Moonbound Mistake

Hi, I'm Raina Thorne. Second daughter of Alpha Sebastian of the White Moon Pack. Sounds impressive, right? One of the strongest, most elite packs in the country. Power. Legacy. Honor. Except none of that has anything to do with me. I have an older sister—Seraphina Thorne. She's smart. Strong. Beautiful. Perfect in every way that matters. She's the golden child, the shining jewel of the pack. And me? I'm the shadow. The disappointment. The "omega sister." At least, that's what everyone whispers when they think I'm out of earshot. Dumb. Weak. Ugly. That's me. I haven't even shifted yet, and my maturity day is drawing closer with every cursed sunrise. No wolf, no power, nothing to prove I even belong in this family. Sometimes I wonder if I was adopted. Because why else would the Moon Goddess curse me like this? My father doesn't waste his time wondering. To him, I'm invisible. Seraphina gets the pride, the attention, the praise. Me? I get punishments and silence. But honestly? That's fine. Better her than me. Father's about to marry her off to Lucien Drax—the heir of the Silver Moon Pack—in some big political alliance. Poor Lucien doesn't know what he's getting himself into, but as long as it's not me walking down that aisle, I'll count my blessings. Seraphina is annoying enough at home. Always flaunting her beauty and achievements, making sure I know exactly how worthless I am. We've hated each other for as long as I can remember. She thinks she's righteous, perfect, untouchable. I think she's... unbearable. "Hey, Raina, what are you doing here?" I blinked, startled. "I'm just delivering these," I said, balancing the basket of herbs in my arms. "I heard you needed them for tomorrow's ceremony." "Right. Thank you, Raina." "You're welcome." The healer, Gina, smiled softly as she took the herbs from me. She wasn't just our doctor—she was a witch, captured years ago and forced into service for our pack. My father had made her swear allegiance to him in exchange for her freedom, but she'd always been kind to me. The only one, actually. "Good for her," I muttered, watching Gina prepare the ceremonial poultices for Seraphina's engagement. "She gets her grand future tomorrow." Gina tilted her head. "Is there something you need, Raina?" I bit my lip, then blurted, "Well... I heard tomorrow's a big night. The Red Moon. And I was wondering if maybe you could... you know... help me." Her brow arched. "Help you how?" "You know." My cheeks heated. "Find a mate." "A love potion?" she teased. I shrugged, grinning sheepishly. "Maybe?" She sighed. "Raina, you know the Red Moon ceremony reveals your mate naturally. You can't trick fate. Even I don't have that kind of power." "Maybe not, but it could still work, right?" I begged, widening my eyes. "Please, Gina. I like someone. I can't watch him bond with someone else tomorrow." Her frown softened. "Who?" "Elizer," I whispered. My heart fluttered just saying his name. "He's Beta of Silver Moon. Handsome, smart, kind. I know he's way out of my league, but—" "But you want him anyway," Gina finished gently. I nodded, ashamed. She studied me for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. Come tomorrow before the ceremony. I'll prepare something. But you must follow my instructions exactly. Do you understand?" "Yes!" I squealed, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Gina. You're the best!" She chuckled, shaking her head. "Be careful what you wish for, Raina." That night, while helping the maids prepare for the Red Moon ceremony, Seraphina waltzed into the hall like she owned the world. Which, to be fair, she kind of did. "Raina," she sneered, "fetch my gown for tomorrow. And don't spill anything on it this time, unless you want a repeat of last time." I froze, my fists clenching. "What? Can't the butler do that? It's heavy!" She leaned close, her perfume suffocating. "Are you going to disobey me? Should I tell Father how ungrateful you are?" My stomach dropped. Father's punishments were worse than her taunts. I gritted my teeth. "As you wish, your highness." I rolled my eyes. Her smirk widened. I know she loved winning. Later, in Father's study, I was delivering Seraphina's gown when he called me in. "Raina," Alpha Sebastian said without looking up from his papers. "Try not to ruin anything tomorrow. Your sister's future depends on this alliance." "Yes, Father," I muttered. He finally looked up at me, eyes cold, weighing me down like stones. "You're nearly of age, and yet still no wolf. No strength. You're an embarrassment to this family." Seraphina, lounging by the window, hid a smile behind her hand. "She can't help being useless, Father." Heat burned behind my eyes, but I swallowed the words clawing at my throat. "Get out," Father snapped. "And don't shame us tomorrow." I bowed my head, fists clenched so tight my nails cut my palms. Later that night, I wandered out into the training grounds, my cloak wrapped tightly around me. The night air was cool, brushing against my skin like a warning. I knew I wasn't supposed to be here—no one was allowed in the ceremonial area until tomorrow—but I couldn't stand another second in that house. The moon hung heavy above the trees, not yet red but already brighter than usual, casting long shadows across the stone archway where tomorrow's rituals would be held. I traced my fingers over the carved runes at its base, the ancient symbols glowing faintly as if they sensed what was coming. For a moment, I let myself imagine what it would feel like if the Moon Goddess chose me. If I wasn't just the unwanted daughter. If, for once, I belonged. "Daydreaming, little wolf?" The voice was low, edged with something that sent a shiver down my spine. I spun around, heart racing. Someone stepped out of the shadows. Tall. Broad-shouldered. His presence carried a weight that silenced the night itself. Lucien Drax. The heir of Silver Moon. The man who would be bound to Seraphina tomorrow. I froze, my breath caught in my throat. His storm-grey eyes swept over me, sharp and assessing, but then—just for a flicker—they softened, like he'd seen something he didn't expect. I ducked my head, heat rushing to my cheeks. I was nobody. Just the omega sister sneaking where I didn't belong. But when I dared glance up again, his gaze was still on me, steady, unyielding. And for that heartbeat of silence, I felt seen. Not like Seraphina's shadow. Not like the disappointment of Alpha Sebastian. But as me. Of course, the moment shattered as quickly as it came. His expression hardened again, unreadable, and he turned away, his cloak brushing the ground as he strode past me. Still, my pulse refused to calm. Because for one dangerous second, I could've sworn the Moon itself had stopped to watch us.