Chapter 1 The Girl Without a Wolf

Chapter One

The first rays of dawn slipped over the towering pines surrounding the Silver Shadow Pack, washing the sprawling territory in soft shades of light.

Normally, mornings were peaceful. Birds sang from the treetops, warriors trained in the distance, and smoke curled lazily from the chimneys of neatly built cottages as families prepared breakfast together.

For most wolves, it was simply the beginning of another ordinary day.

For Selene Ashwood, however, there was no such thing as an ordinary day.

Before the sun had fully risen above the mountains, she was already awake, her hands submerged in freezing water as she scrubbed stacks of heavy wooden bowls behind the packhouse kitchen.

The icy water bit painfully into her fingers until they were numb, but she continued working without complaint.

There were still floors to sweep, clothes to wash, vegetables to prepare, and the Alpha family's dining hall to clean before noon.

If she failed to finish everything on time, someone would make certain she regretted it.

"Selene!"

The sharp voice echoed from inside the kitchen, making her instinctively flinch.

"Yes, Mrs. Hilda."

The elderly cook stormed outside with flour dusting her apron and irritation etched across every wrinkle on her face.

The moment she spotted the stack of bowls beside Selene, she frowned. "You're still here?"

"I've almost finished," Selene answered.

"Almost?" Mrs. Hilda scoffed. "The Alpha's breakfast is already being served! Do you expect me to tell Luna Meredith that breakfast was delayed because the wolfless girl couldn't wash a few bowls?"

Selene immediately lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't get work done." Without another word, Mrs. Hilda snatched one of the damp bowls from the pile and hurled it onto the stone courtyard. It shattered with a sharp crack. "Now clean that too."

She turned and disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving Selene standing alone.

Silently, Selene stared at the broken pieces scattered across the stone floor. Tiny shards glittered beneath the morning sunlight, each one reflecting fragments of her exhausted face.

For a brief moment, she wondered if that was how everyone saw her... broken, worthless, and disposable.

Slowly, she knelt to gather the sharp pieces with her bare hands. One jagged edge sliced cleanly across her palm, and blood welled almost instantly.

She barely reacted. Pain had long since become something familiar.

By the time she finished cleaning the courtyard, the pack square had begun filling with wolves preparing for the day's festivities.

Colorful banners stretched between buildings, lanterns decorated the oak trees, and servants hurried from one place to another carrying flowers, polished tables, and silver ornaments.

Tonight would be the Moon Ceremony, the most anticipated night of the year.

Several young wolves around her age could barely contain their excitement.

"I can't believe tonight is finally here."

"My wolf has been restless all week."

"I just know my mate is going to be handsome."

"I hope mine is an Alpha."

Their laughter floated through the square like music, and despite everything, Selene found herself smiling. Maybe... just maybe... the Moon Goddess hadn't forgotten her after all.

"Still dreaming?"

The familiar mocking voice shattered her thoughts.

Selene turned to find Lydia Hawthorne standing only a few feet away, dressed in an elegant white training outfit embroidered with silver thread.

Her golden hair fell perfectly over her shoulders, and the girls surrounding her were already laughing before she had spoken another word.

Lydia slowly looked Selene up and down with obvious disgust.

"You know what's funny? I've been thinking... what happens if the Moon Goddess gives someone like you a mate?"

One of the girls laughed. "Simple."

Another answered before Selene could. "No wolf would ever accept her."

Lydia tilted her head thoughtfully before smiling sweetly. "Actually... I don't think the Moon Goddess would be that cruel."

She paused just long enough for everyone to anticipate the punchline... "To the poor man."

The girls burst into louder laughter.

Selene tightened her grip around the bucket she carried, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

Lydia noticed the moisture gathering in her eyes anyway.

"Oh? Are those tears?" She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Here's some advice. When Alpha Ryker finds his mate tonight... try not to stare. You've had that ridiculous little crush on him since you were thirteen."

Heat instantly flooded Selene's cheeks. "I don't..."

"Oh, please." Lydia rolled her eyes dramatically. "Everyone knows. But don't worry." She smoothed the front of her pristine outfit before smiling confidently. "Everyone already knows he'll choose me."

The girls eagerly nodded.

"Future Luna Lydia."

"It sounds perfect."

"It really does."

Lydia brushed past Selene, deliberately slamming her shoulder against hers.

The heavy bucket slipped from Selene's grasp, crashing onto the ground as water splashed across her faded dress and soaked her worn shoes.

The girls laughed all the way across the courtyard while Selene quietly crouched to retrieve the overturned bucket.

No one offered to help. No one ever did.

"Selene!"

A familiar voice called from behind, instantly brightening her expression.

"Elias."

Elias Rowan hurried toward her with a bundle of firewood balanced across one shoulder.

His blond hair was tousled from training, sweat glistened across his forehead, and yet his smile remained as warm and genuine as ever.

He was the only person in the entire pack who still treated her as though she mattered.

"You've been working since dawn again," Elias said.

She offered a small shrug. "It's nothing."

His brows knitted together. "No... it isn't."

His eyes fell to the fresh cut across her hand. What happened?"

Selene instinctively hid it behind her back. "I... I slipped."

Elias sighed. "You always say that."

Without waiting for permission, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a clean strip of cloth, and gently wrapped it around her injured palm.

"You should take better care of yourself."

She smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

After a brief silence, he asked softly, "Are you nervous about tonight?"

"A little." Selene laughed nervously.

"You'll find your mate. Don't worry. He will take you out of this hellhole!" Elias reassured her.

Selene lifted her eyes toward the bright morning sky. "I hope so."

Elias smiled, though his heart felt heavier than ever.

He had loved Selene for years, long before either of them had turned eighteen and long before anyone else had begun overlooking her.

But if the Moon Goddess truly had someone destined for her, then his feelings had never stood a chance.

Even so, he silently prayed that whoever became her mate would see what the rest of the pack refused to acknowledge.

Beneath the worn clothes, endless bruises, and quiet smiles was the kindest and strongest heart in the entire Silver Shadow Pack.

Neither of them noticed the pair of golden eyes watching from the balcony of the Alpha's mansion high above the courtyard.

Alpha Ryker Blackthorne stood with his arms folded across his broad chest, silently observing the preparations below.

His gaze lingered briefly on Selene, more specifically on the gentle smile she wore while speaking to another man.

For reasons he couldn't explain, that simple smile irritated him.

His jaw tightened before he dismissed the strange feeling, turned away, and disappeared back inside.

By nightfall, the Moon Goddess would reveal everyone's destiny.

None of them... not Selene, not Ryker, not even the wolves celebrating below, had the faintest idea that before the moon set, a single rejection would ignite a chain of events powerful enough to shake every pack, every kingdom, and every corner of the werewolf world.