Chapter One

The Night I Died

Aurelia’s POV

They buried me beneath a sky full of stars.

The cruelest part wasn’t that I almost died. It was that everyone believed I already had. And no one tried to prove themselves wrong.

“The Moon Festival begins at sunset!”

A lively buzz spread through the Silvercrest Pack as wolves moved quickly across the village, hanging silver lanterns from towering pine trees and leaving white flowers into every doorway. I smiled seeing the children laugh as they chased one another through the square while warriors polished their weapons for the ceremonial parade. The sound of music floated on the crisp evening breeze, hinting at the festivities to come.

Tonight marked the beginning of the Blood Moon Festival. It was the most sacred night of the year.

For everyone else, it was a celebration, but for me, it was the beginning of the life I’d always dreamed of.

“You will become a great Luna. The pack members already loved you.” An elderly woman smiled at me while holding her grandchild.

“Thank you. I can’t wait for tonight.” I smiled as people continued to greet me. I guess everyone is ready.

There would be a feast, a massive celebration for everyone. It is every pack’s tradition during the Moon Festival as a way to honor the Moon Goddess. There was a bonfire where people dance, sing, and hang out together. Seeing everything unfold before my eyes, I couldn’t be more happy.

“You’ve been smiling to yourself all morning.” I looked up as an elderly omega approached with a basket overflowing with white moon lilies. Mrs. Elara chuckled knowingly. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say someone’s thinking about our Alpha.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I am not.”

“Liar.” The older woman laughed before handing me a bundle of flowers. “Go place these in the Moon Shrine. And try not to stare at Alpha Cassian too much tonight.”

I rolled my eyes, though the smile on my face only widened.

“I’ll try.”

“No, you won’t.”

I laughed softly and continued toward the shrine, carefully holding the flowers against my chest.

Silvercrest was a glorious and prosperous pack, but it was more beautiful this time of year.

The pine trees softly swayed in the breeze, parting to let streams of sunlight slip through their branches like strands of gold. White banners adorned with crescent moons fluttered above every doorway, while unlit lanterns waited as the evening approached.

This had always been home.

I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

“Lia.”

Tingles erupted on my body. Only one person could make me feel that.

I turned just as Cassian caught up beside me. Even dressed in plain training clothes, he exuded the calm confidence and quiet authority of an Alpha. He stood tall with broad-shoulders, his dark hair ruffled by the morning wind, and those sharp blue eyes that somehow always found me in a crowd.

He smiled. “There you are.”

“Were you looking for me?”

“I’ve been looking for you all morning.” He reached for the basket in my hands. “I’ll carry it.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know.” He took it anyway and carefully assessed the expression on my face. Then a gentle smile grazed his lips. “Hm, someone looks excited.”

“I’ve been preparing for tonight.” I tried to control my excitement but it’s just too impossible. He stepped closer until only a breath separated us.

“I know.” His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “And tonight, you’ll finally be my Luna.” His voice softened at the end.

I felt the warmth that spread through my chest like wildfire. We had waited years for this moment to come. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a child, from the moment I laid my eyes on him. The sweet boy who always protected me. Cried with me and laughed with me. The Moon Goddess had chosen us as mates. The pack had accepted us.

We walked together in comfortable silence. It was the kind that felt safe, that felt like home. Like mine.

It had always been like this. Easy and natural.

Tonight, beneath the full moon, we would stand before our people and complete the Luna Ceremony. Everything felt perfect. Too perfect.

When we reached the shrine, I arranged the moon lilies beneath the marble statue of the Moon Goddess. I bowed my head.

“Please watch over everyone tonight.” I offer a silent plea to the Moon Goddess.

A chill wind moved across the square like thieves in the night. The lanterns flickered and for a brief moment, every wolf in the village fell strangely silent. My stomach tightened and I stood up straighter.

Something is wrong.

I looked toward the forest surrounding the pack. The trees were motionless, just watching and waiting. But then, the feeling vanished just as quickly as it came.

Cassian noticed my expression. “What is it?” He put a protective arm around me, sensing my unease.

I forced a smile. “Nothing.” I didn’t want to ruin the peaceful and happy atmosphere around us just because of nothing.

Cassian stepped closer, his hand gently finding mine. “You worry too much.”

“Do I?”

“Yes.” His thumb brushed over my knuckles. “But tomorrow, none of that will matter.” He smiled with that same quiet confidence that had made the entire pack trust him.

Before I could say anything, a loud horn echoed across the village, making everyone stop whatever they were doing.

“The Alpha Council has arrived!” someone shouted.

Villagers hurried toward the main square the same time I heard Cassian sighed.

“Duty calls.”

I laughed. “Go. Before your Beta comes looking for you.”

“He already is.”

Almost on cue, Damien, Cassian’s Beta, appeared at the end of the path.

“There you are,” Damien called. “The council is waiting.”

Cassian groaned dramatically. “I was hoping they’d forget.”

“They won’t.” Was Damien’s stiff reply.

Cassian turned back to me. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”

We stood frozen for a brief moment as if neither of us wanted to move. Then, finally, he leaned down and kissed my forehead.

A simple gesture. One he’d done countless times before. Yet it made me blush just the same.

He walked away with Damien, disappearing into the growing crowd. I watched until I could no longer see him. Only then did I continue toward the village square, and while walking, I kept looking at the forest surrounding the pack. The unease came back.

I stopped in my tracks, feeling as though someone was watching my every move and waiting for the right moment to strike.

Laughter echoes through my surroundings, reminding me of what tonight is all about. I sighed.

“It’s probably nothing.” I whispered to myself.

I wanted to believe that. I truly did. Because if I had listened to the warning burning in my chest, if I had turned around, if I had run…perhaps they would never have buried an empty coffin in my name.

And perhaps, I would have never become the woman who returned.