Page 11 of Moonlit Fate

The truth clawed at me, raking its sharp nails across the smokescreen I tried to maintain. I yearned to see Aria again.

A sigh escaped me, misting in the cool night air. Was I so easily ensnared? I, who had slipped through countless traps,who moved through life like a wraith, was now tethered by an invisible thread of curiosity and desire. But no, I would not, could not, admit it was anything more.

Flexing my fingers, I called on the darkness that was both my ally and cloak. Shadows writhed and coalesced around me, whispering mysteries only I understood. They knew the contours of my soul, the hidden paths I walked, and the lies I told myself.

With one final glance at the heavens, at the bright stars that silently judged my betrayal, I immersed myself in the comforting darkness of the night. The forest swallowed me whole, my passage as silent as the owl hunting overhead. I was the predator now, stalking through the territory that bordered the lands of the Silver Claw, each step taking me closer to her, to Aria.

I was going for information only. I would gather only what I needed. I would learn the movements of men and the whispers of unrest. And if fate decreed our lives should cross once more, then so be it.

But in the stillness of the night, as I became one with the shadows, I knew the truth. This journey was not solely for the sake of my chosen family, nor the fragile alliance I sought to forge. It was for her—for Aria—and the undeniable pull I felt at the very core of my being.

4

ARIA

The forest bordering my pack’s territory was a familiar embrace. But as I trudged through its dense underbrush on my way to Silver Claw lands for the ceremony, my thoughts refused to settle on anything other than the rogue wolf.

Even now, I could feel the phantom caress of his gaze, haunting and penetrating, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. His wildness, that untamed intensity that spoke of freedom and raw power, lured me like the scent of forbidden prey. It was exhilarating, terrifying... addictive.

Every rustle in the undergrowth called with the allure of the unknown, tempting me to veer off the worn trail I knew so well. The rogue had stirred something primal in me, awakening a hunger I didn’t dare acknowledge. Yet, the safety of the familiar called out to me as well, like a beacon leading me towards stability and certainty.

As I neared the clearing that marked the boundary of my home, my internal bluster quieted to an uneasy calm. The rogue’s face lingered at the periphery of my consciousness. What was it about him that pulled me to him? Was it the thrill of danger he represented, or the allure of a life less ordinary?

Sighing, I stepped into the open, the last rays of the setting sun warming my face and banishing the chill in my bones.Home.The word should have brought comfort, but instead, it was a heavy chain around my neck, one I wasn’t sure I wanted to bear any longer.

After making my way to my private rooms, I collapsed onto my bed.

After a moment, the door to my chamber creaked open, and Tati slipped inside with the stealth of a seasoned spy. I watched her approach, the ceremonial dress draped over her arms, silver threads shimmering with each step she took toward me. Silver gown to match my eyes and hair for the Silver Claw pack, blah, blah, blah.

“Let’s get you ready, dear,” she urged me on with that blend of affection and no-nonsense that had guided me through countless trials and tribulations since when my mother was no longer here to do it.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. A silent revolution stirred inside. What a grand charade this night would be. My heart raced, betraying the turmoil that churned beneath my cool exterior. I sat up, and the pit in my stomach twisted tighter at the thought of the performance I was expected to give, the elaborate dance where every step had been choreographed by tradition and expectation.

“Isn’t all of this a bit much for a simple meeting?” I gestured to the gown and the array of accessories laid out on the vanity.

Tati looked at me in the mirror, her eyes soft yet piercing. “You know this is more than that.” She held up the dress, allowing the silk to unfurl between us. “This is about your future, the stability of the pack, and Larkin’s role.”

I exhaled sharply and turned away from her knowing look. “I am to be alpha. My obligation is to lead, not to be led to the altar like some prize to be claimed.” My fingers grazed the soft fabricof the dress. Its beauty was undeniable, but it was just another weight that would suffocate me.

“Your parents made their choices,” Tati reminded me gently, pulling the gown over my head with practiced ease. “And you’ve always known this day would come.”

“With Larkin,” I said flatly as she fiddled with my hair.

“Who is a lucky man.” Tati stepped back to admire her handiwork. “There. You are beautiful. So like your mother.”

I glanced at her in the mirror once more, seeing the blend of encouragement and empathy that had always been her gift to me. She knew my nerves were frayed, could probably smell the anxiety rolling off me in waves.

“Thank you,” I whispered. Her compliment meant more to me than I cared to admit. “But it’s not just about looking the part, is it?”

“Never has been.” She placed a delicate necklace around my throat, the cool metal a contrast to her warm touch. “You have the calling of your mother and the wisdom of your father. It is your responsibility to lead this pack with a mate at your side.”

“Even if that mate has been chosen for me?” I asked.

“Even then,” Tati agreed. “Because ultimately, it is up to you to shape your own fate. Whatever path you journey in the future, you will not walk it alone.”

Her words enveloped me, bringing tranquility to the chaos. I stood, the silk gown cascading down to pool at my feet, and faced the woman who had been both guardian and confidante throughout my life.

“Then let’s not keep them waiting.” Defiance surged through my veins. It was a performance, yes, but I had the leading role. And as the alpha-to-be of the Silver Claw pack, I would face whatever came with the determination that ran in my blood, whether it be a rogue wolf’s challenging ideals or a mate I did not choose.

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