een stone structures as the community slowly came to life. For most of the wolves it was just another gorgeous fall morning, full of old patterns, daily chores and the pea

sper, the air cooler on her skin, each moment they passed loa

d like a

ness to her. Eighteen. The number resonated in her head, too loud to ignore, weighted with everything she'd been waiting to hear. Today was the d

ed tradition every wolf anticipated from childhood. For years she had watched others reach this moment, liste

would disco

e had spent years imagining this day, years wondering what it would feel like, and years dreaming about the person fate had chosen for her. Cou

ntly than everyone else did? Would he see her

ugh her mind, impossible to answer.

, but it disappeared almost immediatel

you still

oice sliced thro

sat upright. "I was

have been re

d. "The Alpha House is full of guests arriving for tonight's ceremon

sor

n mo

echoing through the small room

r not, she was still an omega, still a servant, still expected to work harder than everyone else. The reality o

nt and the familiar weight of her obligations, but hope still lived. And wit

erful scent. Elegant clothes, ceremonial jewellery and homemade presents were displayed on market stands where vendors arranged their wares carefully as locals walked from one stall to another. Preparations for the Moon Blessing Ceremony were happening

a House. There were many of her own age, their faces radiant with enthusiasm, laughing and talking together. Tonight many wo

e voice after another, excitedly sharing sto

te bond feels l

r said it's m

ognized each ot

e lives in a

if he'

she knew exactly what they felt, though she was not of their group, though she was never invited to their chats. And the same excitement sparked in her, and astonishment and the boun

of females near the fountain

Arac

ions shifted almost instantly. One girl snorted

ou ima

"The Moon Goddess wo

ggling

ate rejects he

wou

am

gement she had heard time and time again. She walked on without turning back, her hands clenched at her sides, as their voices faded into

here, sewn into the glances others shot her and the comments that trailed her. She kept walking and didn't utter a word, her eyes ahead as their laughing echoed down the street.

hrough the hallways, servants ran from room to room with supplies. In every nook of the estate the preparations were hurried on for the celebration of t

xt, scarcely pausing to breathe, her feet sore from the continual movement, her shoulders aching from the day's effort. Yet she barely sensed the agony. Each time she went by

ghed her down. It was a reminder of what waited as the sun finally fell, a promise that the day s

gered a little, then found her balance. She looked up and her face changed. For a moment her face was a picture of surprise, but when

raceli sai

erely shrugge

own the corridor and disappeared around

r, what she dreamed about, or if she was smiling or trying not to cry. Sometimes it felt like she could vanish completely and the pack would just keep on marching, unaffected by her absen

uld take part in the Moon Blessing, a rite of passage into maturity, the last stage of their journey from youth to responsibility. The air was elect

ld, planning to complete her errand without attracting attention. But before she could get away a huge roar came from the assembled audience. There were loud cheers at once, and the

she f

Alliance, the future ruler of multiple territories, and the wolf countless young women dreamed about. Araceli had seen him before, of course she had, but only from a

rnoon sun, and his wide shoulders and presence were such that they drew the eye of anyone who looked. But it wasn't his looks

his avoidance of the strike was noteworthy for its ease. The m

nd roared their delight, the feeling of victory washing over the assemblage like a tsunami. Pierce didn't lose his cool about the result. He moved forward, offer

hat," a nearby gi

no

hand

if he wer

ir. Araceli remained silent, her gaze fixed on the field as a small part of her understoo

n like him, someone who could make an entire roomful of people feel safe simply by being there. The thought remained but a moment and she discarded it. It was a foolish notion. Somebody like

eager to learn, others looked on with open respect. Even Araceli felt herself smiling to see him at work, caught up in the confidence and authority he carried so casually. Then his head turned swiftly and their eyes met. Araceli's breath caught in her throat, the noises of the training grounds fading. Pierce Sencio look

ot as if anything had happened. He'd only glanced in her direction, nothing more than a short glimpse that should have meant nothing at all. And yet it stuck in her mind, not wanting to go. The sc

ldn't get out

creeping gently across the darkening sky, high overhead. Bright and ancient, i

ajectory of many lives. But Araceli knew none of this. The only thing running through her mind as she gathered the empty water containers