ONE: The Mating Ceremony

              The day I turned eighteen was meant to be the best day of my life. Instead, it became the day my heart broke before the full pack.

              In my small room, I stood in front of the mirror and ran my shaking hands over the pale blue dress Mrs. Hart had changed for me. It was not new; nothing I had ever was. Though my stepsister, Lila, had said it was out of date months ago and thrown it aside, I found it lovely. The supple material wrapped around my waist and descended to my knees. I genuinely felt rather gorgeous for the first time in years.

               Today wasn't only my birthday. My Mate Day was celebrated today.

              Every wolf dreamed on it. The Moon Goddess will reveal our destined mate once we turn eighteen. My stomach turned with anxiety and excitement both mixed. 

"What if my mate is kind?" I wondered "What if he views me the way my dad did my mother before she passed? What if I at last fit someplace?"

                A loud knock broke my ideas.

"Aria!" Lila's yell ripped across the wood. "Come on here. Everyone is waiting."

                Not wishing to keep her waiting, I dashed out. People hurried past the packed corridors with heavy trays of food while wolves laughing and chatting filled the pack house alive with activity. The yearly mating ritual was always the most important occasion of the year, and the energy was vibrant.

                  As I went down the stairs, I kept my head down, attempting to fit in with the décor. Nobody really noticed me anyway; they rarely did. And when they did, it was often only to compare me to Lila, my gorgeous stepsister, the future Luna, and the pack's clearly favorite.

"Look who at last chose to show up," someone sneered.

             A few girls chuckled. I dropped my eyes; years of being treated like an outsider had taught me that silence was my greatest protection.

"Maybe she'll get lucky and find a partner today," another muttered.

"Please. Who would want her?"

               There was more laughing to come. The words stung and burned the back of my throat, but I pushed myself to keep going.

Then, the room got dead quiet instantly.

                 My breath stopped. Alpha Damian had just arrived. He was tall, gorgeous, and almost emanated authority. Every woman in the room stared, including me. Though for years I had covertly adored him, I despised myself for it. Not only was it because he was good-looking; it was also because he used to be friendly. At least before he assumed the Alpha mantle. Before the current interrupted him.

                 His dark eyes scanned the populace. Our eyes connected for a brief, startling second. Something profound inside me moved—a weird warmth, a sudden attraction that caused my skin to burn. He then turned away.

"Of course. Why would the Alpha ever recognize me?" I wondered.

                 The event started right after. The pack gathered in the yard, surrounding the holy Moon Stone. The moon hung full and brilliant high above, bathing all of us in a historic, silvery light.

                  The pack elder advanced, his voice resounding. 

"Tonight, the Moon Goddess shall reveal the bonds she has chosen."

                 The throng was energized, and my heart raced wildly against my ribs. Wolves moved forward one by one. Some discovered their mates, some didn't, and deafening cheers followed every find of a pair.

"Aria Blackwood," I heard my name called.

                  Though I pushed myself to walk ahead into the clearing, my legs almost gave way. The world appeared to be breathless.

                   Then, it hit me. My senses were overwhelmed by a fragrance: fresh rain, sharp pine, and pure, alluring strength. Inside my chest, my wolf came to life and yelled one word that exploded in my head: 'Mate!'

                    I gasped, my gaze shot upward. Standing right across the courtyard was Alpha Damian. His eyes were wide, sheer surprise flashing across his face as the bond snapped fiercely into place. The whole crowd faded into a blur.

"Mate. My mate. The Alpha is my mate."

                  One tear slid down my cheek. For one beautiful, fleeting second I thought all my aspirations had at last come true.

                 Then Damian's face became stony. His eyes lost all warmth and instead showed cold, sparkling hate.

                 I felt a terrible weight in my chest. Something was seriously wrong here.