The Dream

The news of Eila's fated mate spread like wildfire. The entire pack was stunned—Beta Leonard Blackwell, the formidable and elusive second-in-command of the Moon Treasure Pack, had a mate. And not just any mate, but Eila, a simple house helper's daughter. The whispers and gasps filled the air, but no one dared approach her with questions. The shock of the revelation had left them speechless, and for once, the topic of her newly gained abilities was overshadowed.

Eila, however, was not thinking about the gossip. She was reeling, overwhelmed by the intense emotions that had taken hold of her the moment she locked eyes with her mate. Pain, confusion, and disbelief churned inside her. Of all the possibilities she had envisioned for her sixteenth birthday, this was not one of them. Leonard Blackwell—the most powerful, desirable, and mysterious man in the entire pack—had looked at her with cold detachment before vanishing without a word. It was as if he had rejected her without even bothering to say it out loud.

Her mother, Celena, was by her side, gently stroking her hair as her father, Armaan, stood close, his expression troubled but supportive. "He will return," Celena whispered reassuringly. "He cannot resist the bond forever."

But Eila wasn't so sure. What if he could resist? What if she had been fated to a mate who wanted nothing to do with her?

"I just… I need some air," she murmured.

Her father nodded, understanding. "Go for a run, sweetheart. Clear your mind. But be back before midnight."

Eila didn't need to be told twice. The moment they returned home, she turned away from the entrance, heading straight toward the forest. As soon as she was far enough from the village, she let her transformation take over. Her body shifted effortlessly into her wolf form, a magnificent silver-furred creature with streaks of moonlight reflecting off her pelt. Her senses sharpened instantly—every scent, sound, and movement of the forest became more vivid than ever before.

She ran.

The wind howled past her, the leaves rustling as she sprinted deeper into the forest. She let the cool night air soothe her burning emotions, focusing only on the rhythmic pounding of her paws against the soft earth. She had no idea how long she ran, only that it felt freeing. It was the escape she needed.

A soft voice suddenly interrupted her peace.

"Dinner is ready, love. I left your food on the table if you're not back yet."

Eila nearly stumbled before realizing where the voice had come from. It was her mother—speaking directly into her mind.

Then it hit her. Mind link.

The ability to communicate mentally with her pack members. This was one of the many gifts that came with gaining her wolf. The realization sent a thrill through her.

She hummed in response, acknowledging her mother's message, but didn't stop running just yet. This was too exhilarating, too new to cut short.

After a while, she slowed to a halt by a small clearing near the lake, panting softly. She shifted back into her human form and quickly pulled on the clothes she had carried with her before the transformation.

"That was amazing!" Seraphina, her wolf, spoke excitedly in her mind.

Eila smiled, though her joy was short-lived. He didn't want me, she thought bitterly.

Seraphina huffed. "He is powerful. He is confused. But he is our mate, and he will come back. We are meant to be."

Eila wasn't sure how to respond to that. The pain was still fresh, and she didn't want to hope for something that might never happen.

Seraphina, sensing her turmoil, quickly changed the subject. "We should test your powers!"

Eila hesitated. "I don't even know how to reach them."

"Close your eyes. Breathe. Focus on your heart."

Eila followed her wolf's instructions, closing her eyes and steadying her breath. She focused inward, searching for the warmth in her chest, the energy that had been with her since the moment of her transformation.

And then—

A melody.

Soft and haunting, like the whisper of the wind through ancient trees. A voice, ethereal and distant, called to her. It was neither human nor wolf, but something beyond both.

Her surroundings blurred. The forest faded away, replaced by darkness speckled with shimmering silver light. She felt as if she were floating, weightless, suspended between reality and something far greater.

Then she saw her.

A woman, bathed in moonlight, standing at the edge of an endless sky. Her silver hair flowed around her like liquid light, her eyes like galaxies, ancient and all-knowing. The energy radiating from her was both comforting and overwhelming.

"My child," the woman spoke, her voice weaving into the melody. "You are awake."

Eila could only stare in awe.

The moon Goddess.