Chapter 4: Legacy of the Moon

Maeve's POV

"Wait, are you joking?" I stared at my mother's reflection, my jaw practically dropping.

Mom continued arranging my golden curls, a knowing smile playing at her lips.

"I... I had no idea Cyrus was..." I couldn't finish the sentence. Dominic—the tyrant who had nearly destroyed our pack.

And I had invited his son to my birthday celebration. Even worse, I had kissed him.

"If I'd known that, I wouldn't have invited him," I whispered, looking down at my hands.

Mom's fingers pressed lightly on my shoulders. "Darling, Cyrus is nothing like his father. His mother took him away from Dominic's influence. Only after Dominic's death did nine-year-old Cyrus return to the Kratos pack."

"Does Dad know I invited him?" I asked, anxiety creeping into my voice.

"Your father actually respects Cyrus greatly," Mom replied. "That boy managed to rebuild what Dominic nearly destroyed."

I tried to picture Professor Cyrus as a young boy suddenly thrust into his father's dark legacy. It seemed impossible to imagine.

Mom tucked a stray golden curl behind my ear. "Speaking of complicated relationships... I hear things ended with Louie?"

I looked up in surprise. "How did you know? I didn't tell anyone!"

Mom smiled mysteriously. "I'm your mother; you can't hide things from me."

I sighed. "It's Juniper. I caught them in the academy dance studio... you know." I twisted my fingers nervously. "I don't want Dad to know. Louie's father is still a member of the Morpheus Alliance."

"Your father is a professional, but if you don't want him to know, your secret is safe with me," she assured me. "I'm assuming Louie won't be showing up tonight then."

It wasn't a question.

"Tonight is your night, Maeve," she said softly.

I tried to hide my anxiety. "What if nothing happens?"

"Then nothing happens," she squeezed my shoulders reassuringly. "You're still you."

Through the windows, I could see guests already arriving. The great hall below was decorated in silver and midnight blue, honoring our heritage.

"Ready?" Mom asked, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

With a deep breath, I nodded and descended the staircase, my silver dress flowing around me.

"Moon Goddess!" A familiar voice squealed before Gisella rushed forward, hugging me tightly. "You look absolutely breathtaking tonight!"

I laughed at her enthusiasm. "Don't exaggerate. I just want to celebrate properly and hope my wolf decides to show up."

Seeing my expression, she quickly changed the subject. "I heard almost every Alpha from nearby territories will be here. Who knows? Your mate might be among them."

I forced a smile. "After what happened with Louie, I'm not sure about mates anymore." The memory still stung, though less from heartbreak and more from wounded pride.

"Forget that jerk!" Gisella linked her arm through mine. "Tonight is your night."

Inside, I wasn't sure what to think about mates anymore. My parents made it look so effortless—but what if I never found that? Or worse, what if my mate turned out to be someone completely wrong for me?

Someone like... Cyrus.

The image of Cyrus flashed in my mind, and I quickly pushed it away. He was my professor, Dominic's son, and clearly wanted nothing to do with me except as a student.

"Everyone!" Father's voice commanded attention. "Tonight we celebrate my daughter Maeve's coming of age. Eighteen years ago, the Moon Goddess blessed us with this gift, and today, we await her full awakening."

Mom stepped forward with an enormous cake—red velvet with chocolate frosting, my favorite—topped with eighteen silver candles.

And then, Cyrus entered the great hall, and everything changed.

Conversations hushed as he walked in. His tailored black suit emphasized his broad shoulders. His intense blue eyes scanned the crowd, and when they found mine, my heart skipped a beat.

Something inside me recognized him. Wanted him. I couldn't look away.

Mom gracefully moved to my side. "Alpha Cyrus looks striking enough tonight to make half the young women here swoon."

"He does look... impressive," I managed to keep my voice steady. "Honestly, I didn't think he would actually accept the invitation."

"You're the daughter of the Morpheus Alliance leader," Mom laughed softly. "It's both courtesy and politics."

I said nothing, my thoughts returning to our impulsive kiss days ago. Even across the room, I could almost taste him again.

As night deepened, Cyrus stood among Alphas, his few words carrying weight. His gaze swept the room but deliberately avoided me. Each time I tried to catch his eye, he turned away, his avoidance both confusing and frustrating.

"Happy birthday, my little princess," Uncle Kirk approached with a small gift box.

"Thank you," I smiled, momentarily forgetting my annoyance at Cyrus's apparent dismissal.

"I'm surprised to see Alpha Cyrus here," Kirk followed my earlier line of sight. "That guy usually avoids social gatherings."

"Really?" I asked curiously. "Why would someone dislike celebrations?"

"He's carried heavy burdens since childhood. After becoming Alpha at fourteen, he barely had a normal life. I've heard he spends all his time training and managing his pack."

"So he never shows any... happy emotions?" I couldn't help asking.

"No one I know has ever seen him genuinely smile," he shook his head. "Not surprising though. Carrying Dominic's legacy while taking over a collapsed pack at such a young age... anyone would become serious."

The idea of him bearing such burdens from childhood tugged at something inside me. What would it be like to be the one who finally made him smile?