the forgotten Luna

Episode 1: The Girl Nobody Wanted Elena's POV "You're late again, Elena!" I stopped in my tracks as the sharp voice of Mrs. Harlow echoed through the kitchen. "I'm sorry. I was helping in the storage room," I replied quietly. She rolled her eyes. "Excuses. Do you think being wolfless means you don't have responsibilities?" I lowered my head and said nothing. In the Blackthorn Pack, being wolfless was almost like being invisible. Everyone looked down on you, whispered about you and treated you as though you were less than everyone else. And unfortunately, that was my life. My name is Elena Ashford. I'm nineteen years old, and I've lived in the Blackthorn Pack for as long as I can remember. I have no wolf. No family. And, according to everyone around me, no future. "Elena!" I immediately looked up. "Yes, ma'am?" "Stop standing there. Take these dishes to the dining hall." I quickly collected the plates. Sometimes I wondered what my life would have been like if my mother were still alive. She died when I was very young, leaving me with nothing but a small silver pendant and a few memories I could barely remember. I wore that pendant every day. It was the only thing I had left of her. As I entered the dining hall, I noticed several pack members gathering around the long tables. They were discussing something excitedly. "The Alpha is returning today," one of the girls announced. "Really? I heard he is bringing representatives from the northern territories." "I also heard the Moon Ceremony will take place tonight." I paused. The Moon Ceremony. It was the night when unmated werewolves gathered under the full moon, hoping to discover their destined mates. For most people, it was the most beautiful night of their lives. For someone like me, it was nothing more than a reminder of everything I didn't have. "Why are you standing there?" I turned and saw a girl named Jessica approaching me. She folded her arms and looked at my pendant. "Still wearing that ugly necklace?" I instinctively touched it. "Please, Jessica. Just let me do my work." She laughed. "Don't worry. Nobody is going to steal it. What would anyone want with something worn by a wolfless girl?" Her friends laughed. I ignored them and continued arranging the dishes. I had learned that responding only made things worse. A FEW HOURS LATER I was outside the packhouse, collecting the last of the laundry, when I heard the sound of approaching vehicles. Several black SUVs entered the territory. The warriors immediately stood in formation. The pack members began gathering around the entrance. "The Alpha is here!" I looked up. A tall man stepped out of the first vehicle. He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing strong arms. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his expression was cold enough to discourage anyone from approaching him. Adrian Blackwood. The Alpha of the Blackthorn Pack. He was known throughout the northern territories for his strength, intelligence and strict leadership. Nobody questioned his authority. Nobody dared challenge him without consequences. I quickly lowered my gaze and stepped aside. "Welcome home, Alpha," the Beta greeted him. Adrian gave a brief nod. "Report." "Everything is under control. The preparations for tonight's ceremony are almost complete." "Good. I don't want any mistakes." His voice was deep and commanding. I tried to walk past the gathering without attracting attention. Unfortunately, one of the laundry baskets slipped from my hands. The clothes scattered across the ground. I froze. Several people turned towards me. "Seriously, Elena?" Jessica muttered. I immediately knelt down to collect everything. "I'm sorry." A pair of polished black shoes stopped in front of me. I slowly raised my head. Adrian Blackwood was standing there. For a brief moment, our eyes met. Something strange happened. A sudden warmth spread through my chest, and my fingers tightened around the silver pendant. Adrian's expression changed slightly. He stared at me for a moment longer than necessary. Then his Beta called his name. "Alpha?" Adrian looked away. "Get the preparations ready. The ceremony begins at sunset." He walked towards the packhouse without another word. I remained on the ground, wondering why my heart was beating so strangely. What was that feeling? And why had the Alpha looked at me like that? THAT EVENING I stood in front of the small mirror in my room. The Moon Ceremony was only an hour away. Everyone had been instructed to attend. Even me. I wore a simple black dress that I had borrowed from the laundry room after getting permission from the housekeeper. I brushed my hair and adjusted my mother's pendant. For a moment, I stared at my reflection. "Maybe tonight won't be so bad," I whispered. A strange feeling settled over me. I couldn't explain it, but something about tonight felt different. Outside, the sound of music began filling the territory. The ceremony had started. I took one final look at myself before leaving the room. I had no idea that before the night ended, my entire life would change. Because somewhere beneath the silver moon, a bond was waiting to be discovered. And the person destined to complete it was the last person I ever expected.