The moon hung heavy in the sky, a radiant orb of silver that bathed the sprawling Silvercrest estate in an otherworldly glow. The air was electric, buzzing with anticipation. Tonight wasn't just any night, it was the Lunar Gala, an annual celebration of the pack's unity and power. But for Bella Sinclair, it was the night her life would change forever.
The grand ballroom shimmered with opulence, every detail a testament to the wealth and influence of the Silvercrest pack. Crystal chandeliers reflected off gold-trimmed walls, and the scent of aged wine mingled with exotic floral arrangements. Bella felt like an outsider amidst the glamour, her simple midnight-blue dress a stark contrast to the extravagant gowns around her.
She lingered near the edge of the room, her eyes darting between the powerful figures that filled the space. Alphas, Betas, and their entourages moved with confidence, their dominance palpable. She felt small and insignificant, a lone wolf in a sea of power.
"Bella."
The voice sent a shiver down her spine. She turned, her heart skipping a beat as she met the piercing silver eyes of Xander Blackwood, the Alpha of the Silvercrest pack.
Xander was magnetic. His tailored black suit accentuated his tall, muscular frame, and his commanding presence made the crowd part around him like water. But it was his eyes that held her captive, intense, unyielding, and searching.
"You're hiding," he said, a hint of amusement in his deep voice.
"I'm observing," Bella replied, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
He smiled, a sharp curve of his lips that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're not like the others."
"I'll take that as a compliment," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"It wasn't one." His tone was teasing, but there was a seriousness beneath it that she couldn't ignore.
Their exchange was interrupted by the chime of crystal glasses. The crowd turned as a Beta stepped forward to make an announcement.
"The Alpha will now choose the Moon's Favor," the Beta declared, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the room.
Bella stiffened. The Moon's Favor was a Silvercrest tradition, a symbol of the Alpha's approval and protection. It was an honor that often came with hidden strings, a fact she'd learned from whispered warnings.
To her horror, Xander's eyes remained fixed on her.
"Bella Sinclair," Xander announced, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.
A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd. Bella's stomach dropped as every eye turned to her.
"What?" she whispered, disbelief coloring her tone.
Xander stepped closer, his gaze never wavering. "You are the Moon's Favor."
"I can't," she stammered. "I'm not"
"You don't have a choice," he said, his voice low but firm.
His words were a challenge, and the way he said them made her blood boil. Before she could respond, he extended his hand. Reluctantly, she placed hers in his, her heart pounding as he led her to the center of the room.
The pack erupted into applause, but the air was thick with tension. Bella could feel the resentment and envy radiating from the others, their eyes boring into her like daggers.
"Why me?" she whispered as they stood together under the glaring lights.
Xander leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Because you're different. And because you don't belong here."
The rest of the night passed in a blur. Xander remained by her side, his presence both a shield and a prison. The pack's members approached to offer their congratulations, but their smiles were thin and insincere.
As the night wore on, Bella found herself drawn outside, the ballroom's suffocating atmosphere too much to bear. She slipped away unnoticed, her heels clicking against the marble floors as she made her way to the estate's gardens.
The cool night air was a relief, and the garden was a sanctuary of moonlit roses and whispering trees. Bella wandered deeper, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and frustration.
"You shouldn't be out here alone."
She spun around to find Xander leaning against a tree, his silver eyes glinting in the dim light.
"Are you stalking me now?" she asked, crossing her arms.
He smirked. "I was curious."
"About what?"
"Why you?" he said, stepping closer. "Why do you stir something in me that no one else does?"
Bella's breath hitched as he stopped just inches away. The intensity in his gaze was overwhelming, and she felt the pull between them like a magnetic force.
"This is a mistake," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
"Probably," he admitted. "But I don't care."
Before she could protest, his lips were on hers. The kiss was searing, a clash of passion and defiance that left her dizzy. She felt the world tilt, her body pressing against his as the fire between them burned hotter.
But the moment was short lived.
A blood curdling howl shattered the night, followed by the sound of claws tearing through flesh. Bella and Xander broke apart, their instincts kicking in.
"Stay here," Xander ordered, his voice sharp as he shifted into his wolf form.
But Bella wasn't one to be left behind. She followed him toward the commotion, her heart racing as the sounds of battle grew louder.
They emerged into a clearing to find a pack of rogues attacking the Silvercrest warriors. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, and the ground was littered with bodies.
Xander tore through the rogues with brutal efficiency, his massive black wolf a blur of power and precision. Bella watched, frozen in a mix of awe and horror, until one of the rogues spotted her.
It lunged, its claws aimed for her throat. She screamed, raising her arms in a futile attempt to shield herself. But before the rogue could strike, a golden light burst from her body, throwing it backward with a yelp.
The clearing went silent.
Xander shifted back into his human form, his eyes wide as he stared at her. "What was that?"
Bella looked down at her hands, trembling as the golden light faded. "I don't know."
The pack closed in, their expressions a mix of curiosity and fear.
"She's not just a wolf," someone muttered.
Xander stepped in front of her, his tone leaving no room for argument. "She's under my protection."
As the rogues retreated, the night's stillness returned, but the tension lingered. Bella felt the weight of Xander's gaze, his silver eyes filled with questions she couldn't answer.
"What are you, Bella?" he asked softly.
"I don't know," she replied, her voice trembling.
Before he could respond, the wind shifted, carrying a new scent a familiar one. Bella's stomach dropped as she turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows.
"Hello, sister," Luna said, her smile cold and predatory.