"I can't believe you're actually trying to walk in there like you belong."
Cassandra's voice pierced through the morning air before I even made it past the stone archway that marked the entrance to the sacred grove.
She was already in her ceremonial robe that hugged her perfect curves, her hair in a flawless bun. She was with other girls in flowing white, laughing and twirling, their wolves brushing just beneath the surface of their skin.
I clenched my teeth and kept walking, silk robe tight in my arms.
"I was invited,"
I said without looking at her.
"Same as you."
Every female chosen to be claimed by her mate must walk through the sacred grove and receive the pack's blessing.
Today was finally my turn.
She let out a light laugh, the kind that turned heads. Two girls behind her whispered something and giggled.
"Invited?"
Cassandra turned, her perfectly sculpted brow arching as she followed me step for step.
"You think they invited you out of respect? No, they did it out of pity. Everyone knows you don't have a wolf, sister. And no wolf means no blessing."
"Don't you get tired of bullying me, we are sisters for Godsake."
I said with my voice shaky.
She tilted her head and gave me a devilish smile, she had gotten what she wanted…she had successfully broken me.
But I don't care anymore. This was where I belonged today and nobody not even her would ruin it for me.
Dorian would be waiting on the other side of this ritual. After this, he would mark me. and our future would begin.
I joined the procession line and took one step toward the grove…..
When I heard it!
"Stop."
The sharp angry voice was familiar, a voice I had heard every single day of my eighteen years.
"Father?"
I croaked, blinking in confusion.
"I—I was told every mated she-wolf is allowed to participate. I was approved…."
"You were not,"
he interrupted, his voice booming with finality. "Not anymore."
"But Dorian…." I tried to explain.
"You are not marked. You have no wolf. You will not defile a sacred rite meant for true wolves."
Gasps erupted from the onlookers. Heads turned. Whispers started.
"She's the Alpha's mate…"
"But she still hasn't shifted…"
"Can you blame him? She's cursed."
"You've embarrassed this family enough, Kiera," Dad snapped. "Stand aside."
"I'm eighteen," I said, the words catching in my throat. "She—she might still come. Maybe I just need more time…."
"Time?" he snapped. "You had time. You had eighteen years, and still, you walk among us as nothing but an empty girl pretending to belong."
"Dad—" I whispered, feeling my voice crack.
"Don't call me that," he said coldly. "I may be your father by blood, but you have not earned your place in this family—not until you shift."
A silence so thick fell over the grove it suffocated me.
"The Moon Goddess gives wolves to those she deems worthy. If you have not shifted by now, it's a sign."
"By the decree of the Moon Council and the laws of our blood, you are forbidden from stepping foot in the sacred grove until the Goddess herself marks you."
Then, he turned to the officiating priestess. "Remove her name from the rite."
"No," I choked. "Please—"
I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
Laughter rang out softly. Cassandra, stepping up beside me, not bothering to hide her smugness.
I turned away from the grove, blinking fast to hold back the tears.
The sound of chanting behind me only made it worse. They were starting the ritual. Without me.
Cassandra's laughter rang in my ears like a curse. "Smile, Kiera.I walked back to the sidelines, every step feeling like broken glass.
The other girls, perfect, powerful, already shifted stepped into the grove one by one, bathed in moonlight and mist.
And Cassandra? She leaned in close and whispered, "Smile, sis. At least you still get to watch what you'll never be."
I didn't reply.
I couldn't, not like I had anything to say.
My throat was tight, my chest aching, but I refused to cry not here, not in front of them. I clenched my fists, dug and forced myself to walk away.
Each step felt like a scream.
But I kept walking.
Because if I stopped, I'd break.
"Keira!"
I froze.
My mate, my man….Dorian!
He was striding toward me, shoving through the crowd, eyes wild and furious. He looked at my father, then at me, then at the sacred grove like he was ready to burn it all down.
"What the hell happened?" he demanded.
"Your Luna was dismissed," Cassandra said sweetly, stepping in beside me.
"Unfit. You should thank the Goddess they caught it early."
Dorian didn't even look at her. His gaze locked on mine, sharp and fierce.
"Who told you you couldn't go in?"
"My father," I said quietly, voice flat.
Dorian turned, eyes blazing.
"Beta Gerald," he snapped. "You may be Elder Beta, but you do not outrank the Alpha."
My father's face twitched.
"I don't need her embarrassing the pack in front of the ancestors."
"She's my mate."
"She's not a wolf."
The words cracked something in me.
"I don't care!" Dorian growled. ""She is mine. And if anyone here thinks they can deny her, step forward. I'll bury the first wolf who tries."
I inhaled sharply.
The crowd went silent.
Every eye was on us.
Dorian reached for my hand. "You don't need to prove anything, Kiera. Not to them. Not ever. They don't define you. I do."
I looked at him, searching his face, his voice, trying to find something solid to hold onto. He meant it.
He always did.
But it didn't stop the pain.
"I'm tired, Dorian," I whispered. "Tired of fighting to belong in a place that doesn't want me."
His jaw tightened.
"I'll fix it."
I shook my head. "You can't fix hate."
He stepped closer. "Then we'll burn it down."
For the first time today, a tear slipped down my cheek.
He caught it with his thumb and leaned in close. "Come with me."
"Where?"
"Anywhere but here.
The Alpha, Dorian's father stepped out of the shadows.
"Dorian," he said coldly. "We need to talk."
Dorian didn't let go of my hand. "Later dad."
The Alpha's voice sharpened. "Now."
I stiffened.
We followed him toward the ceremonial circle.
The air was heavy, not celebratory. It felt like a funeral procession.
I heard it just as we reached the center.
"She's weak," the Alpha hissed under his breath to Dorian. "She's a liability, you have to let her go. This pack cannot have a Luna without a wolf."
"She's mine," Dorian said through gritted teeth.
My cheeks burned with shame, but I held my head high, already he stood up for me even with his father.
—
I stepped into the circle, where the priestess waited.
The girls who had already completed the rite stood in a circle, their eyes darting toward me, unsure whether to sneer or pity.
The priestess lifted her hands. "Let the Alpha's heir come forward and claim his mate."
Dorian turned to me, his eyes softening. "Are you ready?"
I nodded.
He raised his hand to my cheek, brushing hair from my face. "I, Dorian, son of Alpha Thorne, heir to the Silverclaw Pack, choose Kiera as my fated mate."
The priestess turned to me.
"Do you accept?"
"I do."
The wind picked up. The circle began to glow faintly.
He reached forward to mark me…
I felt his hand gradually slipping away from mine.
Then he collapsed!
Gasps erupted.
"Dorian!" I screamed, dropping to my knees.
His body convulsed violently, foam at the edges of his mouth.
"Get help!" someone shouted.
The Alpha shoved me aside, eyes wild.
"What did you do to him?"
"I—I didn't—"
Guards surged forward. Chaos exploded.
Dorian lay still, eyes rolled back, breath shallow.
I reached for him, but someone yanked me back.
"She cursed him!"
"She's the reason!"
"She has no wolf—it's her fault!"
The priestess shouted for order, but no one listened.
I screamed his name.
I looked around to see if there was anyone in my side but their reactions said the same thing.
Their eyes were all filled with suspicion.
Even my father's.
Even the Alpha's.
And Cassandra?
She just stood there… smiling…that was the lat thing I saw befor the guards dragged me away.