Alpha, Luna and her

Eighteen candles 🎂

The early morning sun streamed through Selena's bedroom window, casting golden patterns across her quilted blanket. Her wolf stirred within her, alert and vibrant. Today was the day.

She blinked up at the ceiling, heart hammering in her chest. Today, she turned eighteen. In Silverglade, that wasn't just any birthday—it was the birthday. The one that revealed your fated mate.

Her fingers trailed the gold charm bracelet Jake had given her in her sophomore year. Three years, countless memories, and a love that had grown strong despite the odds. Jake had turned eighteen last year, but he hadn't found his mate. At least, that's what he'd told her.

Selena pushed away the whisper of doubt that tried to slip through her thoughts. Jake had stayed. He hadn't left her. That had to mean something.

She slipped into her favorite sundress, the one he liked best, and bounded down the stairs. Her mother greeted her with a tight hug and a proud smile, though her eyes shone with a worry Selena didn't understand.

"You ready?" her mother asked.

Selena nodded. "I've never been more ready."

That night, the pack gathered for her birthday celebration. Music blared, laughter rang out, and the scent of roasted venison and firewood filled the air. Jake stood near the bonfire, his golden-brown eyes catching the firelight as he smiled at her.

For a moment, the world fell away. This was it. This was their moment. Her wolf pulsed in her chest, aching to connect.

Jake walked toward her, something unreadable in his expression.

"Happy birthday," he said softly, wrapping his arms around her.

She leaned into him. "Did it happen? Did we—"

He stepped back, avoiding her eyes. "Let's talk later, okay?"

Her heart sank. Why not now? Her wolf whimpered.

Later that night, Selena followed her instincts, drawn by something heavy and wrong. Behind the guest lodge, under the moonlight, she found him. Not alone.

He was with another girl. Their foreheads touched, hands intertwined. A low growl escaped Selena before she could stop it.

Jake turned, guilt written across his face. "Selena... I didn't want to hurt you."

The girl, younger and delicate, took a step back. Selena's wolf recoiled.

"You found her? Last year?" Her voice cracked.

He nodded, ashamed. "I didn't want to let you go. I was scared."

Selena felt the earth tilt beneath her feet. Her wolf howled in betrayal.