The Unmarked Moon

“Do you think I’ll look foolish if I can’t stop smiling at my own wedding?” Selene stared at Lyra before bursting into laughter. Lyra grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. “I’m serious!” “So am I! You’ve been smiling since you woke up. I’m beginning to wonder whether Darian has bewitched you.” “He doesn’t need to bewitch me,” Lyra grinned. “I’m already in love with him.” Selene caught the pillow and shook her head. “You’re hopeless.” “I’m getting married, Selene!” Lyra sat up excitedly. “I’m actually going to marry Darian Voss. Can you believe it?” She had imagined this day countless times, but now that it was almost here, it hardly seemed real. Darian was the man she had grown to love over the years. Their marriage had begun as an arrangement between Red Moon Pack and Silver Crest Pack—a union intended to strengthen the relationship between their families. But Lyra’s feelings had grown far beyond the agreement. To her, Darian wasn’t simply the man she was expected to marry. He was the man she wanted to build her future with. Selene moved closer and took her hands. “I hope you know how happy I am for you.” Lyra studied her friend’s face, touched by the sincerity in her voice. “Sometimes I wonder what I would do without you.” “Probably spend all day staring at Darian’s portrait. Lyra gasped. “I do not!” “You absolutely do. Last week, I caught you smiling at it.” “I was looking at the frame!” “Of course.” Selene nodded solemnly. “The frame must be very handsome.” They dissolved into laughter. For Lyra, moments like these were precious. After her mother’s death, Selene had become one of the few people who could draw a genuine smile from her on difficult days. Their friendship had grown naturally over time, and Lyra had come to trust her as she would a sister. There were things Lyra couldn’t tell her father, things she couldn’t share with the servants or the people who treated her like a princess whose every decision belonged to the family. But she could tell Selene. Almost everything. “Promise me something,” Lyra said, her smile softening. “Don’t disappear after I move to Silver Crest. I know I’ll be busy, and Darian will have his responsibilities, but I don’t want us to become strangers.” Selene’s expression gentled. “Lyra, marriage doesn’t erase friendship. I’ll visit you, and when you become too important to remember me, I’ll remind you of all the embarrassing things you’ve done.” Lyra laughed. “You would never let me forget anything, would you?” “Never.” Selene squeezed her hands. “You deserve to be happy. I mean that.” For a moment,Lyra couldn’t find the right words. She leaned over and hugged her friend tightly. “I’m glad I have you.” “I’m glad I have you too.” Lyra pulled back, blinking away the sudden sting in her eyes. “I just wish my mother could be here.” Selene’s smile faded into sympathy. “She would have loved seeing you this happy.” “I keep wondering what she would say about the wedding. Whether she would like my dress, or whether she’d tell me I’m worrying too much.” “She would probably do both.” Lyra laughed softly. “That sounds like her.” She glanced at the ivory dress laid across the chair, its delicate silver embroidery catching the morning light. “I want everything to be perfect,” she admitted. “Then stop worrying about perfection.” Selene rose and inspected the dress. “You don’t need a perfect ceremony. You need a happy marriage.” Lyra smiled. “And you think I’ll have one?” “I think you should give yourself permission to enjoy the happiness you’ve been waiting for.” A knock interrupted them. “Lady Lyra?” a servant called. “Lord Malrec requests your presence in his study.” Lyra sighed, but there was a smile on her face. “Perhaps he wants to discuss the final arrangements.” “Then go before he sends someone to fetch you twice,” Selene teased. Lyra laughed, squeezed her friend’s hand, and headed for the door. “Don’t touch my dress while I’m gone!” “I make no promises!” The sound of Selene’s laughter followed Lyra into the corridor. She descended the staircase, passing tall windows that overlooked the busy estate. Servants hurried across the courtyard carrying flowers and folded linens, while workers made the final preparations for the upcoming ceremony. Everything was moving according to plan. And for once, lyra was grateful that her father had arranged things so carefully. Whatever else she might think of Lord Malrec’s strictness, she understood the importance he placed on family alliances. She reached her father’s study and knocked. “Come in.” Lord Malrec stood behind his desk, reviewing a document. He glanced up as she entered. “Lyra Sit down.” She took the chair opposite him. “Is everything all right?” “Everything is progressing as expected.” He set the document aside. “The arrangements with Silver Crest are nearly complete. Darian’s family has confirmed the remaining details, and the ceremony will proceed as planned.” Relief washed over her. “That’s wonderful.” “It’s an important alliance,” he said. “One that will benefit both families for years to come.” Lyra smiled, though she had hoped he might say something more personal. “I know, Father.” He studied her briefly, then nodded. “You should enjoy the remaining days here. Once you move to Silver Crest, you will have new responsibilities. Make sure you understand what is expected of you.” “I will.” “Good. You may go.” Lyra rose and leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Father.” He looked mildly surprised by the gesture, but before he could respond, she was already heading toward the door. She knew he wasn’t a man who expressed affection easily. Still, she hoped that one day he would look at her happiness and see more than the alliance it represented. For now, she had enough to celebrate. When Lyra returned to her room, Selene was standing beside the window, looking down at the preparations in the courtyard. “Well?” Selene asked. “Everything is going according to plan.” “Of course it is.” Selene turned with a smile. “Now, come here. We need to decide what you’re going to do with your hair.” Lyra groaned. “I thought we had already decided!” “We did. Then I changed my mind.” “You’re impossible.” “And yet, you love me.” Lyra laughed and crossed the room to her. “Yes,” she said, settling beside her friend. “I really do.” Outside, the estate continue its preparation. For now, all Lyra could see was the future she had dreamed of—and the two people she trusted most standing at the centre of it.