The moon was brighter than usual that night.
It hung high above the forest like a watchful eye, flooding the valley with silver light. The wolves of the Nightfall Pack gathered in the sacred clearing, their voices buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
Tonight was the Moon Choosing Ceremony.
A night every unmated she-wolf dreamed of.
The night the Moon Goddess revealed who would become Luna.
Aria stood far behind the crowd, near the edge of the trees where shadows hid her thin figure. Her simple grey dress looked dull among the glittering gowns worn by the other girls.
She knew she didn't belong there.
"Why did you even come?" a girl's voice mocked behind her.
Aria turned slightly to see Lyra—the Beta's daughter—standing with her group of friends. They were dressed beautifully, their hair braided with silver ribbons meant to catch the moonlight.
Lyra folded her arms, her lips curling with amusement.
"The ceremony is for real wolves," she said. "Not useless omegas."
Her friends laughed.
Aria lowered her gaze and said nothing.
She had learned long ago that answering them only made things worse.
Still, deep inside her chest, something stirred—something she didn't understand.
A strange pull.
As if the moon itself was calling her.
Suddenly the crowd fell silent.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the clearing.
Every wolf bowed their head.
He had arrived.
Alpha Kael.
The most powerful Alpha in the northern territories.
Aria slowly lifted her eyes.
He stood at the center of the clearing, tall and imposing. His dark hair framed a sharp, handsome face, and his silver eyes glowed faintly under the moonlight.
There was something terrifying about him.
Something powerful.
Rumor said he had defeated three rival Alphas in battle before turning twenty-five.
Rumor also said something even stranger.
He had rejected every mate the moon ever gave him.
Kael did not believe in fate.
He believed in power.
The elders stepped forward toward the ancient Moon Stone placed in the center of the clearing.
The stone was old—older than the pack itself—its surface covered with glowing symbols that shimmered faintly under the moonlight.
The head elder raised his staff.
"Tonight," he announced, his voice echoing through the valley, "the Moon Goddess will reveal the Luna chosen to stand beside our Alpha."
Excitement rippled through the crowd.
Girls straightened their dresses.
Hearts pounded.
Dreams rose.
One by one, the unmated females stepped forward to place their hands on the Moon Stone.
Each time, the crowd held its breath.
Each time, nothing happened.
No light.
No mark.
No destiny.
Whispers began spreading through the pack.
"This has never happened before…"
"Why isn't the moon choosing anyone?"
The elder frowned.
Then his eyes moved toward the very back of the crowd.
Toward Aria.
"You," he said firmly.
Aria froze.
"M-me?" she whispered.
"Yes. Step forward."
Laughter broke out around her.
"Are you serious?"
"She's just an omega!"
Aria's cheeks burned with embarrassment, but the elder's gaze remained steady.
Her legs felt weak as she slowly walked toward the center of the clearing.
Hundreds of eyes followed her.
Judging.
Mocking.
Waiting.
When she reached the Moon Stone, her hands trembled.
This is pointless, she thought.
Still, she placed her palm gently on the ancient stone.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
The crowd began to laugh again.
But then suddenly—
The Moon Stone exploded with silver light.
Gasps filled the clearing.
The glowing symbols burned bright as moonlight shot into the sky.
Aria stumbled backward in shock.
A mark slowly appeared on her wrist.
A glowing crescent moon.
The mark of the chosen Luna.
Silence fell across the entire valley.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
The Moon Goddess had chosen…
An omega.
All eyes turned toward Alpha Kael.
His silver gaze locked onto Aria.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unreadable.
For a moment, something flashed in his eyes.
Not anger.
Not rejection.
Something far more dangerous.
Interest.
Aria felt her heart pound wildly in her chest.
A strange warmth spread through her body.
The mate bond.
The Moon Goddess had chosen them for each other.
The elder dropped to one knee.
"The Moon Goddess has spoken," he declared.
But before anyone could celebrate—
Alpha Kael stepped forward.
The crowd parted instantly.
His presence alone was enough to make the air heavy.
He stopped in front of Aria and stared down at her glowing Luna mark.
His voice was low and powerful.
"I do not accept destiny."
The crowd gasped.
Aria's heart shattered.
But Kael suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
His grip was firm, unyielding.
His silver eyes darkened as he studied the glowing mark.
Then he said something that sent chills through every wolf in the clearing.
"The moon may have chosen you…"
His lips curved into a dangerous smile.
"But I will decide your fate."
And in that moment, Aria realized something terrifying.
The Moon Goddess may have chosen her.
But Alpha Kael was the kind of man who believed…
Even the moon could be controlled.