05.

Years passed and I turned eighteen just few months ago, and this was nothing but a little overwhelming for me to know what has come.

The moon hung high in the sky, its silvery glow seeping through the forest canopy and illuminating the stream ahead. I crouched behind a cluster of trees, my breath caught in my throat as I watched Jack and Liam storm into the clearing. My heart thudded painfully, not from fear, but from the sight of Liam. He looked tense, his jaw clenched and his eyes stormy.

I had no business being here, I knew that. This wasn’t my place. But something about Liam always drew me in, like gravity pulling at the tides. And tonight, I couldn’t resist the pull.

Jack’s voice broke the stillness, his words sharp and filled with frustration.

“Marry your mate to claim your Alpha duties,” he repeated bitterly, throwing his father’s ultimatum into the air like a curse. I stayed hidden, pressing my back against the tree, trying to keep my breathing steady.

My eyes flicked to Liam. He stood a step behind Jack, silent but watchful. His presence was steady, unshakable, as if he was the only anchor Jack had. I couldn’t take my eyes off him—the way his dark hair caught the moonlight, the way his shoulders tensed at Jack’s outburst.

When Luna appeared by the stream, her silhouette graceful and glowing under the moonlight, my stomach churned. She had a way of commanding attention without even trying, and tonight was no different. Jack’s desperation bled into his voice as he pleaded with her, confessing his anger and frustration over the demands placed on him.

I clenched my fists, feeling the sharp sting of my nails digging into my palms. I wanted to look away, to stop watching as Jack poured his heart out to Luna. But I couldn’t. Why it was only Luna everyone turned towards.

Luna’s response was cool and unbothered, her voice carrying a hint of playful defiance. “Maybe that’s the price of being Alpha. Play the game, Jack.”

Her indifference stung me, though I couldn’t explain why. I watched her turn and walk away, leaving Jack frozen in place. Liam stepped forward, placing a hand on Jack’s shoulder, but his face was unreadable. My chest tightened. I wanted to know what he was thinking, what he was feeling. But Liam never showed his emotions—not to me, at least.

The festival began shortly after, the air buzzing with energy and anticipation. I stood at the edge of the crowd, my fingers twisting nervously at the hem of my dress. The Mating Moon tradition was in full swing, and I couldn’t take my eyes off Liam. Blindfolded, he moved through the crowd, his steps sure and deliberate.

I held my breath, hoping—praying—that he would come to me. But he didn’t. He moved past me without hesitation, his focus elsewhere.

My heart shattered a little more.

When Jack’s steps faltered, I knew where this was going. His instincts had led him to Luna, and as he pulled off his blindfold, the tension in the air became almost unbearable. “It’s you,” he said, his voice raw and unguarded.

But before I could process Jack’s choice, Liam’s voice rang out.

“I will fight for her,” he said, stepping forward with a determination that made my stomach twist. “I don’t care if she already has a mate.”

I froze, the words hitting me like a blow. I watched as Liam declared his intent, his gaze locked on Luna as if no one else existed. My chest ached, and I swallowed hard against the lump rising in my throat.

I turned away, unable to watch any longer. He didn’t see me. He never saw me.

I stepped into the shadows, letting the murmurs of the crowd fade into the background. I wanted to scream, to cry, to tell Liam to stop chasing something he couldn’t have. But I didn’t. Instead, I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to steady the storm of emotions inside me.

I wanted him to see me—to notice me the way he noticed Luna. But he didn’t, and maybe he never would.

Still, as I stood alone beneath the moonlight, I couldn’t help but hope. Someday, maybe, he would.

The festival air turned electric with tension as Liam and Jack stood face-to-face, their eyes locked in a battle of wills. The crowd around them murmured nervously, forming a wide circle to watch the standoff. The glowing moon overhead seemed to hold its breath.

Jack’s fists were clenched at his sides, his voice low and taut with anger. “What are you doing, Liam? She’s my mate! The Mating Moon already chose her.”

Liam didn’t flinch. His stance was steady, his expression calm yet fiercely determined. “I don’t care about traditions or rules. I know what I feel, Jack, and I’m not going to step aside.”

The words were like a slap in the face to Jack, and the fiery Alpha in him roared to life. He surged forward, shoving Liam back. “You’re not thinking clearly! This isn’t just about feelings—it’s about responsibility, duty. You can’t just take her because you want her!”

Liam stumbled but quickly regained his footing, his jaw tightening. “And what about what she wants? Or does that not matter to you? Maybe she deserves a choice.”

Jack snarled, his temper flaring. “Stay out of this! You’re making it worse!”

Before anyone could stop them, Jack swung a punch. It connected with Liam’s jaw, the force knocking him back a step. The crowd gasped, and I felt my heart drop. Liam didn’t hesitate, retaliating with equal force, his punch landing squarely on Jack’s shoulder.

Their fight spiraled into a whirlwind of fury, each blow carrying years of brotherly tension and unresolved emotions. The onlookers whispered and shifted uneasily, torn between intervening and letting the Alpha’s sons settle their dispute.

Suddenly, a commanding voice broke through the chaos.

“Enough!”

The voice of their father, Alpha Rowan, silenced the crowd instantly. His imposing figure moved through the sea of people, his presence alone enough to make everyone step back. His eyes were stormy, his Alpha aura palpable.

“Stand down, both of you,” he ordered, his voice like thunder.

Jack and Liam froze, their breaths coming hard and fast, but they obeyed, lowering their fists. The tension between them still simmered, but they stepped back, begrudgingly giving each other space.

Alpha Rowan turned to the crowd, his voice strong and authoritative. “This fighting is beneath you both. You are brothers, heirs to this pack, and your actions tonight bring shame to our name.” He shifted his gaze between Jack and Liam, his eyes hard. “You claim to fight for the same woman, but you forget one thing: Luna has the right to choose her mate. Not tradition. Not the Mating Moon. Her choice will decide.”

The crowd buzzed with murmurs, but no one dared to challenge the Alpha’s words.

Rowan looked at Luna, who stood at the edge of the clearing, her expression unreadable. “Luna, this is your decision. Take your time. Choose wisely, for this choice will not only shape your future but the future of this pack.”

Luna’s eyes darted between Jack and Liam. Jack’s chest heaved, his frustration evident, while Liam stood tall, his face calm but his eyes pleading.

As Luna stepped forward, the crowd fell silent, every breath held in anticipation of her decision. My stomach churned with anxiety, my emotions a tangled web of hope, despair, and longing.

But as Luna’s gaze lingered on both of them, I knew this wasn’t over yet. Whatever her choice, the ripple effects would change everything.