Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1

Elara woke up to sunlight streaming into her room. She stretched lazily and enjoyed the peaceful morning, but her peace only lasted a few seconds before the door burst open. Her four cousins rushed into the room; Lyra and Ana are the daughters of her Aunt Zafira and Uncle Asher, while Kieran and Arden are the children of her Aunt Amara and Uncle Finn.

“Happy birthday!” Lyra called out, her voice cheerful and playful. She sprang into the room with the energy of someone who had been awake for hours, her green eyes bright as she flopped onto the bed beside Elara.

“Twenty years old,” Kieran said from the doorway, leaning against the frame with his usual grin. “Practically ancient.”

Arden came in behind him, rolling her eyes. “Says the one who still acts like he’s twelve.”

Ana entered last, quieter than the others, like always. “We brought you something,” she said softly, revealing a small bundle of wildflowers tied with ribbon.

Elara laughed and sat up as Lyra shoved a pillow into her lap. “You’re all ridiculous. I can’t even breathe before you’re in here.”

“That’s what cousins are for,” Kieran replied, tossing a cushion at her.

She caught it easily, her blue eyes narrowing as she challenged him. “Careful,” she warned, grinning. “I might use magic on you.”

“Empty threats,” Lyra teased, nudging her shoulder. “You wouldn’t dare. Not on your birthday.”

Arden smirked as she sat on the edge of the bed. “She should. It might be the only way to wake Kieran up.”

Kieran clutched his chest dramatically. “Cruel. On Elara’s special day, no less.”

Ana giggled softly and set the flowers in Elara’s lap. “Don’t listen to them. We wanted you to wake up surrounded by love.”

Their laughter filled the room, and for a moment, Elara let herself forget the weight of turning twenty.

The door opened again, and the air changed. Saphira stepped inside. The cousins quieted, but their smiles remained.

“Happy birthday, my love,” Saphira said warmly. She crossed the room and pulled Elara into a tight embrace. Elara breathed in the familiar scent of her mother. “Thank you, Mum,” Elara whispered against her shoulder, holding on for a moment longer than she intended. When Saphira pulled back, her expression softened, but something heavier lingered, making Elara nervous.

“After breakfast, your father and I would like to see you in the office.” Elara nodded, trying to hide her anxiety with a smile.

“Of course.” Saphira brushed a strand of hair from her face.

“Enjoy your morning. You deserve it.” She kissed Elara’s forehead before leaving, the door closing softly behind her.

Silence filled the room for a moment, then Lyra nudged Elara with a grin. “Office meeting on your birthday? Sounds serious.”

Kieran smirked. “I bet they’re planning to chain you to the desk already.”

Arden raised an eyebrow. “Or remind her she’s supposed to be perfect.”

Elara forced a laugh, though deep down she knew they were right. “Well, if they are, I’ll need you all to break me out.”

Lyra threw her arm around Elara’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. We would storm that office for you.”

Ana smiled gently. “You won’t be alone, Elara. Not ever.”

Her cousins burst into laughter again, pulling her back into the joy of her birthday morning. As they all helped her get ready, brushing her hair and teasing her about turning twenty, Elara couldn’t shake the feeling that her mother’s hug had held more than love. It had held expectation, and that expectation weighed more than any gift.

The dining hall hummed with the familiar sounds of the morning chatter of the pack. Platters of toast, bacon, sausages, eggs, and fruit filled the long table, with steam rising from bowls of porridge. The room smelled of all the cooked foods, a comfort that usually calmed Elara’s nerves. But today, it only reminded her of the knot twisting in her stomach.

Elara sat between Kieran and Lyra. As soon as she sat, Kieran nudged her shoulder. “Twenty looks good on you,” he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Though I think I wore it better.”

Lyra snorted. “You mean you made it through four extra months of lectures from your parents. That’s hardly an achievement.”

Arden rolled her eyes, spooning porridge into her bowl calmly. “You two sound like kids. Honestly, Elara, I don’t know how you deal with them.”

Ana smiled softly, placing the bundle of wildflowers she had given Elara earlier onto the table by her plate. “Ignore them. Today is yours.”

Elara forced a smile, grateful for their banter, but her mind kept returning to her mother’s words. After breakfast, your father and I would like to see you in the office.

Lyra leaned closer, lowering her voice so only Elara could hear. “You’re awfully quiet. Nervous?”

Elara shook her head quickly. “Just… thinking.”

Kieran smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Thinking about how to escape the office meeting, I bet.”

Elara laughed, but it felt forced. “Maybe.”

Arden gave her a sidelong look. “You don’t fool me. You’ve got that look, the one you get when you’re hiding something you don’t want to say.”

Elara sighed, pushing a piece of bacon around her plate. “It’s nothing. It's just twenty feels heavier than I expected.”

Lyra bumped her shoulder again, softer this time. “That’s because you’re carrying more than the rest of us. But you don’t have to.”

Ana nodded. “We’ll be here beside you. Always.”

Their words warmed her, but it didn't help. Even though her cousins were trying to keep her distracted, the same thoughts kept circling in her mind. What will they say? Is it about the Matchmaker? About leadership?

At the head of the table, her father, Nikolas, sat with authority, his eyes scanning the room as they always did. Her mother sat beside him; she was the opposite of her father's demeanour. They spoke easily with the pack members, their voices calm, but Elara felt their attention's weight even when they weren’t looking at her. Now, with every bite of food and every sip of tea, she realised the meeting was drawing nearer, causing her anxiety to heighten.

She glanced at her parents and caught Nikolas’s gaze for a moment. His expression was calm, but there was something in his eyes that suggested this meeting would change everything.

Elara looked back down at her plate, her heart pounding. Whatever it is, I’ll face it. I have to.