Chapter two: The gathering

Aria Blackwood.....

By nightfall, the pack house glowed like a beacon in the forest. Lanterns lined the pathways, their flames flickering gold against the night, and music spilled from inside, loud and joyful music.

My heart was beating so fast I thought it might leap out of my chest.

This was it. The night I’d been waiting for my whole life.

The night I’d finally feel the pull of my mate.

Everytime a female wolf gets her ninteenth birthday, a party is thrown for her so she'll be able to see her mate.

if she doesn't see her mate she has to attend other Birthday parties for other females in hopes of seeing her mate

****

Maya grabbed my hand as we approached the stairs “Breathe, Aria. You’re trembling.”

Maya is my best and only friend, the only girl who didn't taunt and mock me for my size and status.

“I’m not,” I whispered, even though my knees wobbled so badly I thought I might collapse, I'm so nervous right now.

She gave me a look.

“You’re allowed to be nervous. But listen — whoever he is, he’d better treat you right. Or I’ll claw his eyes out myself.”

A laugh bubbled out of me despite the tension in my chest. Maya always had a way of making me forget I was tense or uncomfortable. She looked stunning tonight in a fitted crimson dress that flattered her curves. By comparison, my pale blue gown felt simple, but my mother had insisted it brought out the green in my eyes, whatever that meant.

I smoothed my dress nervously. Would it be enough? Would I be enough?

Selene’s groaned from the back of my mind.

“You are. Trust me.”

The pack house ballroom was already crowded, the air was thick with the scents of wolves and food and wine. Chandeliers blazed above, casting golden light over the polished wood floors.

All around, laughter and chatter filled the air as pack members mingled. Warriors in crisp shirts, she-wolves in elegant gowns. My father, Beta Jonathan, stood near the dais, speaking with Gamma Rowan. His tall, broad frame exuded calm authority, though when his eyes found mine, they softened.

He inclined his head — a small gesture, but pride was written all over his face.

Beside him stood my brother Elias, his dark hair was neatly combed, his stance already as sharp as a warrior’s. He saw me staring at him and gave me a subtle smile before returning to his conversation with a group of young warriors.

For a moment, I let myself believe I belonged here.

Then Serena appeared.

She walked into the room in a silver gown that clung to her body exposing every inch and curve.

Her black hair shining, her lips painted a deep red.

Her little circle of admirers followed her closely laughing too loudly at every word she said.

Her eyes found mine instantly.

“Well, well. Look who actually scrubbed up tonight,” she drawled, her voice carrying over the music. A few heads turned toward us.

Heat crept up my neck. “Ignore her,” Maya whispered fiercely, but Serena wasn’t done.

“Blue dress?” she continued, her smirk sharp. “How… innocent. I suppose some of us have to look like children if we can’t look like women.”

Laughter rippled through her group. My throat tightened, but I forced my chin up.

“At least I don’t need a dress that screams for attention,” I murmured.

"Attention is power" she said

"Sure" was all I said

Her eyes narrowed, but before she could retort, a hush rippled through the hall.

The air itself seemed to shift, growing heavier, charged with authority.

Alpha Damien Storm had entered the room.

He was impossible to miss.

Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a fitted black suit that did nothing to hide the power in his frame. His dark hair was perfectly tousled, his jaw was sharp and his face was a mix of danger and intrigue. But it was his eyes — icy, piercing blue — made my heart flutter.

He didn’t need to demand respect. His presence commanded it.

Beside me, Maya straightened unconsciously. Serena’s smirk widened, her whole body angling toward him, as she held his arm and he only looked at her.

Everyone knew she threw herself at him like a desperate woman.

Damien’s gaze swept the hall, unreadable, until it landed briefly on my father. He gave a curt nod of acknowledgment, then moved toward the dais at the front.

My pulse thundered in my ears.

Selene whimpered inside me. “Do you feel that? Something’s coming.”

I swallowed hard. The air seemed different, heavier, as though every breath carried sparks.

“Aria,” Maya whispered, squeezing my hand. “Are you okay?”

“I—I don’t know,” I admitted, pressing a hand to my chest. My heart was racing too fast, heat crawling across my skin.

Damien took his place at the head of the hall, commanding silence without a word. He stood tall and unyielding, the perfect Alpha.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low and smooth, yet it carried easily to every ear. “Tonight, we celebrate. A new year, new strength, and the coming of age of wolves who will soon discover their mates.”

Applause and cheers broke out. My stomach twisted.

He continued, “The Moon Goddess grants us the bond to ensure our pack’s future. To protect us. To guide us. Tonight, some of you will find the one destined for you. Cherish them.”

His eyes swept the room again. For the briefest second, they landed on me.

And in that moment, something inside me lit up.

A spark. A pull.

Selene howled in my head. “It’s him!”

My breath caught. No. It couldn’t be.

The Alpha. Damien Storm.

My mate.

---

The realization slammed into me like a blow. My knees nearly buckled, my hands trembling as heat surged through my veins. My heart screamed for him, my wolf howling with wild joy.

But when his gaze lingered on me, just for a heartbeat… his expression didn’t change.

No joy. No recognition.

Nothing but cold indifference.

I froze, torn between elation and dread.

Maya tugged at my arm, whispering urgently, “Aria, what is it? What’s happening?”

But I couldn’t answer.

Because the truth had just shattered me in silence.

Selene growled silently

"snap out of it girl don't ruin this for us" she pushed me so hard I rocked and fund myself heading to where the Alpha stood with few pack mates

"selene stop it what do we say to him" I mumbled

she said nothing just glaring at me and I sighed , I got to the where

the alpha was

he looked me up and down and his eyes hardened like he was irritated by my mere prescence

my wolf whined

*****