THE DAY OF THE MOON CEREMONY
Morning arrived earlier than Aria would have liked.
Before the sun had fully risen above the forest, loud voices and hurried footsteps were already filling the pack territory. Wolves moved quickly from place to place, carrying decorations, arranging tables, and preparing food.
Today was the day.
The Moon Ceremony would happen tonight.
Aria stepped outside her small cabin and immediately felt the difference in the air. The entire pack seemed filled with excitement.
Bright ribbons had been tied around wooden posts, and lanterns were being hung across the clearing. Several young wolves were practicing the ceremonial dance that would be performed later in the evening.
Everyone looked happy.
Everyone looked hopeful.
Aria quietly walked toward the pack house with a small basket in her hands. Her job today was simple—prepare the final decorations and help the kitchen finish cooking for the ceremony.
As she entered the kitchen, she found several women already working quickly.
Large pots of soup bubbled over the fire, while trays of roasted meat were being prepared for later.
“There you are,” one of the older women said when she saw Aria. “Take these herbs to the main table outside.”
Aria nodded and picked up the small bundle of herbs before leaving the kitchen again.
The sun had risen higher now, spreading warm light across the territory.
Aria crossed the clearing quietly, placing the herbs on the large table where the ceremony feast would be served later.
As she turned to leave, she noticed several young she-wolves gathering near the training ground again.
Their voices carried easily across the open space.
“Do you think Kael will attend the ceremony tonight?”
“Of course he will,” another replied. “He just returned. Everyone will expect him to be there.”
Aria slowed her steps slightly.
“Imagine if he finds his mate tonight,” one girl said excitedly.
“That girl would instantly become the future Luna.”
Laughter followed the comment.
Aria lowered her gaze and continued walking.
It wasn’t difficult to guess who most of them believed that girl would be.
Lila.
The Beta’s daughter was already standing among them, dressed in a light blue training outfit that showed off her graceful figure.
Her golden hair shined brightly under the morning sun.
She looked confident.
Almost certain of her future.
“Relax,” Lila said with a small smile when she noticed the girls whispering. “If the Moon Goddess truly wants the best for the pack, she’ll choose wisely.”
The girls around her laughed in agreement.
Aria kept walking, pretending she hadn’t heard anything.
But as she passed the training ground, another presence caught her attention.
Kael stood near the edge of the clearing, speaking quietly with several pack warriors.
Even from a distance, he looked imposing.
Tall.
Calm.
Powerful.
His dark hair moved slightly with the wind as he listened to one of the warriors report something.
Aria quickly looked away before anyone noticed her staring.
She had no reason to watch him.
He was the future Alpha.
She was simply the servant girl.
Their worlds would never cross.
Still…
As she walked away, she couldn’t ignore the strange feeling that briefly stirred inside her chest again.
The same feeling she had felt yesterday when their eyes met.
A quiet tension.
Almost like something unseen had brushed past her.
Aria shook the thought away and returned to her work.
The hours passed quickly.
By afternoon, the clearing had been completely transformed.
Long wooden tables were filled with food.
Colorful lanterns hung between the trees.
A large ceremonial circle had been cleared in the center of the territory where the Moon Ceremony would take place later that night.
As the sun slowly began to set, the excitement grew stronger.
Young wolves began preparing themselves for the ceremony.
Some returned to their homes to dress.
Others gathered together nervously, whispering about what might happen.
Aria helped carry the final trays of food to the tables before quietly stepping away.
She didn’t belong in the celebration.
Her job was finished for now.
The sky had already begun to darken.
Soon the full moon would rise.
Aria walked slowly toward the quiet edge of the territory, hoping to find a moment of peace before the ceremony began.
But the moment she reached the wooden fence—
That strange feeling returned again.
Stronger than before.
Her body went still.
The forest beyond the territory had grown silent once more.
Aria slowly lifted her gaze toward the trees.
Her heart began to beat faster.
Because deep within the darkness…
Those same golden eyes were watching her again.
And this time—
They were much closer.