The Stolen Luna

"Stay back, you wolfless freak."

Mother Eliza's words cut like a blade as she twisted my arm and shoved me to the outermost ring of the bonfire. I bit my lip, staying silent. Tonight was Aiden's succession ceremony, and I didn't want to embarrass her in front of the pack.

In the flickering firelight, I watched her gaze follow my adopted sister Serena in the front row, her eyes filled with pride and anticipation.

"Look how beautiful she is," Eliza whispered, almost to herself. "If she gets chosen as Luna tomorrow..."

Under the moonlight, Serena truly looked ethereal. I quietly adjusted her wind-blown dress hem. She turned back with a gentle smile.

Pack members gathered around her, whispering: "Traditionally, Alphas choose the first girl to shift as their Luna. Serena has the best chance."

"The little hero who saved Marcus and his wife years ago—her character is perfect for Luna too."

My chest tightened. The little hero who saved my parents? Ten years ago, when the rogue wolf burst into our home, it was me who pushed three-year-old Lucas into safety and threw myself at those claws. The scars on my shoulder still ache when it rains.

The next day, newly adopted Serena had pulled me aside, tears streaming: "Lena, let me say I was the one who saved them, okay? Then they'll really accept me."

Seeing her cry so pitifully, I had nodded.

From that day forward, everyone believed Serena had stood in front of our parents. I became "the coward who hid in the corner." When Serena became the first child in our pack to shift at fifteen, this "heroic deed" was praised even more.

"Serena," came Lucas's voice from behind as he squeezed through the crowd. "The ceremony's about to start. Mom wants you up front."

Watching his excitement, my heart ached. He'd always preferred Serena—I'd known that for years.

"Go ahead," I gently pushed Serena. "Don't keep everyone waiting."

"Aren't you coming with me?" she asked, something unreadable flickering in her eyes.

"I can see fine from here."

The ceremony reached its climax. Aiden was officially crowned Alpha, and thunderous applause erupted. The girls around me gazed at him with infatuation, but his eyes cut through the crowd and found mine.

His lips moved clearly: "Tomorrow's mate ceremony. Wait for me."

I touched the silver moon pendant he'd secretly given me yesterday, my heart racing. We met at the orphanage where we both volunteered monthly to care for the pups. Even knowing I showed no signs of a wolf, he still said he'd marry me.

Eighteen years. Because I had no wolf, I'd always been a burden to this family. But maybe tomorrow, everything would change. They'd always worried about building close ties with the next Alpha—maybe my parents would finally be proud of me.

"Let's go home!" Marcus's cold voice cut through my daydream.

On the way back, I walked beside Serena: "You looked beautiful tonight. I'm sure you'll find your mate tomorrow."

She glanced at me, her expression complex: "Lena, are you really okay with this? I mean... you still haven't shifted."

"Why wouldn't I be?" I smiled genuinely. "You're my sister. Your happiness makes me happy."

At our doorstep, Eliza suddenly stopped.

"Tomorrow's mate ceremony—you're not going."

My heart skipped a beat. "Why not?"

"Someone without a wolf going there would just be embarrassing. Go deliver water to the border patrol instead. Do something useful."

My hands began to tremble. "But—"

"No buts!" She turned to Serena, her voice immediately warm: "Sweetheart, remember to wake up early tomorrow to arrange the altar flowers."

"Yes, Mom," Serena replied obediently, but I caught her stealing a glance at me.

Lucas suddenly grabbed my sleeve: "Sister, I want to see you at the ceremony."

I crouched down, touching his face: "What matters is Serena being happy, right?"

Back in my room, I clutched the silver moon necklace. Tomorrow Aiden would come—he'd never broken a promise.

When that happened, maybe my parents would understand their biological daughter was worth loving too.

I prayed silently: Moon Goddess, let my family be proud of me, just once.

Early the next morning, I'd barely put on my only decent dress when my door burst open.

"Take it off!" Eliza yanked at my dress, shoving me to the ground. "I told you not to go to the ceremony! Go deliver water!"

I silently changed back into my patched old clothes and shouldered the water buckets, thinking I could still sneak to the ceremony after my delivery.

The mountain path felt lighter than usual as I walked, full of anticipation for what would happen in a few hours. Today, he would publicly choose me.

Halfway up the trail, a patrol scout came running down in panic.

"The Alpha's had an accident! He fell from the cliff! We don't know if he's alive!"

The water buckets slipped from my hands and shattered on the rocks.

My world collapsed in that instant.