The crowd seemed to disappear as Orion Blackwood moved toward Celeste. Each step he took made her heart beat faster. The pulling feeling in her chest grew stronger, like an invisible rope connecting them. "He's coming right for you," Lyra whispered, her eyes wide. Seraphina's grip on Celeste's arm tightened. "This isn't happening," she hissed. But it was. Celeste couldn't look away from Orion's dark gray eyes. They were locked on hers as if nothing else in the room mattered. People stepped away, creating a path between them. When he was just a few steps away, Celeste could feel the power coming off him in waves. His black hair fell across his face, and a small scar cut through his left eyebrow. He was taller than she'd thought, with wide shoulders that made her feel small.
"Breathe," Lyra reminded her.
Celeste realized she'd been holding her breath. She let it out just as Orion stopped in front of her. "You," he said, his voice deep and rich.
"Who are you?" Before she could answer, Seraphina stepped between them, smiling brightly. "Alpha Blackwood, what a pleasure. I'm Seraphina Nightshade, and this is my little sister, Celeste." Orion barely glanced at Seraphina. His eyes stayed fixed on Celeste. "I've never seen you before." "I've been away," Celeste said softly, repeating the lie she'd been told to tell. "Studying abroad." His eyebrows came together. "Strange. I would have remembered you." The way he said it made her cheeks burn. Was this what it felt like to meet your fated mate? Like the world had shrunk down to just one person? "Alpha Blackwood," came a stern voice. Orion's father, Magnus, emerged beside him, golden eyes cold and calculating as they swept over Celeste. "I see you've met Harold's younger daughter."
"I didn't know he had another daughter," Orion said, still looking at Celeste. Magnus's mouth tightened.
"Few did.
How... interesting that she's chosen to join society now." The way he said "interesting" made it sound like a threat. Celeste felt a chill run down her spine. "Father," Seraphina cut in easily, "shouldn't we introduce Celeste to the other guests?" "In a moment," her father replied, his eyes darting between Celeste and Orion with growing worry. Suddenly, music filled the room. "The first dance is beginning!" someone announced. "Perfect timing," Seraphina said, reaching for Orion's arm. "Alpha Blackwood, would you honor me with the first dance?" Orion didn't move. "Actually, I'd like to dance with your sister." A flash of anger crossed Seraphina's face before it smoothed into a smile. "How sweet of you to include her, but Celeste doesn't dance. Do you, sister?" All eyes were on her now. Celeste felt her powers stirring beneath her skin, reacting to her nerves. The crystal chandelier above them flickered slightly. "I can dance," she said quietly, trying to stay calm. Orion held out his hand. "Then dance with me." The moment their fingers touched, a jolt of energy shot through Celeste's body. Gasps rang around them as the chandelier flashed brightly before returning to normal. "Did you see that?" "Her eyes glowed again!" "What is she?" Whispers filled the room, but Celeste barely heard them. Orion's hand was warm around hers as he led her to the center of the hall. When he put his other hand on her waist, she felt dizzy with his closeness. "You're not what I expected," he said, leading her into the dance. "What did you expect?" she asked. His eyes searched hers. "I don't know. But I've never felt this before." "The pull," she whispered. "Like something is drawing us together." He nodded, his face serious. "You know what it means?" Of course she knew. Martha had told her stories about fated mates. Two wolves destined for each other, connected by forces beyond their power. It was rare – almost as rare as her silver hair and violet eyes. "Yes," she said, her voice barely audible. "You're my—" "Don't say it." His grip tightened. "Not here. Too many ears." They spun around the floor, other dancers giving them space. Celeste felt like she was floating. For years she'd been locked away, told she was different, dangerous.
Now the most powerful Alpha in the region was holding her like she was precious. "Why were you hidden?" he asked suddenly. The question caught her off guard. "How did you know I was hidden?" A small smile tugged at his lips. "You think I wouldn't have heard about a white-haired, violet-eyed Nightshade? Someone kept you a secret. Why?" Celeste bit her lip. How much could she tell him? "I'm... different." "I can see that." His eyes dropped to her lips for a moment. "But there's more to it."
Across the room, she spotted her father and Magnus watching them with dark faces. Seraphina stood close, her perfect face twisted with fury.
"Everyone's staring," she whispered. "Let them," Orion answered, pulling her closer. "Tell me about these differences, Celeste Nightshade." The way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. "Sometimes things happen around me. Things I can't control." "Like the chandelier?" She nodded. "And worse. That's why they kept me hidden. I'm scary." Instead of pulling away as she expected, Orion's eyes lit up with excitement. "Good. So am I." The music came to an end, but he didn't release her. Instead, he bent down until his lips were near her ear. "Meet me on the deck in five minutes. Come alone." Then he was gone, cutting through the crowd toward his father. Celeste stood frozen in the middle of the dance floor, her heart beating. "What did he say to you?" Lyra emerged at her side, grabbing her arm. "He wants to meet me. Alone." Lyra's eyes widened. "That's not a good idea. You don't know him." "But I feel like I do," Celeste argued. "It's the mate bond." "It's dangerous is what it is," Lyra responded. "Look around you." Celeste did. Everyone was talking, pointing, staring. Her father looked angry. Seraphina looked like she wanted to kill someone. And Magnus Blackwood was watching her with cold calculation. "Something's wrong," Celeste said, suddenly nervous. "The way they're all looking at me..."
"Let's get some air," Lyra suggested, pulling her toward the glass doors that led to the garden. Outside, the cool night air helped clear Celeste's head. The full moon hung low in the sky, soaking everything in silver light. "This isn't how it was supposed to go," Celeste said, pacing. "I was supposed to blend in, not cause a scene." "Hard to blend in when you look like moonlight made human," Lyra pointed out. "And when you've found your fated mate on your first night out." The word of Orion made Celeste's heart leap. She looked at her watch. Almost five minutes had passed. "I have to meet him," she decided. Lyra grabbed her arm. "Wait. Something doesn't add up. Why would they hide you away all these years, then suddenly bring you out tonight of all nights? The night the Blackwoods are here?" Celeste hadn't thought of that.
"You think it was planned?"
"I think—" Lyra started, but stopped when the terrace door opened. It wasn't Orion. It was Seraphina, her green eyes cold with rage. "Having fun stealing the spotlight, little sister?" she spat. "I didn't steal anything," Celeste answered, standing her ground. Seraphina laughed coldly. "Didn't you? One night out of your cage and you've got the most suitable Alpha hanging on your every word." "It's not like that. We're—" "Fated mates?" Seraphina finished mockingly. "Don't be stupid. Orion Blackwood was promised to me long before you showed your face." The words hit Celeste like a slap. "What?" "Our packs are to be united," Seraphina continued, circling her like an animal. "It's been planned for years. You think you can waltz in with your freaky eyes and strange skills and ruin everything?"
"I didn't know," Celeste whispered, her happiness falling.
"Of course you didn't. You weren't supposed to know anything. You weren't even meant to be here tonight, but Father insisted." Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Now I understand why." "What do you mean?" "He knew!" Seraphina hissed. "Somehow, he knew you and Orion would connect. This was a test." Before Celeste could ask what kind of test, another voice cut through the night. "Celeste? Are you here?" Orion. He was looking for her. Seraphina's face changed into a sweet smile. "Don't move," she whispered to Celeste. "Or I'll tell everyone what you really are." Then she turned toward Orion's voice. "Over here!" Celeste watched in fear as her sister glided toward Orion, who had just stepped onto the terrace. The moonlight caught his beautiful face as he searched for Celeste. When he saw Seraphina, he frowned. "I was looking for your sister." "I know," Seraphina purred, stepping close to him. "But there's something you should know first." Lyra tugged on Celeste's arm. "We should go," she whispered quickly. But Celeste couldn't move. She was frozen in place, watching as Seraphina put her hand on Orion's chest and leaned up to whisper in his ear. With each word, his face changed from confusion to shock, and finally to something that looked like disgust. He glanced in Celeste's way, his eyes finding her in the shadows. For one sad moment, their eyes locked. Then his eyes hardened, and he turned away. The pull in Celeste's chest twisted into pain so sharp she gasped.
What had Seraphina told him? What lies had turned him against her so quickly? "Let's go," Lyra urged again. "Now." This time, Celeste let herself be led away, tears blurring her view. The moon seemed to dim as clouds rolled in, matching her darkened heart. Her grand start wasn't just over. It was about to become a nightmare.