Chapter 25

I couldn’t stop staring at the Memory Tree. Thousands of tiny lights glowed among the silver leaves, making the entire clearing look magical

We made that happen: Jessie, Poppy, Tessa, and T. Knowing I had actually helped create something this beautiful, and seeing everyone love it, filled a part of me I didn’t know was empty. Everywhere I went, wolves were praising

he decorations.

“ The lights are incredible. ”

“ It looks amazing this year. ”

“ This is the best Remembrance Day we’ve had in years. ”

4

A rush of happiness swept over me. I felt so proud.

Then I noticed movement near the entrance, and the crowd split apart. Alpha King Garrett, Luna Queen

Meredyth, and Nathan walked in. Every wolf bowed as the royal family came closer.

The ceremony began shortly afterward. The Alpha King stepped onto the small stage beneath the Memory Tree.

“ Today we gather to honor those we have lost, ” Garrett said, his voice echoing across the space. “ Thank you all

for joining us. And thank you to everyone who helped prepare this place. ”

He glanced at the decorations, and I felt my face turn red. I looked around at the huge crowd. Thousands of wolves filled the clearing. Maybe more. Maybe two thousand.

“ Where did all these people come from? ” I whispered to Jessie and Poppy.

She laughed softly. “ Emily, this isn’t even everyone. ”

‘ What? ”

“ The royal territory is enormous, ” Jessie explained. “ There are villages, training settlements, farming sectors, and mountain communities. Wolves live all over the kingdom. ”

I blinked. The kingdom. Sometimes I still forgot I wasn’t in the Gray Moon pack now.

“ You still have a lot to learn, ” Poppy teased.

I smiled. “ Apparently. ”

The Alpha King’s voice pulled my attention back to the stage. “ I now invite the Priestesses to honor the fallen. ”

Five silver – robed priestesses stepped forward, and an elderly woman moved to the center. Her silver hair flowed beneath her hood, and she had an intense air of authority.

“ That’s Asta, ” Jessie whispered. “ She’s been at every pack ceremony I can remember. ”

12:24 pm

“ And she never looks any older, ” Poppy added. “ I want whatever skincare routine she’s using. ”

Jessie snorted. “ Maybe that’s what happens when you’re close to the Moon Goddess. ”

We all laughed quietly

Asta spoke about memory, loss, family, and honoring those who came before us. When it ended, the heavy mood ifted, and everyone began talking again.

I started to ask the girls more about the priestesses, but Poppy got called away to help with supplies. Jessie and I vere left alone, and I looked around the crowded clearing.

“ Hey, I noticed Tessa isn’t here with us. Is she going to miss the wolf run, too? ”

“ She’ll be here a little later, ” Jessie said with a soft smile. “ You know how Tessa is. She’s totally into her gardening, and she can’t miss her special night – flower blooming. She literally told me, ” Jessie said, pretending to

djust glasses and imitating Tessa’s dramatic voice, ‘ It only happens once a year, and I absolutely must harvest the

> etals before it closes. “ ”

I burst out laughing, completely distracted by Jessie’s impression. I was laughing so hard that I didn’t even notice Kane and Owen approaching until they were standing right in front of us.

Owen was the same guy who’d been by the SUV during my worst moments, back when I was in heat at that club. When he smiled at me, I could tell he wanted to talk.

“ I need a drink, ” I blurted out.

I didn’t wait for a reply. I hurried to the refreshment tables. Safe. Problem solved. Or so I thought.

I reached for a glass of water, and another hand appeared right beside mine. My chest hitched.

Nathan.

“ You look beautiful, ” he said.

“ Thank you, ” I said softly.

I completely lost my train of thought. Almost everyone wore white for the ceremony today. I was so glad the girls had talked me into buying a white dress on our city trip.

He looked at me longer than usual. Something between us had shifted. I couldn’t explain it, but the cold distance elt thinner, like it was finally starting to break.

“ I … ” Nathan started.

A phone rang, breaking the moment. The timing couldn’t have been worse. Nathan frowned and pulled out his phone. He glanced at the screen and muttered a quiet curse.

“ I’m sorry, ” he said, and he actually sounded disappointed. “ I need to take this. ”

Then he walked away, leaving me standing there, wondering what he’d been about to say.

“ De you really think you’ll ever become his mate? ” A sharp, familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.

I turned. Stella stood near the tables.

She came over with a glass of red wine and pure dislike in her eyes.

I stepped back before she could grab my aru.

Stella saw me move, and a slow smile appeared on her face. “ Looks like training taught you something after all. ”

“ Looks like I’m learning quickly, ” I shot back.

Her eyes narrowed. She looked me up and down, her expression twisting into a sneer.

“ Training won’t help you, ” she laughed. “ Look at yourself. You’re nothing compared to me. ”

I rolled my eyes.

“ I’m serious, ” Stella hissed, taking another step toward me. “ You look like some starving rogue they dragged out

of the woods and dressed up for the night. You don’t belong here, Emily. You don’t even know how to dress. ”

She took another step toward me. “ You don’t know how to act. ”

Another step. “ You don’t know how to be a Luna. ”

Suddenly, I remembered something that would hurt her even more.

“ Maybe, ” I said.

Stella frowned, irritated by my lack of fear.

“ But after the rogue attack, Nathan came to my room that night, ” I added, keeping my voice level.

That hit the mark. Her eyes went wide.

“ He cares about me, ” I continued, driving it in.

Stella’s face went pale, then pure rage took over. Before I could move, she swung her hand and threw her wine at

The dark red wine splashed all over my white dress. People nearby gasped and turned to look.

“ Oops. ” Stella covered her mouth, acting shocked. “ How clumsy of me. ”

Liar.

“ If you keep getting in my way, ” she hissed, leaning in so only I could hear, “ a ruined dress won’t be the only thing you need to worry about. ”

She slammed her shoulder into mine as she pushed past and walked away into the crowd.

12:24 pm

PPP

My hands curled into fists. I hated her. I really did.

I looked down at the wet, dark stain and knew I had to move fast if I wanted to save the dress. I hurried out of the clearing toward the supply station in the woods, where the staff kept extra water and cleaning supplies.

A few minutes later, I was kneeling by a water barrel, scrubbing at the fabric as hard as I could. Then, a loud voice Doomed through the trees, echoing across the territory.

“ The annual wolf run begins now! ”

Panic flared in my chest. I scrubbed even faster, but I already knew I was too late. By the time I finally hurried back to the clearing, the crowd was gone. The starting line was empty, the pack already deep in the woods. Only › ne person was still standing there.

Asta.

I slowed down, hesitating. My mother’s warning echoed in my mind.

“ Never show them. Never let them see your wolf. ”

But that was back in Gray Moon pack. This was Blackwood. These wolves had taken me in, protected me, fed me, and trained me. Maybe things were different here. Maybe it was safe.

“ You’re afraid. ”

Asta’s voice made me jump. I looked up to find the old priestess smiling gently at me.

“ I don’t know if I should shift, ” I admitted.

Asta studied me for a long moment, searching my face before she nodded.

“ Transformation heals the soul, child. ” There was something ancient and wise in her voice. “ Do not fear your

volf. ”

I took a deep breath and focused on the pull inside me.

The first crack ran through my body. Pain shot through my bones, and I dropped to my knees. A loud cry escaped ne. It felt like every part of me was breaking and rebuilding at the same time.

“ Don’t fight it, ” Asta’s calm voice reached me through the fog of pain. “ Let her out. ”

I squeezed my eyes shut and stopped resisting. I let go completely.

The pain vanished in a second, and the world changed. Every scent was sharp. Every rustle of leaves was clear. The cool night air rushed through my fur.

“ Fur. ”

My eyes snapped open. The forest looked different now: brighter, sharper, and completely alive.

12:24 pm

PPP

A startled gasp sounded behind me.

Iturned around. Asta’s eyes went wide, and she stepped forward.

“ Oh, my Moon Goddess, ” she whispered.

I tilted my head, confused. My mother’s warning – screamed in my mind. She saw me. She knew. Panic surged

hrough me. I turned and ran. I raced through the forest, leaping over roots, splashing through streams, and unning up hills.

Faster. Faster.

I caught the scents of hundreds of running wolves on the breeze ahead. The pack. I sped up, chasing after them.

Then, out of nowhere, a heavy body slammed violently into my side.

A light – haired wolf burst from the thick brush and caught me off guard. I lost my footing on the wet ground. The

dge of the hidden cliff disappeared under my paws, and I tumbled into the empty air.

Next Chapter Chapter 26

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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.