Chapter 2

I didn’t remember leaving.

One moment, I was staring at Alec like a fool, the echo of his voice still ringing in my ears. The next moment, I was walking home, my feet moving on their own, my family closing in around me like a shield.

“Go to bed, honey,” my mom whispered once we were inside. Her voice was steady, but her shoulders weren’t.

The first tear slipped free as soon as my door closed. Then another.

Soon I was sobbing, my face buried in my pillow, the sound torn out of me whether I wanted it or not.

Why? Why, Moon Goddess?

I had never worried about meeting my fated mate. I hadn’t dreamed about it, hadn’t waited for it. It was something that would happen one day—simple, inevitable.

Until yesterday.

Now it felt like the cruelest joke ever played on me.

Why didn’t Alec feel it? What kind of wolf could look at their own mate and feel nothing at all?

My chest tightened until it hurt.

Somewhere deep inside, my wolf cried out, frantic and furious, clawing against the bond that answered back only from one side. With a sharp breath, I ripped the pillow from beneath my head and threw it across the room.

Let the Moon hear me. Let her hear the anger, the confusion, the fear pounding through my veins.

I must have fallen asleep crying.

When I woke, my eyes burned and my lashes were stiff with dried tears. My throat ached, my head throbbed, but the smell of breakfast drifted up the hall anyway, warm and familiar, refusing to let the world end.

I washed my face and went to the kitchen.

I pretended not to notice my mom standing in the doorway, watching me the way she used to when I was little and sick—like she was afraid I might break if she moved too fast.

“Mom, good morning.”

She crossed the room and kissed my temple. “My darling Christy. Good morning.”

She hesitated, then added, “Today will be a good day.”

I didn’t answer.

Soon the rest of my family filtered in. Collins set the table without his usual teasing.

My parents moved around each other quietly, sharing a brief kiss as coffee was poured and plates were passed.

We ate in near silence. The scrape of spoons against ceramic was the loudest sound in the room.

“We’ll go see the Shaman later,” my mom said gently. “There has to be an explanation for what you felt.”

My father nodded. “These things don’t happen without reason.”

“I’m sure—” my mom started, then stopped herself. “Your mate's out there.”

Something sharp twisted in my chest. Tired already, raw and aching, the words slipped out before I could stop them. “Alec is my mate.”

The room went still.

“Christy.” My father’s face flushed red, his voice tight. “Before everyone at the Moon Calling, Alpha Alec told you he felt nothing.”

“He said you were not his mate,” he continued, anger bleeding through now.

“We will go to the Shaman and put an end to this tragedy.”

That did it.

“Dad!” I shot to my feet, my chair scraping loudly against the floor.

“Quiet, Christy!”

“Cedric,” my mom said softly, warning threaded in her tone.

He said nothing after that.

The anger drained out of me all at once, leaving something colder behind. Fear. Uncertainty. I swallowed hard, my hands curling into fists at my sides.

“Dad,” I asked quietly, my voice smaller than I wanted it to be, “you believe me… right?”

He looked at me for a long moment, then sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly.

My mom stepped in before the silence could stretch any further. “Of course, honey. We know you felt something.”

She reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “But something clearly went wrong. We just need to speak with the Shaman. Figure out how to help.”

“Mom,” I snapped, the word sharper than I meant it to be. “Help? I’m not sick.”

She didn’t flinch. “Of course you’re not.” Her thumb brushed over my knuckles. “I know my babies. You wouldn’t say something like that without reason.”

I opened my mouth to argue, then stopped. Whatever I’d planned to say dissolved before it could take shape. I exhaled slowly.

“…Okay.”

“I believe you, Christy,” Collins said from across the table. “Alec’s just being a jerk.”

The first smile I’d managed since dawn cracked across my face.

“Careful, Collins,” my dad warned, but his voice was lighter now, the edge dulled.

The rest of the morning blurred together. Bathing. Cleaning. Changing. Time slipped through my fingers faster than I expected.

“Go to school, Collins,” my dad said finally. “We’ll head to the Shaman.”

Collins slung his bag over his shoulder and turned to me, his grin bright and unapologetic. “Bye, Christy.” He gave an enthusiastic wave. “Bye, everyone.”

Then he was gone, the door shutting lightly behind him.

“Let’s go, Christy.”

I paused, studying my dad’s face—trying to read what he wasn’t saying—before stepping forward.

We left together.

The Shaman’s dwelling sat quiet and heavy with incense, the air thick with something older than the pack itself.

“Shaman,” my dad greeted, bowing slightly.

We followed his lead, bowing lower before straightening.

“The Haven family,” the Shaman said calmly, his eyes settling on me. “I have been expecting you.”

A chill slid down my spine.

“Christy, go sit over there,” my dad said.

I hesitated, then obeyed, moving where he indicated and folding my hands in my lap, my heart beating a little too fast.

They spoke softly, using the mindlink most of the time. I didn’t need to hear the words to know they were talking about me.

My mom’s eyes kept flicking in my direction, worry etched deep into her face, and the Shaman’s gaze returned to me again and again, sharp and searching, as if he expected my expression to crack.

I scoffed inwardly.

He wouldn’t find deceit there. I was certain. A hundred percent certain that Alec was my mate.

When they finally finished, they looked more confused than when we’d arrived.

“Thank you, Shaman,” my mom said, forcing a polite smile. “We’ll go through the books with you. See if there’s ever been a case like this.”

“Anytime,” he replied. “Don’t hesitate to reach out if you find anything.”

We left in silence.

As we walked, I reached out through the mindlink. 'What did he say, Mom?'

'He’ll conduct more research,' she answered after a pause. 'And we should review the ancient texts in the pack library as well.'

'That’s it?'

'Yes, honey,' she replied. I could hear the weariness beneath the calm. 'That’s it.'

I considered reaching out to my father too, then let the thought fade.

We split up soon after. My mom headed toward the infirmary, already slipping into her role as a nurse.

My dad turned toward the administration offices. Neither of them was a warrior, but both had undergone the necessary training—especially my mom. In times of war, healers didn’t stay behind walls.

I continued alone.

I’d finished high school recently and hadn’t decided what came next. It was a strange in-between stage for wolves.

Some went to college. Others joined the pack's warriors and began rising through the warrior ranks. Some already had jobs. Some were planning futures with their mates.

I would have been doing the same… if the Moon Calling had gone differently.

Then I noticed the stares.

At first, they were subtle. Lingering looks. Murmurs that stopped when I passed. Then the whispers grew bolder.

That’s her

Christiana Haven

The girl from the Moon Calling.

The wannabe Luna.

My steps slowed, my spine stiffening.

“The former Luna of Celestial Moon. Luna Evelyn!” someone suddenly called. I spotted her almost immediately.

“Luna!” voices echoed, and people bowed hurriedly, scattering from her path.

I turned to leave.

“Christiana!”

My heart slammed against my ribs, but I stopped obediently.

“Luna,” I said, bowing.

"Raise your head"

I did but only slightly.

“Look at me.”

I lifted my chin fully and met her gaze, catching the dark glint in her eyes, the thin smile tugging at her lips. Patronizing. Assessing.

“Come.”

I followed her in silence until we reached a quiet clearing, far from curious ears.

She turned to face me. “You said you are my son’s mate?”

I said nothing.

“Speak, Christiana.”

“Yes,” I answered, my voice thin, traitorous. It sounded small even to me.

“Good.” Her smile sharpened. “Tell your parents they are invited to dinner tonight.”

She paused, letting the words sink in. “Six pm, make sure you attend.”

Then she turned and left, her presence lingering long after she was gone.