Chapter One: The Night of Ascension

Akira's POV

“Stand still for once, Akira. If you move again, I swear by the Moon, I won't hold back from sedating you.”

I let out a hearty and breathy laugh. “You talk as if you don't know you already tightened the clasps three times, much harder than they should, Elder Mira. If I inhale too deeply, I’ll definitely pass out, and that would be right before my own Awakening.”

“That would be really unfortunate,” she muttered, her fingers still glued at my back, magically working at the silver threads of my ceremonial gown. “A Luna seen fainting on the night of her most cherished day, which is her Ascension would be… so symbolic. And this time, not in a good way.”

I calmly met my reflection in the well polished obsidian mirror. The girl staring back at me doesn't look troubled, but calm. Poised, and of course, Luna-perfect.

But somehow, right inside, my chest felt hollow.

“Do you feel it yet?” Mira asked quietly, reviving our conversation. “The stirring?”

I hesitated for a few seconds. That alone was an answer to her, but she waited to hear them from me anyway.

“I feel… rather cold,” I replied carefully. “The Moon, as long as I can remember, usually hums tonight. It always has been that way, never missing a day. Even when I was younger, too young to understand what was going on.”

Mira’s hands paused on what she was doing, but it was only for a few seconds. 

“That’s nerves,” she started too quickly. “Twenty-five years of patiently waiting for the right one will do that to anyone.”

I nodded once, hoping it was the truth, even though the lie tasted bitter.

From outside the chambers, I could hear the sound of music already playing, the chanting, the roar of the Crimson Moon Clan, as they gathered in the courtyard. My pack, my own people. Tonight has been planned as the night they would all bow to me not because of tradition, but because, out of all the young maidens, the Moon itself would recognize me.

But instead of feeling special, the Moon awkwardly felt… far.

“A Luna should at least feel full tonight,” I murmured. “Like the feeling gotten from standing under rain after a drought.”

Mira finally met my eyes in the mirror, holding them for a few seconds. “You were definitely born for this, Akira Nightfall. Do not give doubt the chance to steal what is yours.”

Before I could respond to her, the door suddenly burst open.

“Well,” Maelis Raventhorn started brightly, her entrance irritating as she swept into the room in a cloud of white silk and confidence, “if this isn’t in any way taking forever.”

“Manners,” Mira snapped at her.

Maelis ignored her completely like she doesn't exist, coming straight to me, her smile wide, her eyes too sharp like trouble. Too sharp to have come in peace. She circled me slowly, carefully assessing me, like a merchant inspecting new arrivals. 

“You look quite beautiful,” she began. “Almost… glowing if I'm not mistaken.”

“Almost?” I echoed, wondering what she might be up to.

She laughed softly, to push it off “You know exactly what I mean.”

I forced a smile, ready to play along. “You’re dressed rather too early.”

Her gaze roamed around the room, until it settled on her own gown, which was ivory, magically embroidered with lunar symbols that for some odd reasons, felt uncomfortably familiar. Luna symbols.

“Oh, this?” she said lightly like it was one of her clothes. “Lucien had planned it, and now wanted me close tonight. For support of course.”

My chest became heavy on hearing that from her. “Support?”

Maelis leaned in, lowering her voice. “He’s been… tensed lately. The pack expects a lot from tonight.”

“So do I,” I said. But as I said that, something unreadable flashed across her face, and I didn't quite understand the meaning.

“Of course you do, my darling,” she replied smoothly. “After all, you’ve patiently waited your whole life for this day.”

“Yes,” I said. “I have.”

Then, silence followed, none of us saying anything, but with heavy thoughts. 

From the doorway, a guard suddenly appeared, clearing his throat like he had eaten fried frogs. “The Alpha requests the Luna-in-waiting’s presence now.”

Mira straightened on hearing that. “Already?”

Maelis’s lips curved slightly. “Looks like it’s finally time.”

I stood up and turned toward the door, but Maelis swiftly caught my wrist.

“Akira,” she started softly, rather too sweetly. “No matter what happens tonight… I want you to always remember I’m on your side.”

Her grip was a bit tight, possessive, like she did it intentionally. 

I pulled free immediately. “I know.”

But as she stepped ahead of me, I saw her smile gradually returning, and I knew that minute that all wasn't well.

*********

Lucien stood charmily at the edge of the courtyard, handsomely clothed in silver cloak which gleamed endlessly under torchlight. The crowd parted instinctively for him, for us. When he finally turned and caught sight of me, his expression changed. But it wasn't any way close to warmth, not even relief.

It was more like an assessment.

“You’re late,” he started. 

“By minutes,” I replied. “Hardly a crime.”

His jaw tightened when I said that. “Tonight isn’t about timekeeping.”

“No,” I agreed calmly. “It’s rather about destiny.”

Maelis stylishly slipped to his side, her fingers brushing his arm weirdly. “She’s nervous,” she said gently. “Anyone in her shoes would be.”

Lucien didn’t spare her a glance, but his gaze stayed on me, very heavy. “Are you ready?”

I searched his face for peace, for reassurance, from the man who once whispered promises into my hair, who swore the Moon itself chose us together. 

“I was born ready,” I said.

He didn’t answer me, but I didn't put much thought into it. 

The drums stopped seconds later.

Elder Thane was the first to take action, raising his staff to signal commencement of the Ascension. “People of the Crimson Moon Clan,” he boomed, “we gather here today, before the sacred sky to witness the Awakening of our future Luna...Akira Nightfall.”

Cheers erupted from different angles of the pack. I stepped forward, heart pounding for no reason.

“Step into the circle,” Thane instructed calmly.

I obeyed quietly, my bare feet touching the cold stone completely etched with ancient runes. The Moon above us now full, radiant… and at same time, silent.

“Call to your wolf,” Thane instructed again. “Let her answer you.”

I closed my eyes, and murmured, "Come to me.”

But nothing happened. By now, the crowd were getting impatient. I tried again. Please. Still nothing happened. By now, I was sweating profusely. 

“Again,” Thane urged, more sharply.

I reached deeper, past fear, past doubt...into the place my wolf should by right supposed to be. 

I met only emptiness, then Lucien shifted uncomfortably beside the circle, while Maelis inhaled sharply.

“Akira?” that was Thane’s voice again. 

“I..” My throat tightened, closing up with great force. “I don’t understand.”

Everyone present had started whispering. “She’s taking rather too long.”

“Is something wrong with her?”

“The Moon should’ve responded by now if this is normal.”

Lucien stepped forward, his presence commanding authority. “Enough.”

My heart lurched at that, as I didn't know what awaited me. “Lucien...”

“Stop,” he said, cutting me off. “This is wrong.”

Anger flared up, as I had no explanation for whatever was happening to me. “Wrong? Or inconvenient?”

He stared keenly at me like a stranger. “You’ve had years. Years to awaken your power. And yet tonight...you did nothing.”

“I didn’t choose this,” I snapped suddenly. “Do you think I enjoy standing here empty?”

Then, I saw Maelis placing a hand on his chest. “Lucien, maybe the ritual..”

“No,” he said coldly, not giving her a chance to finish. “This isn’t the ritual.”

With his sudden temper, I was beginning to fear the unknown. “What are you saying?” I whispered back. 

Lucien turned slowly to the pack. “I waited patiently for years for her to become something more.”

My heart gradually shattered at the finality in his tone.

“Instead,” he continued, “she didn't put any effort, but rather chose to become a disappointment.”

The courtyard went deathly silent as he spoke, no one dared challenge him.

I looked at Maelis, but surprisingly, she wouldn’t meet my eyes.

Lucien faced me again. “Akira Nightfall… do you truly believe within you that you can stand as Luna without power?”

By now, rage was building up beyond my control. “Power isn’t always loud.”

He laughed out loud, though once, but very sharp. “Spoken just like the weak.”