Chapter 1: The Luna He Chose

The Silver Fang pack hall had never felt so suffocating. Julia paused just outside the massive doors, her fingers trembling as they brushed over the simple blue dress she had chosen for tonight. It wasn’t extravagant. Omegas did not wear extravagant things. But she had taken extra care with her appearance—braided her hair neatly, added the small silver pendant Jason had given her two winters ago, the only public gift he could risk. Tonight would change everything. She could feel it. The doors opened, and the warmth of the hall spilled over her. Voices echoed against stone walls. The scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and spiced wine filled the air. Long wooden tables lined the room, decorated with silver banners bearing the crest of the Silver Fang. Everyone was here. Warriors stood tall near the front, their chests puffed with pride. The Beta and the Gamma clustered near the raised platform. Families filled the middle rows. And, as always, the omegas gravitated toward the back—near the entrance, near the kitchen doors, near the shadows. Julia slipped into her usual place. In this pack, status was everything. Omegas were not abused or starved. They were not beaten or treated as less than wolves. But hierarchy ruled their lives. They cleaned the halls. Cooked the meals. Washed the blood from warriors’ uniforms. They did not train for battle. They did not sit in council meetings. They did not lead.They served. Because omegas were considered physically and mentally weaker. Unsuitable for war. Unsuitable for command.Unsuitable to stand beside an alpha. And yet… for three years, the Alpha of Silver Fang had held her in his arms. For three years, Jason had whispered promises in the dark. For three years, they had hidden their mating bond. Julia’s chest tightened at the memory of the night they found each other in the forest. She had just turned eighteen, but as an Omega, there was no celebration for her coming of age. No gathering, no gifts, and no family dinner waiting for her. If her parents were still alive, they would have guided her through the process of receiving her wolf. They would have stood beside her during one of the most important moments of her life. A wolf emerges once a human turns eighteen, marking the beginning of their true life as a werewolf. It is also the age when many are lucky enough to find their fated mate within their own pack. Others, however, spend years—or even a lifetime—waiting for the bond to appear. For Omegas, it was usually the latter. They were rarely allowed outside the pack borders unless sent on errands or ordered to work for higher-ranking members. Most Omegas lived quiet, restricted lives, making the chances of finding their mate painfully small. Julia had already prepared herself for that reality long before her eighteenth birthday arrived. But Julia found Jason, the recently crowned Alpha of her pack as her mate. The moon high above. Jason hands trembling not from doubt—but from fear of the consequences. He had told her then that he needed time. “No one in Silver Fang history has ever had an omega luna,” he had said softly against her neck. “They will not accept you easily. I need to prepare them. I need to make them ready for you.” For her. He had said it with conviction. With love. Only Beta Kirk had known. Jason trusted him. Though if Julia based her judgment on the way Kirk’s eyes lingered on her—cool, dismissive, calculating—she understood why Jason feared the pack’s reaction. Kirk barely tolerated her existence. But tonight was different. Tonight Jason had sent a pack-wide mind link—his voice powerful, commanding: All members of Silver Fang, gather in the hall. I have an announcement that will shape our future. Julia had felt it through their bond. The certainty. He was ready. No more secret meetings in the forest. No more slipping into his chambers only after midnight. No more pretending she was just another omega bringing linens to the alpha suite. No more late night visits to her cabin. Tonight, he would acknowledge her. Tonight, she would step forward. And tomorrow, she would begin changing everything. Julia looked around at the omegas beside her. Heads lowered. Shoulders slightly hunched out of habit. They deserved more. They deserved opportunities beyond scrubbing floors and serving trays. Once she became luna, she would create training programs—education, healing, administrative roles. She would prove omegas could lead in their own ways. She would prove strength was not measured only by claws and teeth. She would stand beside her alpha with pride. The hall suddenly quieted. Julia’s heart leapt. Jason entered. He wore his formal black coat. His dark hair was combed back, revealing sharp features and piercing gray eyes. The entire room instinctively bowed their heads. Power rolled off him like a storm front. He walked to the center platform, each step confident, controlled. Beta Kirk followed a few paces behind, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. Jason raised his hand. Silence fell completely. “Pack members,” his voice rang through the hall, deep and commanding. “I called you here to make an announcement.” Excitement rippled through the crowd. “As your alpha, your leader, I have made decisions that will affect the future of this pack.” He slowly scanned the room, making eye contact with warriors, elders, families—ensuring they understood the weight of his words. His gaze finally landed on Julia. Her breath caught. She smiled softly at him. Her eyes full of love. Devotion. Hope. For a fraction of a second, something flickered in his expression. Then his eyes darkened. Determination. Cold. Unyielding determination. Julia’s stomach tightened. “I have chosen my luna,” Jason continued. “And I expect every one of you to welcome her as you welcomed me when I became your alpha. She will receive the same respect, the same loyalty, the same obedience.” The hall erupted in murmurs. Some gasped. Some smiled. Some whispered excitedly. Julia felt lightheaded. This was it. She straightened her shoulders. Lifted her chin. She could almost feel the moon goddess smiling upon her. She would walk forward proudly. She would show them that even an omega could rise. Her wolf stirred within her chest, nervous but hopeful. Jason extended his hand slightly. “Everyone,” he said firmly, “welcome your new luna…” Julia shifted her weight, preparing to step out from the back row. She felt the other omegas glance at her, confused by her sudden movement. She drew in a breath. This was the first step of their new life. But before her foot touched the floor— Jason turned. Not toward her. Behind him. The large doors at the front of the hall opened. A hush fell instantly. Julia froze. A tall, elegant she-wolf stepped inside. Her hair was the color of midnight silk, cascading over a crimson gown embroidered with gold. Confidence radiated from her. Her scent was powerful—strong, noble, unmistakably high-ranking.