_Serena's POV_
The morning sun poured through the small window of my cabin, casting golden streaks across the wooden floor. I stood in front of my mirror, absently tying my long, dark hair back into a braid. My reflection stared back at me—soft brown eyes, a dusting of freckles across my nose, and a slight frame that often made me feel small in a pack full of warriors and trackers.
I smoothed the front of my simple dress, feeling a pang of inadequacy. Today wasn't just another day. It was the Alpha coronation ceremony, a rare and grand occasion for the entire pack. Everyone would be there, from the highest-ranking warriors to the youngest pups, all eager to witness Damien officially take his father's place as Alpha.
Damien. Just the thought of his name made my pulse quicken. I didn't know him personally—he was always on the battlefield or away managing alliances. But the stories about him were legendary. Ruthless in a fight, fiercely protective of the pack, and undeniably commanding. He was everything an Alpha should be.
And me? I was just the pack's healer. I didn't wield swords or lead hunts. My days were spent tending to injuries and brewing remedies. I loved my role—it gave me purpose. But sometimes, in the quiet moments, I longed for something more.
A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Serena, are you ready yet?" Amara's voice called out before she let herself in. She leaned casually against the doorframe, her green eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're going to be late if you keep daydreaming."
"I'm not daydreaming," I said, though my voice lacked conviction.
Amara smirked. "You always are. Let me guess—you're secretly hoping to find your mate today."
I rolled my eyes and turned back to the mirror, pretending to focus on fixing my braid. "Maybe," I admitted softly. "But it's not like that's going to happen."
"Why not?" Amara asked, walking over to plop herself on my bed. "You're of age, you're smart, and you have got that whole quiet beauty thing going on."
I snorted. "Quiet beauty thing? Is that what they call being invisible now?"
She laughed, the sound bright and infectious. "Come on, Serena. You have got to have some hope. The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways, you know."
I tried to smile, but my chest tightened. What if she was right? What if today was the day I found my mate? The idea filled me with both excitement and fear.
"Let's go," I said, grabbing my shawl and slinging it over my shoulders. "We don't want to miss the ceremony."
---
The clearing where the coronation was held was alive with energy. Wolves from neighboring packs had gathered, their chatter filling the air as they waited for Damien's arrival. The towering trees surrounding us seemed to stand taller today, their leaves whispering in the wind as if acknowledging the significance of the moment.
I stood near the edge of the crowd, trying to blend in. Amara, of course, was already mingling, her outgoing nature making her the center of attention wherever she went. I, on the other hand, was content to observe from the sidelines.
And then he arrived.
Damien stepped onto the raised platform in the center of the clearing, and the crowd immediately fell silent. My breath hitched as I saw him for the first time. He was tall, his broad shoulders and muscular frame radiating strength. His jet-black hair was slightly tousled, and his piercing gray eyes scanned the crowd with the sharpness of a predator.
He looked every bit the Alpha he was destined to be.
"He is something, isn't he?" Amara's voice came from beside me, startling me.
I nodded, unable to tear my gaze away. There was something about him—a magnetic pull I couldn't explain.
As Damien stepped forward to take his oath, the air around us seemed to shift. It was subtle at first, like the calm before a storm. My heart began to race, and a strange warmth spread through my chest.
And then it happened.
The mate bond snapped into place with such force that I stumbled back, clutching my chest. It was as if an invisible thread had tied my soul to his, pulling me toward him with an intensity I had never felt before.
"Serena?" Amara's voice was distant, muffled, as if she were speaking from another world. "Are you okay?"
I couldn't answer her. My gaze was locked on Damien, and for a brief, breathtaking moment, his eyes met mine.
The connection between us was electric. It wasn't just attraction—it was something deeper, something primal. My mate. Damien was my mate.
But then, just as quickly as the moment had come, it was gone. His expression shifted, his gray eyes turning cold and unreadable. He broke our gaze and turned back toward the crowd as if nothing had happened.
My chest tightened, confusion and fear swirling in my mind. Why didn't he acknowledge the bond? Did he feel it, too? Or had I imagined it?
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. The crowd cheered as Damien took his oath, their voices echoing through the clearing. But I barely heard them. My world had been turned upside down, and I didn't know how to make sense of it.
---
As the ceremony came to an end, I stayed rooted to my spot, my emotions a tangled mess. This was supposed to be the happiest moment of my life—the day I found my mate. But instead, all I felt was confusion and an ache I couldn't explain.
Amara touched my arm gently. "Serena, are you okay? You have been quiet all night."
"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just tired."
She gave me a skeptical look but didn't press further.
As the crowd began to disperse, I dared to glance at Damien one last time. He was surrounded by pack elders, his commanding presence drawing people to him like moths to a flame. But he didn't look my way. Not once.
I turned and walked away, my heart heavy. The mate bond had snapped into place, but for some reason, Damien had chosen to ignore it. And as I stepped into the shadows of the forest, one question burned in my mind.
Did he feel it too?