Under the Moon

New Beginnings and Betrayal

The packhouse's great hall was alive with activity. Glasses clinked, laughter resounded, and the aroma of honeyed wine and roasting meat filled the air. I should have been pleased to be the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, standing in the middle of it all. However, something felt off.

My fingers clenched around my glass's fragile stem. All eyes were on me as the ceremonial toast was about to start.

Lyra stood next to me and said, "You look nervous." She smiled warmly, but there was something in her eyes that I couldn't identify.

"Do I?" I said, suppressing a little chuckle. "Perhaps it's the gravity of the situation."

She brushed a stray hair off my cheek as she drew closer. "Nadia, you'll be all right. You own this evening.

I should have been reassured by her comments, but they didn't. For years, Lyra had been my closest friend and confidante throughout all of Luna's difficulties. But something about her tone tonight made my stomach turn.

I raised my glass in response and said, "Thank you." I ignored my uneasiness when the wine's harsh flavor met my lips. I couldn't afford to spoil this celebratory evening with pointless concerns.

I said to the audience, "Tonight, we celebrate strength and unity." The Silver Moon Pack has an unbreakable connection. We all rise together in the moonlight.

I grinned as cheers broke out, despite my clammy palms. Across the room, my mate and Alpha, Aiden, stood with an enigmatic face. After a brief period of looking at me, he moved to talk to our Beta, Damon.

A shiver went down my spine as Damon grinned while whispering something to Aiden. Damon didn't have my trust. His movements and the way his eyes lingered on power seemed too deliberate. I was forced to accept him, however, since Aiden appreciated his devotion.

Lyra nudged me gently and said, "Drink." "After all, it's your toast."

I raised the glass to my lips once again and nodded. This time, the wine was sweeter, but I was paused by a strong metallic aftertaste.

"Is everything okay?" Lyra asked in a lighthearted tone, but her eyes were fixed on me.

"Yes," I said hastily, overcoming the odd feeling. "I'm all right."

However, I wasn't.

The space started to get hazy. My knees swayed under me, and my heart raced. I extended my hand and grasped the table's edge, but my fingers were numb.

"Lyra..." I could hardly raise my voice above a whisper.

As I staggered, she grabbed me with a solid, firm hold. Her face was near mine, and I briefly believed I saw a glimmer of victory in her eyes.

Her voice was so quiet that only I could hear her whisper, "You were never meant to lead."

"What?" My head was whirling, but I was having trouble understanding what she was saying.

I saw Damon walking toward me, his face composed and uninterested. His lips curled into a chilly grin as he drew closer.

Just "Goodbye, Luna," he said.

I was enveloped by darkness.

________________________________________

I awoke to the gentle, rhythmic sound of a river in the distance. My limbs felt heavy and disjointed, yet my body felt weightless.

"Where am I?" My voice echoed in the silent air as I whispered.

The world was luminous as I opened my eyes. The air was heavy with a reassuring warmth, and blue blossoms glistened in a silvery light.

"Nadia."

I turned to see a person moving forward, and the voice was soft yet strong. She was dazzling, with eyes full of old knowledge and silver hair that flowed like liquid light.