Chapter One
"You look beautiful Aria," I smiled, twirling for the fifth time.
The soft light of dawn spilled through the small, worn-out curtains of my bedroom, casting golden hues over the sparse space I called my own. I stood before the cracked mirror propped against the wall, clutching the thin chain of my necklace as I admired the reflection of my one good dress. It wasn't muchâa faded lavender gown with a hem that had been patched so many times it told its own storyâbut tonight, it felt like a queen's robe.
"Aria, you look lovely," Grandmother said again from her seat by the window. Her voice was frail but warm, like a soft breeze on a spring morning. She was the only family I had left, and though her age had stolen her strength, her smile still lit up the room like the sun itself.
I turned to her, giving a playful twirl that made the skirt of my dress fan out around me. "You really think so?"
She nodded, her eyes glistening with pride. "Absolutely. You'll be the prettiest one at the festival."
My heart swelled at her words. Tonight was the Festival of Bonding Rites, a celebration where newly mated wolves would announce their bond before the pack and the sacred statue of the wolf goddess. It was a night of joy, love, and unity, and for me, it was a night to stand beside Ethanâthe boy I had adored since we were pups.
I stepped closer to the mirror, fastening the delicate necklace around my neck. It was a simple silver chain with a small crescent moon pendant, one of the few treasures my mother had left behind. My fingers lingered on the pendant for a moment before I adjusted my hair, pulling it into soft waves that framed my face.
"Are you nervous?" Grandmother asked, her hands folding over the blanket on her lap.
"A little," I admitted, turning back to her. "But mostly, I'm excited. This is the first time Ethan and I will attend the festival as mates. It feels⌠special."
She chuckled softly. "Ah, young love. Go, Aria. Enjoy the night and make memories you'll cherish forever."
With a final kiss to her cheek, I stepped out into the crisp evening air. My best friend, Mira, was already waiting for me at the edge of the small dirt path that led to the village square.
"Finally!" she exclaimed, her golden eyes twinkling mischievously. "I was starting to think you'd spend the whole night twirling in front of that mirror."
I laughed, looping my arm through hers as we began walking. "I wanted to make sure everything was perfect. Tonight is important."
Mira smirked, her long auburn hair bouncing as she walked. "I bet it is. Ethan, huh? You're lucky, you know. Most girls can only dream of being mated to their childhood crush."
Heat rose to my cheeks, and I ducked my head to hide the blush. "It's not like that," I mumbled.
"Oh, it is," she teased, bumping her shoulder against mine. "I've seen the way you look at him, all dreamy-eyed and lovestruck. Admit itâyou're head over heels."
I couldn't argue with her, so I simply smiled, letting the excitement bubbling inside me speak for itself.
As we reached the village square, the sight before us stole my breath. Lanterns hung from every tree, their soft glow illuminating the bustling crowd. The air was filled with the scent of roasted meats, sweet pastries, and wildflowers, while music drifted through the night, a melody that seemed to harmonize with the stars above.
"Wow," Mira whispered, her voice filled with awe. "They really went all out this year."
I nodded, my eyes scanning the crowd for one person. My heart raced as I spotted him near the fountainâa tall figure with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that always seemed to hold a world of secrets. Ethan.
He stood with a group of his friends, his posture relaxed but commanding. He wore a tailored navy tunic that highlighted his broad shoulders, and even from a distance, I could see the sharp line of his jaw as he laughed at something one of them said.
Mira nudged me. "Go on. He's waiting for you."
I hesitated for a moment, suddenly feeling self-conscious, but then I took a deep breath and made my way toward him. When his eyes met mine, a small smile tugged at his lips, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He somehow looked, more distants than ever.
Maybe he's just as nervous, as I am. No need to panic.
"Hi," I said, my voice barely audible over the noise of the festival.
"AriaâŚ," he greeted me, his tone polite, but also at the same time distant. "You look⌠nice."
"Thanks." I smiled, although his words wasn't what I expected, colder than how we usually talked to each other.
Mira gave me a quick hug before slipping away to find her own mate, leaving Ethan and me alone. His group of friends, long gone. I tried to shake off the strange feeling creeping into my chest as he offered me his arm.
"Shall we?" he asked, his voice as he said that, sounded like I was bothering him, and he can't wait to get rid of me.
What is wrong with him today, he's so not his usually self, these thought run through my mind as we wandered through the festival, stopping to admire the colorful stalls and performers.
Should I ask? No I don't want to seem insecure, so near our mating bond ritual. Come now, Aria pull yourself together, I peeped talked to myself, sounding more confidant than I felt.
I mean, he was attentive enough, pointing out things he thought I'd like and even buying me a small trinketâa carved wooden wolfâbut he was still so distant, that I hardly could ignore it.
Was it something I said? Did I do something wrong? Maybe it's really just his nerves.
"Is everything alright, Aria? You're so quiet." Ethan suddenly turned to me and said.
Flustered being caught spacing out, I hastly replied " Ye..Yes.. everything is fine, just a little nervous."
He already open his mouth to say something else, but the music suddenly shifted to a slower tune, signaling the start of the mate's dance.
Seeing that as an good excuse to escape this embarrasing moment I said, "Do you want to dance?"
"OhâŚYeah...sure, if it thats what you want" he said, his expression neutral, not the face I expected to see.
He led me to the center of the square, where other mated pairs were already swaying under the moonlight. His hand rested on my waist, and for a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the moment, to forget the insecurites I felt before. The feeling was just to beautiful, how he twirled me around, felt like I was in a fairytale.
"This is beautiful.." I say but he didn't respond. Maybe he didn't hear me.
But then, as the song neared its end, the part where we would shift into our wolves and dance around each other, he suddenly pulled away from me. Walking up to a woman, I didn't even notice stood near us, leaving me standing there with her partner. The stranger he'd passed me to gave an akward laugh and disappared into the crowd, leaving me stranded under the latern light. I just stood there, as everyone shift around me and end the song in their wolf form.
It happend all so suddenly, in mear seconds I was left alone.
I was too stunned to speak, perplexed I watched everything unfold before me, even as I saw Ethan twirling happily with her, wagging his tail and everything, I didn't react. He didn't once glance my way.
"It's nothing," I whispered to myself, swallowing the lump in my throat and smiling awkwardly as I walked away. "It doesn't mean anything."
He probably justâŚI didn't know the excuse to give myself but I'm sure it's nothing..
I didn't even notice the tears, forming in my eyes.