Elara's POV The ceremony began with a howl. Not just one but from the twenty of us.The entire pack stood in the training grounds, transformed for tonight. Crimson ribbons danced in the wind. Fire pits burned low around the perimeter, casting flickers of orange light over the sea of red-hooded figures. It was beautiful and terrifying, all at once. The kind of scene that made your heart beat faster, and your breath catch simultaneously.Each of us raised our faces to the moon and let our wolves speak as we howled again. It was a call to the Moon Goddess. A declaration that we were here, together, as one pack to receive her blessings.The Oracle’s voice cut through the night next, loud and laced with ancient power.“We call upon the Mother. She who bled the moon and bore the wolf. Bless these children of your light. Bring forth their truth.”We all stepped forward.One by one, we were handed goblets by the Oracle’s assistant. The liquid inside shimmered with a strange, dark iridescent
Elara's POV The entire pack house had been humming with life for the past two days. People ran in and out of the pack house, the newly shifted wolves happily discussing what their special abilities would be. It made me remember the Mooncrest Pack, where I wasn't allowed to participate in the ceremony. I started wondering what my special abilities would have been.“Now you've gotten a chance, my instinct is telling me you're going to have a siren-like voice as your special abilities,” Nyx reasoned.“Siren-like voice when I can't even talk, nice one, Nyx.” I said, rolling my eyes.“Hear me out, imagine how many aura points you'd gain,” she continued.More people flooded into the house. It reminded me of the full moon night, the chaos before the shift, only this time the energy was electric with anticipation, not fear.“I really hope I get my voice back,” I wished.Everyone was preparing for the Sacred Moon Festival.Kieran had said this year’s ceremony would be different—more tradition
Tobias' POV “The Oracle is here,” Alex said as he stepped into the room.“Where is she?” Kieran asked instantly.“She’s on her way to your office. She wants to see the Luna too.”Kieran stood up without hesitation, already moving. “Come on,” he said, reaching for Elara’s hand and we all rushed down to his office. When we got to the office, the Oracle was already there, standing in front of Kieran’s desk, draped in her signature long, dark robes.“Greetings, Alpha and Luna,” the Oracle greeted. “Greetings, Beta.”Kieran nodded at her, polite but direct. “Good morning.”“Good morning,” I greeted back.She went straight to the point, “I came to remind you of the sacred full moon that will be in three days. The Moon Goddess has promised that this year's own will be special and intense and you're to prepare very well for it.”The sacred full moon. It’s the most significant night of the year for newly shifted wolves. That’s when they awaken their unique abilities. Teleportation is one of
Elara's POVThe scent of baked honey bread wrapped around the kitchen, warm and sweet. Mira hummed softly as she kneaded dough on the counter, while Astrid leaned against the fridge with her mug, sipping coffee.“You know,” Astrid said, waggling her brows as she glanced over at me, “if you had a little more time during the honeymoon, you’d probably be glowing even brighter. Mira, look at her skin. She’s literally radiating.”I smiled shyly, my hands occupied chopping avocado for the breakfast platters. It was safer to focus on the fruit.Mira let out a hearty laugh. “One more day, and I swear we’d have a mini-Kieran or mini-Elara crawling around this kitchen.”My entire face flushed red, and I tried to cover it with my wrist, but it was no use. I couldn't stop blushing.“Ouh, look at her!” Mira teased, flour dusting her nose as she turned toward Astrid. “Luna is blushing harder than we have ever seen. Alpha Kieran is doing well.”Astrid cackled, nearly choking on her coffee as she sli
Kieran's POV“I'll be visiting a lot, okay? Sorry, I can't bring you out now. I just need to sort out this Lilith's issue first before introducing you to the pack again,” I told Saffron as I was about to leave.She gave me a small nod and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around me. Her hug was tight, lingering like she didn’t want to let go. Me too. I missed her a lot.“Don't worry, I'll keep her safe,” Tobias answered instead.Of course, he answered for her. Damn, mates.“Now you're speaking for her.” I raised a brow, smirking.“You speak for Elara all the time too,” he shot back without missing a beat.“Nice one, Toby, nice one,” I said with a low whistle.“Alright, gentlemen, that's enough,” Mrs. Monroe cut in, stepping between us like we were teenagers again. “Alpha, you need to go. Before someone notices.”Right. It tore me up to walk away after just finding my sister again. I wanted to scream it from the damn rooftops that Saffron’s back, and she’s got a mate. But no, not with
Kieran's POV “I kept her in my mum's place,” Tobias said as we left the packhouse.The journey down there suddenly felt so long. My fingers clenched into trembling fists at my sides, heart hammering so loud I was sure Tobias could hear it. Every step toward the house felt like walking through quicksand. Will she forgive me? Will she allow me to hug her again? What if she didn’t want to see me? What if she hated me?“She… she doesn’t know I’m coming, does she?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but it came out hoarse.“No,” Tobias said quietly. “I didn't think I was going to tell you today or that you'd want to see her tonight.”I nodded, though I wasn’t sure. My hands were trembling.When we reached the house, Tobias paused and looked at me, “You ready?”“No,” I said honestly, then took a deep breath.We got to the doorstep, and Tobias knocked. Mrs. Monroe opened it, and her eyes instantly welled up when she saw me. Her lips parted like she had something to say but was debating if it