Chapter 01

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."

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***