The Silver Moon Heiress

Chapter 2

Elara's pov:

We entered the classroom just before the bell rang.

I let out a sigh of relief as I dropped into my seat beside Aroan.

"See? I told you I would make it," I whispered.

Aroan raised an eyebrow and looked at me as if I had just said the most ridiculous thing in the world.

"You call running halfway across the territory and almost getting caught by the teacher 'making it'?"

I rolled my eyes.

"At least I wasn't late."

He laughed softly.

"You're impossible, Elara."

"And you're annoying, Aroan."

"Yet you still need me every morning."

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out.

Because he was right.

Aroan had always been there for me.

When I forgot my lunch, he shared his. When I got into trouble, he helped me escape. When everyone else made me feel like I didn't belong, he was the one person who treated me normally.

"Don't look so proud," I said, trying to hide my smile. "You're only useful because I allow you to be."

He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.

"That hurts. After everything I've done for you?"

I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

"You survived. Congratulations."

He shook his head, smiling.

"One day, someone is going to teach you some manners."

"Good luck finding that person."

The two of us laughed quietly until the teacher entered the classroom.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

No worries.

No feeling like an outsider.

Just me and my best friend.

Suddenly, an arm draped over my shoulder, and a familiar voice whispered near my ear.

"What are you two talking about?"

I turned and smiled.

It was Isla.

My second-best friend.

And the most jealous person I knew.

Aroan immediately rolled his eyes.

"That's our secret. We don't have to discuss it with you."

Isla's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean by that?"

Her voice came out a little louder than she intended.

A few students turned to look at us.

"Shh! Silence, please!" the teacher snapped from the front of the room while writing notes on the board.

Isla huffed and crossed her arms.

"Fine. Keep your secrets."

Aroan smirked.

"I plan to."

She glared at him.

I quickly looked down at my notebook, trying—and failing—not to laugh.

The two of them bickering had become a daily part of my life.

And honestly?

I couldn't imagine school without it.

The rest of the morning passed slowly as the teacher droned on about pack history and laws.

The moment the lunch bell rang, the entire classroom erupted into chatter.

I grabbed my bag and headed toward our usual table under the large oak tree in the academy courtyard.

A few minutes later, Aroan appeared carrying a tray in one hand and a glass of fresh berry juice in the other.

Before he could reach me, a familiar voice stopped him.

"Aroan!"

Aveline smiled sweetly as she stepped in front of him.

Her perfectly styled blonde hair gleamed under the sunlight, and several boys immediately turned to look at her.

"Can I have that juice?" she asked, pointing at the glass in his hand.

For a second, Aroan hesitated.

His eyes dropped to the glass.

Then he shook his head.

"Sorry."

Aveline blinked in surprise.

"What?"

Aroan glanced toward me.

"It's for Elara."

For a brief moment, I thought I saw something flash across Aveline's face.

Annoyance.

But it disappeared so quickly that I wasn't sure.

"Oh," she said with a smile. "Of course."

Without another word, Aroan walked past her.

A few seconds later, he reached our table and placed the glass directly in front of me.

"There."

I looked down at it.

"My favorite?"

"Obviously."

He sat down beside me.

"You forgot your drink again."

I grinned.

"That's because I knew you'd remember."

Aroan groaned dramatically.

"See? This is exactly why you're spoiled."

I took a sip of the juice.

"Yet you keep spoiling me."

"Unfortunately."

I laughed while Isla dropped into the seat across from us.

"Unbelievable."

"What?" I asked.

She pointed at Aroan.

"He said no to Aveline."

Aroan shrugged.

"So?"

"So?" Isla repeated. "Do you know how many people would hand over their lunch just because she asked?"

"I don't care."

His answer was immediate.

I nearly choked on my drink.

Isla stared at him.

Then at me.

Then back at him.

A slow grin spread across her face.

"Oh."

Aroan narrowed his eyes.

"Oh, what?"

"Nothing," Isla said innocently.

Which, of course, meant it was definitely something.

I had no idea why she looked so amused.

Meanwhile, across the courtyard, Aveline sat at another table.

For just a moment, her eyes drifted toward us.

Toward Aroan.

And then toward the glass of juice sitting in front of me.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

A smile that sent an odd feeling through my chest.

As if something had just begun.

And I didn't even realize it.

Isla's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"So, soon-to-be birthday girl, what's the plan?" Isla asked with an excited grin.

My silence was all the answer she needed.

"Oh, no. Not this time. This isn't just any birthday—it's your eighteenth! Why don't they celebrate yours when they threw the biggest party in the pack just a week ago for her birthday?" she complained, shooting a glare at Aveline.

"Oh, please, Isla. It's not her fault," Aroan said, defending Aveline.

His words caught me off guard. I looked at him in confusion, silently waiting for an explanation.

"What I mean is... it wasn't Aveline's decision. It was your dad's. If anyone's at fault, it's them for not treating you fairly—not Aveline."

I nodded slowly. Somehow, he was right. It wasn't Aveline who had forgotten I was his daughter.

For some reason, that thought gave me a little relief.

"Oh, whatever," Isla muttered under her breath.

"Don't worry, bestie. We can celebrate your birthday ourselves," Aroan said with a warm smile.

"I don't think we can," I replied.

Both of them looked at me with puzzled expressions.

"Remember? My birthday falls on the night of the full moon. It'll be Aveline's first shift... and hopefully mine too. I'll have to help with all the preparations for the ceremony and celebration. You know... like always."

For a moment, I caught the pity in their eyes.

I didn't want their pity.

"But..." I forced a smile. "We can celebrate before or after that. What do you say?"

"Yeah! I'm in!" Isla said enthusiastically, raising her hand for a high-five.

Aroan chuckled as he slapped his palm against hers. "Me too."

A smile finally found its way onto my face.

"Looks like I don't have much of a choice now, do I?" I laughed.

"Nope," Isla said proudly. "And besides, you're finally turning eighteen! That's a huge deal."

She wiggled her eyebrows playfully. "Our little Elara is all grown up."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm only a year younger than you two."

"Still counts," Aroan teased. "Once you shift, you'll officially be an adult in the pack. No more hiding behind the excuse of being 'too young.'"

"Oh, really?" I folded my arms. "And what exactly do adults do differently?"

"They have to act responsibly," he replied with a grin.

Isla burst into laughter.

"Then she's doomed."

"Hey!" I gasped, trying to sound offended.

"You still trip over your own feet," Isla continued between laughs. "Imagine your wolf trying to run through the forest."

"Oh, come on!" I protested, unable to stop myself from laughing too.

Aroan joined in.

"I just hope your wolf has better balance than you."

I picked up my notebook and lightly smacked his arm with it.

"Traitor."

He laughed, rubbing his arm dramatically.

"Ouch. That actually hurt."

"Good."

The three of us laughed together, earning curious glances from a few classmates.

After our laughter settled, Isla rested her chin on her hand.

"So... are you nervous?"

I knew exactly what she meant.

"My first shift?"

She nodded.

"A little," I admitted. "Everyone talks about how painful it is. Some say it feels like every bone in your body is breaking."

"It does," Aroan said, his smile softening. "It hurts... but only for a while. Once it's over and you meet your wolf, everything changes."

His eyes held a warmth that made me feel a little less afraid.

"You'll never be alone again."

I smiled at the thought.

"I can't wait to meet mine."

"And I can't wait to meet her either," Isla said excitedly. "I bet she'll be beautiful."

"Or she'll be just as clumsy as Elara," Aroan teased.

"Oh, that's it!" I reached for another notebook, making him laugh as he leaned away.

"See?" Isla giggled. "Definitely not mature yet."

I couldn't help laughing with them.

For a moment, everything felt... normal.

No thoughts about my forgotten birthday.

No thoughts about being overlooked.

Just the three of us, laughing like we always had.

Isla smiled warmly before saying, "No matter what happens on your birthday, you're not spending it alone."

Aroan nodded without hesitation.

"We'll be there. Always."

His words filled my heart with a warmth I hadn't felt all morning.

Maybe my birthday wouldn't be so lonely after all.

I smiled, believing every word.

Back then, I thought some promises were too strong to be broken.

I was wrong.