Six
968 Words
The Crystal Moon packhouse had never been this alive.
Colorful lanterns floated in the air, enchanted to stay alight without fire. Long tables draped in satin cloths were being set up across the lush garden, which was now filled with the scent of fresh blooms and roasted meat. The celebration was few hours away, and everyone had a task to complete.
In the heart of the garden, the Luna herself, elegant and radiant in a soft lavender dress, directed the setup like a queen organizing a royal ball.
“Emma, sweetheart, place those flower arrangements around the fountain, please. Tommy, make sure the cupcakes don’t go near the grilled meat. We don’t want dessert tasting like smoke,” Luna Elena said warmly.
“Yes, Luna,” Emma and Tommy chorused as they rushed off.
Abigail moved silently between them, adjusting the placement of the fruit platters. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of the dishes being prepared—berry tarts, honeyed ribs, spiced rolls, and her favorite—vanilla cream-filled buns dusted with powdered sugar.
“I’m pretty sure they made those just for us,” Iris purred in her mind.
Abigail grinned softly. Her wolf had a sweet tooth—and apparently, so did she.
Not far from where she worked, music floated softly from speakers charmed by the witches of the allied White Hill coven, and soft chatter echoed across the garden. It was peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
And then—
He arrived.
Rohan stepped out of the main packhouse into the open sunlight, his presence turning heads without even trying. Dressed in a simple dark t-shirt and jeans, with his signature leather jacket tossed over one shoulder, he looked effortlessly regal. His golden-brown hair was windswept, his strong jaw tense.
But it wasn’t the pressure of his ceremony in few hours that made his shoulders stiff.
It was Dean—his wolf—pacing inside him like a caged beast.
“Dude. I’m not okay,” Dean muttered.
What is it now? Rohan thought, eyes scanning the garden for his mother.
“There’s something wrong. Can’t you feel it? My fur’s standing. I feel like I’m forgetting something—or like something’s about to drop out of the sky and smack us in the face.”
You’re being dramatic. Again.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mister Alpha-To-Be. I didn’t know you were the expert on wolf gut feelings.”
Dean—
“No, seriously, what if it’s a sign? Maybe we’re allergic to cake. Or flowers. Or stupid party decorations.”
You’re allergic to attention. That’s what this is.
Dean huffed.
“One day, Rohan. One day I’ll be right, and you’ll owe me an apology in front of the entire pack.”
Yeah, yeah.
Despite the teasing, Rohan could feel it too—something wasn’t right. His chest felt tight, his pulse slightly off rhythm, like his body was tuned into a different frequency than everything around him.
He finally found his mother near the long table lined with appetizers.
“Hey, Mom,” he called, pushing his hands into his pockets.
Luna Elena turned with a soft smile, her features lighting up at the sight of her son. “Oh, my baby.”
“Mom.” Rohan rolled his eyes playfully. “I’m turning eighteen in a few hours. Can we cool it with the baby talk?”
“You’ll always be my baby,” she said, rising onto her toes to fix a stray lock of his hair. “Even when you’re Alpha starting from midnight.”
Rohan looked down at her, his expression softening. “I’m heading out with the guys. Just for a bit. I figured I should check in.”
She studied his face, reading the tension in his jaw. “You feeling okay?”
“Yeah. Just… I don’t know. A little off.”
Elena reached up, placing her palm gently over his heart. “Maybe your wolf is sensing the bond. It’s almost time, Rohan. It’s okay to feel restless. Big things are coming.”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, maybe.”
Or maybe I’m just losing my mind, he thought.
Dean snorted. “Well, you wouldn’t be alone.”
The Luna looked up at her son, her voice lowering. “Just remember, sweetheart—whether the Moon Goddess chooses Tracy or someone else, your worth isn’t tied to who your mate is. You’re already a leader. A good one.”
Rohan swallowed hard, surprised by how much he needed to hear that.
“Thanks, Mom.”
She smiled. “Now go. But don’t stay out too late. I need my future Alpha fresh and photo-ready by midnight.”
Rohan smirked, kissed her cheek, and turned to leave.
But just before he stepped past the garden’s edge—his breath caught.
He paused, brow furrowing. Something in the air shifted, a static charge brushing against his skin.
He turned slightly, eyes sweeping across the garden. For a brief second, they passed over a quiet figure in the distance—Abigail, gently arranging food trays, her soft dark curls tied in a loose ponytail.
Their eyes didn’t meet. She didn’t even know he’d glanced her way.
And just like that, the strange feeling in his chest… eased.
Gone.
Completely.
Dean stretched and yawned inside him.
“Huh. That’s weird. I feel fine now. Like… totally fine.”
Rohan blinked, confused.
You’re kidding me, right?
“Nope. It’s like whatever had my tail in a twist just… evaporated.”
He shook his head and continued walking, brushing it off. Maybe his mother was right. Maybe it was the bond forming. Or maybe he just needed to get out of the house.
Either way, the restlessness was gone.
For now.
But in five hours?
By five hours , everything would change.
- Writer
