In Her Shadow

A Decision Under the Moon

Chapter Three:

Skyler’s POV

The morning air was crisp, the sun peeking over the evergreens as I jogged along the edge of the training fields. The pack was quiet this early, most wolves still sleeping off the Christmas feast from the night before. For me, running helped clear my head, and I had a lot on my mind.

I slowed to a stop near the old oak tree that marked the edge of the field, leaning against the trunk as I caught my breath. My thoughts drifted back to the Christmas party two nights ago. Specifically, to Gianna.

I don’t know what it was about her that night, but she’d looked… different. I mean, Gianna Ashley Brentwood was always beautiful—everyone in the pack knew that—but there’d been something else. Something I couldn’t quite put into words.

And that kiss.

I ran a hand through my hair, a small smile tugging at my lips. It hadn’t been planned, but when I’d seen her under the mistletoe, looking at me with those piercing green eyes, I couldn’t help myself. It was like something had clicked, like the Moon Goddess herself had been pointing me in her direction.

Was it possible she was my mate?

The thought made my chest tighten with both excitement and nerves. The Moon Festival was coming up, and while most of us were still too young to officially find our mates, the festival was about more than just the bond. It was a celebration of the Moon Goddess, of new beginnings, and of everything that tied us together as a pack.

I’d decided last night that I was going to ask Gianna to go with me.

But then there was Chloe.

I frowned, kicking at the dirt beneath my sneakers. Chloe Ivory Brentwood had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. She was everything Gianna wasn’t—quiet, steady, loyal. Where Gianna lit up every room she entered, Chloe was the grounding presence that made you feel like you were home.

But lately, things had felt… off. She’d been pulling away, avoiding me ever since the Christmas party. At first, I thought I was imagining it, but now I wasn’t so sure. I missed her.

We needed a reset, a best friend hangout like we used to have when we were kids. Just a day of gaming, bad movies, and staying up way too late. It was long overdue.

---

I found Chloe in the stables later that morning, brushing down Whisper. Her hair was tied back in a loose braid, and she hummed softly to herself, completely focused on her work.

“Hey, Chloe,” I said, stepping into the stall.

She jumped slightly, turning to face me with wide eyes. “Sky, you scared me!”

“Sorry,” I said, grinning. “Didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

She smiled faintly, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Whisper looks good,” I said, running a hand along the horse’s neck.

“Thanks,” she murmured, going back to brushing.

I leaned against the stall door, watching her for a moment. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

Her hand froze mid-stroke. “No, I haven’t.”

“Yeah, you have,” I said, crossing my arms. “Come on, Chloe. Talk to me. Did I do something?”

She sighed, setting the brush down and turning to face me. “It’s not you, Sky. I’ve just… had a lot on my mind.”

I studied her, trying to read the expression in her green eyes, but she was good at keeping her walls up. “Well, let’s fix that,” I said, smiling. “Best friend hangout. You and me, all day. My place.”

She hesitated, her brows furrowing. “Your parents?”

“Gone. They’re at some retreat with your dad on the other side of the pack lands,” I said. “The house is all ours. Come on, Chloe. It’ll be like old times.”

Finally, she nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Okay.”

“Great. Let’s head over after lunch,” I said, giving Whisper a pat before heading out of the stall.

---

By the time we got to my house, the sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the pack lands. Chloe carried a backpack slung over one shoulder, her usual reserved expression in place.

“Still like pepperoni pizza?” I asked as we walked into the kitchen.

She raised an eyebrow. “When have I ever not liked pepperoni pizza?”

“Just checking,” I said with a laugh, pulling out my phone to place the order.

While we waited, we set up in the living room, pulling out the gaming console and arguing over which game to play first. Chloe eventually won, as usual, her competitive streak shining through.

“You’re going down, Sky,” she said, her eyes gleaming with determination.

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, already knowing she was probably right.

We played for hours, laughing and teasing each other like nothing had changed. It felt good—normal. But as the night went on, I couldn’t ignore the weight in the back of my mind.

When the pizza was gone and the game controllers were set aside, we sat on the couch, the room quiet except for the crackle of the fireplace.

“Hey, Chloe?” I said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah?”

I hesitated, running a hand through my hair. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Is it… weird for you that I’m into Gianna?”

Her smile faltered, and for a moment, she didn’t say anything.

“No,” she said finally, her voice soft. “Why would it be weird?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I mean, you’re close with her, and you’re my best friend. I just don’t want things to get... complicated.”

She nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the fire. “It’s not weird. She’s... perfect for you.”

Something about the way she said it didn’t sit right with me, but I let it go.

“I kissed her at the Christmas party,” I said, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

Chloe stiffened, her hands tightening in her lap. “Oh.”

“Yeah,” I said, leaning back against the couch. “It was... incredible. Like magic or something. I don’t know, Chloe. I think she might be my mate.”

Her head turned sharply toward me, her green eyes wide. “You think she’s your mate?”

“I mean, I don’t know for sure,” I said quickly. “But I’m planning to ask her to the Moon Festival. If she says yes, maybe... maybe it’s a sign, you know?”

Chloe’s lips parted like she wanted to say something, but no words came out. Finally, she nodded, her expression unreadable.

“That’s great, Sky,” she said, her voice quiet. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks,” I said, smiling.

But as I looked at her, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

“Hey,” I said, nudging her shoulder. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said quickly, standing up. “I think I’m going to head to bed. It’s been a long day.”

“Yeah, sure,” I said, watching her as she walked out of the room.

Something was definitely off. But for now, I decided to let it go. That was a problem for another day.

Tomorrow, I’d ask Gianna to the festival. And maybe, just maybe, everything would fall into place.