The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of Skylar's bedroom, casting golden streaks across the wooden floor. The faint chirping of birds outside mingled with the rustling of leaves in the mountain breeze. The air was crisp and cool, carrying the earthy scent of pine and damp soil. Sky lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind already racing despite the early hour.
Eighteen today. The thought lingered in her mind, heavy and strange. She wasn't sure how she felt about it. Everyone in the pack made such a big deal about turning eighteen, but to her, it just felt like another day. She rolled over, her long, silver-blond hair spilling across the pillow, and sighed. The morning light caught the faint green glow in her eyes as she glanced at the small clock on her bedside table. It was still early, but she knew her mother would already be up, bustling around the kitchen.
The smell of freshly baked bread wafted up the stairs, and her stomach growled in response. Reluctantly, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched, her muscles taut and strong. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror across the room—a young woman with wild, untamed hair and eyes that seemed to hold secrets even she didn't understand. There was something about her reflection that always made her pause, as if she were looking at a stranger she was still trying to figure out.
"Sky, are you up?" her mother's voice called from downstairs, warm and familiar.
"Yeah, I'm coming!" Skylar replied, pulling on a simple tunic and leggings. She slipped on her boots and ran her fingers through her hair, giving up on taming it. With one last glance at the mirror, she headed downstairs.
The kitchen was warm and inviting, the scent of herbs and honey filling the air. Her mother, Stephanie, stood by the stove, her light blonde hair tied back in a loose braid. She was humming softly to herself as she flipped pancakes on the griddle. The sight was so familiar, so comforting, that Skylar felt a pang of gratitude. No matter how much the world seemed to shift around her, her mother was always a constant.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart," Stephanie said with a bright smile, turning to face her. She held out a plate of pancakes, topped with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey. "I made your favorite."
Skylar smiled, her heart warming at the gesture. "Thanks, Mom. You didn't have to go through all this trouble."
"Nonsense," Stephanie replied, waving her off. "Eighteen is a big deal. It's the age when everything changes."
Skylar's smile faltered slightly at her mother's words. She knew what Stephanie meant. Eighteen was the age when a wolf could sense their destined mate, the one chosen for them by the Moon Goddess. It was a sacred bond, unbreakable and eternal. But for Skylar, the idea of a mate was both thrilling and terrifying. She had spent her life in the Glow Moon Pack, faintly remembering her first years of life at the royal court, where she was born. The thought of being tied to someone she didn't know, someone who might not understand her, was daunting.
"You're strong, Sky," Stephanie said suddenly, her voice softening, when she saw Sky's face. "Just like your father."
Skylar froze for a moment, her fork halfway to her mouth. Her father. The word felt foreign, distant, like a story she had heard once but couldn't quite remember. She didn't know much about him—her mother rarely spoke of him, and when she did, it was always in vague, wistful tones. Skylar felt a flicker of sadness, but it was quickly replaced by something else: doubt. Was it true? Was she really like him? She didn't feel particularly strong. If anything, she felt like she was constantly trying to figure out who she was and where she belonged.
"Thanks, Mom," she said finally, her voice quiet. She didn't press for more details. She had learned long ago that her mother wouldn't offer them. When she was younger, sometimes she asked her mother about him, but later she would find her mother in bedroom, crying in the corner of her bed. So, there was no point to speak about him more that it was necessary.
After breakfast, Skylar stepped outside, the cool air brushing against her skin. The Glow Moon Pack's territory was nestled deep in the mountains, surrounded by dense forests and rolling hills. It was a place of beauty and solitude, a sanctuary for their kind. She loved it here, but a part of her always felt... different. As she walked through the village, the other pack members greeted her warmly, their smiles genuine. But there was something in the way they looked at her, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. It wasn't fear, exactly, but it wasn't casual familiarity either. It was respect—an almost reverent kind of respect that made her feel like she was being watched, judged, even when she wasn't doing anything remarkable.
Why? she wondered, not for the first time. She wasn't the alpha's daughter. She wasn't even particularly outgoing or involved in pack politics. So why did they treat her like she was someone important? The question gnawed at her, but before she could dwell on it, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.
"Sky!"
She turned to see her best friend, Lily, hurrying toward her. Lily was a petite she-wolf with fiery red hair and a mischievous grin that could light up the darkest day. She was the one - beside Stephanie- who treated Skylar normally, without any strange behaviour. When she approach her, Sky spotted a basket in her hand, full of wildflowers. Lily's hasel eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Happy birthday!" Lily exclaimed, throwing her arms around Skylar in a tight hug. "How does it feel to be officially an adult?"
Skylar laughed, the tension in her chest easing. "Not much different, honestly."
Lily pulled back, her grin widening. "Well, it should! Because tonight, we're celebrating. And before you even think about saying no, let me remind you that it's tradition. You can't escape it."
Skylar groaned. "A party? Really? Can't we just... I don't know, skip it this year?"
"Skip it?" Lily gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "Skylar Shillow, how dare you even suggest such a thing? Do you know how much effort I've put into this? I've been planning it for weeks!"
Skylar raised an eyebrow. "Weeks? Really?"
"Okay, fine, days," Lily admitted, waving a hand dismissively. "But still! You're going to love it. There's going to be food, music, dancing... and maybe even a surprise or two."
Skylar narrowed her eyes. "What kind of surprise?"
Lily smirked. "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?"
Skylar rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help smiling. "You're impossible."
"And you love me for it," Lily said, linking her arm with Skylar's. "Now, come on. Let's go see what everyone's up to."
As they walked through the village, Lily launched into a story about the time they had tried to bake a cake for one of the elders and ended up setting the kitchen on fire. Skylar laughed, the memory vivid in her mind. Lily had always had a way of making her forget her worries, even if only for a little while.
When they reached the gathering hall, Skylar hung back, watching from a distance as the pack members decorated the space. Strings of lights were being hung from the wooden beams, and garlands of wildflowers were draped over the tables. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and music, and for a moment, Skylar felt a pang of guilt for not helping. But she couldn't bring herself to join in. Despite her initial reluctance, Skylar couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and belonging.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the first stars appeared in the sky, the feeling grew stronger. Skylar stood on the edge of the village, staring out at the dark forest beyond. The cool night air brushed against her skin, and her wolf stirred restlessly within her.
The sun dipped below the horizon and the first stars appeared in the sky, the Glow Moon Pack's gathering hall came alive with light and sound. The warm glow of lanterns illuminated the wooden beams and stone walls, casting a golden hue over the space. Strings of twinkling lights crisscrossed the ceiling, their soft glow mimicking the stars above. Garlands of wildflowers—daisies, lavender, and bright yellow marigolds—were draped over the tables and along the walls, filling the air with their sweet, earthy scent.
The long tables were laden with food: roasted meats glistening with juices, baskets of freshly baked bread, bowls of vibrant salads, and platters of fruit that seemed to glow in the lantern light. The centerpiece was a towering cake, decorated with delicate sugar flowers and frosted in pale blue and silver, the colors of the Glow Moon Pack.
The sound of laughter and music filled the hall, blending with the rhythmic beat of drums and the lively notes of a fiddle. Pack members danced in the open space at the center of the hall, their movements fluid and joyful. Children darted between the tables, their laughter ringing out as they played games and chased one another. The atmosphere was warm and celebratory, a reflection of the close-knit bond shared by the pack.
Skylar stood at the edge of the gathering, watching the scene unfold. She leaned against a wooden post, her arms crossed over her chest, a small smile playing on her lips. From a distance, it all looked perfect—like something out of a storybook. But she couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness that had been building inside her all day.
Her gaze drifted to the dancers, where Lily was twirling in the arms of one of the young warriors. Her fiery red hair caught the light as she laughed, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. She caught Skylar's eye and waved enthusiastically, mouthing, "Come join us!"
Skylar shook her head, her smile widening slightly. Lily rolled her eyes dramatically before turning back to her partner, her movements as carefree as ever.
Skylar's mother, Stephanie, was seated at one of the tables, chatting with a group of elders. She looked radiant, her light blonde hair glowing in the lantern light, her laughter soft and melodic. Skylar felt a pang of guilt for not being more involved in the celebration. This was her party, after all. But the pull in her chest, the strange, unexplainable feeling, kept her rooted to the edge of the gathering, as if stepping into the light would somehow make it worse.
She glanced up at the sky, where the moon was beginning to rise, its pale light casting a silvery glow over the village. The stars seemed brighter tonight, their light sharp and clear against the inky blackness. Skylar took a deep breath, the cool night air filling her lungs. For a moment, she closed her eyes, letting the sounds of the party wash over her—the laughter, the music, the clinking of glasses. It was comforting, familiar. And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't quite belong.
Then, she heard it.
A howl, low and haunting, echoed through the night. It was distant, almost too faint to hear, but it sent a shiver down Skylar's spine. Her eyes snapped open, and she straightened, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced around, but no one else seemed to notice. The laughter and music continued uninterrupted, the pack members oblivious to the sound that had pierced the night. The celebration continued, surrounding full of familiar faces, but Sky's face showed anxiety and confusion. Her mother, Stephanie, noticed her unease. She said sorry to the elders and she moved fast to her daughter and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Sweetheart?" Stephanie asked gently. "Are you ok?"
Skylar hesitated, blinking her eyes as she looked at her mother, then nodded. "Yeah, everything ok, it's nice," she said, though her voice lacked conviction.
Stephanie studied her daughter for a moment, her gaze searching. "You don't seem like yourself. Is something bothering you?"
Skylar wanted to tell her mother about the howl, about the strange feeling that she felt. But she didn't know how to put it into words. "I'm just tired," she said finally.
Stephanie gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "It's been a long day. Why don't you take a break? You don't have to stay here all night."
Skylar shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I'll stay."
Stehanie, still not convinced, just nodded. Skylar's breath caught in her throat for a moment, when her mother returned to the table. She felt, that the howl wasn't just a sound—it was a call. And she knew, deep in her bones, that it was meant for her.
Everything was about to change.