The dawn of Eila's sixteenth birthday bathed the Moon Treasure Pack in a golden glow, the first light of morning slipping through the wooden slats of her modest home.
She lay still in her bed, listening to the rhythmic breathing of her siblings in the adjoining rooms, feeling the weight of anticipation pressing against her chest. Today was the day.
For every werewolf, the sixteenth birthday marked a transformation—the moment they gained their wolf, received any gifts from the Moon Goddess, and, most importantly, sensed their fated mate. Some found their mate the very same day, others within a year. But in all of werewolf history, there had been only one known case of a wolf without a fated mate—Leonard Blackwell, the Moon Treasure Pack's wealthy and enigmatic Beta.
His mate had died the moment he sensed their bond, a cruel twist of fate that left him forever unmatched.
Eila shuddered at the thought. Would she meet her mate today? Or would she have to endure the agonizing wait?
Then, a whisper echoed in the depths of her mind.
"Eila."
Her breath hitched. It was a voice both foreign and familiar, as though it had always been there, waiting to be heard.
"Who are you?" she asked hesitantly.
"I am Seraphina, your wolf," the voice responded warmly. "You may call me Sera."
A rush of emotion surged through Eila—relief, joy, the undeniable certainty that she was no longer alone.
"I've waited for this day as much as you have," Sera murmured.
But before Eila could respond, a sudden warmth spread through her body. It started as a flicker and grew into an uncontrollable surge, setting her skin alight. Her senses sharpened—the distant sounds of birds outside became deafening, the scent of bread baking in the kitchen so strong it was nearly overwhelming.
Then came the vision.
She saw herself kneeling beside an injured wolf, her hands glowing as its wounds vanished beneath her touch. Another image flashed—a dream of events yet to come, shifting and twisting like a prophecy unfolding.
The moment passed, leaving Eila breathless.
"Healing," Sera whispered. "And sight beyond time. The Moon Goddess has blessed you."
A shiver ran down Eila's spine. Healing was almost unheard of among werewolves.
Premonitions were just as rare. These were not ordinary gifts.
"This is a great honour, Eila," Sera continued, her tone grave. "But power always comes with expectation."
Eila swallowed hard. She had always dreamed of this day, but now that it was here, it felt bigger than she had ever imagined.
And yet, one thing remained uncertain.
Her mate.
Would she find him today? Or would fate make her wait?
She pushed the thought aside and rose from her bed. Whatever the Moon Goddess had in store for her, she would face it.
The week that followed was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Her family, overjoyed at her gifts, celebrated her transition into adulthood, but whispers of her abilities had already begun to spread. Some called it a blessing. Others, a sign that she was meant for something far greater than the ordinary life she had known.
But none of it compared to the anticipation of the Mate-Finding Ceremony.
It would take place under the full moon, exactly one week after her birthday. Every unmated werewolf above sixteen would gather, allowing fate to pull them toward their destined mate.
For many, it was a night of joy and newfound love. For others, it was the beginning of a long, uncertain search.
Eila could barely breathe as she prepared for the ceremony. Dressed in a simple yet elegant gown, her long dark hair braided down her back, she tried to steady her racing heart.
Tonight, she would either meet her mate or walk away with more questions than answers.
The ceremony was held in the pack's sacred clearing, bathed in silver light from the full moon. The night air buzzed with an electric energy, anticipation thick among the gathered wolves.
Eila stepped forward, the cool grass beneath her feet grounding her as she moved through the crowd. She could feel the presence of others seeking the same revelation—their eyes scanning, their senses heightened.
Then, it happened.
A force unlike anything she had ever known slammed into her, stealing her breath away. It was as if the world had stilled, the sounds of the ceremony fading into silence. Her vision tunnelled, drawn to a single presence standing at the edge of the gathering.
A man.
Tall, imposing, draped in black. His sharp features were carved with an otherworldly elegance, his silver-white hair gleaming under the moonlight. His icy blue eyes locked onto hers, something unreadable flickering in their depths.
Eila's pulse pounded in her ears.
No. It couldn't be.
The man before her was none other than Leonard Blackwell.
The Beta of the Moon Treasure Pack.
A man feared and revered. A man whose mate was said to have died before their bond could truly form.
And yet—she felt it. The unmistakable, undeniable pull of fate.
Leonard took a slow step forward, his gaze never leaving hers. The cold, distant mask he was known for cracked, revealing something raw beneath the surface.
Eila trembled. She wanted to speak, to question, to understand—but all she could do was stare.
Then, in a voice low and edged with something dangerously possessive, he said the words that would change her life forever.
"My mate, I was waiting for you."