The Luna with a Hidden Past
Camilla's POV
The celebration roared around me like wildfire—unrelenting, bright, and warm. Laughter echoed through the trees, wolves shifted freely under the moonlight, and music swelled from the drums played by the young ones of the pack. It was beautiful and even magical.
But beneath my radiant smile, I was drowning.
I was now the Luna everyone respected. The one they cheered for, blessed with the mark of the Alpha. The one who had been accepted by the sacred grove itself.
Yet, in my bones—deep where only fear and truth lived—I was hiding something dark. A bloodline not of Silver Pack origin. A truth no one knew but Marcus, my personal maid and the healer. A secret that could ruin everything.
I belonged to another pack by birth. The Moonlight pack.
The very thought clawed at my stomach. That name—Moonlight pack—was synonymous with betrayal, savagery, and outcast wolves.
Even mentioning them was taboo in most territories. Marcus had hidden me away, hoping I would never inherit the stain. But blood never lies.
I stood near the ceremonial fire, smiling and nodding at wolves as they offered me congratulations, gifts, and praise.
Every smile felt like a dagger against my ribs. If they knew… if they ever found out that I had Moonlight blood in my veins, would this love turn to hatred?
Would they call for my exile?
Would they call for my death?
I stiffened slightly when a young pup—a little girl with silver curls—ran up to me and tugged at my gown.
"Luna Camilla!" she squealed, her voice full of excitement. "You look like a queen!"
My heart melted. I crouched to her level and gently placed a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, sweetheart."
She handed me a flower crown, clearly handmade. It was lopsided and missing petals, but it was the most precious thing anyone had given me tonight.
"I made it myself," she declared proudly.
"I'll treasure it forever," I whispered, placing it gently on my head.
Her mother Frayer, a kind warrior—watched us with a smile and pride in her eyes. They believed in me. They believed I was one of them.
But I wasn't. Not fully.
Later, as the pack danced under the full moon, I slipped away from the grove. I needed air. I needed silence.
I wandered into the woods, the leaves whispering to me like old friends. The moonlight filtered through the branches.
I reached a stream and knelt beside it. I stared at my reflection—at the silver mark on my neck glowing under the moonlight. I traced it with my fingers, remembering the pain and the joy. It had been real. Marcus's bite, his love and his choice.
But would that love survive the truth?
Suddenly, a wind shifted, and I froze.
A thought hit me—faint but distinct. Not Silver Pack.
I stood slowly, every sense alert. My wolf stirred within me.
Then I heard it—a crunch of leaves behind me.
"Who's there?" I asked, voice firm.
Silence.
I turned slowly and caught a glimpse of a shadow between two trees. Someone was watching.
I didn't hesitate. I shifted into my wolf, silver and graceful, and charged toward the scent.
But whoever it was had already vanished, leaving behind only a torn of black fabric snagged on a thorn bush. I sniffed it. My stomach dropped.
Panic gripped me.
No one knew I was here. No one knew I had left the ceremony.
I shifted back and ran barefoot through the forest, heart pounding, mind spinning.
Had they come for me?
Had someone from my old pack discovered where I was?
What did they want?
I reached the edge of the grove just in time to see Marcus looking around, his eyes dark and full of worry. He spotted me instantly.
"Camilla!" he rushed to me, grabbing my arms. "Where have you been?"
I looked around. No one else seemed to have noticed I'd gone missing.
"I needed air," I said breathlessly. "I didn't mean to worry you."
His eyes scanned me. "You're shaking."
"I—" I hesitated, debating whether to tell him what I'd found.
But Marcus was more than my Alpha. He was my mate.
I nodded. "I think someone was watching me in the woods. I found a piece of fabric… It smelled like Moonlight pack."
His expression darkened instantly. "Are you sure?"
I nodded. "Positive."
"They shouldn't be anywhere near Silver territory."
"I know."
He looked over my shoulder, eyes narrowing. "We'll investigate it. But not tonight. Tonight is yours, Camilla."
"But Marcus—"
"No." He pulled me close, his forehead torching mine. "No one will take this moment from you. Not even ghosts from the past."
But I knew this wasn't over.
Later that night, as the celebration ended and the pack dispersed to their homes and dens, Marcus led me to our shared chamber in the main house. It was a warm, spacious room, filled with furs, light candles, and the scent of pine.
I walked to the balcony, looking out at the land now partially mine to protect. The stars above seemed brighter tonight.
Marcus stood behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist.
"You were perfect tonight," he whispered into my hair.
I leaned into him. "They love me now. But they don't know the whole truth."
"Camilla, listen to me. Your blood does not define your worth. I don't care where you came from. The pack won't either—not if I stand by you."
"But if they find out without hearing it from me first, it could destroy everything," I whispered.
"Then tell them, when you're ready. But do it on your terms—not theirs."
"Do you really believe they'll accept me if they know the truth?"
"I do, because you've already proven who you are. You stood up to your past. You endured exile. You protected them even when they didn't protect you. That's what a Luna is."
Tears pricked my eyes, but I didn't let them fall. I kissed him instead.