Betrayed By The Moon

Elena POV I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, adjusting the hem of my lavender dress for the hundredth time. It hugged my curves perfectly, accentuating my figure without being too revealing. I ran a brush through my long, chestnut hair, letting it cascade in soft waves down my back. My green eyes sparkled with excitement and a hint of nervousness. It was my 16th birthday today, a milestone in any werewolf’s life. Tonight, I would meet my wolf and complete my first shift. As the Beta’s daughter, my life was always in the spotlight. Wherever I went, people’s eyes followed me, their whispers trailing behind. Some admired, some envied, but all respected. My father, Beta Owen Thorne, was known for his strength and loyalty, but he wasn’t much involved in the pack’s daily affairs. After my mother died, he had withdrawn into himself, leaving me to step up and fill the void. I know it’s hard for him, for anyone who lost his mate, even after all these years. Mates are different. Losing them is like losing part of your soul. It wasn’t easy, but I had earned enough reputation to make him proud, even if he didn’t show it. I sighed, glancing at the clock. It was time to head to the venue and make sure everything was perfect for tonight’s celebration. My heart ached a little, knowing my father wouldn’t be there to help me. He didn’t approve of me throwing such a big party. I knew it, but I still hoped he would come, even though deep down I knew better than to get my hopes up. His grief often kept him away from pack gatherings, and today was no different. Taking a deep breath, I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. I had a party ahead, and nothing would ruin this night for me. As I walked into the venue, the warm glow of fairy lights and the scent of fresh flowers greeted me. I knew right away that my friends had done an amazing job with the decorations. “Happy birthday, Elena!” “Happy birthday, dear.” “Pretty dress.” ... Greetings came to me as I entered. My heart swelled with gratitude as everyone gathered around to greet me. I felt the love and admiration of my packmates, their smiles and well-wishes lifting my spirits. “Elena, the decorations look amazing!” someone exclaimed. “Thank you,” I replied, beaming. “But it’s all thanks to you guys. I couldn’t have done it without you.” The venue was transformed into a magical wonderland. Twinkling fairy lights were draped from the ceiling, casting a soft, enchanting glow over the room. The tables were covered in white linens with lavender and silver centerpieces, matching the color of my dress. Delicate floral arrangements of lilies, roses, and baby’s breath adorned every corner, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. A large banner reading "Happy 16th Birthday, Elena!" hung above the main table, where a three-tiered cake stood as the centerpiece. The cake was a work of art, decorated with intricate designs of a stunning she-wolf standing on a hill, her head held high towards the moon. It was almost too beautiful to eat. Among the crowd, I spotted Celia, my best friend since childhood. She was adjusting a bouquet of lilies, her dark hair falling in elegant waves around her shoulders. Her blue eyes lit up when she saw me. “Elena, over here!” she called, waving me over. I made my way through the crowd, exchanging hugs and thank-yous along the way. “Hey, Celia,” I greeted her, pulling her into a tight hug. “Everything looks perfect.” “Of course it does. I wouldn’t let anything be less than perfect for your big night,” she said with a wink. “Did you see Zach?” I smiled, thinking of Zachary Ashton, the Alpha’s son and my boyfriend. He was the most handsome guy in the pack, with his chiseled features and piercing blue eyes. We had been friends since childhood, along with Celia Hart and Ethan Parker, the Gamma’s son. The four of us were inseparable, always the center of attention wherever we went. “No, but I think he is preparing something special,” I told her, a hint of mystery in my voice. Celia’s smile faltered for a moment. “He wouldn’t tell me what it is, but I’m sure it’s going to be amazing.” “Of course, it will be,” she replied, her voice a little too bright. “He always does the best for you.” I looked around the venue, taking in the sight of my friends bustling about, making final adjustments. Ethan was setting up the sound system, his muscular frame moving with effortless grace. He glanced up and caught my eye, giving me a big smile. “Everything’s almost ready, Elena,” he called out. “This party is going to be epic.” I laughed, feeling a rush of affection for my friends. They had always been there for me, through thick and thin. Despite my father’s absence, I knew I wasn’t alone. My pack, my friends, they were my family. The Frostmoon Pack was known far and wide for its strength and unity. Nestled beside a vast forest, our territory was both a sanctuary and a fortress. At the helm of our pack was Alpha Logan Ashton, a powerful and respected leader. With his broad shoulders, piercing blue eyes, and an aura of undeniable authority, he commanded respect and loyalty from every pack member. By his side stood my father, Owen Thorne, the Beta, and Bryce Parker, the Gamma. My father, though strong and capable, had withdrawn from his duties after my mother’s death, leaving much of the day-to-day affairs to Alpha Logan and Gamma Bryce. They never blamed him, understanding his grief, and they treated me with kindness and affection, almost like a daughter. As the evening approached, guests started arriving, filling the venue with laughter and excitement. I mingled with everyone, my heart light and happy. Celia stayed by my side, her presence a comforting constant. We talked about our childhood, sharing stories and memories that made us laugh. “Remember that time we got lost in the woods?” Celia said, giggling. “We were so scared, but Zach and Ethan found us.” I nodded, smiling at the memory. “I was sure we were going to be eaten by a bear or something.” Celia’s laughter was infectious. “And Zach carried you all the way back because you twisted your ankle.” “He’s always been my hero,” I said softly, feeling a pang of longing. I couldn’t wait to see what he had planned for tonight. As the sun set and the sky turned a deep indigo, the anticipation in the air grew. My friends gathered around me, their excitement mirroring my own. Ethan handed me a microphone, grinning from ear to ear. “Ready to make your speech, birthday girl?” I took the microphone, my hands trembling slightly. “Thank you, Ethan.” I turned to face the crowd, their expectant faces turned toward me. Taking a deep breath, I began. “Thank you all for coming tonight. Your support and love mean the world to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better pack, or better friends. Tonight is a special night for me, and I’m so grateful to share it with all of you.” Applause erupted, and I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. I spotted Zach making his way through the crowd, a small box in his hand. My heart skipped a beat. “Zach!” I called out, my voice filled with joy. He reached me, a smile playing on his lips. “Happy Birthday, Elena,” he said, holding out the box. “I have something for you.” I opened it, revealing a delicate silver necklace with a wolf pendant. It was beautiful, and the meaning behind it brought tears to my eyes. “I made it myself. It’s for your first shift,” Zach explained. “A reminder that you’re never alone, no matter what.” “Thank you, Zach,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. He leaned in, kissing me gently on the cheek. The celebration continued in full swing. Laughter echoed through the venue as friends and family danced and enjoyed the festivities. I felt like I was floating on air, the joy and love around me making everything seem perfect. “Elena, this party is amazing!” one of my classmates exclaimed, twirling around in her dress. “I can’t believe you’re sixteen already.” “I know, it feels surreal,” I replied, smiling. “But I’m glad you’re all here to celebrate with me.” I made my way through the crowd, stopping to chat with different groups of people. Each conversation was filled with warmth and affection, reinforcing the bond I had with my pack. Even those who didn’t know me well had come to celebrate, their presence a testament to the unity and strength of our community. “Elena, you have to try this punch,” Ethan said, appearing beside me with a cup in hand. “It’s Celia’s secret recipe.” I took the cup, sipping the sweet, tangy punch. “It’s amazing! Celia outdid herself.” Ethan grinned. “She always does. You know she’s been planning this for weeks, right?” I nodded, touched by my friend’s dedication. “I’m so lucky to have her, and all of you.” Ethan’s expression softened. “We’re the lucky ones, Elena. You’ve done so much for this pack. Tonight is about celebrating you.” His eyes lingered on mine for a moment. “You look nice tonight, by the way. Not that you don’t always look nice.” I smiled. “Ethan, thank you. Thank you for everything.” The night wore on, and the energy in the room remained high. People danced, laughed, and shared stories, their faces glowing with happiness. This was everything I had hoped for and more. Standing among my friends, surrounded by laughter and love, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. I had no idea what was coming next, but in that moment, everything was perfect. Little did I know, the night held secrets that would soon unravel, changing everything I thought I knew.