Chapter 3

There were those who believed that werewolves were descendants of the Moon herself, born of her blood and blessed by her light. Each werewolf was born with an inner wolf spirit, one that lay dormant until they turned eighteen.

The first awakening of this wolf spirit was not only painful but also sacred. Hence, Moonlight Howl tradition dictated it occur in a private ceremony in a mystical place deep in the woods. No other wolf except the pack elder was allowed to bear witness.

Kiara was waiting for elder Lucille's signal. It was finally her eighteenth birthday, the day her wolf would awaken. She couldn't wait. She'd dreamed of this moment for nearly her entire life.

Ever since she could walk and talk, this had been all she could think about. And as she got older, it only became more important to her. Her transition was her chance to finally earn her place within the pack. You needed a wolf in order to be included in most pack activities, and it came with a certain amount of respect. She was particularly excited to finally be able to join a hunting group. She wanted nothing more than to provide for her pack, to prove she was worthy.

Plus, Kian had already offered to train her and include her in his hunting group.

Excitement bubbled in her chest, but so did worry. She prayed that it wouldn't be too painful. Kian had described it as an out-of-body experience, saying she would know what to do when the time came. She just had to follow her instincts.

But how could she be sure? Kiara clasped her hands together in front of her to hide the trembling of her limbs. She needed to be calm and collected for the ceremony, but she couldn't find any peace within herself. She felt the weight of everyone's expectations.

This morning, her father had visited her and, to her surprise, hadn't look like he wanted to skin her alive. There was a different emotion there instead. The one parents felt when they wanted their kids to do better. The one where they hoped you wouldn't disappoint them, even though part of them was sure you would. He didn't say any of this though, just handed her the ceremonial clothes she would wear during her transformation and left without a word.

For once, she felt happy and hopeful. This was her chance to prove to her father she was worthy of her position as alpha's daughter. Her first and only chance.

Her thoughts turned to Kian. He was technically her uncle, but he felt more like her best friend. He was the only one she could confide in. The only one who understood her and supported her in everything she did.

She'd never felt that paternal connection with him like she'd felt with her Uncle Rommik. She and Kian were partners in crime. She knew he would stand with her no matter what. In fact, this morning, he'd brought her her favorite food and a carved wolf necklace, the very necklace she was wearing now. He'd talked with her for hours, assuring her it was all going to be okay. He was also the one who had accompanied her to the sacred ceremonial grounds, where he'd just left her in Lucille's capable hands.

"It's time, my child," Lucille's voice interrupted her train of thought, and she followed the older woman through the forest to a set of very old palace doors. When they arrived, the older woman gave her a kind smile before leading her inside.

Kian had told her once that this was the original birthplace of their ancestors. The simple stone structure of the temple itself looked ancient, yet it still stood strong, even though it was as old as time itself. Only the pack alpha and the elders were allowed to return here after their first awakening to offer prayers on auspicious days.

The waning gibbous was the only light in the night sky. The stars were dim and scarce. She would have liked a bit more light on her special day.

They made their way to the temple, and her eyes started to wander, taking everything in. Her skin tingled, sensing the magic surrounding them. Inside was spacious, with nothing but an altar to the Moon Goddess in the middle.

The walls were carved with symbols representing the different phases of the moon, and as she peered closer, Kiara could just make out messages written in the ancient tongue. An ancient tongue only Elder Lucille could still understand.

As instructed, Kiara sat on the bear fur that lay in front of the altar. Lucille stood still, her eyes closed, whispers echoing from her lips. As time passed, more and more moonlight spilled through the opening in the roof and onto the center of the altar, illuminating the intricate pattern carved there.

"The Moon Goddess has given her blessing. Now we can start," Lucille announced.

She then prepared Kiara for the ritual. She was washed with water from the stream nearby before her skin was rubbed with scented oils. The elder then braided her dark, curly hair, weaving beautiful flowers through it. And Kiara watched in wonder when Lucille dipped her fingers into white paint and began to draw the intricate patterns from the altar onto her exposed skin.

Her anxiousness slowly turned into excitement with each new step.

After that, Lucille made Kiara sit in the center of the altar, under the moonlight. She took a knife, slicing into her thumb, and a few drops of her blood dropped onto the intricate symbols there.

When blue flames sprung up, Lucille started chanting. Though Kiara didn't understand any of it, she could still feel the excitement. She obediently followed Lucille's instructions, doing everything exactly as she was told. Her heart raced as seconds ticked into minutes and then into hours.

By the time Lucille stopped chanting, Kiara's nerves were stretched tight.

This is it.

She closed her eyes, ready to shift, waiting for her wolf to finally show herself.

What would her fur look like? Would she be bigger than the other wolves? Would she be an alpha wolf like her father?

However, time just continued to tick by. Nothing was happening. Kiara opened her eyes. A deep frown tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Had she done something wrong? She'd been so careful to follow all of Lucille's instructions perfectly. She couldn't possibly have missed something, could she?

She took a steadying breath, reached deep inside herself, and called to her wolf. Again, nothing. There was no stirring, no magical pull. All she felt was silence.

She looked at Lucille, terrified but trying to control the rising panic. She could do this. She had to do this. A wolf not transitioning when they turned eighteen was unheard of. If she couldn't shift, she was no better than a human. They would kill her to keep the pack strong.

Fear clawed at her chest. She had to transform. Now.

But, once again, nothing happened.

No, no, no. This cannot be happening.

"It is just as I feared," Lucille's voice sliced through her panicked thoughts.

"W-what?"

Lucille sighed. "I'm sorry, child."

Kiara's breathing grew erratic, her chest tightening painfully. She lifted herself onto her knees, vision blurring with tears. "Why are you sorry? What's happening? Tell me, Elder Lucille," she begged.

Lucille placed a hand on her head and inhaled sharply. Her eyes changed colors, shifting from gray to black for a minute.

Then the elder exhaled, her features hardening into an impassive mask. "I don't know how to tell you this. But the ceremony is over."

Kiara shook her head. "I-I don't understand."

"I can't sense a wolf spirit in you, child."

That's not possible. I'm a wolf. I must have a wolf spirit.

Tears began rolling down Kiara's cheeks. "What do you mean? Why can't you sense my wolf spirit? Where is she?"

Lucille did not waver, her features giving nothing away. "How much do you know about your mother?"

Kiara swallowed. "I know enough," she whispered, wondering what her mother had to do with any of this. "She was a traitor, and she was punished."

The pack had never let Kiara forget who her mother was. It was why she'd always been excluded. They didn't want a traitor's daughter in their midst.

"Yes," Lucille agreed, clasping her hands in front of her elegantly. "When your mother found out she was pregnant with you, she came to me."

Kiara frowned. "Why?" she blurted, interrupting.

The elder's lips twisted in disapproval, and Kiara shrank under her gaze.

"Sorry." She looked down.

Lucille nodded sternly before continuing, "Your mother had a strange request. She wanted to know if her baby was human or wolf."

"W-what? Wouldn't she already know?" The question was barely above a whisper, more to herself than the elder.

"I do not know her reasons, child. She looked extremely worried. I assumed she was worried about giving your father a strong heir."

Kiara swallowed. "What did you tell her?"

"That it was too soon to say," she replied. "Wolf spirits cannot be sensed until birth. Some even believe a werewolf is not blessed with their wolf spirit until they emerge from the womb."

"But what does that matter? My mother was a wolf. My father is a wolf. I should have a wolf spirit!" Kiara's body trembled.

"When our hunters found your mother, she was living with a human man," Lucille murmured softly. "It appears she was hiding something more than just anxiety about producing a strong alpha heir."

Kiara could barely breathe. Every word weighed her down, and her chest grew heavy. Why was this happening to her? Hadn't she suffered enough?

She covered her face, sobbing into her palms. All her strength left her body, and she slid to the floor. As she sobbed into the silence, she could feel the elder's unwavering gaze on her. Waiting.

"Are you going to tell my father?" she asked once she had calmed down a bit.

They would kill her. There was no doubt about it. She would be seen as an abomination.

"I have no choice," the elder said.

Kiara nodded, defeat settling in. There was nothing she could do. Her fate had been sealed. She would die before the sun rose in the morning. Her birthday would also mark the day of her death. The moment Lucille told her father, she would be led into the center of the pack to be publicly executed.

"I pity you, child. You're so young, and you remind me so much of your mother," Lucille continued as if she were unaware of Kiara's inner turmoil. "So I'll give you the gift of time. You have until the next full moon. Find out why you have no wolf before then." Then her eyes narrowed as a new thought crossed her mind. "They will expect you to shift with the pack and go on a pack run. You must be careful…" She trailed off.

Relief washed over Kiara, even if it was only a temporary fix. Kian would know what to do. She was sure they could figure this out together. He would help her find her wolf.

"Thank you." She immediately went to her knees, bowing before the elder. "I'll find a way to shift before the next full moon."

"You have two weeks, child."

The elder pivoted on her heel before walking away, leaving her alone.

Kiara slumped to the floor, watching her disappearing form.

Two weeks.

I have two weeks.