The Silver Moon was shining high over the Thalor Pack grounds. The courtyard was getting filled up with wolves and humans alike standing toe to toe, forming a circle around the ceremonial platform.
There was tension in the air no doubt.
Elara stepped into the courtyard. Her robe flowed behind her.
She said to herself, "Let the whispers begin."
And as if they were waiting for her to say that, the whisperstrulybegan.
"Here she comes…"
"They say she never found her wolf."
"The Moonless Luna"
"She's cursed, probably."
She ignored them, though the comments stuck, she kept her head forward looking straight at where the elders sat and where Kael would stand.
There he was, on the edge of the platform. He was tall and had an unreadable expression. Nothing like the man who had kissed her just days ago. He looked more like an official, a leader, a man carrying the weight of making decisions he wasn't ready for.
"Elara."
She was startled. She turned and saw one of the members of the council, Elder Maren.
"You know why you're here."
"Yes," she replied
"This is not a place for explanations or arguments. The Moon Oath begins. Stand where you were instructed."
Elara moved forward. The center of the platform now opened for her. She slightly looked left and right as the people in the circle stared at her.
A clear voice rang out from above.
"The Moon Oath Ceremony will now begin."
Elder Maren gestured to Kael to step into the circle.
He bowed, acknowledging the presence of his elders and of the crowd.
Elara looked at him.
No expression, no warmth. Just the weight of making a decision tonight.
"Alpha Kael, we await your decision," one of the elders said.
"I know that," Kael said.
"Then start."
Elara's stomach twisted and turned. Start? Start with what? She knew. Everyone knew.
The platform was now cleared and a small circle for those eligible to be named Luna was formed.
She stepped forward as instructed and she met the eyes of her father. She saw it in his eyes. Disappointment.
Concern.
And something else she couldn't quite place.
"You will be watched," he said softly.
"I know," she whispered back.
From above, the elders begin to speak the usual traditional words calling for the wolves to demonstrate their bond, for the chosen to awaken their bond in front of the Pack. One by one the candidates were tested and one by one the bond was confirmed.
Elara held her breath.
Nothing happened.
Murmurs rose again from the crowd.
"Is she even a Luna?"
"Her bond doesn't exist."
"She's the Moonless Luna."
Elder Maren's voice filled the air.
"Elara Thalor. Step forward"
She obeyed, and she stepped into the center directly underneath the full moon. She waited. She tried to feel the bond awaken again, tried to summon the connection that she had been promised since birth.
Nothing.
Kael's eyes followed her. He didn't reach for her, didn't speak, he just watched.
Elder Maren raised his hands. "The bond doesn't come through."
Whispers now grew louder. Shouts even. Some wolves laughed, some looked away in disappointment.
She swallowed hard. "I—" she began
"You have nothing to say," Elder Maren interrupted.
"The Thalor Pack is not present. There's no bond."
Elara froze. She wanted to scream, wanted to argue and even protest but the crowd's eyes were on her. Even Kael's too
"You're making a mistake," she said quietly so that no one could hear.
"Youre not a candidate," Elder Maren said.
"Your place is not among the chosen ones."
Her father's voice came up next. "Elara step back, you're not Luna."
She felt bad. She wanted to fight. She wanted to demand answers. But the law, the tradition—they were stronger than her voice.
Kael moved slightly. As if he wanted to defend her, but he did not intervene, and that made the rejection final for her.
Cassian, standing at the edge, smiled lightly. He leaned towards his daughter, his plan unfolding as he had intended.
Kael was now forced into naming someone else his Luna and it would not be her.
She took a deep breath trying to convince herself that her heart hadn't been shattered completely.
But when Kael accepted the council instruction and moved toward another candidate, the realization hit her like a stone.
She had no protection. No future in this pack tonight.
The elders concluded the ceremony. Decisions were made. And then Elder Maren addressed Elara directly.
"ElaraThalor, your presence here is no longer needed. You are relieved of all responsibilities. You will stay on Pack grounds until arrangements for relocation are made."
"Relocation?" she asked, shocked.
"You will be removed from the Thalor Pack. For the good of the Pack."
The words echoed. Removed.
Kael didn't say a word. He didn't move towards her. He just looked ahead, his future role as an Alpha binding him into the council decision.
Elara looked at him. The man she had thought might stand by her, the one she had shared a brief connection with, who had made her believe in something more didn't even make a move towards her.
The council turned and walked away. Her father followed.
It had now dawned on her. She could no longer call this place home.
She moved the side gates. Her eyes caught Kael's one last time. He didn't look at her. Didn't even acknowledge her departure.
And as the gates closed behind her, she realized.
This was just the beginning
Not of her failure. Not just yet
But of everything she would have to endure to survive.