Chapter 01 — The Scent of Destiny

It was a cold morning. Aurora was still wrapped in her soft blanket, savoring the last few minutes of comfort, when she remembered: she needed to get up early to help her stepmother, Mary, with the preparations for the great annual pack celebration. And, as ironic as it seemed, it fell on the very day of her eighteenth birthday.

"Aurora, we need to hurry! The celebration is tomorrow and there's still so much to do!" Mary called anxiously from the stairs.

"I'm coming down, Mary... Just a few more minutes in bed," Aurora replied, still drowsy.

"Elder Clarice would love to hear why we're running late."

"Okay, I'd rather not even think about her lectures. My ears couldn't handle that kind of torture."

Aurora got up quickly, brushed her teeth, took a cold shower — as usual — and put on her simple clothes, covering herself with the old green coat Mary had given her for her sixteenth birthday. Since then, she hadn't been able to part with it, despite the snide remarks from the other she-wolves.

In the pack's great hall, where the celebration would take place, Aurora found her best friend, Kayla, who was already helping with the decorations. Kayla was Beta Mason's mate. It was beautiful to see how much they loved and cared for each other.

"Aurora! I see you managed to drag yourself out of bed!" Kayla said, approaching with a smile.

"I'll admit it was hard, but I'd rather face the cold than listen to Elder Clarice's complaints."

"Speaking of her... here she comes," Kayla warned through the mind-link.

"Ladies, get to work! The celebration is approaching and our Alpha demands perfection. No idle chatter!" Clarice grumbled, approaching with her usual critical gaze.

Aurora had to hold herself back from responding. She and Kayla weren't employees — just volunteers helping out. Clarice had no right to order them around. But arguing with an Elder would only bring trouble — and lectures.

After a long day of work, Aurora said goodbye to Kayla and went home with Mary.

"So? Are you excited for the celebration tomorrow?" Mary asked as they prepared dinner.

"You know I'm not much for parties..."

"But tomorrow might not be just any party. It's your eighteenth birthday. You might find your destined mate."

"I'd love that..." Aurora said dreamily. "I want to experience a love like yours and Dad's."

"And you will, my darling. The wolf who is your mate will be very lucky. You're a golden girl."

"What a wonderful welcome! Coming home to find the two most incredible women in my life!" Rodolph exclaimed, walking through the door with a wide grin and wrapping them both in a hug.

"Dad!"

"Rodolph! So glad you're back!"

"The Alpha decided to reinforce the border patrols. We need to stay alert for the big day."

"Are you going back out there tomorrow?"

"Yes, but for now, I want to enjoy this evening with my most precious jewels."

"Don't let the Lunas from the other packs hear you say that," Mary teased.

"Speaking of Luna..." Aurora said excitedly. "Tomorrow our Alpha might find his destined mate. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"

"Indeed. We're the only pack without a Luna. But tomorrow... everything could change."

The gathering of the packs wasn't merely a celebration. It would seal the peace between the clans and change many lives, as wolves found their soulmates.

The Moon Goddess, Selene, had destined a mate for every wolf. When a she-wolf turned eighteen, she could recognize her mate by scent — if he was nearby. Some felt the call quickly; others waited for years — like Lucian.

At twenty-eight, the Alpha of the Stellar Pack still hadn't found his mate. He was pressured by the Elders and his parents, who believed his destined Luna had died. They kept trying to push Yasminy, daughter of Alpha Deimon — a beautiful and powerful warrior — into the role. But Lucian wouldn't be swayed. His priority was protecting the pack, especially with rumors of renegade attacks.

Word had it that Klaus, the leader of the renegades, was building an army. He had once been Diana's mate, but she'd abandoned him when she discovered her soulmate — Alpha Malroyy. She chose to follow destiny, and Malroyy's mark nullified Klaus's. Wounded and furious, Klaus swore vengeance.

After defeats in previous battles, Klaus had survived and continued lurking in the shadows. So Malroyy proposed a pact among the packs: if one was attacked, the others would come to its defense.

Now, Lucian's focus was on protecting the peace and choosing a worthy Luna — from an Alpha's family, a warrior, beautiful... That was how he imagined her.

On the day of the celebration, Aurora chose a turquoise dress. It wasn't expensive, but it brought out her blue eyes and made her feel special. When the sun set, Rodolph left to patrol the border, and Mary and Aurora got ready for the party.

But soon they heard a knock at the door.

It was Clarice.

One of the servants had fallen ill, and Clarice had come to ask Aurora to fill in. Mary tried to refuse, but Clarice made it clear: it was an order from Alpha Lucian.

Aurora, her heart aching, went upstairs and traded her party dress for a servant's uniform. Together with her mother and other helpers, she began serving the guests in the decorated hall.

Despite everything, she was moved by the sight of several couples forming that night. It was beautiful to watch destined pairs finding each other. Aurora smiled quietly — until something in the air changed.

A scent.

Sandalwood.

A citrus aroma blended with fresh wood, deep and intoxicating.

Her heart raced.

She turned slowly... and saw Alpha Lucian walking toward her. Tall, imposing, his gaze intense.

She was holding a tray of beer glasses when, suddenly, a soft yet powerful voice echoed in her mind:

"Mate."

Aurora felt a force pulling her toward the Alpha like a magnet. Her body ached to feel him. Their eyes locked, and time itself seemed to stop.

"He's our mate! The Alpha is our destined mate! Isn't this wonderful!" A voice insisted on repeating inside the young woman's head.

Eka was ecstatic, her heart pounding. She had finally found her long-awaited mate, and it was him — a strikingly handsome and powerful man. She admired him for his strength and determination: the Alpha of the Stellar Pack.

The moment was shattered when Alpha Deimon approached.

"Lucian! You need to choose your servants better! We asked your maid for drinks half an hour ago and she still hasn't fulfilled our request. You should do your job properly, maid!" Deimon spoke with arrogance and contempt.

In that moment, Aurora believed her mate would defend her and announce to everyone that he'd found his destined companion — the future Luna of the pack. But everything happened the opposite of what she'd imagined.

"Miss Colton, do your job properly and attend to our guests as you should! That is an order!" Lucian commanded.

She was stunned by the Alpha's words. Hadn't he felt the same thing? No — that was impossible! Aurora was confused and heartbroken.

Without questioning, the Alpha's mate left immediately, heading toward the table where Alpha Deimon's family sat. After serving them, she made her way to the kitchen, set the tray on the counter, and then ran toward the forest. She needed to breathe.

Aurora ran for several meters in her human form. She hadn't undergone her first transformation yet. The wolf inside her head wanted to take over, but her human side wasn't willing.

Suddenly, she heard branches snapping nearby. Someone was approaching.

That scent... Sandalwood, a citrus aroma with warm woody undertones. It was him — her mate was very close. Aurora's wolf began to stir, and then he stepped out from behind a tree.

"Miss Colton? What are you doing running away from your duties? You shouldn't be here — you should be at the celebration, serving my guests."

"Lucian?"

"I didn't give you permission to address me by name. Must I remind you that I am your Alpha?"

"But you... We are..."

"We are nothing! Don't think I'm going to claim you as my mate because of this ridiculous bond! I order you not to say a word about this to anyone! Or I'll be forced to reject you and banish you from this pack forever. Compose yourself and return to work immediately!" the Alpha said, then turned and walked away.

Tears began to stream down Aurora's face. The day that should have been the happiest of her life had become her worst nightmare. Her destined mate didn't want her and, on top of that, had threatened her. She couldn't tell anyone she was the Alpha's mate, or she'd be rejected and banished — condemned to live as a renegade. No other pack would take her in, due to the pact of unity between them. She would live a life of danger, alone, without even being able to see her parents.

"He must be confused. Our mate hasn't rejected us," Kyra, her wolf, tried to console her.

"No! He hated finding out we're his mate. He hates me!"

"Don't say that! Please, let me out. You need to shift!"

"I don't want to! Didn't you hear our Alpha? I need to get back to work."

Aurora returned to the hall to serve the guests. There he was — the one the Moon Goddess had chosen to be her mate — enjoying himself with another woman. Yasminy White, daughter of Alpha Deimon. Perhaps she really would make a better Luna, Aurora thought. The two were sitting close together. Lucian was smiling as if nothing had happened.

This couldn't be happening! Aurora Colton couldn't be his destined mate. Had the Moon Goddess decided to play a cruel joke? How could she choose such a weak she-wolf to be the Luna of the Stellar Pack? A servant! She hadn't even had her first transformation. He couldn't accept such madness! He was a great Alpha! He could choose who would be his Luna and mate, and Aurora Colton had no qualifications to be the companion of a powerful Alpha like him. So Lucian thought.

After saying what needed to be said, he'd left her in the forest and returned to greet the guests.

Yasminy had sought out the young Alpha. With a seductive manner, she looked absolutely stunning — but something nagged at Lucian. That insignificant servant wouldn't leave his mind.

His eyes swept the hall in search of Aurora. He found her watching him and Yasminy. Her expression was one of sadness and disappointment. The Alpha felt a sharp pang in his chest when he realized he was the cause of that young woman's suffering. What was happening to him?

The celebration was a resounding success, and as in previous years, the alliance between the packs was renewed. Lucian's parents were disappointed to learn that their son hadn't found his mate — well, that was what they and everyone in the pack believed. And if it were up to the Alpha, it would stay that way.

When the party ended and the guests departed, Aurora returned home. As she was climbing the stairs, Mary surprised her with a question:

"Aurora, did something happen? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, just a little tired."

"I'm sorry. Your birthday shouldn't have gone like this."

"It's not your fault, and besides, it's not that important."

"Don't say that — you're very important to us."

Suddenly, the front door opened. Kayla, her best friend, walked in carrying a beautiful cake in her hands, singing happy birthday, accompanied by Beta Mason and her father. Aurora's eyes shone with emotion.

"Happy birthday!"

Rodolph had swapped shifts with a friend to be there for his daughter's birthday. Mason and Kayla were present. Mary, her dear mother, was beaming as she embraced her daughter.

In that moment, Aurora forgot everything that had happened at the celebration — at least for a few minutes. These were her people. They loved her. They made her happy. This was where she belonged. And in that instant, she realized she was willing to endure anything to stay by their side.

The next morning, after her usual routine, Aurora sat down at the table for breakfast with her family.

Rodolph and Mary couldn't have children. They had tried for a long time, but it was in vain. Mary loved Rodolph deeply, yet something was missing to make their happiness complete. Then, one dawn in the spring, they heard a baby crying. When they opened the door, they found her inside a basket.

They searched for the pup's parents for days, together with Alpha Califf — Lucian's father — but couldn't find a single clue. Rodolph saw that small creature as a gift from the Goddess Selene. They couldn't have biological children, but they'd received a blessing — a daughter of the heart. And so, they had loved Aurora since that day.

"Thank you for the surprise last night. I love you both!"

"Love you too, my girl!" Rodolph said, kissing the top of his daughter's head.

"Love you, sweetheart!" Mary said, pulling her into a warm hug.

"Neither you nor Alpha Lucian found your mates last night. That's strange, considering most of the wolves were at the celebration," Rodolph said thoughtfully.

"Our daughter will find her mate when the time is right."

"That means I get to keep this little wolf by my side a bit longer!"

Little did he know that everything was about to change.

Their family moment was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!" Rodolph said, heading to the door.

"Good morning, Mr. Colton! Is Miss Aurora home?"

"Good morning, Berta! Yes, Aurora's here. Please, come in!"

"Good morning, ma'am! Good morning, Miss Aurora!"

"Good morning, Berta!" Mary and Aurora said in unison.

"The Alpha has appointed Miss Aurora to work at the pack house as his personal maid."

"Excuse me?" Aurora asked, indignant.

"I'm sorry, miss. Those are orders from the Alpha."

"It's an honor for any omega to work in the pack house!" Mary said, unaware of what had happened the night before.

"As if I had a choice!" Aurora thought.

She went upstairs to her room, and as she was gathering clothes to change, her mother knocked on the door.

"May I come in?"

"Yes."

"Is something going on? I could tell you weren't exactly thrilled about working at the pack house."

"I just... wanted to have a normal life like any other she-wolf. Working at the pack house is going to take away a lot of things from me."

"I understand. Your father and I will talk to the Alpha and try to sort this out."

"No, Mom. I'll work at the pack house. The Alpha doesn't like interference. It's better for all of us to accept his orders."

"I just want to see you happy, sweetheart. And if..."

"It'll be a new experience for me. If it doesn't work out, we can try talking to the Alpha later."

"All right. You know I'm your mother — I always want what's best for you. If anything happens that hurts you, you can count on me."

Aurora noticed that Mary was starting to suspect something wasn't right. She would have to be a good actress.

Inside, she was deeply wounded. The words Lucian had thrown at her had made her heart bleed.

After getting dressed, she followed Berta to the pack house. Upon arriving at the grand mansion, they went up the stairs and down a hallway. Aurora realized they were in the bedroom wing when Berta spoke:

"Aurora, this will be your room. It's right next to the Alpha's — that was his order. As his personal maid, your duties will be tidying his room, doing his laundry, bringing coffee to his study, or serving meals when instructed."

"I don't understand, Berta. Why are you telling me about this room?"

"Alpha Lucian ordered you to live here in the mansion. You'll have Sundays off to visit your family."

"Where is he?"

"In his study, in a meeting with the Elders. This room beside yours is the Alpha's. He ordered you to begin work immediately."

"Okay, Berta. I will. Thank you."

Berta left, and the young woman was alone, her mind racing.

"What does our mate want with all of this? To keep us close?" Kyra, Aurora's wolf, spoke, trying to find an explanation.

"No. He wants to humiliate me even more!"

"He's going to accept us. The bond is strong, and..."

"I don't want to be with someone just because of a bond. I believed love could grow over time, but I was wrong. All he's managing to do is make me hate him."

"By the way, my name is Kyra. When are you going to let me out? The longer you put off the transformation, the more painful it'll be."

"I don't want to talk about that, Kyra. I'm a maid now. We don't have time for fun."

Meanwhile, in the Alpha's study, the Elders were pressuring Lucian again. In the meeting, they made it clear: the pack needed a Luna.

The following week, Alpha Deimon and his daughter Yasminy would spend a few days at the Stellar Pack. Elder Wolf had extended the invitation — they had already chosen his Luna for him.

"Maybe I should agree with them. Yasminy is an excellent choice. If I'm going to have a Luna, she needs to be strong," Lucian thought.

Lucian returned to the pack house. When he entered his room, he was met with a surprise — Aurora was tidying the mess he'd left that morning.

"Alpha, I..."

"I see you followed my orders."

"I didn't have a choice."

"Watch how you speak to me, maid!" Lucian said, stepping closer.

Aurora backed away until her back pressed against the wall. She shrank as she realized there was nowhere left to go.

They stood face to face — two destined mates, the ones Selene had chosen to be united.

The Alpha studied Aurora. She seemed so fragile, so weak...

"Your wolf is faint. I can barely sense her. That means you haven't had your first transformation."

"No, I..."

"Just as I thought. You're far too weak."

The girl's eyes filled with tears. She was fighting to hold them back.

"What do you want from me, Alpha? Why are you humiliating me like this? I'm your..."

"Don't finish that sentence! No one can know about this! Understood?"

"Then what are you waiting for?! If you don't want me as your mate and Luna of this pack, reject me!"

Lucian felt the impact of Aurora's words. An anguish rose in his chest. He knew he was being a bastard to her, but he wanted what was best for his pack — and this girl would not make a good Luna. Unable to control himself, overpowered by the force of the bond, he claimed Aurora's lips in a heated, urgent kiss.