After a few long minutes that felt like hours, Leonard finally stepped out of the boutique hall. The subtle click of the door behind him made Eila turn, her heart catching briefly before she inhaled deeply, calming the fire that had only just begun to subside in her veins.
Thankfully, the time apart had been just enough. Her cheeks no longer burned with the heat of earlier, and she could now face him without looking like a lovesick tomato. Or so she hoped.
Leonard approached with measured steps, eyes soft but mischievous. He said nothing, only extended a hand to her like the gentleman he rarely pretended to be.
"May I?" he asked quietly.
Eila smiled, shy but radiant, and placed her hand in his. He dipped his head slightly and placed a delicate kiss on the back of her hand. A simple gesture, but the intimacy of it set her heart fluttering all over again.
Together, they began walking towards the ceremonial grounds, side by side, cloaked in silence and moonlight. The soft whisper of the wind through the trees seemed to follow them, as if even the forest acknowledged the moment. Each step closer to the ceremony was met with curious glances, whispers, and stunned admiration.
To anyone who laid eyes on them that night, they looked like two celestial beings who had stepped down from the stars. The tall, formidable Beta in silver-trimmed black, and the ethereal girl in her flowing pastel gown, glowing like starlight incarnate.
As they approached the gate, two warriors snapped to attention. "Beta Leonard. Lady Eila," one said with respectful bows, immediately stepping aside.
Inside, the ceremonial grounds were lit with paper lanterns and ethereal blue flames that danced in tall glass columns. Pack members milled around the open amphitheater, murmuring in excitement. The ceremony tonight would witness transformations, new wolves, and perhaps the birth of bonds meant for a lifetime.
Eila and Leonard took their assigned seats in the second row, directly behind Alpha and Luna—Magnus and Priscilla Baldwin—and their twin sons, Lukas and Zois.
The twins turned slightly as she sat, their steel-grey eyes searing into her with such intensity it sent a shiver down her spine. They looked at her not just with desire—but possession. Her gaze faltered, and she quickly looked down, cheeks coloring.
Mustering her courage, she rose to greet the Alpha and Luna formally.
"You look lovely tonight, Eila," Luna Priscilla said, eyeing her attire with an approving nod.
Alpha Magnus, however, smirked with a sly glint in his eyes. "Looks like my Beta has been… unusually attentive toward his mate," he teased.
Eila blinked, clearly caught. Her blush returned with vengeance. Behind her, she could feel the heat of the twins' narrowed gazes boring into Leonard. The Beta, for his part, looked completely unbothered, returning to his seat with his usual stoic calm—though a ghost of a smirk played on his lips.
The drums silenced the murmurs. A clear horn rang from the north end of the arena—the signal.
Everyone turned toward the center of the grounds where the new initiates stood in neat rows, males on one side, females on the other. Among them, Eila spotted her younger brother—Micheal—standing proud in the second row.
Her heart swelled.
A hush fell.
The sky, as if cued, parted its clouds, revealing the full brilliance of the Moon Goddess. Silvery light poured down like sacred fire. A unified breath rippled through the crowd, and everyone bowed low in reverence.
Then, the first howl rose.
A wave of transformations echoed across the field—bones reshaping, fur emerging, eyes glowing. In moments, the clearing was filled with wolves in varying colors and sizes. But Eila's eyes were locked onto one in particular.
Micheal's wolf stood tall and strong, with shimmering dark brown fur and golden eyes so bright they looked like firelit coins. He howled—a rich, reverberating sound that turned heads.
"He's a Gamma wolf," Sera whispered in Eila's mind, her voice filled with awe. "That strength… that howl… there's no doubt."
Eila gasped aloud, clasping her hands together in astonishment. A Gamma—just like their late uncle. If his skills held up, he might very well inherit the title from the current Gamma, who was due to retire in six months.
But the surprises didn't stop there.
The wolves shifted and reformed into human shape again. The crowd stirred as the Mate Call began—an ancient ritual where newly awakened wolves followed their instincts to seek their destined partner.
Micheal turned, sniffed the air, and slowly made his way across the field. The crowd watched with bated breath as he stopped in front of a crimson-furred female wolf.
Another wave of murmurs broke out. Leonard leaned toward Eila and whispered, "That red wolf… is Stella Mclory. Gamma Stephen's only daughter."
Eila's mouth dropped open. The daughter of a Gamma—and heir to one of the most influential werewolf bloodlines. And her brother had just scented her as his mate?
Pride swelled in her chest as she watched them begin the traditional scenting ritual. Stella licked her mate's cheek gently before nudging her head against his chest. It was done. A match blessed by the Moon Goddess herself.
Eila could hardly wait to tell her parents.
Soon after, the music changed. Elegant strings and drums filled the night air.
The Alpha and Luna were summoned first, stepping into the moonlight and gliding across the floor in perfect harmony. Their dance was regal, timeless.
Next came the Beta and his chosen mate.
Leonard stood and offered his hand once more. "Shall we, my goddess?"
Eila gave him a bashful nod, placing her hand in his. He swept her onto the floor with ease. Though she had little dancing experience, in Leonard's arms she felt weightless, gliding effortlessly as if the moon itself guided her steps.
Around them, eyes watched in stunned amazement. Leonard Blackwell—infamous for declining dances, even with noblewomen—was now dancing like a practiced courtier. Eila noticed Alpha Magnus with his mouth hanging slightly open, which Luna Priscilla casually reached over and shut.
"Is this really your first time dancing?" Eila asked as they twirled.
Leonard gave a low grunt. "Yes."
"But you're so graceful," she laughed.
He raised an eyebrow. "So you think I'm graceful?"
She laughed again, eyes sparkling.
Just as she was about to tease him more, a familiar feeling washed over her—warm and electric.
She turned her head slowly.
At the far end of the floor, Lukas and Zois stood, still and predatory. Their gazes were locked on her, twin expressions of smoldering intensity written across their faces.
Her breath caught again.
The ceremony was far from over—but the true dance of destiny was only just beginning.