4

Mate…” She whispered the word inside her mind as her sense of smell sharpened dramatically. She carefully scanned every unfamiliar face in the crowded hall while descending the last few steps. By the time her feet touched the floor, she still hadn’t caught even a hint of the special scent that was supposed to call to her. She felt a little worried. Was he not here? Was he not an Alpha? Could she possibly be mated to an omega or a commoner? Alpha daughters like her almost always found their mates during their coming-of-age ceremony. If she walked away tonight without one, it would most likely mean her mate held a lower rank—and that could create serious problems for the pack later on. Several young men nearby shot her suggestive smiles, but instead of flattering her, the looks only irritated her. Across the room Stella and the other girls waved excitedly from their seats. Alpha Gabriel took the microphone and delivered a warm speech introducing his daughter, earning a round of polite applause from the guests. After the formalities ended, people began moving around to socialize and network. Suddenly the guards at the entrance called for everyone’s attention—the Lycan King and Queen had arrived. The Queen’s pregnancy was already visible, her rounded stomach proud and elegant beneath her gown. Alpha Gabriel had not expected their Majesties to attend and quickly arranged special seats for them while every wolf in the hall bowed respectfully. Everything continued smoothly, yet Lunelle still felt nothing. After a while she slipped away to a quieter corner and sipped slowly on a glass of juice, watching her friends laugh and flirt with different guys—some clearly hoping for more than just conversation. She herself had already spoken with a few Alphas, and every single one of them had bored her to tears. She hated boring. “What’s the birthday girl doing here all alone? Isn’t it a little lonely, Miss Lunelle?” A familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts. Ryan sat down beside her with a glass of champagne in his hand and an easy smile on his face. “Ryan, was it?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “The one and only,” he answered with a cocky little grin. “You’re an Alpha? Of which pack?” Ryan cleared his throat, set his glass on the nearby table, and turned fully toward her. “I think I should redo the introduction properly. I am Ryan Hendrix, Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack… unmated, might I add.” He clicked his tongue lightly at the end.

“Ohh… Crimson Moon Pack.” Lunelle took a small sip of her juice. “Never heard of it. Is it like a small mountainside pack?” For a split second Ryan’s smile almost faltered, but he recovered quickly. “Not a small pack. We plan on expanding in the future and aligning ourselves with much bigger ones. That’s one of the main reasons I came tonight—to try and secure future collaborations and relationships.” He paused, then added more softly, “I want the best for my people no matter how small they are. Having a smaller pack isn’t as bad as it looks. Even though our numbers aren’t huge, we treat each other like family, and I do everything I can to provide for them.” Lunelle studied him for a moment, genuine admiration softening her expression. “Oh, really? That’s… actually really selfless.” Before she could say more, her mother’s voice slipped gently into her mind through the link. Lunelle, it’s time.

The moment for her first official transformation had arrived. She needed to change out of the sequined dress and into the plain ceremonial clothes. The Silver Clan Pack was different from most others, more ancient, said to have existed since the time of the Moon Goddess herself—and their traditions reflected that long history. After the first shift, the newly awakened wolf was expected to run the boundaries of the pack territory, howling for her mate. Once the mate heard the call, he would shift and come to her so they could complete the bond. It was a simple, old process that usually brought mates together very quickly. Lunelle excused herself, went upstairs, and changed into the simple white dress prepared for the ritual. Moments later she stood barefoot inside the drawn circle on the open field under the rising moon. She closed her eyes and whispered a quiet prayer in her heart. Goddess… please let my mate be an Alpha or at least a Beta. And let him be hot as well…

Selene chuckled softly inside her mind, amused by the little prayer. Lunelle stepped into the center of the sacred circle and lifted her face toward the full moon. She closed her eyes, took one last breath, and finally let go, allowing Selene to take over.

Heat flooded her veins as her bones cracked and reformed, her spine arched violently, forcing a scream of pain from her throat. Fur appeared on her body and her limbs grew bigger.

In only a few seconds a magnificent silver wolf stood where the girl had been. Her sliver fur shone like pure moonlight, it was so rare, so enchanting. The surrounding wolves instinctively scrambled backward in fear, many dropping to their knees as an overwhelming pressure rolled off her This was no ordinary wolf. Lunelle, now fully Selene, threw her head back and released a long, powerful howl that shook the everywhere and echoed across the entire territory. Alpha Gabriel’s mouth fell open in shock. He recognized that wolf.

He had seen her exact form painted on the oldest scrolls and on the sacred relics of their bloodline.

This was Selene—the legendary she-wolf, a direct descendant of the first blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. Which could only mean one thing about the mate destined for his daughter… No. It couldn’t be.