Rory wandered through the garden with so much curiosity. The scent of wild roses filled the cool evening air as she walked barefoot through the Darkmoon Pack's vast garden and somewhere in the distance, the sound of a howl echoed, low and haunting, sending a shiver down her spine.
Tomorrow was her birthday.
Her eighteenth birthday.
Tomorrow, her destiny would be revealed.
"You're lost in your head again, aren't you?"
A familiar voice broke through her thoughts, a voice that was warm and teasing.
Rory turned to find Lachlan Reylond, leaning against a low stone wall, his arms were crossed, watching his ever-present smile. He had always liked her.
Lachlan was an alpha with so much aura, he was the embodiment of confidence and charm. His dark, coilled hair layed so perfect with his face that was both sharp and handsome and his eyes glinting under the lantern light. He was known for his diplomatic nature, always the one to ease tensions, yet under his charming exterior was a warrior's strength.
"I wasn't lost," Rory said, folding her arms.
Lachlan pushed off the wall, his hands, still folded behind him while he walked towards her. "Oh? Then what were you thinking about?"
She hesitated before answering. "My mate and my fate, i guess would be revealed in one night"
His smile faltered, just for a moment, but he recovered quickly. "Ah, of course. The mysterious man who will sweep you off your feet."
Rory laughed, rolling her eyes. "You say it like I'm being ridiculous."
"Not ridiculous," he said, his tone became softer now. "Just... impatient."
She sighed, plucking a white rose from a nearby bush. "I've waited for this my whole life, Lachlan. Once I find my mate, everything will change. I'll finally be... respected and…."
She stopped herself.
Finally be what? Whole? Loved? Worthy?
Lachlan stepped closer, his gaze was unreadable. "You do know that mate bonds aren't everything, right?"
She met his eyes. "They are for an alpha."
The environment suddenly became silent between them.
Lachlan studied her for a long moment, then exhaled and offered a grin, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Well, I hope the Moon Goddess pairs you with someone worthy of you."
Something about the way he said it made her stomach twist, but before she could ask, a pair of sharp voices cut through their conversation.
"Look at her, acting like she's the center of the universe."
"I bet she thinks she's going to get a powerful mate, how delusional."
Rory's body stiffened.
They were her sisters, her half sisters. They've always had a problem with her. A problem she wasn't aware of.
She turned to see Lila and Mira, her half-sisters, standing beneath the lantern-lit entrance of the pack house.
Lila, the eldest, had long, raven-black hair and sharp blue eyes that always held a gleam of superiority. Mira, younger but just as cruel, mirrored their mother's delicate beauty, her golden locks fell over her shoulders. They were both beautiful.
Rory had never been welcomed by them.
She clenched her fists. "I don't have time for this."
Mira smirked, stepping closer. "But we do. Tomorrow, you'll find out what the Moon Goddess really thinks of you."
Lila leaned in, her voice mockingly sweet. "You should prepare yourself for disappointment, little sister. No respectable alpha would want you."
The words struck deep, too deep, but Rory refused to let them see how much it hurt.
Before she could respond, a low growl sounded beside her.
Lachlan. He wasn't comfortable with the way they treated her.
His eyes darkened, his stance rigid. "You two should leave. Now."
Mira scoffed, but Lila hesitated. There was power in Lachlan's presence, an unspoken authority that made others take a step back.
Still, Lila smiled. "We'll see you at the ceremony, little sister."
With that, they turned and walked away, their laughter fading into the night.
That night, Rory lay on her bed, her mind was filled with so much restless thoughts.
And then, the dream came.
She was standing in the middle of a forest, the air was thick with much fog. The scent of damp earth and something… ancient filled her lungs.
A shadowed figure appeared from the mist.
It was an old woman, cloaked in black, her face hidden beneath the hood.
"Beware, child."
The voice was whispered, yet it echoed in that darkness.
"The trials ahead will break you."
Rory's heartbeat thundered. She could feel it even as she slept.
"What trials?" Rory demanded.
The old woman stepped closer, and for the first time, Rory saw her eyes, they were pale and milky, like those who had seen too much.
"Your fate is not yours alone. They will come for you. They will fight for you. But in the end, you must choose."
The air around Rory grew heavy, her chest tightening as a cold shiver ran through her spine.
"Choose what?" she whispered.
But the woman simply repeated, "Beware."
And then she suddenly vanished, with the ground collapsing beneath her.
Rory woke up, gasping for air.
Her body was with so much sweat, her heart was pounding violently in her chest.
It was a dream. Maybe, It was a warning.
......
The morning sun brought no comfort. The pack house was with so much preparations.
Rory stood at the top of the grand staircase, watching as carriages, suit cases, horses and sleek black cars rolled into the estate.
Suddenly, guards and maid stayed in alignment outside, like they awaited a person. There was whispers and murmured hesitation between workers from downstairs and Rory could see there actions from where she stood.
Alpha Maverick Johnson.
Her childhood friend. The boy who had once held her hand beneath the silver moonlight and promised, "One day, when you're eighteen, I'll come back for you."
And here he was.
She swallowed hard. With so much anticipation.
Would he remember that promise? Did it still mean anything?
As the door opened and Maverick stepped out, Rory smiled, she was filled with a mixture of anxiety and fear.
Maverick was no longer a boy.
He was a man, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair was cut short, his face harder than she remembered. His blue-gray eyes scanned the crowd before finally landing on her.
And when they did, a smile curved his lips.
A knowing, confident smile.
Rory's stomach twisted.
Tonight, she will meet her mate. But was he the one?