Episode.One
The woods were alive with the hum of summer.
Cicadas buzzed in the trees, and the sweet, heavy scent of wildflowers filled the air. Somewhere in the distance, a river gurgled softly over smooth stones.
Aria stood at the very edge of the clearing, her bare feet buried in cool grass, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She watched the pack children laugh and dance under the fading light, their faces flushed with excitement.
Tomorrow night, under the full moon, the Alpha Ceremony would take place — the sacred rite where fated mates would be revealed by the Moon Goddess herself.
Tomorrow, everything could change.
Or nothing would.
Aria knew better than most not to hope too fiercely.
Born an omega the lowest of the low—she had spent her life as little more than a shadow within the pack. She was sent to the kitchens when the other children trained in combat. The one who received the torn hand-me-downs when the others wore new ceremonial robes. The one who was forgotten when feast plates were passed out, or when names were called.
The runt. The nothing.
The thought stung more sharply tonight than ever before.
A breeze stirred her hair, carrying the sharp, musky scent of wolves preparing for the hunt. Somewhere beyond the woods, the warriors sharpened their claws, teeth, and pride.
And still, a tiny, stubborn ember of hope flickered in Aria’s chest.
Maybe tomorrow the Goddess would see her.
Maybe tomorrow she would find her fated mate — someone who would love her, protect her, choose her.
Aria closed her eyes, lifting her face to the stars.
Please, she thought. Just this once. See me.
The clearing grew quieter as twilight deepened into night. One by one, the others drifted back toward the village, their laughter fading into the distance.
Aria lingered a little longer, reluctant to leave the one place where, for a brief time, she hadn't felt completely invisible.
As she turned to go, a strange sensation prickled at the back of her neck — the unmistakable feeling of being watched.
She froze, scanning the treeline.
Nothing.
Yet the feeling persisted, a shiver sliding down her spine.
She tightened her arms around herself and hurried back toward the village, telling herself it was just nerves. Just her imagination.
But she never saw the golden eyes gleaming in the darkness behind her.
Never saw the figure that stepped silently from the shadows, watching her every move with chilling intensity.
Tomorrow would change everything.
But not in the way Aria dreamed.
