The entire Mooncrest Pack buzzed with activity, every corridor alive with excitement. Pack members rushed around, decorating the grand hall with shimmering banners and golden ornaments.
Tonight was no ordinary night, it was Lucian Ashborne's birthday, the day he would officially claim Rosaline Velmora as his chosen mate and take his first step toward becoming Alpha of the most powerful pack in the kingdom.
It was a grand occasion, one meant to be remembered.
But quietly, in the shadows of all the grandeur, it was also Elara's birthday.
The day she had waited for her entire life. The day the Moon Goddess would reveal the person destined just for her. Her mate. Her king. The one who might finally look at her with something other than pity or disgust.
As always, the very first thing Elara did was go to see the one person who had never forgotten her birthday, Aunt Maria.
Maria was the only person who ever truly celebrated her, who made her feel like her birthday mattered.
Over the years, they had created a small tradition: they would celebrate a day early, every year, without fail. Because when midnight struck, Elara's birthday would no longer belong to her. It would be overshadowed, devoured by Lucian's celebration. As a servant, she was required to work his party. To serve drinks. To clean messes. To disappear.
Sharing your birthday with the next Alpha was not a blessing, it was a curse. His birthday was the only one the pack cared about. The rest of them? Forgotten in his shadow.
---
Elara arrived at Maria's cottage wearing the best dress she owned. It was simple and slightly worn, a faded shade of lavender with tiny floral stitching on the hem. Others might scoff at it. But to Elara, it was beautiful.
She knocked once, then opened the door.
"Aunt Maria! I'm here!" Elara called out, her voice warm and expectant. A wide smile lit up her face, she knew Maria would be waiting for her.
"Happy birthday, my beautiful Elara!" Maria exclaimed from the living room, her face lighting up as she saw her enter.
Elara's eyes sparkled as she spotted the red forest cake sitting in Maria's hands, her absolute favorite. Maria had made it every year without fail, and the familiar sight of it made something inside her chest ache and flutter all at once.
Maria set the cake gently on the table and walked over, grabbing Elara's hands with affection and leading her to stand before it. She handed her the knife and began to sing.
"Happy birthday~ Happy birthday~ Happy birthday, my dear Elara~ Happy birthday to you~"
Elara closed her eyes and made a quiet wish before blowing out the candles. Her face glowed with happiness, the kind she rarely showed.
She cut the cake, feeding the first piece to Maria, who grinned and returned the gesture. The small moment was sweet and full of love, something Elara cherished more than she could ever express.
Smiling softly, Elara murmured, "Thank you, Aunt Maria… for being in my life."
Maria's expression softened with emotion. "You're such a beautiful child, Elara. How could I not love and pamper you, huh?" she said, tapping her nose. "If anything, I'm the lucky one to have you."
Elara let out a rare chuckle her heart feeling a rare calm listening to the words.
"Now come on, I've made your favorite breakfast," Maria said with a smile, gesturing toward the kitchen table.
Elara followed eagerly, sitting down with anticipation. The scent of warm bread, herbs, and fresh eggs filled the room, and her stomach growled in approval. Maria shook her head with fondness, watching her eat with childlike enthusiasm.
When breakfast was done, Elara stood and wiped her hands, a slight frown tugging at her lips.
"Thank you for the amazing breakfast, Aunt Maria. I really wish I could stay longer, but… I have to go. There's something urgent I need to take care of."
Maria gave her a look, part concern, part suspicion. "Why are you in such a hurry? Don't tell me you're about to do something reckless."
Elara quickly shook her head, trying to act casual. "I'll be fine, Aunt Maria. I promise. Besides, I've got a mountain of work to finish at the packhouse. Tonight's celebration is going to be… extravagant. Even delegates from the royal family are expected to attend."
Maria's worry didn't fade completely, but she sighed and relented. "Alright. Just… take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will," Elara said with a nod, moving toward the door.
Maria watched her go, her heart heavy with unspoken fears. Once Elara disappeared from view, she whispered a quiet prayer under her breath.
"Please… Moon Goddess, protect this child."
---
"Thank the Goddess Mona's always stuck to Rosaline like a shadow," Elara whispered as she slipped into Mona's bedroom, carefully closing the door behind her. "She's not home... that should give me enough time to get my necklace back."
Her voice was low, barely audible, and her heart beat wildly in her chest as she moved through the room with hushed footsteps. She was nervous, terrified of getting caught by Selena but her need outweighed her fear.
"Alright," she whispered to herself, eyes scanning the ornate vanity and messy dresser. "Let's get started and find my precious."
She began searching with careful hands, making sure not to disturb anything too obviously. Every drawer she opened, she mentally noted its contents and the exact way it had been arranged. She couldn't risk leaving behind any sign she had been here.
---
Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Selena stood in her own bedroom, laying out a collection of expensive dresses on the bed. Her hands fluttered from one gown to the next, inspecting each fabric with a critical eye.
"I wonder what Mona will choose to wear tonight," she mused aloud, smoothing the folds of a rose-gold silk gown. "She has to be the most beautiful girl at the party. Especially with the royal delegates coming..."
She turned toward the vanity, selecting a delicate set of sapphire-studded jewelry to match.
Then she paused.
"I should ask Mona herself," she said thoughtfully. "She might want to try the silver one instead."
Still holding the necklace, she made her way toward her daughter's room. But as she approached the door, she frowned.
Voices.
She was sure she heard a whisper.