Chapter 1

Elsa's POV

I pulled my cap lower and wrapped my coat tighter around myself, shrinking into the corner of the car like just another forgettable Warrior. The vehicle smelled of the Warriors' sweat, and the male wolves were talking quietly among themselves.

"I heard the Ember Pack's Alpha hasn't marked a mate yet. The elders are losing their minds over it," one Warrior said.

Another laughed. "From what I hear, the Luna he chose is something special. Strong enough to secure his rule and help him expand territory."

I pressed my lips together, barely holding back a smile. Inside, my heart bloomed with quiet joy. The future Luna they were talking about had to be me!

After all, seven years ago, Kyler Vaughn had already acknowledged me as his fated mate.

Back then, he wasn't the Alpha of the Frostfang Pack yet. He would run through the forest with me, pick wild berries for me, and carve little wooden wolves by hand.

When I was thirteen, I followed Kyler into the woods on a hunt. A Rogue crossed into the territory without warning and lunged at him in a frenzy. Without thinking, I stepped in front of him and took the blow.

When I woke up, the pack doctor told us the Rogue's claws had been coated in soulbind poison, a toxin that suppressed a werewolf's awakening. My wolf would never emerge, and my mind would stay locked in an immature state. I would grow into an adult with no wolf at all, which meant I would be useless.

Kyler had been crushed by guilt, but never wavered. He insisted I was his fated mate, given to him by the Moon Goddess.

He held my hand tightly, his eyes full of pain and devotion. "When I become the Frostfang Pack's Alpha, you will be my Luna."

Deeply moved, I waited. I watched the seasons pass for seven long years.

During those years, Kyler conquered pack after pack, and his power as an Alpha grew. He became increasingly impatient with me, as if being tied to a mate who couldn't even shift was an embarrassment.

The day Kyler was officially crowned Alpha, I ran to find him with a wolf-fang ring I had carved myself.

My heart was pounding as I said, "Kyler, you're the Frostfang Pack's Alpha now. We can finally bond!"

At that time, he was speaking with the elders and honored guests.

He flicked a look at me, cold and irritated. "You got that wrong, idiot. I said we'd bond when I become the strongest Alpha in the western region."

Later, another distinguished guest arrived.

Kyler didn't even glance my way again. Instead, he sighed to the werewolf beside him, Casper Reed. "Casper, I envy you. Your future Luna is smart, capable, and helps you manage pack affairs. Unlike mine..."

I spent the entire afternoon sitting on a huge stone in the garden. I wanted to tell him that it wasn't me who got it wrong, but him who forgot. But then, I told myself it didn't matter. Kyler had a pack to lead, territories to conquer, and a hundred things demanding his attention.

Meanwhile, I only knew how to sew, craft little things by hand, and cook simple meals. I had nothing important to do. Waiting for him, no matter how long, felt natural.

-

The convoy finally reached its destination, and noise rushed in the moment we stopped. Before I even stepped out, I heard wolves cheering in celebration. Servants hurried past with trays of champagne and elaborate dishes, laughter and excitement filling the air.

The Warriors who rode with me jumped out at once, eager to join the crowd. In seconds, they disappeared into the tide of celebration. I was starting to feel claustrophobic and needed a quiet place to catch my breath, so I followed a garden path deeper into the grounds.

Lanterns glowed in the distance, casting uneven light across the walkway. Ahead, I spotted a side hall decorated with white ribbons embroidered with wolf sigils. It looked secluded and elegant, like a temporary resting room.

Without thinking too much, I pushed the door open. The moment I crossed the threshold, I froze.

A she-wolf sat on the sofa in the center of the room, crying. Her head was buried low and her eyes were swollen and red, like she had been crying for hours. My heart ached for her as I stepped inside.

"Isn't bonding with your mate supposed to be a happy thing? Why are you crying?" I asked.

She looked up at me, tears spilling even harder. "I don't want to bond with him."

I was stunned. "Why not?"

She wiped her tears, her voice trembling as she said, "I'll be honest with you. The Luna originally chosen for the Ember Pack's Alpha ran away, and the elders are forcing me to take her place. Everyone says the Ember Pack is powerful, that being their Luna comes with endless privileges. But I... I already have my own mate!"

Wait.

The Ember Pack's Alpha? Wasn't that Kyler?

Realization hit me all at once, and I grabbed her hand without thinking. "Don't cry. The one who's supposed to bond with the Alpha of the Ember Pack is me. I'm the Luna who ran away."

She froze, staring at me like she couldn't process a word I had said.

Before she could speak, I continued, "I'm Elsa, his fated mate. I snuck into the warriors because I was afraid he'd think I was useless and leave me behind. I wanted to come first and wait for him. I'm his mate. How could I ever run away?"

The she-wolf studied my face for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed through her tears.

She squeezed my hands, eyes shining. "That's wonderful. So, you're the Luna they've been searching for."

She quickly helped me change clothes and fixed my hair and makeup with practiced hands.

After everything was done, she said, "You stay here and wait. I have to leave right away. When you see the Alpha of the Ember Pack, make sure you explain everything. Don't let him keep causing me trouble!"

I nodded and settled onto the sofa in the waiting room. Outside, the music grew louder and louder, far more lively than I had imagined. Sitting there alone, I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

So, that was why Kyler refused to bring me to the Ember Pack. He was planning a surprise. He cared so much about our bond that he had even prepared such a grand ceremony!

The more I thought about it, the happier I became. In my mind, I could already see it. With the pack as witnesses, he would mark me, and I would finally become his Luna.

I was lost in the fantasy when frantic voices suddenly rang out beyond the door.

"Luna! Luna, Something's wrong!"

My heart clenched.