Whispers of Fate

Chapter 1: Whispers of Fate POV: Alina Winter I carefully tiptoed through the silver-colored halls of the Crescent Hall, ensuring that I didn’t draw any attention to myself. I could perceive the smell of lavender in the air. The smell lingered amongst the guests who were deep in conversations and chit chat. I moved like a ghost among them — invisible, unwanted. The Moon Bonding Ceremony was supposed to be a night of dreams. For me, it was just another reminder of everything I had lost. “Kael Blackthorn will choose Selene Ashcroft tonight. Everyone knows it.” The words hit me in a cruel and harsh manner. I took a pause behind a pillar made of marble and mindlessly, I brushed my fingers against the cold stone as I continued to eavesdrop on their conversations. “She’s perfect for him — strong bloodlines, beauty, power... Not like—” The voice dropped, but I heard the sneer even without seeing the speaker. “Not like her.” A hot flush crept up my neck. I needed no one to tell me that I was the one being referred to. I placed my hand on my chest in an attempt to make my breathing more steady. The laughter of the crowd swelled around me, gilded and sharp. My eyes caught flashes of silver silk and pale hair — Selene Ashcroft laughing beside Kael himself. I couldn’t help but notice how tall he stood. He looked so magnificent in his ceremonial robe which was decorated with silver and black designs. It made him stand out as a prince among wolves. His dark hair gave away a powerful impression of him. He looked hot, yet ruthless. I turned away before I could drown in the sight. “Family is everything.” I could hear my father’s voice echoing loudly in my ears. Once, the Winter name meant something. My parents had been respected, admired. Well…this was before the betrayals, conspiracy and accusations against them. For a second, I remember my mother’s face like it was that night, looking so teary and sad. It was the night that our titles and home were stripped from us. I was fourteen. Old enough to remember. Old enough to hurt. Since then, I lived in the cracks of the world, tolerated only because the Alpha had decreed mercy. I was a reminder of a scandal no one wanted to touch — a broken girl who should have vanished. “Alina, here you are.” A voice back to reality. I turned around and there she was, Mira, one of the few who didn’t treat me like an outcast. I watched with a little smile as she hurried to me looking nervous. Her auburn hair was pinned up with tiny silver ribbons. “I was worried that you might skip the ceremony,” she said, putting a pretty rose flower in my hands. “Mira…you know that I can't.” I said,forcing a smile. Mira’s eyes softened. “You look beautiful.” I knew she meant well, but then, I also knew what she saw — I was wearing an oversized borrowed dress that looked tattered despite my efforts to make it more presentable. “The ceremony is starting soon. Come on, let's go.” she urged me, pouting like a baby. Everywhere became as silent as a graveyard when the High Priestess, dressed in a midnight blue robe stepped into the hall. She walked to the raised platform to address us all. I could see that she was carrying the Moonstone - a relic which was said to be older than any living soul that had ever been. It emitted a soft, silver light which brightened the entire room. "Just like the Moonstone had chosen, so shall fate be sealed," the Priestess declared. One after the other, the pack's elite lined up to touch the stone. Their hands brushed its surface; the stone glowed faintly each time but chose no one. I stayed at the back, hidden behind a tall marble pillar. I could feel my heart beating heavily. I knew that I would not be chosen. I was just a mere outcast. Kael approached the Moonstone. The crowd held its breath. He placed his palm against the stone. It shone brighter and beautifully but then faded back to its usual dull hum. Everyone soon began to murmur. Selene was the next person to step forward. Her dress shimmered like a starlight. She smiled with pride and confidence as she approached the Moonstone. Her fingers barely grazed the stone when it flared — but only for a second. Not the binding glow they had all hoped for. Confusion gripped the crowd. There were frowns, quick glances and murmurs. It was glaring to all that the Moonstone had not chosen Selene. I moved back in hesitation, wondering why I was there in the first place. I would never be chosen. There was no way I'd be chosen. "Everyone must approach the stone." the Priestess warned. Her gaze swept across the room and her eyes landed on me like a hawk spotting a prey. "None may refuse the Stone." Mira nudged me gently. "Go on," she whispered. I forced my legs to move. The crowd parted around me like water around a stone. I could hear them mock and spite me. “What’s she doing?” “Why even bother?” I climbed the raised platform trying hard to hide my nervousness. I could feel my skin prickle under a thousand stares as I moved closer to the Moonstone. I could feel a strange aura emitting from it. My hand shaking,I reached out to it. The moment my fingers touched the stone, a bright, blinding light exploded from its source. Its silver bleams fixing themselves on me. Gasps echoed around the hall. I stumbled back in shock but the light clung stubbornly to me. I shivered as it binded itself to my skin, my soul. Across the room, Kael stiffened. His dark eyes fixated on mine. There was shock, disbelief, anger flashing across his face in rapid succession. The High Priestess’s voice cut through the chaos and confusion. "The Moonstone has chosen Alina Winter to be Kael Blackthorn’s mate.” There was an absolute silence. I stood still in horror when I heard the declaration. Slowly, the light disappeared from the stone, leaving us to deal with the truth. Kael’s jaw tightened. Selene’s mouth dropped open in horror. Around them, the nobles shifted uncomfortably, as if the ground itself had betrayed them. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. This wasn’t possible. It wasn’t supposed to happen. However, despite the fear and disbelief I had, something stirred — a small, fierce whisper that seemed like hope.