My wolf body ached from head to toe, every bone and muscle begging for rest. Instead of leaving the healing chamber as I had planned, I remained pressed into the bed, letting the dull pain keep me still. I did not weep. There were no tears left with me.
When I opened my eyes again, pale sunlight slipped through the cloth curtains, warm against my skin. And there, standing at the foot of the bed, were Alden and Draven.
“Good moon, Luna,” Alden said, a nervous smile pulling at his lips as he held a wooden tray. “We brought you morning food.”
Draven carefully placed the tray on my lap. Toasted bread, soft eggs, sliced fruit and a cup of pressed citrus drink. All of it was slightly cool, without care.
“We thought you should eat, Luna Liora,” Draven added, sitting at the edge of the bed.
I looked at them. Their wolves were calm, relaxed. Almost content. As if the last few painful moons had never happened.
Alden rubbed the back of his neck. “Listen, Luna… we regret what happened. Selene told us she saw a crystal image from that night. She thought you were at a gathering while she was wounded. Robbed by rogues, attacked and wounded. She believed you ignored her on purpose.”
Draven nodded. “She truly believed that, Luna. So… perhaps you should apologize to her. Just to smooth things over in the pack.”
I stared at them, stunned, before letting out a short laugh.
“Perhaps you should apologize to your Luna.”
They both blinked.
Alden frowned. “Why would we? I am the Alpha! And we did nothing wrong. You never told us what happened. If you had spoken, we would have gone to you.”
I laughed again, empty and sharp. “Must I beg to be seen now? I vanished for several days and not once did either of you reach out through the mindlink.”
“Do not speak that way,” Draven said firmly. “Selene was attacked. She needed us.”
“And I did not?” I asked. “So if I am not bleeding in front of you, I hold no value as Luna?”
Before either Alpha or Beta could answer, the chamber door creaked open.
She entered.
Selene wore a loose wool sweater, her steps slow, a slight limp to her walk. Her face was pale, lips trembling, eyes filled with tears.
“Are you arguing again, Luna Liora?” she whispered, her voice weak. “I am sorry. I never wished to be hurt. None of this was what I wanted.”
I watched her closely. The shaking of hands. The lowered gaze. The careful tone. Every word was shaped to make her the wounded one.
Tears slid down her cheeks.
“I only wish we were not enemies. We were sisters of the pack once. I want that again.”
At once, the males reacted.
“Stop making her cry, Liora,” Alden snapped.
“Come, Selene,” Draven said gently. “You should not be walking. Let us return you to your chamber.”
Their care for her struck like a blade. Immediate. Protective. Undeserved.
“I will feed you,” Alden said, taking her hand. “You must eat properly.”
“Yes,” Draven added. “We will bring you seafood. Your favorite. You need strength.”
Then they turned toward me.
“You eat what we brought, Liora,” Alden said. “You have been released from healing. Do not be difficult.”
And with that, they guided Selene out of the chamber, leaving me alone once more.
I stared at the tray. Dry bread. Bland eggs. Hard fruit.
From the stone passageway beyond, laughter echoed. Selene’s voice carried clearly. “Mmm, I love crab legs! You remembered I dislike bread, yes? Seafood is my favorite!”
Of course it was. I was given leftovers. She was given a feast.
I did not cry. Not now. I was simply finished.
My crystal communicator vibrated softly. A message from my mother. [The ceremony grounds are chosen. Garments attached. Tell me which you favor, my dear.].
“Mother,” I said calmly through mindlink.
“Liora! Did you see the garments? What do you think of the flowers and the bindings?”
“I like them all. It was difficult to choose. I will decide today. But the older design feels right to me.”
“Good! We will prepare it. How many days until you return to Obsidian Fang Pack? Your mate waits; he is eager.”
“Only a few days more. Something delayed me, but I will come soon. I look forward to wearing the garments… for the Moonbond Ceremony.”
She laughed softly. “That is my girl. We will wait for you.”
The connection closed. I looked down at the untouched food.
Then I felt it. The shift in the air.
Alden and Draven stood in the chamber doorway. I had not heard them return.
Their eyes were fixed on me, their wolves alert.
Draven spoke first, his voice low. “Garments… for a Moonbond Ceremony?”
Alden stepped forward, confusion darkening his face. “Moonbond Ceremony? Luna Liora… what ceremony?”
