LOGINSeveral days passed more quickly than I expected. Between council reports, preparations for the Midsummer Summit and my regular duties within the pack, the days seemed to blend into one another. Before I realised it... The Summit no longer felt comfortably distant. It was only a little over two weeks away. By now, the estate itself had undergone so much transformations. Carpenters came and went from the Great Hall, making the final adjustments Nathaniel had requested. Even the atmosphere felt different. There was an unmistakable sense of anticipation. The kind that settled quietly over everyone before an important occasion. I had barely reached the administrative block when a familiar voice greeted me. "Good morning, Luna." "Nathaniel." He inclined his head before handing me a neatly organised folder. "The revised plans." "I thought we'd already finished them." "We had." He smiled politely. "Then three visiting packs confirmed additional delegates."
I closed the notebook I had been reviewing and glanced out of the window. The afternoon light had long since given way to evening. I hadn't realised how late it had become. Gathering my things, I left the administrative block. It occurred to me that I spent more time here now than I did in my own room. Not that I minded. I'd often wondered how I would fill my days in such a vast estate. I'd wanted something meaningful to do. Now... I almost had more work than there were hours in the day. By the time I reached the dining room, Kael was already there. He looked up as I entered. "Good evening." "Good evening." Aurelia, who had been swinging her feet impatiently beneath her chair, brightened immediately. "Aria!" "You're late." I smiled apologetically as I took my seat. "I know." "I lost track of time." She gasped dramatically. "Miss Agatha says grown-ups always say that." I laughed. "Miss Agatha may have a point." Satisfied with my answer, A
The following morning... A cool breeze greeted me as I stepped out of the estate. Two guards were already waiting near one of the Blackwood cars, along with a young staff balancing a satchel filled with papers. Elder Rowan stood beside them. "Good morning, Luna." "Good morning." He handed me a leather folder. "The inspection notes." I accepted it. "The bridge?" He nodded. "The East River Bridge." "The project began several months before your arrival." "We're hoping it will be completed before the heavier autumn rains." I glanced toward the car. "I've only ever read reports about these inspections." "Today you'll see why reports are never enough." Those words stayed with me as the car left the estate. The roads gradually narrowed as we travelled farther from the heart of Blackwood. Villages gave way to open fields. Farmers were already at work. Children hurried along the roadside carrying school bags almost as large as they were. Every now an
The following morning... The administrative block felt busier than usual. Messengers came and went with rolled parchments tucked beneath their arms. Even before I reached my own desk, I could hear several conversations taking place behind half-open doors. "The Ashbourne Pack has confirmed their delegation." "The North Ridge representatives have requested additional accommodation." "The musicians from Randsone have accepted the invitation." The Midsummer Summit was becoming so real. I had barely settled into my chair when a knock sounded at the door. "Come in." Elder Rowan entered carrying a leather-bound folder. "Good morning, Luna." "Good morning." He placed the folder neatly in front of me. "I imagine you've realised by now that preparations have begun in earnest." "I have." "And I also imagine you've discovered that hosting a Summit is rather different from reading about one." I smiled. "That's one way of putting it." The corner of his mouth li
Rosie slipped her small hand into mine as though we'd known each other for years. "Come on." "I want to show you everything." I laughed. "I thought Martha was going to do that." Rosie looked over her shoulder. "She walks too slowly." Several of the older children giggled. Even Martha smiled. "I'm afraid she's right." "I no longer have the energy to keep up with them." Rosie proudly led me through the front doors. The orphanage was simple. There were no expensive furnishings or elaborate decorations. But everything was spotless. Beds had been made neatly. Books were arranged carefully on wooden shelves. The dining hall smelled faintly of fresh bread. It felt... Loved. Not because it possessed much. But because those caring for the children made the most of what they had. As we walked, more children slowly gathered around us. Some asked questions. Others simply watched. One little boy frowned thoughtfully. "Do all Lunas wear pretty dresses?" I looked down at m
As we finished dinner, I set my teacup down. "Kael?" He looked up from the report he'd been reading. "Yes?" "I've been thinking about one of the welfare reports." He closed the folder without hesitation, giving me his full attention. "The complaints about widows and orphans?" I nodded. "I don't want to rely only on written reports." "I'd like to visit the Blackwood orphanage myself." For a moment, he simply regarded me. Then he asked, "When?" "Tomorrow, if possible." He considered it briefly before nodding. "That can be arranged." Relief settled quietly over me. "I was hoping to take food, blankets, books... whatever they might need most." His expression remained calm. "Speak with the estate steward in the morning." I blinked. "That's all?" A faint smile touched the corner of his mouth. "What answer were you expecting?" "I thought..." I laughed softly. "...perhaps I'd need to convince you." "You've already convinced me." His answ
I was all alone outside, sitting on the cold floor, with my white dress now brown. On a night I should have been with my mate, the future Alpha. A night my fate was supposed to change, I guess it did change after all, but not for the better. I had been publicly humiliated in front of the pack , a
"It's time" my newly found friend Mira informed me. I've waited for this night for so long, I've been on a strict diet, having to eat those very tasteless meals. I carefully stood up, so as not to ruin my pretty white dress, specially selected for this night, everything I was putting on was caref
I barely slept. Not because I was afraid. At least, that was what I kept telling myself. The truth was far less flattering. I was anxious. Anxious about seeing Vera. Anxious about seeing Manda. Anxious about walking back into a house that had never truly felt like home. By the time morning
"Aurelia, we're leaving" Kael said to his daughter. "Already, but I don't want to leave Aria" Aurelia said looking at me. "Let's take her along, can't she come with us? our house is big enough for all of us". she added. I expected Kael to refuse, he didn't know me, a common stranger rejected







