CHAPTER THREE
1196 Words
SILVER’S POV
I’d never felt so many emotions at once.
Nervous. Excited. Sick. Ready.
The courtyard behind the packhouse was glowing with torches and the scent of pine and ash thick in the air.
Every pack member who mattered was here—elders, warriors, even the omegas had come out to witness the shift ceremony.
We weren't the only ones shifting, but ours was special.
After the shifting, both Sterling and I would have a waiting period of five days without coming out, then on the sixth day, I will be officially recognised as the Alpha heir and Sterling a renagé in the council.
I already had my beta in mind.
Imane.
She was the closest person to me, and one of the few people I knew won't be fake with me.
She also disliked Sterling but tried not to let it bother me.
Even if Sterling was proud, childish, and immature, he was still my brother.
Once, we were very close and attached to the hip.
Goddess knows what came over him.
I stood barefoot on the soft grass, heart pounding in my chest like it wanted to shift before I did.
My parents stood behind me, pride in their eyes.
But it was my father’s hand on my shoulder that grounded me.
“You ready, Silver?” he asked, voice low but firm.
I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure.
“Yeah. I think so.”
He smiled a rare, soft smile.
“Tonight marks the beginning of your leadership journey.”
I could feel Sterling’s eyes burning into the side of my face, but I refused to look at him. Not tonight.
The moon hung high, full and silver—like it was named after me.
Like it knew I was meant to lead.
Then the Elder stepped forward, holding the ceremonial dagger.
“Silver Night.” he began.
“firstborn child of Alpha Garrick and Luna Melara. On this night, under the eye of the moon goddess, you are called to meet your wolf. And as you meet your wolf as leader, others shall follow in strength and accordance.”
I took the dagger.
The blade was warm in my hand, almost humming.
With a slow, steady breath, I dragged it across my palm, blood rising in a thin red line.
I pressed it to the stone altar and whispered, “I accept my wolf.”
For a moment—nothing.
Then—
Pain. White-hot. Searing.
My body dropped to my knees. My bones cracked, rearranged. My skin burned as fur pushed through. My vision blurred with tears as my heart thundered wildly inside my chest.
I screamed from the pain and breaking of my bones to form my wolf.
I underestimated the pain very much.
And then, silence.
And then…
I rose.
I didn’t just shift.
I became.
My wolf form was sleek, silver-white, eyes glowing like twin moons.
The crowd gasped. I heard my mother whisper something.
My father’s breath caught in his throat.
Pride.
I felt it.
And power.
I howled, long and sharp, and the other young wolves joined me.
Including…
Sterling.
He shifted right after.
His wolf was darker—grayish but almost closer to white with amber eyes.
His wolf was smaller than mine but bigger than a normal wolf.
He had Alpha's blood, but he wasn't the Alpha heir.
He looked at me and snarled quietly. I didn’t respond.
I didn’t need to.
I had already won.
---
After the ceremony, the shifting magic slowly wore off. Our bodies returned to human form, robes waiting for us by the edge of the woods.
I was still glowing. Still trembling. Everything inside me buzzed like it was new.
This was everything I ever dreamed of.
That’s when I felt it.
The bond.
It hit me like a punch to the chest—this magnetic pull. This ache in my bones screamed mine.
I froze.
No. No, not tonight. Not now.
I didn’t want a mate now or anything that had to do with a mate.
I turned, and my eyes locked on Kaiden.
His eyes were wide. Confused. And then they darkened.
I stepped back.
“No.”
He couldn't be.
“No?” he echoed, stepping closer.
“You feel it too. Don’t lie.”
“I—” My breath caught in my throat.
“You can’t be…”
His smirk was almost cruel.
“I didn’t expect this either, but here we are.”
“No,” I said again, firmer now. “This is a mistake. This has to be a mistake.”
I couldn't be mated to Kaiden Accus, Sterling’s best friend.
Was the moon goddess mocking me?
“There are no mistakes with the mate bond. Our moon goddess can never be wrong.” he said softly, stepping even closer.
“Kaiden—don’t—”
But he reached out, fingers brushing my bare shoulder.
The contact sent fire down my spine, unwanted but undeniable.
“Just come with me,” he whispered.
“Let’s talk. Somewhere quiet.”
I should’ve said no.
I should’ve slapped him.
But that bond—it was like a tether, dragging me forward.
I followed him.
I wanted to tell him to hold on to the thoughts of announcing our bond.
It was too early for me and I wasn't ready.
We walked just beyond the trees. To a clearing. The music from the celebration was distant now. Torches flickered, casting gold shadows on his face.
He turned to me.
“You’re really not happy about this.” he said, watching me.
“Because it’s you. Of all people, i had to be bound to you.”
He laughed once.
“You make rejection sound romantic.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“You don’t have to.”
I looked away.
“This bond… it’s not right.”
“It’s real though,” he said, voice lower now.
“I can feel it. I know you can, too. I was also surprised when I smelt my mate, and it turned out to be you. Fate couldn't be more blessed on me. Kaiden Accus, mated to the Alpha heir of Night pack. Goddess be praised. I always thought you were so beautiful.”
And then suddenly—he leaned in. Too close. His hands brushed my waist.
“Kaiden—” I started, but it was too late.
A growl ripped through the clearing.
“What the hell is going on here?”
My father’s voice.
I froze.
Kaiden immediately stepped back, like he hadn’t just been holding me.
My mother was beside him, her eyes wide with horror.
Sterling stood behind them, arms crossed, wearing a victorious smirk.
And behind him—three council members.
This was a setup.
Sterling had a mischievous glint in his eyes.
He knew.
They had planned this.
I turned to Kaiden.
“You—”
But his face was blank. Masked.
“Silver,” my father said tightly.
“Tidy yourself. We’ll speak at home.”
I wanted to scream. I wanted to explain. But the damage was already done.
And Kaiden… just stood there.
Saying nothing.
- Writer
