Chapter 4 A Prayer to the Moon
1151 Words
Are you really going to the ceremony tonight?”
Aria looked up from the basket of herbs she was sorting.
The voice belonged to Mira, one of the older kitchen workers. Unlike most people in the pack, Mira rarely mocked her.
Still, the question made Aria pause.
“I have to,” she said quietly.
Mira leaned against the wooden table and studied her.
“Most wolves go because they’re excited,” she said. “But you look like you’re heading toward a battlefield.”
Aria gave a faint smile.
“Maybe it feels that way.”
Outside the kitchen window, the pack territory was already buzzing with activity. Wolves moved quickly between buildings, carrying lanterns, wood, and decorations for the ceremony.
The Mate Ceremony only happened once a year, and the entire pack treated it like a sacred festival.
Aria returned to sorting the herbs.
But her mind kept drifting back to the same thought.
Tonight.
Mira sighed softly.
“You shouldn’t let those girls get into your head,” she said.
Aria didn’t need to ask who she meant.
Lila and the others had made sure the entire pack knew their opinions about her.
“She’s an Omega.”
“She can’t shift.”
“She’ll never find a mate.”
Aria pushed the thoughts away.
“I’m used to it,” she said.
Mira shook her head.
“No one should get used to that.”
Aria didn’t answer.
Because the truth was, she had gotten used to it.
She had spent years being ignored, mocked, and treated like she didn’t belong.
Sometimes she wondered if the Moon Goddess had simply forgotten about her.
After a moment, Mira spoke again.
“Still,” she said gently, “the Moon Goddess sees everything.”
Aria glanced up.
“Do you really believe that?”
“Of course.”
Mira’s voice carried quiet certainty.
“The Moon Goddess chooses mates for a reason.”
Aria looked down at the herbs in her hands.
“What if she makes a mistake?”
Mira chuckled softly.
“The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”
The words lingered in the air.
Aria finished sorting the herbs and placed them neatly into a small basket.
“I should go,” she said.
“There’s still work to do.”
Mira nodded.
But as Aria turned to leave, the older woman added one more thing.
“Tonight might surprise you.”
Aria didn’t reply.
She simply stepped outside.
The afternoon sun had begun sinking slowly toward the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of gold.
Lanterns were already being hung across the pack square.
Large piles of wood surrounded the sacred clearing where the bonfire would burn once the moon rose.
Everywhere she looked, wolves were smiling.
Excited.
Hopeful.
Aria felt like an outsider watching someone else’s celebration.
She walked quietly through the trees at the edge of the territory.
Eventually, she reached a small clearing she often visited when she needed to think.
A large stone rested beneath an ancient oak tree.
Aria sat down.
For a moment, she simply listened to the wind rustling through the leaves.
This place was the only spot in the pack territory where she truly felt alone.
No whispers.
No laughter.
No cruel stares.
Just silence.
Aria leaned back slightly and looked up at the sky.
The sun was slowly disappearing behind the distant mountains.
Soon the moon would rise.
Tonight was supposed to be a night of destiny.
But what kind of destiny could someone like her have?
A wolf without a wolf.
A member of the pack who didn’t belong.
Her hand moved to the silver pendant resting against her chest.
It was the only thing she had from her parents.
The metal felt cool beneath her fingers.
“I wish you were here,” she whispered softly.
Her parents had died when she was very young.
No one ever spoke about them.
Whenever she asked questions, the elders simply changed the subject.
Sometimes Aria wondered if there was something about her past that the pack didn’t want her to know.
She closed her eyes.
Then she tilted her face slightly toward the darkening sky.
The first faint glow of the rising moon was beginning to appear.
Aria hesitated for a moment.
Then she spoke quietly.
“Moon Goddess…”
The words felt strange leaving her lips.
She had never prayed before.
But tonight…
Something inside her felt desperate enough to try.
“I know I’m not strong,” she whispered.
Her fingers tightened around the pendant.
“I know I don’t belong here.”
The wind brushed gently through the clearing.
Aria swallowed.
“But if you’re really watching…”
Her voice softened.
“…please give me a chance.”
She lowered her head slightly.
“I don’t need power.”
“I don’t need to be important.”
Her chest tightened as the words spilled out.
“I just want a place where I belong.”
A single tear slipped down her cheek.
“I want someone who sees me.”
Someone who doesn’t laugh.
Someone who doesn’t treat me like I’m invisible.
Aria opened her eyes again.
The moon had risen higher now, glowing softly in the darkening sky.
For a moment, the silver light seemed brighter than usual.
Almost like it was listening.
Aria wiped her face quickly.
“This is silly,” she murmured.
She stood from the stone and brushed the dust from her dress.
The ceremony would begin soon.
The pack would already be gathering around the bonfire.
Aria took one last glance at the glowing moon above.
Then she turned and walked back toward the pack square.
By the time she arrived, the entire clearing was filled with wolves.
Large torches surrounded the sacred bonfire.
Music and laughter filled the air.
The smell of roasted meat drifted through the crowd.
Young wolves stood in groups, their eyes shining with anticipation.
Everyone was waiting for the same thing.
Destiny.
Aria stayed near the edge of the gathering.
She didn’t want to draw attention.
But as she watched the crowd—
A sudden hush spread through the clearing.
The music stopped.
The wolves began stepping aside.
Aria followed their gaze.
Alpha Damon Blackthorn had entered the ceremony.
He walked slowly toward the center of the bonfire circle.
Tall.
Confident.
Powerful.
Every wolf lowered their head respectfully as he passed.
Aria felt that strange warmth in her chest again.
It spread slowly through her body.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Why did that keep happening?
Damon stepped beside the sacred fire pit.
His dark eyes scanned the crowd calmly.
For a moment, they passed over dozens of wolves.
Then—
They stopped.
Directly on her.
Aria froze.
The warmth inside her chest flared suddenly.
Stronger than ever before.
Her breath caught.
Because deep in her mind…
The whisper returned.
Clear.
Powerful.
Mate.
- Writer
