His Crescent Luna

Skylar's POV

Sunlight burst through my blinds, warming my face. I yawned, eyes fluttering open. I didn't want to get out of bed, today was theThe day everything would change... and I wasn't ready.

I sighed deeply.

Today, I'd likely be losing my best friend and sister Macy, to her mate. Whoever he was. I wasn't thrilled.

Thoughts of what the house would be like without her filled my mind. Would I be lonely? It had been just the two of us for so long, ever since her parents died in a rogue attack years ago. They had taken me in and loved me like their own even before Macy was born. They never thought they could have pups, so when they adopted me, they didn't hesitate. I loved them dearly for that.

A yawn escaped my lips as I stretched. Maybe I could just go back to sleep and wake up as a kid again—back when Macy and I still had time together. She knew how I felt and didn't blame me. She felt the same way when I turned 18 and thought I'd meet my mate. But I didn't.

Who needs one, anyway?

"Speak for yourself!"

Roxy barked in my head, snapping me from my thoughts.

"I want to find mate!"

I rolled my eyes and groaned, flipping my pillow over my head.

"Look," Roxy continued,

"I don't want to lose little sis either, but she needs our support. She supported us when it was our turn."

I sighed and dragged myself out of bed.

"You're right," I mumbled, grabbing clothes for the day. I needed to cheer up. I didn't want Macy to see me down it'd just make her feel worse, especially if her mate was from another pack and she had to leave.

I moved to the shower, thinking about how my ceremony had gone. Every year, wolves of age met to find their mates. It wasn't always in the same pack, mine had been an hour away two years ago. I'd gone... only to find out I didn't have a mate.

At least Macy was lucky. The ceremony was being held here.

It didn't take me long to get ready. I dried off, combed out my long brown hair, threw on blue jeans, a black tank top, black sneakers, and topped it off with a red hoodie.

I stepped into the hallway and the smell of bacon hit me. How did I not smell that earlier?

Smiling, I rounded the corner and saw my beautiful little sister in the kitchen, making breakfast. Her black, shoulder-length hair curled inward with a red ribbon on top. She wore a strapless red knee-length dress with a cute bow on the side.

"Good morning, Sky!" she smiled. "I thought I'd make us breakfast." Her brown eyes studied me.

"You're up early."

I smirked and helped her crack eggs. "Something tells me you're nervous."

Macy laughed, blushing. "You can tell, huh?"

"You've still got five hours before you even need to get ready and here you are, already dressed."

"Not completely! I still need to do my makeup. What should I do with my hair?" She suddenly looked panicked. "What if he doesn't like me?!"

"Rubbish!" I scoffed. "Look at you!"

"She hasn't slept in days," Roxy muttered, making me pout.

"What if he's..." Macy paused, setting down two plates and motioning for me to sit.

"What if he's what?" I asked as I dug into my food.

"Fat." She said softly. "Old."

Her eyes widened. "Gassy."

I pursed my lips, trying to hold in a laugh—my cheeks were hurting from the effort.

"Not funny!!" she said, but she was laughing too.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I burst out laughing, gripping the counter to stay upright.

"Well, let's hope he's not old or gassy," I said between laughs. "But appearance doesn't matter. What matters is how he treats you."

She nodded, shoveling food into her mouth.

"What's with the ribbon? Are you a present?" I teased.

"Oh, I forgot that was there! I wanted to see how long it'd take you to notice. Guess I'm more nervous than I thought." She took it off and set it on the counter.

"I spotted it as soon—"

Knock knock knock.

"Skylar! Macy!" called a voice from outside. One of the pack guards.

"Sounds like Connor," I said, moving to the door. A breathless, frantic Connor stood on the other side.

"Ladies, Alpha's orders—lock the doors and stay inside until further notice!"

"What's going on?" Macy asked, trying to peer past me.

"Rogue attack on the east border. It's being handled. But stay put and don't open the door until the Alpha lifts lockdown." He didn't wait for a reply and just shut the door behind him.

"Shit. Another one," I breathed, turning back to Macy. Worry filled her eyes.

"You think the ceremony will be canceled?" she asked. "I hope no one gets hurt."

"Come," I said, guiding her to the living room. She nodded, sitting in the nearest chair. I took her hands.

"No, unless Luna says otherwise, it'll still happen. Don't worry. We have some of the best warriors—they know what they're doing."

A small smile tugged at her lips.

I pulled her into a hug and felt her slowly relax. "It'll be fine. I'm here and I'm excited to meet my new brother."

She pulled back with a nervous laugh. "What if you don't like him? What if he's a punk?"

I grinned. "Then I'll just rough him up a bit. Now finish your breakfast, you'll need the energy."

She nodded and went back to the kitchen.

"You should eat too," Roxy nudged me.

I wanted to but the rogue attack had killed my appetite. I didn't want Macy to see, but I was upset. I hated rogues... for what they'd done to our parents. No one deserved to grow up like we did without them.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Macy's POV

A few hours had passed since breakfast, and the Alpha had finally given the all-clear to leave the house about an hour ago. I guess the attack wasn't as big as we feared, just a hundred rogues, but our warriors fought them off easily.

Still, my mind kept drifting to Wyatt.

My childhood crush. My best friend. One of our pack's top fighters.

He wasn't the tallest or the strongest, but he was fast. Deadly. Focused. After losing a parent in the same rogue attack that killed mine, we leaned on each other through the grief. That's what made him so special to me. He trained every day like the future of this pack depended on him—and maybe, in a way, it did.

Skylar always called him a bit of a dork, but loved him like a brother. To me, though, he was more than that. Red curls, green eyes, freckles across his nose, he was handsome, inside and out. And tonight was his ceremony too.

My heart ached at the thought of him recognizing someone else as his mate. Deep down, I always believed it would be me. If it wasn't... I didn't know how I'd feel.

Bell, my wolf, whimpered softly in my mind. She didn't like these thoughts. She was attached to Wyatt, and his wolf, I was sure of it. Could that mean he was truly ours?

We'd know soon enough. Tonight would tell all.

I let out a slow breath and slipped into my heels. They were a deep red, perfectly matched to my dress and surprisingly comfortable. Usually heels pinched my toes, but these ones felt made for me.

Turning toward the mirror, I gave myself one last look. My makeup was soft but striking: a subtle smoky eye, a flick of liner, light blush, and glossy red lips.

"We look beautiful," Bell purred. "Look out, mate!"

A knock at the door made me jump.

"Macy?" came Skylar's voice from the other side. "Are you ready?"

"Come in!"

The door opened, and I heard the click of her heels before I turned to look. She was breathtaking, dressed in a fitted black dress that hugged her curves and stopped just above the knee. A plunging neckline, loose waves cascading down her back, and a golden crescent moon necklace to finish the look. She wore matching black heels and the smallest touch of makeup—just enough to make her eyes pop.

"You look amazing," I said, smiling. "Thank you for being here. I know it must be hard, considering—"

She placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping me.

"It's not hard at all," she said gently. "Some wolves don't have mates. It's rare, but it happens. I'm okay with it. I'm more worried about you being mated to some Alpha from three hours away. I'd have to come with you, it'd be boring here without you."

I laughed, and glanced at the clock. It was getting dark. People were probably already arriving. My heart skipped. It was almost time.

"You're going to turn heads tonight," Skylar said, giving me one last hug before heading for the door. "Are you coming?"

My legs felt like jelly, but I nodded and followed her out. We walked through the woods toward the clearing where ceremonies were always held. It was about a fifteen-minute walk, weaving past fallen branches and mossy tree roots. Not exactly graceful terrain for heels, but the cool night air on my skin helped settle my nerves.

The deeper we walked, the more people we saw heading the same way.

Unfortunately, I also saw her.

Hellen.

My childhood bully. The Alpha's daughter, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, perfect in every way and she knew it. She used to call me a nobody, flaunt her beauty, her rank, her power.

Tonight, she tripped over a tree root and tore her long blue dress. She was on the ground, sobbing, cursing at everyone who walked by and ignored her.

When her eyes landed on us, she sneered. "What are you looking at?" she growled.

I smiled. Karma's a bitch.

"That's what you get for wearing a gown to a forest event," Bell teased.

"I'm still better than you even in the dirt," Hellen snapped. "Help me up."

I wasn't going to. But Skylar, being Skylar, walked over without hesitation, took her hand, and helped her to her feet. Then she bent down, picked up Hellen's broken heel, and handed it to her with a sweet (and slightly sarcastic) smile. "There you go. Good luck tonight."

We turned to leave.

"How does it feel being mateless?" Hellen hissed behind us.

Skylar just laughed and kept walking. Goddess, the nerve of some people.

Soon we reached the clearing, torches lining the trees in a wide circle. Guards stood watch at the edges. There were tables stacked with snacks chips, cookies, donuts, sweets of every kind—and the soft hum of music playing beneath the rising chatter of the crowd. Some wolves milled through the woods, others stood in clusters in the clearing, drinking wine, catching up, or dancing.

Then I saw him.

Wyatt.

He was standing by the drinks table in a crisp black tux, his red hair slightly tousled like he'd run his hands through it nervously. My eyes locked on him—until I noticed the blonde he was talking to.

Jealousy hit me like a punch to the gut.

Skylar noticed. "Go talk to him," she encouraged gently.

I froze. Fear crept in where confidence used to be. Why was I scared now? I'd talked to him a million times before.

I clutched Skylar's hand.

"It's alright," she whispered. "It's going to be okay."

I nodded slowly, then pulled away and forced my legs to move toward him. Every step made my chest tighten. Halfway there, his eyes found mine and he smiled. That goofy, heart-stopping smile I loved so much.

"Macy!" he said, breathless. "You look stunning!"

He pulled me into a hug, strong arms wrapping around me, warm and familiar. I didn't want to let go. When we finally broke apart, I caught him glancing back at the blonde.

"Macy, this is..." He paused, clearly blanking on her name.

"Deanna," she snapped. "You know what? Forget you!"

She spun around and stormed off, flipping her hair dramatically.

I stared after her in shock. Wyatt just laughed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, looking directly into my eyes.

A shiver ran down my spine. Warmth pooled in my chest. Bell stirred inside me, more alive than ever. I couldn't move, couldn't speak. My skin tingled, like sparks dancing beneath it.

His expression changed too.

His eyes softened. Locked on mine.

And then, at the exact same moment, we both said it:

"Mate."

Time froze.

He reached out, cupping my face. His other arm slipped around my waist, and he pulled me close. Our lips met—and it was everything. Fire and electricity and peace, all at once. I melted into him.

"I always had a feeling it would be you," he whispered, smiling against my lips.

Then he kissed me again.

And Bell howled in joy.

Right then and there, I knew I had found my everything.

And he had found his.