The footsteps outside the door stops. My pulse is as loud as war drums in my ears. Every shadow in the room looks like they are stretching towards us.
It's as though the walls themselves are listening. Adrian's fingers dig into my wrists. Not hard, but enough to remind me that he's here.
I can smell fear in the air, taste it even. Adrian's hand tightens around my wrist again as he whispers,
"Someone's coming."
My heart jumps into my throat. "Hide."
"Where?" Adrian hisses, glancing around my bedroom.
I shove him into the tall wardrobe by the window.
"Inside. Now."
He slips in just before the door handle rattles. I drag a blanket to cover my shoulders, while I try to slow down my breath.
"Lyra?" a voice calls.
I open the door.
"Emery," I say, as I force a calm smile. "Is something wrong?"
She tilts her head a little.
Emery is the only daughter of Alpha Cassius, the powerful Alpha of my pack. She is the heir everyone believes will someday rule over Crescent.
I grew up beside her, not as family though. As a mere servant. A charity case the Alpha took in out of pity when my parents died.
Emery's eyes are sharp and calculating. She looks at me confused. Not knowing whether or not to trust me. As usual. We both look at our selves the same way.
looking at her reminds me of the long years, as a shadow living in her household. As a mere servant. Always unseen. Always alone.
"The ceremony will begin soon." She says.
"I know."
She looks past my shoulders into the room. For a moment, I feared she could hear Adrian's heart beating inside the wardrobe.
"Have you seen Adrian tonight?" she asks.
I feel my stomach flip.
"No," I quickly say. The lie feels so heavy on my tongue.
"We haven't seen him around; I thought he might be with you." She continues.
I force a light laugh. "Why would Adrian be here?"
Emery raises an eyebrow.
I shrug casually. "Maybe he went to the lake. He likes how quiet it is there."
That wasn't a lie entirely. Adrian does love the lake. It was where we had our first kiss.
"I'm sure he'll be in time for the ceremony."
Emery looks at me a little while longer, then she sighs.
"Okay. Don't waste any more time. Everyone's waiting."
My chest tightens. "I'll be right behind you."
She turns and walks away. I wait till I can no longer hear her footsteps then I shut the door.
"Coast clear?" Adrian asks.
"Yes."
The door creaks open. He steps out, running his hand through his dark hair. His eyes are gleaming with mischief. I can't resist the shiver that's running through my spine. Not from fear, but from knowing how easily he can unsettle me.
"Whao! That was close. You really handled that well." His voice is low, teasing.
"Barely," I muttered.
"Relax, Lyra. You look like you're about to face execution."
"This is no time for jokes Adrian, we have to go now. I'll leave first, and you'll follow right after, okay?"
"Okay." He said with a nod.
While I was leaving, he catches my chin between his fingers. His thumb brushes my lower lip. "Lyra?"
"Yes?"
"Try not to look so nervous. Tonight, I will claim you as my mate."
I smile with ease as I walk down to the caern, because these are the exact words I need to hear.
I turn to look behind, above my shoulder. I see Adrian following right behind me with good distance.
The caern awaits. The wolves are whispering among themselves. Their breaths mist in the cold night air. I can feel every heartbeat. Every wolf stirs in anticipation. It's as though the forest itself is holding it's breath with me.
"He's going to claim me," I whisper to myself, with so much happiness.
Reaching the caern, the entire pack is waiting. The moon hangs above us. Full. Perfect. I see Emery standing close to the elders. I walk down to stand beside her.
The tension and awe are alike. I can feel the faint rustle of furs. The shuffle of paws. wolves clearing their throats.
"You look nervous Lyra." Emery says.
"Shouldn't I be?"
She shrugs "I suppose. Tonight is...important."
There's something strange in her smile...
The horn sounds... Elder Thaddeus steps forward.
He is the oldest and most respected of all the Crescent pack elders.
"Dear Crescent pack," Elder Thaddeus says loudly, 'tonight we witness the sacred mate claim beneath the full moon."
My heart begins to beat faster than usual.
Adrian steps forward. His chin high. Like a man who is about to claim everything he wants.
He looks around. His eyes meet mine. For a moment, it feels like we're the only wolves existing in the entire world.
He starts walking.
One step closer.
Then another. He is walking directly towards me, just like he promised.
Thaddeus raises his voice again. It resonates across the caern. It echoes off the stone walls. Commanding. Unyielding. The other elders are watching like hawks.
Adrian of Nightfang, step forward and claim your mate."
Adrian moves with so much grace. Like someone who knows he owns the entire world. My world. I can tell that he's indeed a very proud wolf.
Every step Adrian takes echoes with meaning. The air is thick with anticipation, and I can hardly breathe for the sheer weight of it.
Every wolf stands in silence. Adrian takes another step.
Closer.
Closer.
He walks past me.
I hold my breath. My world tilts. I turn slowly.
Adrian stops in front of Emery.
Gasps ripple through the pack.
At this point, I'm struggling to understand what my eyes are seeing.
"Adrian?"
He didn't look at me. He holds Emery's hand instead. I freeze in shock.
"What...are you doing?" I stutter weakly. My knees feel as though they will buckle. He crossed a line I didn't think possible. The warmth I feel from him standing close to me turns to ice.
My mind is racing, I'm trying to make Dence of his audacity. Of how casually he can entwine himself with Emery, the one I had barely tolerated growing up.
All I can do is stand frozen. My heart is hammering as I watch the impossible unfolds.
Then, Adrian turns toward me. His expression is not the same as the one from earlier tonight. It's cold. Distant.
"I'm sorry, Lyra..."
