Chapter 2: The Alpha’s Mate

**Eirian's Pov**

By the time I reached the ceremony grounds, the place was already packed.

I told myself not to expect anything. Years of practice had taught me not to hope; it was second nature now. I was only here because attendance was mandatory, as the last person to ignore the ceremony summons had lost their wolf within two weeks.

A massive bonfire burned at the center of the clearing, lighting up the night. The moon altar was erected at the side of it, a raised platform made of pale stone and covered in symbols I couldn't read. No one had ever taught me their meaning. Sacred knowledge was passed down to children considered worthy of learning.

I found a place near the treeline, hidden behind a large oak tree. At least, from there, people could see that I was present, but I wouldn't get in anyone's way.

I waited quietly.

A group of girls nearby giggled among themselves. They sounded confident and excited, extremely sure the night would go well for them. They wore beautiful new gowns and had perfectly styled hair. They had likely received words of encouragement from their mothers.

Earlier, mine had only reminded me of my size, comparing me to Serelith as usual. I wore the same old blue dress I used for every important occasion; the hem had to be stitched twice so it wouldn't tear.

I had tied a strip of cloth around the cut on my forehead and pinned my hair up. It was the best I could manage to look presentable.

Then I saw Prince Tholorion. Suddenly, I understood why the girls had gathered where they had. 

He stood near the altar with two ranked warriors by his side. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dark-haired with the kind of face that artists spent years trying to paint perfectly. His black clothing fit him flawlessly, clearly tailored just for him.

My chest tightened with a foolish, aching longing I immediately crushed.

"He's going to choose me." 

It was Serelith’s voice. I hadn't noticed her approach. She was with a small group of girls, all pretending not to ogle at Thalorion.

Serelith looked stunning. Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and her gold dress shimmered when it caught the light. She looked every bit like the future Luna.

“You don’t know that,” one girl replied, though she sounded hopeful.

"Oh, I know," Serelith said with a confident laugh. "Look at him, then look at me. We're obviously a perfect match.” She tilted her head slightly. "The Moon Goddess has excellent taste.”

The girls laughed.

None of them noticed me standing nearby. I was only a few feet away, yet I might as well have been another tree. I leaned my back on the rough bark behind me and watched more wolves arrive. 

Pack members gathered around the outer edge of the clearing. The unmated wolves naturally moved closer to the altar. There weren't any instructions; everyone simply knew where they belonged. Even during something sacred, rank and status still mattered.

The Moon Guardian took her place before the altar when the moon reached its highest point.

"We gather tonight beneath the Moon Goddess," she said, her voice flowing smoothly. "To witness the bonds she has created, and to honor the mates she has chosen. These bonds are not given lightly, nor broken without consequence. What the Goddess joins, she joins for a reason.”

The ceremony began. She called names. Two people came out in pairs and placed their joined hands on the moonstone at the altar's center. Whenever the stone glowed gold, the crowd murmured with approval, and the newly matched mates stepped away smiling, crying, or holding each other tightly.

Six pairs were revealed. Six wolves who arrived alone and would leave together.

Throughout it all, Serelith kept watching Thalorion. She wasn't even pretending to hide it anymore.

At once, the moonstone cracked. 

A brilliant line of silver light burst from its center and spread across the surface. The glow was so bright that people stumbled backward and covered their eyes.

The sound that followed was like a bell struck with too much force, and a single powerful note echoed through the clearing that I felt the vibration in my teeth.

The crowd erupted in noise. Then, just as fast, it went silent. 

The moon guardian had dropped to her knees. I had never seen her kneel before. She laid both hands flat on the moonstone and bowed her head. When she finally lifted her face, the calm authority she always carried was gone. In its place was pure awe.

“The Moon Goddess has spoken," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Prince Thalorion Kane."

Thalorion straightened. The warriors beside him became alert, and Serelith lifted her chin, smoothing the front of her dress, anticipating.

Then the Moon Guardian spoke again.

"And Eirian Hale.”

There was complete silence, the kind that settled in your chest and stole your breath. Then it broke into loud, unbelievable gasps and murmurs.

"That can't be right."

"What did she just say?"

“Eirian? The cursed mute?”

“Serelith’s half-sister? The fat omega?”

I heard Serelith make a sound that wasn't quite a word. Her face contorted in rage and humiliation. 

I couldn't move. I couldn't even breathe. It was my name, right? The moon guardian had said my name.

For one moment, one single perfect moment, something opened up in the center of my chest that I had kept sealed for so long. Hope, fragile and real, rising before I could stop it.

The Moon Goddess had chosen me.

I lifted my gaze to Thalorion. He was already staring at me, the firelight illuminating his face. I watched his expression change. First came confusion, then recognition, and finally disgust. Then it settled and stayed on the last.

It was the same face Daven wore before throwing a stone.