"And... finishing touch!" Alora declared, adding one final sweep of highlighter to Ava's cheekbones. She took a step back, tilting her head as she studied her handiwork. A huge grin spread across her face. "Girl, you need to see this. You look absolutely incredible!"
Ava felt her stomach doing nervous flips as she slowly turned toward the mirror. The moment she caught her reflection, her mouth fell open. The person staring back at her... was that really her? She blinked a few times, not quite believing what she was seeing.
"I... is that actually me?" she breathed, leaning closer to the mirror. She gently touched her face, almost afraid the whole look would somehow disappear. The emerald dress made her silver hair look like starlight, and Alora had done something magical with makeup that made her eyes look huge and sparkly. Even her birthmark seemed to add to the ethereal effect rather than standing out awkwardly like it usually did.
"Alora, I can't even... this is..." Ava struggled to find the right words. "Thank you so much. Like, seriously, I don't know how you did this."
"Oh my god, stop thanking me!" Alora groaned, but she was grinning as she organized her makeup brushes. "That's like the millionth time today. Friends don't need to thank each other for every little thing - it's literally in the job description. 'Must make best friend look fabulous for important events.'"
She grabbed a strand of her own perfectly styled hair, twirling it thoughtfully. "You know, I've been thinking... I might want to do this professionally someday. Like, maybe open my own boutique or something. Create whole looks for people, you know?"
"Are you kidding? You'd be perfect at that!" Ava exclaimed, genuinely excited. "You've got such an amazing eye for this stuff. The way you just... know exactly what will work on different people?"
Alora struck an exaggerated pose, making her dress shimmer. "Obviously! And when I'm this super famous designer with clothes in all the magazines, you're going to be my star model. No arguments!"
They both cracked up at that, but their laughter was cut short by the deep, resonant sound of the ceremonial bell echoing through the night. The sound made them both freeze.
"Oh crap!" Alora yelped, suddenly frantic. "How is it that late already? We need to move!"
Without wasting another second, they rushed out of the house and made their way toward Moon Square. The streets were alive with excitement—colorful decorations lined the pathways, street performers entertained the crowd, and the entire pack was buzzing with anticipation. But what stood out the most was the moon.
Tonight, it was unusually bright, almost glowing.
Ava couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled in her chest. She glanced up at the sky, her brows furrowing.
As they walked toward Moon Square, Ava couldn't shake this weird feeling in her gut. The moon hung impossibly huge in the sky, casting everything in this intense silver light that made the whole world look different somehow.
"Hey, Alora?" she said quietly, grabbing her friend's arm. "Does something feel... weird to you? I mean, look at that moon. I've never seen it shine like this before. What if it's trying to tell us something? Like maybe we shouldn't..."
"Oh my god, here we go again!" Alora threw her hands up dramatically. "You're seriously going to go all doom and gloom on me right now? On tonight of all nights?"
Ava chewed her bottom lip nervously, eyes still drawn to that eerily bright moon. Her wolf was restless too, pacing inside her mind.
"I'm just saying..."
"And I'm just saying," Alora cut in, poking her in the ribs, "that everyone's out here having the time of their lives! The air is literally buzzing with excitement! If that moon is trying to tell us anything, it's probably 'hey girls, something amazing is about to happen!'"
Ava couldn't help letting out a small laugh at Alora's terrible impression of a moon voice, but that uneasy feeling still wouldn't go away completely.
Suddenly, Alora's eyes lit up with that look that usually meant trouble. She grabbed Ava's hands, grinning mischievously. "You know what you need? To stop thinking so much and start moving!"
"Wait, what are you—Alora, no—!"
But it was too late. Alora had already pulled her into an impromptu dance, spinning her around right there under the moonlight. Ava tried to resist at first, but Alora's enthusiasm was infectious. Before she knew it, she was laughing and twirling, their dresses swirling around them as they danced like nobody was watching. They kept going until they were both completely out of breath, doubled over and giggling.
"So?" Alora asked, still trying to catch her breath, her perfect hair now slightly messy. "Did that help clear out all those worried thoughts?"
Ava pretended to think about it, fighting back a smile. "I don't know... if I say no, are you going to force me into another dance workout?"
"Oh, you better believe it!" Alora threatened with a grin. "I've got all night, and I'm not above embarrassing us both in front of the whole pack if that's what it takes!"
They both burst into laughter as they continued walking toward Moon Square.
The moment they walked into Moon Square, Ava literally stopped in her tracks. "Oh... wow."
The place looked like something out of a fairy tale. Like, if magic was real, this is what it would look like.
Everywhere she looked, there was something amazing to see. Twinkling lights hung in swooping patterns overhead, casting this soft golden glow over everything. Wolves from every pack in the area were dressed to the nines - suits, gowns, jewelry that probably cost more than her house.
The music had everyone either swaying or full-on dancing, and servers were weaving through the crowd with trays of fancy drinks that sparkled like liquid starlight.
But there was this weird tension in the air too. Everyone kept glancing around, clearly looking for one person who wasn't there.
The Alpha was MIA.
"Over here!" Alora grabbed her hand and pulled her toward an empty table. The second they sat down, Alora's arm shot up like she was hailing a taxi. "Hey! Two drinks please!" she called to a passing server, then spun back to Ava with wide eyes. "Can you believe all this?"
"Hm?" Ava was still taking everything in, barely registering the question.
"Earth to Ava!" Alora waved her hand in front of Ava's face, practically shouting over the music. "I said, this party is insane! They must have spent a fortune on all this!"
That made Ava laugh. "No kidding. Whoever ends up as Luna is walking into one fancy life."
Just then, a group of girls Ava recognized from school walked by. They all lit up when they saw Alora, calling out hellos and complimenting her dress. But when it came to Ava? Nothing. Not even a glance. It was like she was invisible.
But honestly? She was okay with that. Being ignored was way better than the alternative - the whispers, the looks, the not-so-subtle comments. At least when they pretended she didn't exist, she could pretend right back.
"Want me to say something to them?" Alora whispered, clearly noticing how they'd snubbed her friend.
"Don't," Ava shook her head. "Really, it's fine. I'd rather fly under the radar tonight anyway."
Their drinks arrived - something fizzy and pink that looked way too pretty to actually drink. Ava took a tiny sip and was surprised to find it tasted like summer berries and sunshine.
Alora, sensing her discomfort, gave Ava's hand a reassuring squeeze before excusing herself to go talk to some friends.
Ava sighed, glancing around uncomfortably. Sitting alone in the middle of all this chaos was not how she had planned to spend the night. And to make matters worse, the selection ceremony was about to start, and Alora was nowhere in sight.
"Well, well, well… look who we have here."
Ava stiffened. She knew that voice.
Slowly, she turned around, only to find Madison and her usual group of minions standing behind her, smirking.
"What do you want, Madison?" Ava muttered.
Madison crossed her arms. "Oh, don't play dumb, freak. I just have to know… what made you think you belonged here?"
Ava sighed. "Please, I don't want any trouble—"
"Trouble?" Madison laughed mockingly before grabbing a fistful of Ava's hair and yanking her forward.
"You don't want trouble? Then why did you show up looking like you actually matter? You must've forgotten your place, so let me remind you."
Before Ava could react, Madison shoved her backward, making her stumble onto the cold floor.
The crowd didn't intervene. They just stood there, watching and laughing.
Ava sat there, tears brimming in her eyes, wondering why they took such pleasure in her suffering.
And then—
A deafening growl echoed through the square.
Instantly, the laughter died down. The air shifted as the pack members hurriedly straightened themselves, preparing to greet the Alpha.
Ava's whole body felt like one giant bruise as she tried to get her feet under her. She managed to stand for about two seconds before her legs gave out - but instead of hitting the ground again, she felt someone catch her.
"What the actual hell happened to you?"
Ava's heart sank. Of course Alora would find her like this. She turned to see her best friend's face, which had gone from shocked to furious in about half a second.
"It's not as bad as it looks," Ava tried to brush it off, forcing what she hoped was a convincing smile. "Just me being clumsy - you know how I am with stairs."
"Don't you dare." Alora's voice was dead serious. "You think I can't tell the difference between a fall and..." she gestured at Ava's state, hands shaking with anger. "This? Who did this? Just tell me their names, Ava. I swear to god, they won't know what hit them."
"Hey," Ava caught Alora's hand, squeezing it gently. She managed a real smile this time, small but genuine. "I appreciate the whole avenging angel thing, I really do. But I'm okay. Promise. If anyone ever crosses that line - like, really crosses it - you'll be my first call."
Alora let out this frustrated growl but finally dropped her shoulders. "Fine. But I mean it - one more incident like this, and I'm going full warrior mode. No arguments."
Before they could say anything else, a deep bell rang out across Moon Square, making them both jump.
"All eligible females, ages eighteen to twenty, please form a line for the selection process!"
Ava's heart started doing gymnastics in her chest as she and Alora found their spots in line. Her hands were so sweaty she had to keep wiping them on her dress, and it felt like someone was sitting on her chest as she caught sight of him.
Damon.
The Alpha himself.
God, he was gorgeous. Even after all these years of secretly watching him from a distance, that hadn't changed. But he'd never once looked her way - worse than that, actually. Sometimes she got the feeling he actively avoided her, like her very existence bothered him.
But now, as he made his way down the line, getting closer and closer to where she stood...
Their eyes met.
For the first time ever, he was actually looking at her. Really looking at her. And in that moment, everything else just... disappeared.