Moon String

The Moon Doesn't Make Mistakes

**Chapter Four: The Moon Doesn't Make Mistakes**

Nobody answered me.

Not Elder Oberon.

Not Ronan.

Not even Celeste.

Instead...

Every single pair of eyes in the courtyard was fixed on me.

"What?" I frowned. "Do I have bird poop on my head again?"

Silence.

I quickly touched my hair.

"...No?"

Still nothing.

At this point, the silence was becoming very offensive.

"Someone say something before I start panicking"

Elder Oberon slowly lowered the ceremonial staff in his hand.

His face had drained of all color.

"Your... eyes"

I blinked

"My eyes?"

"They're glowing."

"...They're what?"

A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.

"I've never seen that before"

"Is that possible?"

"It shouldn't be..."

My heartbeat quickened.

I turned to Ronan.

"Ronan?"

His expression wasn't fearful.

It was... confused.

"Your eyes," he whispered. "They're silver"

Silver?

That couldn't be right.

Werewolf eyes only glowed during strong emotional shifts.

Mine had never glowed.

Not once.

Not in nineteen years.

I reached for Celeste's hand.

"Tell me they're joking"

She swallowed hard.

"I... I don't think they are"

A servant hurried over carrying a polished silver tray.

I looked down.

My reflection stared back at me.

The same brown hair.

The same freckled nose.

The same terrified expression.

Except...

My eyes shimmered like molten silver.

"...Well," I whispered.

"That's... mildly concerning"

A nervous laugh escaped me.

Nobody laughed back.

Tough crowd.

Elder Oberon raised both hands toward the moon deciding to continue with the Mating Ceremony

"The Goddess has spoken"

His voice echoed through the courtyard.

"The chosen mates shall step forward"

A hush settled over the gathering.

One by one...

Young wolves found their destined partners.

There were tears.

Laughter.

Joyful cries.

Parents embracing.

Friends cheering.

Every successful bond made my smile grow a little wider.

Soon...

It would be our turn.

I glanced sideways at Ronan.

He smiled.

The kind of smile that said, We've made it.

He reached for my hand beneath the folds of my dress where no one could see.

His fingers found mine.

They fit perfectly.

"Ready?" he whispered.

I squeezed his hand.

"I was born ready" I said in a shaky voice

"That's a lie"

"It absolutely is"

He chuckled.

"I love you"

My teasing smile softened.

"I know"

"That's not the response I was hoping for"

"Oh?"

"I was hoping you'd say it back"

I pretended to think.

"Hmm..."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I suppose..."

I leaned closer.

"...I love you too."

The relief on his face made me laugh.

For a future Alpha...

He worried far too much.

Elder Oberon's voice rang across the courtyard.

"Future Alpha Ronan"

The cheering began immediately.

Then...

He spoke my name.

"Lyra"

The moonlight intensified.

A silver beam descended from the heavens, wrapping around both of us.

Gasps echoed throughout the courtyard.

"It worked!"

"The Goddess has accepted them!"

I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt.

This was it.

This was everything we'd dreamed about.

Then...

The silver light flickered.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The warmth around my hand vanished.

Ronan suddenly stiffened beside me.

His fingers slipped from mine.

His eyes...

Were no longer looking at me.

They were fixed on someone behind me.

His breathing became uneven.

"No..."

The word barely escaped his lips.

I slowly turned around.

A young woman stood frozen near the back of the crowd.

Golden moonlight surrounded her.

Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.

She stared at Ronan as though the rest of the world had disappeared.

Then, in a trembling voice...

She whispered one word.

"Mate."

The entire courtyard fell silent.

I looked from her...

To Ronan.

His wolf was fighting him.

I could see it in his eyes.

Confusion.

Pain.

Disbelief.

Then...

He whispered the same word back.

"...Mate."

My heart stopped.

The silver moon above us...

Turned crimson.