. “We’re not high-ranking. They don’t see us.”

My wolf growls low in my chest, but I push the feeling down.

We walk a bit more. Some of the young warriors are laughing nearby. One of them points at us.

“What are the twins doing here?” he says. “Did someone invite them?”

“Maybe they think one of them will catch the Alpha’s eye,” another snickers.

I pretend not to hear, but Selene’s face turns red.

I grab her hand. “Ignore them. They’re nobodies.”

We keep moving. Our grandmother leaves us near the edge of the circle.

“You look beautiful,” she says, adjusting a flower in Selene’s braid. “Remember your worth. The Goddess makes no mistakes.”

She kisses our cheeks, then slips away into the crowd. She won’t stay, she says this ceremony is for the young.

As soon as she’s gone, the mocking starts again.

“Ayla, really? You think an Alpha wants an Omega girl?” A tall girl sneers as she walks by.

I don’t answer. I press my lips together and stare ahead.

Selene squeezes my arm gently. “Let’s find a seat.”

I nod, but I don’t move. I can feel it. The bond. He’s close. And he’ll see me tonight.

The day drags on, I feel suffocated by heat and anticipation. Laughter rises around me like smoke is bright and wild but I don’t laugh. I can’t. My eyes keep searching for one person.

Alpha Lugh.

He stands at the centre of the festivities, surrounded by warriors, elders, and young women who float toward him like moths to flame. He’s dressed in deep forest green robes lined with silver, his posture tall, strong. His dark blond hair is tied back, and a thin scar along his jaw catches the sunlight. His presence is like a storm cloud waiting to break.

My chest tightens when his gaze sweeps the crowd and lands on me.

It’s only a second, a flicker. But it feels like lightning through my veins. He excuses himself from a conversation and walks straight toward me.

Selene senses him too and gives my hand a squeeze. “Go,” she whispers, stepping back.

My heart hammers in my ears as he stops in front of me. His scent rolls over me like warm earth, crushed herbs, and a hint of smoke. It fills my lungs, sharp and familiar. My wolf stirs. I almost lose my balance because of it.

“Ayla,” he says softly, his voice deeper than I expected. “Are you okay?”

I nod. I can't speak.

His eyes darken, searching mine for something. “I am glad you could make it,” he admits, barely above a whisper.

He extends his hand. “Dance with me.”

I take it, feeling on top of the world. My dream is finally coming to pass. I blow mental raspberries at the onlookers who mocked me, thinking I was never going to be picked.

The crowd parts as he leads me to the centre of the circle. Music swells—soft strings and gentle drums. People stare. I feel their eyes on me, but I don’t care.

His hand settles on my waist, the other holds my hand. I rest my free hand on his shoulder. He’s warm beneath my fingers.

As we move, our bodies fall into rhythm. The world fades. It’s just me and him and the pounding of our hearts.

But then… he looks away.

Just for a second.

His gaze drifts past me, over my shoulder, toward the crowd. Toward Selene.

I tense.

He returns his gaze to me quickly, but the damage is done. My chest aches.

We dance until the song ends, then he lets me go. I stand there, stunned, as he offers his hand to another girl. She giggles as he leads her to the floor.

I take a deep breath and smile, pretending it doesn’t hurt.

Another song. Another girl. Then another.

Each time he dances with someone else, my blood boils a little more. I know we’re fated. I feel it in every cell. Why does he keep pulling away?

He comes back to me once, twice more. Each time, I feel the connection tugging stronger. My wolf howls with joy when he holds me again. But he never stays long. His touch is careful. Distant. Like he’s holding back.

Like he’s fighting it.

By late afternoon, I’m trembling with jealousy and confusion.

He’s mine.

So why do I feel like he’s slipping through my fingers?

Selene is still seated, watching the dance go on. She gives me an apologetic look when I take the seat beside her. She wordlessly takes my hand and squeezes it.

The music ends and a round of applause erupts in the crowd. An elder goes on the podium to give a speech, I tune him out, uninterested in what he wants to say. Lugh is chatting away with Liana and I want to throw up.

After what feels like an eternity, the music starts again for another dance. It is soft, slow, like a heartbeat. Warm lights flicker above us, suspended between trees like captured stars. Girls move gracefully across the open space, swaying gently, eyes locked on Lugh.

And then he’s in front of me. An angry Liana gives me a death squint from behind him.

His shoulders broad under his ceremonial coat, his scent wrapping around me. I feel dizzy from it. My pulse stumbles.

He says nothing, just extends a hand. Beside me, Selene is grinning from ear to ear, clearly happy for me.

My fingers tremble as they touch his. His skin is warm, rough. I rise, and he pulls me close, too close. One hand on my waist, the other in mine. My free hand rests lightly on his shoulder, though every part of me wants to cling to him.

We begin to dance again.

His movements are precise, confident. I follow his lead, feet gliding, heart racing. For a moment, it feels like I’m floating.

“I’ve watched you,” he murmurs. “You’ve held yourself well.”

I nod, still unable to find my voice. His nearness is overwhelming. The bond buzzes between us, tugging tighter with every step.

His eyes lower to mine. And then...His lips touch mine. It’s sudden and quiet. No warning. Just heat.

My eyes flutter shut. Everything tilts inside me. My soul ignites. His mouth is gentle but firm, and I feel the bond rush in like a storm. I gasp against him, but I don’t pull away.

His kiss deepens, just for a moment. One moment. Then he breaks it. His breath brushes my cheek. His hand lingers at my waist. But his gaze has shifted—distant again.

The song ends, there is no applause this time.

He steps back, just slightly, releasing me. “Thank you for the dance,” he says softly.

And before I can say a word, he’s walking away… toward the woods.

I stand there, stunned. My lips still tingling. My wolf still singing. And I follow him.