Forsaken By The Moon

Nova had counted down the days to her twenty-first birthday for as long as she could remember. It was the age when every wolf in the pack was supposed to receive their wolf. The age when the moon finally answered the question that had occupied her mind since childhood.

What will she look like when she shifts?

Would her wolf be silver like her mother’s had been? Or black like her father’s? Would she be large and powerful, with eyes that glowed beneath the moonlight?

She had imagined it a thousand times. But there was something else she couldn’t stop thinking about. Once she shifts, she will finally seal the mate bond with Alpha Landon. Her crush since childhood.

Since her childhood, they had watched the unusual closeness between her and Alpha Landon and whispered that fate had already chosen them. He was the future Alpha. She was the future Luna.

It made perfect sense.

When Landon finally confessed that he had dreamed of her standing beside him beneath the full moon, Nova had believed it was proof. They were indeed meant to be!

So when her twenty-first birthday approached, their wedding was planned for the night of the full moon. According to the elders, the full moon would be the perfect time for Nova to receive her wolf.

It would be a grand celebration. The entire pack would gather in the garden. The elders would bless their union under the full after Nova had shifted. Then, Landon would officially claim her as his Luna.

She smiled as she stood by the window of her bedroom, looking upward to the coming full moon. She had never been happier. The moonlight shone bringtly on her white wedding dress. The white gown fell around her body in soft layers, its delicate sleeves embroidered with silver thread. Her long gray hair had been braided and decorated with tiny white flowers. A silver crescent pendant rested against her throat.

Her hands trembled as she touched it.

“Tonight, I will finally be complete,” she whispered.

Tonight, she would shift.

Tonight, she would become a complete wolf.

Tonight, she would become Landon’s Luna.

A knock on her bedroom door interrupted her thoughts. She looked at it.

“Nova?” Her mother’s voice came through.

Nova smiled. “I’m inside.”

The door opened, and her mother stepped inside. Her eyes immediately softened when she saw her daughter.

“Oh, sweetheart.” She crossed the room and took Nova’s hands. “You look beautiful.”

Nova looked down and fidgeted with her hands. “I’m scared, mum.”

“Of what?”

“What if I can’t do it?”

Her mother frowned. “Do what?”

“Shift,” Nova added. “What if I can’t do it?”

For some second, her mother didn’t say anything. Then her mother squeezed her hands. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re twenty one. The moon will awaken your wolf tonight.”

“But most werewolves have their wolf before twenty one.”

“You are different,” her mother said. “You are the future luna of this pack. Your wolf is stronger than the rest. You can’t expect to meet her that soon.”

“But what if—”

“No.” Her mother touched her cheek. “You are Landon’s mate. The moon goddess wouldn’t bring you this far, only to abandon you.”

Nova’s heart fluttered.

Mate.

She loved the sound of that word.

Outside, the distant howl of wolves echoed through the pack grounds. The celebration had already begun. She stepped out with her mother, holding her hand as they walked towards the grand garden. Music drifted from the garden. Laughter filled the air. The scent of roasted meat and flowers surrounded them. Nova smiled. Everything was perfect.

Tonight, her dream would come true.

The entire pack had gathered beneath the moon. They stood in the garden around various tables.

The garden had been transformed into a magnificent paradise. White flowers covered the stone pillars. Silver lanterns hung from the trees. Many tables filled the edges of the garden, overflowing with food and wine.

Guests from neighboring packs had arrived. They stood together with their entourage. And among them were several powerful Alphas. Nova noticed one in particular. Alpha Dario. He stood near the edge of the garden, dressed entirely in black.

She had heard about him. Everyone had. He was the Alpha of the BlackRidge Pack, a territory several miles away. He was known for being ruthless, reserved, and almost impossible to read.

Nova had never spoken to him nor did she intended to. A movement at the altar caught her attention. Her chest swelled with excitement as she turned at her mate, Landon, stalling tall and smiling at her from the altar.

She smiled back at him.

Alpha Landon

The man of her dreams.

Her future husband.

The one the moon will give her as her true mate.

The moon rose higher, almost a full circle.

The shaman stepped forward to the altar. Instantly, the music stopped.

“Tonight,” the shaman announced, “under the presence of the Moon Goddess, we gather here to unite Alpha Landon and Nova as husband and wife.”

The crowd cheered, raising their cups.

Nova’s heart pounded. Landon reached for her hand and wrapped his hands around hers. She looked up at him.

“Are you nervous?” she whispered.

He gave her a small smile. “A little.”

Nova smiled back. “Me too.”

His eyes lingered on her face, admiring the expression on her face. Nova would finally become his Luna.

Tonight.

The moon reached its highest point, completely a full circle. It glowed brightly in the dark cloud. Everyone looked at it.

“Now,” the shaman said, “the bride shall receive the blessing of the moon.”

Nova took a deep breath and stepped forward. Standing at the center of everyone, her nerves gnawed at her from within. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she fidgeted with her hands.

She closed her eyes. She could do it. Afterall, she had been taught how to do this. Breathe. Feel the moon. Find the wolf inside. And let go.

She inhaled slowly, feeling the air swirled around her.

Still nothing happened.

She tried again.

Nothing.

A few whispers swept through the crowd. She knew they must look just as confused as she was. Her fingers curled into her dress and her eyes squeezed tight.

Come on, wolf. Come out.