Cinderella among the wolves

d beneath the horizon, painting the sky in deep reds and oranges that bled into the forest's shadowy

n the path as we approached. My wolf stirred, her ears pricking at the liv

the academy. Tonight wasn't about old grudges-it was about forging bonds and findin

w over the gathering crowd. Wolves from our pack mingled with unfamiliar faces-some f

ound my shoulders. The weight of his hand was steadying

ese before?" I asked, my vo

a small smile. "We hosted one a few years

two bottles. He handed me one, and I took it gratefully. The twins, dressed in serva

wearing a pristine white coat, her face calm and composed. A pang of anger churned in my chest. The same wolves who whi

ted off the silver detailing on its eyes and teeth, giving it an almost menacing glow. T

ents?" I asked, taking a long sip from my bo

used, his blue eyes meeting mine with quiet curiosi

d to say yes. He was intelligent, kind, and strikingly handsome-qualities that were hard to

d friendly smiles. Others, from my own pack, stared at me with thinly veiled d

, her bright eyes locking onto him. "Uncle Va

Ayla, this is I

nsure of how to respond t

rfulness infectious. "Co

froze. Beowulf stood at its center, flanked by two other alphas-one broad and blonde, the other red-

nken cheeks and filthy, matted hair gave him the appearance of someone pulled from the grave. Yet his presence was anythi

sked, my voice bar

dan," he said. "Our pack's shaman-

ned. "Doesn't h

ph confirmed with a ch

" I admitted, my

of Europe, tonight we gather under the Wolf Moon to celebrate kinship and unity. Le

tight. Dolph's attention lingered on me, his expression soft but thou

lines," he rasped, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Unmated males to the left, u

Dolph leaned close, his warm breath brus

wolf stirred, barking excitedly. Was this a sign? Perhaps everyt

spered back, my lips c

, the shaman raised his staff, signaling for us to join hands. The air grew electric as musicians ste

ly with her shoulder. "You and Dolph seem to b

considerate?" I aske

ssed, I haven't seen him this alive.

g my hand out of Ingrid's grasp. I turned, startled, to s

e?" she hissed, her voi

chin and letting my voice ring with p

in disdain. "Did you sleep wit

ped me. "That's how you graduated after failing for fo

tained rage. "You're delusional if you think you'll e

an idea sparking in my mind.

he spat, her

older than me?" I asked

wh

these ceremonies already, maybe more

y as if she could escape the truth. Her

you've never been chosen. Not once. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

ed in mine, but

ll over the crowd. The shaman raised his s

resonated like a storm, shaking the air. "Consume

ried as questions swirled in my mind. How would it feel to be chosen? Would it be

tatue of Fenrir blazed silver, its eyes and teeth gleaming like liquid fire.

nated, our chests shining faintly in the moonlit darknes

ed dull, unlit. For the fifth year in a row, she had not been chosen. Her sh

haman intoned, his voice echoing f

wing circle alongside Ingrid and the others. My heart p

chest unlit. My heart sank, a sharp pang c

y. "I hoped this would be Dolph's year," she w

ed, the words stic

eyes widened with surprise, and then she broke into a bright, startled smile as it led her to a tall blond

ollowed the glowing spheres toward their mates. Some were familiar faces from the pack, their hearts and hands alre

yes to the left of the line. I turned to see Eliza walkin

ng to my mouth, my heart sinking i

enforcers who had ever shown me kindness. He reached out, his fingers brushing gently against E

, filled with reverence. "B

h. I turned to see her face contorted in disbelief and pain. I couldn't help bu

after everything, hadn't his chest lit up when his wolf had reacted so s

thing tug at me. I looked down and saw it-an invisible thread, thick and alive, spiraling from my chest. It sna

wolf reacted, though-she wagged her tail and let out an excit

ck and let out a triumphant bellow. "A