Chapter 3

The days passed more quickly than Aria expected. Before she realized it…

Only one day remained before the welcoming ceremony. The Silver Moon Pack had transformed.

Colorful banners hung from the wooden beams of the pack house, while servants hurried through the corridors carrying polished silverware, embroidered table linens, and fresh flowers gathered from the eastern forest.

Everywhere Aria looked… Everyone was preparing for tomorrow.

"The guest chambers have all been cleaned."

"The banquet hall still needs more candles."

"I heard Alpha Redcliff accepted the invitation."

"What about Nightfang?"

"No one knows. Alpha Kael rarely attends ceremonies." The conversations drifted through the halls as Aria quietly made her way downstairs.

No one paid her any attention. She had grown used to that.

Crossing the courtyard, she watched. warriors reinforcing the wooden fences and inspecting the entrance gates.

Even the younger wolves had been assigned duties. Everyone belonged somewhere. Everyone except her.

"Aria." She turned at the familiar voice. Lina walked toward her carrying a small basket covered with a clean white cloth. "I've been looking for you."

"You have?" Lina smiled.

"You skipped breakfast." Aria looked away.

"I wasn't hungry."

"That's what you said yesterday. And the day before." Without waiting for permission, Lina lifted the cloth covering the basket.

Inside was a small loaf of warm bread, slices of roasted meat, and a bright red apple. "I asked one of the cooks to save these before everything disappeared."

Aria blinked. "You did that for me?"

"why are you asking that? Of course I did." Lina held the basket out to her. "Eat."

A small smile tugged at Aria's lips.

"You sound like you're my mother." The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Neither of them spoke for a few minutes.

Lina gently placed the basket into Aria's hands. "I know I can't take her place. "…But I'll worry enough for both of us." Aria lowered her eyes.

"Thank you." They began walking through the courtyard together.

Around them, servants climbed ladders to hang banners while others arranged rows of lanterns that would be lit the following evening. Everything was coming together.

Lina glanced around before lowering her voice. "Tomorrow is going to be… different." Aria looked at her.

"You've said that several times."

"I know."

"You also are not telling me how or why you said so." Lina forced a laugh.

"Do I?"

"You do." For a brief moment, Lina's smile faltered.

Then she looked away. "I guess I'm just nervous."

"Nervous?"

"There'll be Alphas from all over. And people notice everything during gatherings like this." Aria frowned.

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to." Lina answered a little too quickly. Realizing her mistake, she softened her tone. "I just mean… Stay close to me tomorrow."

"Why?"

"So I know you're alright." Aria studied her friend's face.

Lina was smiling. But something about it didn't feel genuine.

Before Aria could question her further, another voice interrupted them.

"How touching." Both girls turned.

Selene descended the stone steps with effortless grace.

Two young women followed behind her, carrying several folded pieces of expensive fabric.

Selene stopped in front of them. Her eyes lingered briefly on the basket in Aria's hands before shifting to Lina.

"I see you've made it your responsibility to look after her." Lina straightened.

"We were just talking."

"So I can see." Selene's smile never reached her eyes. She looked at Aria. "You really are fortunate."

Aria frowned slightly. "Fortunate?"

"To have someone who refuses to give up on you." Her gaze returned to Lina. "Not everyone has the patience to care for someone everyone else has already forgotten." Silence settled between them.

Lina's expression hardened. "She's not forgotten."

Selene chuckled softly.

"Watch your tone lady and besides I wasn't insulting her. I was complimenting you." She turned gracefully and continued down the corridor without another word.

Aria watched her disappear around the corner. Only after she was gone did Lina let out the breath she'd been holding. "Don't listen to her."

Aria looked down at the basket still resting in her hands. "…I'm used to it."

Lina didn't answer.

She simply looked toward the busy courtyard, her smile fading as an uneasy thought crossed her mind.

After leaving the courtyard, Aria wandered toward the training grounds.

The familiar sounds of wooden swords colliding echoed through the clearing.

Young warriors sparred beneath the watchful eyes of their instructors while others practiced shifting drills along the edge of the field.

She stopped a short distance away. Watching them had become a habit. Not because she expected to join them…

But because she liked imagining what it might have been like if things had been different.

"If staring could teach someone how to fight… you'd be the strongest wolf in the pack." Laughter followed the familiar voice.

Damien walked across the field with three young warriors at his side.

A practice sword rested casually across his shoulder. Aria looked at him but said nothing.

Damien smirked. "What's the matter? No clever reply today?" She turned to leave. "Leaving already?" He stepped in front of her, forcing her to stop. "I asked you a question."

"I don't want any trouble."

"Of course you don't." He leaned closer, lowering his voice just enough for only her to hear. "That's why you're so easy to bully." The boys behind him laughed.

Aria tightened her grip on the basket Lina had given her. Without another word…

She stepped around him. Damien didn't stop her this time. Instead, he laughed.

"Enjoy tomorrow while you can." Aria paused.

She slowly looked back. "What do you mean?"

Damien shrugged. "I'm just saying… There'll be wolves here who have never seen a girl without a wolf before. They're going to find you… interesting." Another round of laughter followed.

Aria walked away before they could see how deeply his words had landed.

By the time she returned to the pack house…

The sun had begun to set. Servants hurried through the halls carrying the last of the decorations.

Fresh flowers lined the staircases. Lanterns had been hung along every corridor.

The entire pack house looked different. More beautiful.

Aria climbed the stairs and returned to her room. She placed the untouched basket of food on the table before walking to the window.

From there, she could see wolves moving back and forth across the courtyard below.

No one was resting. Tomorrow had become the only thing anyone could talk about. A soft knock sounded.

"Come in." The door opened.

Lina stepped inside. "You didn't eat."

Aria glanced at the basket. "I wasn't very hungry."

Lina sighed. "You promised."

"I know, I'm sorry." She walked over, tore a small piece of bread from the loaf and placed it into Aria's hand.

"Then keep your promise." A reluctant smile crossed Aria's face.

"…You're stubborn.

"I think I got that from you." For a few moments… Neither of them spoke.

Then Lina's smile slowly faded. "Aria…" There was something unusual in her voice. More like she's hesitating. "I need you to promise me something."

Aria looked up. "What is it?"

"No matter what happens tomorrow… don't leave the ceremony alone." Aria frowned.

"Why?" Lina hesitated. Her lips parted. Then closed again.

"I…" A sharp knock interrupted them.

"Lina!" A maid's voice came from the corridor. Lina flinched. "Your mother is looking for you."

"I have to go." She hurried toward the door.

"Lina." She stopped. "You still haven't answered me." Lina kept her back to Aria.

After a long silence, she said quietly, "I will." After the ceremony." Before Aria could ask another question…

Lina slipped out of the room. The door closed behind her.

Aria remained where she was, staring at it. Tomorrow. Whatever Lina was hiding…

She would finally learn the truth.