Episode 1
"Rory!"
I didn't turn around.
If I ignored him long enough, maybe he'd finally give up.
"Aurora Evelyn Hale."
Still nothing.
"I swear, if you don't answer me, I'm telling Aunt Clara you stole the honey cakes she baked this morning."
I spun around so fast that the basket in my hands nearly tipped over.
"I did not!"
A familiar laugh echoed across the courtyard.
There he was.
Kael.
Standing beneath the old oak tree with his hands tucked into the pockets of his black training pants, looking far too pleased with himself.
"I knew that would get your attention."
"You are unbelievable."
"And yet..." He spread his arms dramatically. "I'm still your favorite person." I rolled my eyes.
"In your dreams." I said
He walked toward me, the afternoon sunlight catching the dark strands of his hair. At eighteen, Kael already looked every bit the Alpha he was destined to become. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Calm without even trying.
The little girls in the pack whispered whenever he passed.
The older wolves proudly called him the future of Silver Moon.
To me...
He was still the annoying boy who once cried because a squirrel stole his lunch.
"What are you smiling about?" he asked.
"I was remembering something."
"Something embarrassing?"
"For you? Always."
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"You'd better not be thinking about the squirrel."
"I wasn't..."
"You were."
"I definitely wasn't."
"You liar."
I laughed before I could stop myself.
That was the thing about Kael.
No matter how bad my day was...
He always found a way to make me laugh.
"Rory!" Aunt Clara called from the front of the packhouse. "Stop chatting and bring those moonflowers over here. We still have half the courtyard to decorate before sunset!"
"I'm coming!"
I picked up my basket.
Kael reached for it at the same time.
"I've got it," he said.
"It's heavy."
"I know."
"So let me carry it you carried three baskets already." I said
He shrugged.
"And?"
"You'll complain later."I replied
just listen your alpha king,he said
I couldn't argue with that and just gave in.
Together, we crossed the busy courtyard.
The entire pack was preparing for tomorrow's Moon Blessing Festival.
Silver ribbons fluttered between wooden posts.
Children chased each other carrying paper lanterns.
The scent of roasted meat drifted from the kitchens.
Some warriors were hanging glowing crystals around the main hall while others built the ceremonial platform where every eighteen-year-old would discover their fated mate.
It happened only once a year.
Tomorrow...
It would be my turn.
"Kael!" Beta Rowan shouted.
"The banners are crooked!"
Kael sighed dramatically.
"Do I look like I hung them?"
"You'll fix them because you're taller."
Kael leaned close to me and whispered, "Being future Alpha is exhausting."
I covered my mouth to hide my laugh.
"I heard that," Beta Rowan yelled.
"Good."
I laughed harder.
"Rory."
"Hm?"
"If I climb that ladder..."
"...yes?"
"...promise you won't laugh if I fall."
I looked him up and down.
"You? Fall?" I asked feeling surprised
"I'm serious."
"I'll try."
"You'll fail."
"I absolutely will."
He shook his head.
"You are the worst best friend."
"The worst?"I asked chuckling.
"The absolute worst."
I smiled.
"But I'm still your best friend."
His expression softened.
"There was never anyone else."
