Chapter 2: An Order, Not An Invitation

####Sincerely

The day of the Luna Selection Ceremony had finally arrived.

Ironically, I had been looking forward to it. Not because I believed I would find my mate. Not because I suddenly hoped my wolf would awaken after three long years of silence. But because, for one precious afternoon, the house would be empty.

No insults.

No watching eyes.

No constant reminders of how disgusting and embarrassing I was.

Just quiet.

I swept the front porch slowly, letting myself imagine it: a cup of tea without someone sneering at me, a few minutes sitting under Mother’s old oak tree, maybe even a full breath that didn’t feel stolen.

Three cheerful voices shattered the fragile daydream.

“Oh, Bianca! We’re here!”

Bianca’s friends—Lillian, Naomi, and Ava swept into the house in elegant dresses, laughing and chattering. They barely glanced at me. Their wolves had awakened months ago, and they couldn’t stop talking about possible mates.

I kept sweeping, head down.

An hour later, the upstairs had become a whirlwind of excitement. Dress bags rustled. Hairdryers hummed. Bursts of laughter spilled down the staircase. I stayed on my knees in the kitchen, scrubbing the floor until my knuckles bled.

It wasn’t my celebration. It never would be.

“Sincerely!”

Miranda’s voice cracked through the house like a whip.

“Upstairs. Now!”

My heart slammed against my ribs. I dropped the rag and hurried up the stairs, nearly tripping in my haste. When Miranda said now, she meant it.

I knocked once and slipped into Bianca’s bedroom.

The room looked like something out of a dream. silk gowns draped across the bed, jewelry glittering on the vanity, perfume thick in the air. Bianca sat in front of the mirror in a satin robe while her friends curled her hair and debated earrings.

No one acknowledged me.

Miranda turned sharply. “There you are. Get dressed.”

I blinked. “Ma’am?”

She pointed to an old garment bag slumped in the corner like discarded trash. “You’re going with Bianca.”

The words landed heavily. “I’m… what?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“I don’t want to go,” I said quietly.

The room fell silent. Even Bianca’s friends stopped talking.

Miranda stared at me like I had spat on the floor. “You don’t?”

“I thought… since you and Father are going to the neighboring pack’s banquet… I could stay and finish the chores.”

A slow, unpleasant smile spread across her face. “Oh. So that’s your plan.”

Confusion mixed with dread in my chest. “My plan?”

“The second this house is empty, you’ll gorge yourself on everything in the pantry. Or maybe you’ll finally steal some of my jewelry.”

My mouth fell open. “I would never—”

“No?” She folded her arms. “Prove it.”

“I’ve never stolen anything from you. I’ve never given you a reason not to trust me.”

Miranda laughed, cold and sharp. “You’ve given me every reason not to trust the food around you.”

Bianca burst into giggles. “So true.”

Heat flooded my face. I looked desperately toward Father, who stood adjusting his cufflinks in the corner. He didn’t meet my eyes.

Bianca stood, smoothing the front of her glittering silver gown. She walked over and placed her sparkling handbag in my hands.

“Actually, Mother… I do need her.” She leaned close, voice low enough that only I could hear. “Someone has to carry my train. And if my feet start hurting, you’ll carry my shoes too.” Her smile widened.

Her friends erupted in laughter.

Miranda tossed another bundle at my chest. An old gray dress one of her old cleaning uniforms landed heavily against me.

“Wear that.”

I looked down at the faded, shapeless fabric. “This is all I get?”

“It’s more than you deserve.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Hurry up. The ceremony won’t wait for you.”

%*%

The carriage ride was quiet in all the worst ways.

Father and Miranda had already left for the neighboring pack’s banquet. Bianca rode comfortably inside the carriage while I sat opposite her, clutching the long train of her silver gown so it wouldn’t wrinkle. Her three friends filled the remaining seats, their excitement bubbling over like champagne.

“I heard more than three hundred unmated wolves are attending this year,” Lillian said.

“My cousin met her mate at last year’s selection,” Naomi added.

“I hope mine is tall.”

“I hope mine is an Alpha.”

I hope I find mine, I whispered silently in my head, the words too fragile and humiliating to say out loud.

The carriage erupted in laughter again.

Bianca admired her reflection in a small hand mirror, smiling confidently. “I don’t really care if he’s an Alpha,” she lied smoothly. “As long as he’s handsome.”

“Oh please,” Ava teased. “You’ll faint if Alpha Roland turns out to be your mate.”

Bianca giggled, cheeks turning pink. “I wouldn’t faint.”

“You absolutely would.”

“And if he rejects you?” Lillian joked.

Bianca tossed her hair. “He won’t. Have you seen me?”

More laughter.

I stared out the window as the roads grew busier. Carriages lined the streets. Families in their finest clothes walked toward the Moonlight Pavilion, faces glowing with hope and anticipation.

Everyone looked like they belonged.

Everyone except me.

The carriage finally slowed to a stop and my stomach twisted into a painful knot.

“We’re here!” Naomi squealed.