Chapter 3

The day of the mating ceremony dawned brighter than Celine expected, the sun cutting through the canopy like it had something to prove. She woke with a start, her narrow bed creaking under her as she sat up. Eighteen. The number echoed in her head like a drumbeat. Today was supposed to be the turning point, the night the Moon Goddess might finally look her way. Instead, her stomach churned with a mix of dread and fragile hope that made sleep impossible.

  She dressed quickly in her plain work clothes, there’d be time for the ceremonial white later and headed to the kitchens. The pack house was already alive with frenzy. Servants rushed past with armfuls of wildflowers and baskets of fresh bread. The scent of roasting meat drifted from the outdoor pits, mingling with pine and the faint metallic tang of excitement in the air. Tonight, under the full moon, pairings would be recognized, bonds potentially sealed. It was as much a festival as a sacred rite.

  Old Martha caught her eye as Celine tied on her apron. “Happy birthday, girl. Try to eat something today. You look like a ghost already.”

  Celine managed a weak smile and grabbed a plate of eggs and sausage. She forced down a few bites at the servants’ table, but the food sat heavy. Sara slid onto the bench across from her, looking more put-together than usual in a clean tunic.

  “Big night,” Sara said around a mouthful of bread. “You ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Celine poked at her eggs. “What about you? Any chance you’ll scent someone?”

  Sara snorted. “Me? I’m not holding my breath. Most males around here want a wolf who can run with them, not one who trips over her own feet in human form. I’ll stick to the edges and watch the drama unfold.”

  They ate in companionable silence for a bit, the kitchen noise swirling around them. But peace never lasted long. Lila swept in with a couple of her friends, her laughter sharp as broken glass. She wore a flowing dress already, deep green that complemented her dark hair and made her look every bit the gamma’s daughter.

  “Oh, look who’s pretending to belong at the grown up table,” Lila said, stopping right beside Celine. “Eighteen years old and still no wolf. Pathetic, really. The Goddess must’ve skipped your bloodline by mistake.”

  Celine gripped her fork tighter but kept her gaze on her plate. “Not everyone needs to announce their presence with howls, Lila.”

  Lila’s friends giggled. One of them, a tall brunette named Mira, leaned in. “True. But Alphas do. Word is Cassian’s finally picking a mate tonight. Strong blood, good alliances. Riverfang’s sending delegates. Your cousin’s got her eye on the prize.”

  Lila preened, running a hand down her dress. “It’s only natural. Our family has always produced strong wolves. Unlike some branches.” She shot Celine a pointed look. “Don’t worry, cousin. Maybe you’ll find a nice omega male who doesn’t mind carrying your dead weight. Or maybe you’ll just stand there alone again, like every other full moon.”

  The words landed like claws, but Celine swallowed the retort. Fighting back only made it worse. Lila thrived on the reaction. Instead, she stood, clearing her plate. “We’ll see what the moon decides.”

  As she walked away, Sara muttered, “One day she’ll choke on that attitude.”

  Celine spent the rest of the morning in a blur of chores, helping string lanterns along the path to the sacred clearing, folding linens for the feast tables. Her hands moved on autopilot while her mind raced. What if her wolf did emerge tonight? The thought sent a thrill through her, warm and terrifying. She imagined the shift: bones reshaping, senses sharpening, finally running free under the stars. And the mate bond... that pull everyone whispered about. A scent that called to your soul, locking two wolves together in ways no one could break.

  By afternoon, the pack elders had gathered near the alpha’s quarters. Celine caught glimpses of Cassian Link moving among them, his tall frame cutting an imposing figure. He wore a simple dark tunic that stretched across his broad chest, the silver emblem of the pack alpha glinting at his collar. His expression was focused, unreadable. Once, as he turned to speak with her father, his eyes flicked in her direction. Celine’s breath caught. That strange pull tugged at her again, subtle, like a thread drawn tight across the distance. But he looked away, deep in conversation about border patrols and the upcoming alliance talks.

  Beta Wolverine stood rigid beside the alpha, nodding at whatever orders were given. When the meeting broke, he finally approached Celine where she was adjusting a banner near the path.

  “Tonight,” he said without preamble, his voice low and gravelly. “You will stand with the family. No hiding in the back. The pack watches everything.”

  Celine nodded, searching his face for any hint of warmth. “I know, Father. I won’t disappoint you.”

  He studied her for a long moment, the lines around his eyes deepening. For a heartbeat, she thought he might say more, something about her mother, about hoping the Goddess would bless her. Instead, he sighed. “Your mother shifted young. Strong from the start. Whatever happens, remember the blood in your veins. Even if it’s... delayed.”

  The hesitation in his words cut deeper than outright criticism. He turned and left, shoulders squared against the weight of his position. Celine watched him go, the pendant at her throat suddenly feeling heavier.

  As dusk fell, the real preparations began. In a small side room off the servants’ wing, Sara helped Celine into the ceremonial white gown. It was simple, flowing sleeves, a fitted bodice, hem brushing the ground, but it made her feel exposed, like every flaw would show under the moonlight.

  “You look nice,” Sara said, pinning back a strand of Celine’s auburn hair. “Really. The moon suits pale colors on you.”

  “Thanks.” Celine smoothed the fabric, staring at her reflection in the cracked mirror. Her green eyes looked too wide, too uncertain. “I just want this to work. One sign. That’s all I need.”

  The walk to the sacred clearing felt eternal. The entire pack streamed along the lantern-lit path, voices buzzing with anticipation. Children darted between adults, elders walked with measured steps, and warriors moved with that coiled energy they always carried. The air grew cooler, charged with the promise of the full moon rising soon.

  The clearing opened up like a natural amphitheater, ringed by ancient oaks and a circle of standing stones etched with moon phases. A central fire crackled, sending sparks dancing toward the darkening sky. Torches flickered around the perimeter, casting shifting shadows. Celine took her place near the front with the other eligible wolves, her father on one side, Sara offering silent support from behind.

  Lila stood a few spots away, radiant and confident, chatting with a group that included several high ranked males. Cassian Link presided at the head of the gathering, his presence commanding silence as the moon began its ascent. The first silver light touched the stones, and a collective hush fell.

  Elders chanted low invocations to the Moon Goddess, their voices weaving through the night. Young wolves stepped forward one by one, offering small tokens feathers, carved bones, vials of their own blood to the altar fire. Celine’s turn came too soon. Her hands trembled as she placed a sprig of lavender from her garden into the flames. The smoke curled up, carrying a sweet scent.

  She closed her eyes, reaching inward again. *Please. Wake up. Let me be enough.*

  A faint stir answered, warmer than before, like embers glowing deep in her core. Her skin prickled. For a moment, she thought it might happen right there. But the feeling ebbed, leaving her hollow once more.

  The ceremony shifted to the bonding portion. Cassian’s voice rang out, deep and steady, calling forth those who felt the mate pull. Hearts pounded around her. Celine’s own raced as scents mingled in the breeze, earth, fur, pine, and something sharper underneath.

  Then it hit her. A thread of scent, unmistakable and pulling. Rich like storm winds and dark woods. Her head snapped up, eyes locking across the circle, straight toward Cassian.

  Her fated mate.

  The realization slammed into her with dizzying force. Hope surged, bright and overwhelming. Maybe this was it. The Goddess answering after all.

  But as the alpha continued speaking, announcing pairings and blessings, Lila stepped forward boldly, her eyes gleaming with triumph. Whispers spread like wildfire. Celine’s father tensed beside her.

  The moon climbed higher, bathing everything in silver. Celine waited, breath held, for the moment when everything would change.