Aurora's POV
The dressmaker had assured me that the gown would make me look like the Moon Goddess herself, but deep down I felt more like a little child wrapped in fine silk. I tugged again at the silver clasp that was on my wrist, nerves making my fingers twitch awkwardly.
The fabric glittered pale blue in the roomlight, reflecting every flicker like water beneath the moonlight. It took many weeks to complete the dress, and tonight the whole pack would see me in it, my first step in becoming their Luna. Their Protector. Stefano's mate.
So why on earth did I feel like my legs might give out before I even get to the ceremonial grounds?
"Drink this," Maia, my personal maid said, pushing a small silver cup into my hand. "You really need to calm down before someone sees you panicking like this."
"What is this?"
"Herbs" she replied too quickly. "Nothing strong. Remember you've barely eaten anything all morning."
"I'm not feeling good Maia."
"You're nervous," she said softly, stepping close grabbing my hands gently. "Aurora. You're beautiful, and whatever that is happening tonight you deserve it. You own it, So go out there and claim what's rightfully yours."
"It's like something…. It's like… "
She cut in, while giving an expression which flickered with worry. "You haven't slept well for days, that's all. Drink, Aurora, Please we are already late for the ceremony."
"Are you sure?" I asked, and she nodded
I hesitated, then lifted the cup. The liquid was warm, sweet, almost metallic. While swallowing it in one breath, forcing a shaky smile.
"There. Are you happy now?"
"Not yet, after I'm done adding the finishing touches," Maia said, bringing out my perfume. It smelled so magically soft, melting into vanilla, giving that finish taste.
"You look pale. Breathe. In and out, you'll be fine. Everyone's waiting to see their Luna shine."
A knock thundered against the door, making me flinch.
"Aurora?" Stefano's voice carried easily through the walls, low, steady, familiar. Even muffled, and like velvet sheets it wrapped around me.
My legs moved instinctively toward the door, but Maia's hand caught me, fingers wrapped around my wrist. Her grip was tight, firmer than I expected.
"hold on," she whispered.
I turned around, surprised. "What is it?"
"Nothing," she said lightly. "Just…don't forget to breathe. Tonight, everything changes."
I forced a smile, though I felt my chest closing in. She was right. Tonight, I would stand under the gaze of the moon, in front of the entire pack, and pledge my life to them.
Drew in a slow breath, my hand on the door knob, I opened the door, and there he was.
Stefano Greystone. My mate. My Alpha.
He stood by the doorway like a god carved from the night sky, tall, charming broad shoulders clothed in the ceremonial black of his office. Jet back hair brushing across his brow, blue eyes, his gaze focused on mine. His presence was magnetic and grounding.
"Are you ready?" he asked softly.
My lips parted, but words quickly became scarce in my throat.
"She's ready," Maia cut in excitedly from my behind.
Stefano's gaze softened as he stretched his hand, brushing a stray curl from my face. The touch sent shivers down my spine. "You were born for this, Aurora. The pack members already love you. They've loved you since the day you were marked."
My hand went instinctively to the silver crescent on my left arm, the mark that pulsed faintly on my pale skin, proof of the Moon Goddess's choice.
"I don't want to disappoint anyone," I whispered.
"You won't." His words held the certainty of mountains. "You couldn't, even if you tried."
"Don't be late okay?" he said, before stepping out.
Another knock came at the door. I tilted my head looking towards the door, and two guards stepped in, while bowing their heads.
"Luna Aurora," one said formally, "the council awaits your arrival for the ceremony."
I nodded slowly. "Thank you, I will be right there."
"Help me with the veil, I'm ready."
"That's the spirit," Maia said, adjusting the thin silver lace around my hair, "You look radiant," she said, "Don't faint out there."
"I'll try my best." I said, forcing a faint smile.
The guards led me down the long corridor. The sound of drums and voices grew louder with every step.
I walked slowly . I can't believe it's happening. It is…..
Then the great hall doors opened, the light hit me so sharply. 'What a grand entry…. Arrghhh!!!' my inner voice spoke. I almost stopped as hundreds of eyes kept turning back to look at me. The air smelled of incense and anticipation.
"She's here," someone whispered to the other.
"Our Luna."
I ignored the murmurs and forced my feet forward. Head high. Smiling softly, that's what they wanted. Their new Luna to be. The perfect image of the Moonstone Pack's chosen heir.
But my stomach twisted. I don't feel right. Every breath felt too shallow. Too uneasy, unable to bear. Unable to understand. My mark started burning faintly.
The floor seemed to tilt beneath me. "What is going on?" I muttered to myself.
Stefano stood at the altar beside the Elder, tall and composed, the weight of Alpha written in his stance. I just can't wait to have him all to myself. Then his gaze met mine instantly, cutting through the crowd like a blade piercing through my soul. Gosh.
He smiled at me. Then frowned.
I reached him and gave him a small bow to show my respect. "Alpha."
He leaned slightly closer. "You're late."
"I know," I whispered . "I lost track of time."
"You look pale," he said under his breath. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
His eyes narrowed, "are you sure?"
I managed to give him a faint smirk, "Yes I am."
But no matter how I tell him , he still carried on that worried face.
The Elder raised up his staff. The hall became so quiet like a graveyard.
"By decree of the Moon Goddess," he began, "we gather to crown our new Luna, Aurora Lane…blessed child of the crescent…protector of the pack."
The crown gleamed in his hand, and the crowd bowed their heads to me.
Stefano's hand brushed mine subtly. "Breathe," he whispered, "Just a few seconds more."
I nodded, but heat surged suddenly through my veins, white-hot. The mark on my arm blazed under my skin.
"Stefano…" My voice came out broken, "Something's…wrong."
His head whipped toward me. "What do you mean?"
"I can't…control it."
The Elder stopped mid-chant. Murmurs moved like waves through the crowd.
"Get the healer!" Stefano barked. His arms tightened around my waist as my knees collapsed on the cold floor . "Aurora!"
The burning turned like fire in my body. My vision blurred. "I can't…breathe…" I cried out. Every breath felt like a battle.
"Aurora!" Stefano's voice cracked for the first time. "Look at me! You will be fine, okay?"
"Aurora!" Beatrice, my twin sister, her voice broke through my ears. She rushed towards me, her face looked so pale with fear.
"I can't see clearly," I mumbled, my voice barely like a whisper.
"Don't talk, I completely understand," she said too quickly while cutting me off, kneeling beside me. Her hands shook as she lifted my head
Then everything shattered.
The world broke apart in heat and sound. My body twisted, bones reshaping, pain splitting every nerve until there was no human voice left to scream with. 'Poison,' my wolf burst free in a surge of light.
The crowd shouted, guards drew back, glass rained from the window as my wolf leapt through it.
"Aurora!" Stefano's voice echoed behind me.
"Follow her! Don't lose her!"
I ran like something hunted, my paws pounding against soil and stone, the forest swallowing me whole. The scent of smoke, fear, and Stefano's voice faded behind me.
I didn't stop until the forest turned too silent. Then I collapsed at the old Crescent rock, panting, shifting back into human form.
I clenched my stomach, shaking continuously. "It won't stop… why won't it stop burning?."
My mark pulsed again. I winced. "Goddess, please… what's happening to me?"
"Stefano?" I called weakly. But
No answer. No one.
"Someone… please. I don't want to die."
Suddenly a sound… soft, deliberate… came from behind me.
I froze. "Who's there?"
Nothing. Just the rustle of leaves.
"Answer me!" I cried loudly, my voice trembling. "Please… I need help!"
Then a shadow stepped out from between the trees… tall, still, and silent.
My lips quivered. "Please… help me."
The figure still didn't move. It didn't.
"It hurts," I whispered. "It hurts so much…"
The figure tilted its head, just slightly. If only I could see. If only….
But the figure was gone, vanished into the woods. My lips trembled, words spilling out in a broken plea.
"Moon Goddess… please… do not let evil prevail. Do not let them… destroy what is good…"
And then everything went dark.