The Unmarked Luna

The ceremonial gown pulled at my shoulders with the weight of several skirts. Silver moons had been stitched into every layer, and their thread scratched cold against my skin. For three years, I had served as Kael's secret healer and unmarked Luna, trusted in private and unnamed before the pack. Tonight, that was supposed to end. No one spoke in the Great Hall of the Shadow Pack. Wolves filled every bench. Kael stood on the dais, ready for the final oath, with his Alpha power spread over the room. Before he faced the Elders, he looked for me as he always did before a difficult oath. He crossed the hall with one hand already on his ceremonial cloak. Selene reached him first. His first love came out from beside the dais, laid one hand on his arm, and stopped him a few feet from me. Kael kept his hand raised, waiting for the ritual I had performed before every council. I was meant to straighten his collar, fix his silver wolf pin, and reassure him. I didn’t move. His jaw tightened at my refusal. Then he turned to Selene and let her adjust the cloak in front of the entire pack. Her fingers lingered over his silver wolf pin. She stepped back with one hand spread over her swollen belly. The smile she gave me vanished before Kael turned around. Kael faced the hall. "The Marking Ceremony is postponed." The hall broke into whispers. "Selene carries my heir." He looked at her with a warmth he had withheld from me for months. "The pack's future comes first. No other bond will be finalized until the pup is safe." My pulse beat against the tight collar. He had delayed our ceremony twice before, but this announcement settled what another promise never could. Before the whispers grew louder, Kael caught my elbow and steered me behind the carved screen of a private alcove. "Elara, listen." He used the patient tone he saved for my objections. "This changes nothing between us. My heart is yours. An heir settles the Elders. That's all." He studied my face and waited for tears or an argument. He could answer either one with a promise and a few soft words. I gave him none of it. "I understand. For the pack." His shoulders loosened at once. "Exactly. You're always so understanding. Be patient. Once the pup is born, we'll have our ceremony. I promise." He squeezed my arm and glanced toward the hall. To him, the matter was settled, and Selene was waiting. I had already made another choice. I nodded once. Kael smiled, released me, and went back to stand beside Selene before the Elders. I left the alcove through the side passage. I did not return to my seat or wait for the ceremonial feast. I went straight to my chambers. The Luna gown landed in a silver heap on the floor. I knelt beside the oldest chest and pushed aside the silks and velvets Kael had given me over the years. Under the chest's false floor, my fingers found a stiff roll of parchment wrapped in plain cloth to protect the royal seal. I broke the royal seal and read it again. It was my acceptance letter from the Wolf King, delivered in secret after my final examination papers reached the Capital. *The Royal Healer Academy. Capital City.* At the bottom, beneath the academy's terms and departure date, was the answer I had sent weeks ago in my own hand: *Accepted.*