"Again!"

Safira lunged forward with all of her strength. She was careless with her moves due to her impatience to get the day's training over with. She missed her target and stumbled onto the ground wincing in pain.

"Get up," her adoptive father, Greyson, said to her sternly, "Again!"

Annoyed, she let out a battle cry and curled her fists. She was so close to landing a punch but still misses. Greyson grabbed hold of her and flipped her over, causing her to land heavily on her back.

She grunted in pain, refusing to scream or cry. She was gasping for air as Greyson held out his hand to help her up.

"You're distracted," he said as he pulled her up to her feet.

"It's the Harvest Moon Festival tonight, can you really blame me?" She mused as she patted herself off before grabbing a fresh flask of water from the side bench.

Greyson didn't say much more. He could tell from the smile on his adoptive daughter's face that she was keen for their training session to be over. Like many other she-wolves in the Nightmoon Pack, she was eager to get ready for the evening's activities.

"Excited to meet your friend, I presume?" He asked with an arched brow as he sat down next to her.

Safira pursed her lips and nodded. Three years ago, she met a wolf the same age as her. He was handsome, charming, and a smooth talker. But that was not what mattered to her.

Unlike others, Markus did not look down on her for not having a wolf. He admired her strength and independence. His words, not hers.

"What was his name… Mark?"

"Markus," she corrected Greyson as she rolled her eyes, "I believe it's Alpha Markus now."

The young wolf took up the leadership role after winning a fight within his pack. He came out victorious, much to the surprise of his fellow pack members. The young Alpha had only just turned 21 three moons ago.

This was the first time they would be meeting after turning the age of 21, when the werewolves would be blessed with the ability to recognize their fated mate based on scent.

Safira nervously clasped her hands together as she wondered what the night would have in store for her. This was the day she had been waiting for the last three years. It had been a long time since they last met.

Deep down, she knew in her heart, Markus was going to be her fated mate.

They had always been close. When he came to visit, they were nearly inseparable, though in secret. Safira was a low-ranking member of her pack, the son of an Alpha could not be seen around her.

What would the others wolves say?

"Let's call it a day then," Greyson declared as he got up on his feet.

Safira was surprised. She had expected to train with her father till sundown.

"Are… are you sure?" She asked, her eyes filled with excitement and anticipation at his answer.

"Yes. Now go and prepare," Greyson said as he placed a hand on Safira's shoulder.

"Oh thank you!" Safira leaped with joy as she gave Greyson a tight hug before running off to get prepared.

She returned to the cottage she shared with her father and went back to her room to get ready. She repurposed a dress she had found in the trash for the occasion. Though it could not compare to what others had, it was good enough for her.

She did her own hair and light makeup, eagerly wondering what Markus would say when he saw her. Safira looked at her own reflection in the mirror. On her neck, was an old silver locket.

Greyson told her it belonged to her mother, who died giving birth to her.

'She was the one who blessed you with such a beautiful name,' he once told her.

Fiddling with the locket, Safira tried to open it. She had hoped perhaps this time it would be different. Perhaps this time, it would open. But she was met with disappointment once more.

No matter how hard she tried, she could not seem to get it open.

Looking out of the window of her room, Safira could see the full moon that hung in the sea of stars. She wondered if her mother was watching over her from above. She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer.

"Moon Goddess, please bring me my wolf. I'm ready to meet her. Desperately ready to meet her."

She opened her eyes once more, hoping things would be different. But nothing changed. Letting out a sigh, Safira got up on her feet. She wasn't going to let this dampen her spirit.

Tonight was an important night.

Tonight, she would find her fated mate.

When she walked out of her room, Safira found Greyson dressed in a tuxedo. For once, his hair was combed neatly. She could not help but smile when she saw how he looked.

"You look beautiful," he said with a small smile as he hooked her hand.

"You look strikingly handsome too," she mused, "Perhaps it is you who finds your fated mate."

Greyson had dedicated his life to being a gamma, a warrior to the Nightmoon Pack. He never took a chosen mate or found his fated mate. This was a rare occurrence amongst werewolves but he did not mind.

When Safira entered his life, it became complete.

"Let's focus on getting you a mate instead. I'm past my prime," he mused as he gently patted her arm.

Safira could not help but blush at the thought of it. She had already pictured the moment in her mind for months. Markus and her eyes would meet and in that instant, they would affirm their love for eachother.

But there was something holding her back.

"Would I be able to sense it?" She wondered as her stomach was filled with dread.

She turned to look at Greyson with a look of worry, "I don't have my wolf. How would I know?"

"You don't need a wolf to find your fated mate, Safy," he reassured her, calling her by her nickname in an attempt to help calm her nerves. He placed a hand over her heart, "Your heart will guide you."

Safira gave him a grateful smile and a nod. She noticed that her father was looking into the distance beyond her. It took her a while to realize they were already at the venue of the Harvest Moon Festival, the Nightmoon Square.

Every year, after a bountiful harvest, the wolves would gather to celebrate. Each pack got to host the event once a year and this year, it was Nightmoon Pack's turn. The Nightmoon Square was covered with beautiful star and moon shaped lights, bathing the place in a warm glow of light.

Just then, an aromatic fragrance of lavenders and sweet honey flooded Safira's senses. Her heart pounded in her chest as she turned to look in the direction her father was looking.

There he was, Alpha Markus of the Moonfang Pack. He was dressed to the nine in his burgundy suit. His hair was combed back neatly. The soft glow of light accentuated his high cheekbones and chiseled chin.

And how could she forget his mesmerizing dark green eyes?

The moment their eyes met, something clicked in Safira's heart and mind. It was as if the final piece of the puzzle was in place. Before Safira could take a few steps forward, Markus came to her side in the blink of an eye.

He cupped her face while maintaining eye contact.

They were so close, Safira could almost hear his heart beat.

"Mate," they both breathed at the same time.

But something was off.