3: Ritual Dance (1)

Krista

****

I stared at my reflection, willing the hollow look in my eyes to fade, forcing my lips to curve into a passable smile. But the result looked as tired and insincere as I felt inside. Tonight, of all nights, I couldn't afford to let my emotions slip through the cracks. Tonight was about duty, about tradition—and no matter how my stomach churned with anxiety, I had to perform.

I splashed my face with cool water, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. "Krista," I whispered to myself, bracing my hands on the edge of the sink. "You’ve been through worse. You can handle this." Opening my eyes, I tried smiling again, and though it wasn’t perfect, it was enough. With a final glance in the mirror, I steeled myself and called for my maids to help me dress.

Two figures entered the room at once: Lyla and Serah. Lyla, always a little shy, bowed quietly, while Serah’s face broke into a wide grin. Serah and I had a bond that went beyond mere service; she had been more than a maid to me. Being only half-wolf, Serah had endured a lonely and difficult childhood. Her human father had left her shortly after her mother, a wolf, passed away, unable to accept the daughter with the supernatural blood in her veins. When Serah had found her way into our pack, her own kind had regarded her as an outsider. They’d shunned her, ostracized her from gatherings, and mocked her for her mixed blood.

But I had seen the hurt she hid behind her resilient eyes, and I’d taken her under my wing. She was a young, spirited wolf who just needed a place to belong. Once she started accompanying me everywhere, no one dared trouble her again. Since then, Serah had been like a shadow, an unshakable presence, loyal and fierce in her quiet way. Tonight, she was practically glowing with excitement, and her smile was infectious, despite the heaviness I felt.

“Oh, Luna,” she said breathlessly, her eyes catching on the gown as she approached. “You’re going to look incredible tonight. Every she-wolf in the pack will be speechless.”

I forced a warm smile, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “Thank you, Serah. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She flushed at my praise, nodding as she shared a look of excitement with Lyla. Together, they guided me toward the gown, unhooking it carefully from the stand. It was heavy in their arms, a cascade of shimmering champagne fabric, the delicate golden embroidery glinting as they held it up to me.

They helped me into it, fastening the laces tightly along my back until the gown hugged every inch of me. As the cool fabric settled around my shoulders and down my arms, I felt its weight—not just the weight of the material, but the weight of everything this night represented. I closed my eyes as Lyla tied off the last lace.

“Let’s do something special with your hair, Luna,” she murmured, leading me to the vanity. Her fingers were gentle as she worked through my thick waves of chestnut hair, brushing until they shone. She twisted it back in an intricate braid, pinning in moon-shaped clips that glinted in the lamplight. My hair fell like a waterfall over one shoulder, soft curls framing my face. It felt dignified, but with an elegance that suited tonight’s ritual.

Meanwhile, Serah set to work painting my face. She dipped her brush into a pot of silver paint, working in silence as she drew a soft arc of silver under each eye, sweeping the color high on my cheekbones. The paint, the color of the moon itself, was sacred to our pack, reserved only for the Alpha and Luna on this night of celebration. Her brush was delicate but sure, and with each stroke, I felt myself becoming someone else—a Luna, a leader, a symbol of strength and unity. I wasn’t just Krista anymore. I was the Alpha’s partner, the pack’s figurehead.

“There,” Serah said, stepping back, her eyes gleaming as she took in her handiwork. “You look like the goddess herself has blessed you tonight.”

I took a shaky breath as they both helped me to my feet, leading me to the mirror. When I looked at my reflection, a gasp slipped out before I could stop it. The woman staring back looked ethereal, her cheeks dusted with silver, her eyes bright, almost glowing beneath the moon paint. My gown hugged me in all the right places, flaring out at my hips in soft, elegant folds that trailed gracefully behind me. With my hair pinned back, the silver around my eyes, and the gown gleaming under the light, I looked... regal. Powerful, even.

“Thank you,” I whispered, emotion catching in my throat. I looked at Serah and Lyla, who were both already dressed in simple yet beautiful gowns, each a soft shade of lavender with frills at the sleeves and hem, elegant but not too elaborate, befitting their roles. Serah’s eyes shone with pride, and Lyla gave me a shy smile, murmuring that it was an honor to help me prepare for such an important night.

After Serah washed her hands, removing the silver paint residue from her fingers, she turned back to me, practically vibrating with excitement. "I can’t wait to see the dance, Luna! The whole pack has been talking about it for days.”

I managed a smile for her. The Half Moon Feast, with its ceremonies and symbolism, was meant to solidify bonds within the pack. But tonight, it felt more like an obligation than a celebration. Still, I couldn’t let that show. Not in front of Serah or Lyla or the other pack members who would be watching my every move tonight.

“Then I’d better do my best to make sure it’s a memorable night,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light. Serah nodded eagerly, her eyes bright with admiration, and Lyla murmured her agreement.

With a nod from me, they opened the door, and we stepped into the hallway. Outside, three more maids were waiting to escort me to the Great Hall, each of them dressed in a matching lavender gown. They bowed respectfully, surrounding me as we started down the long corridor.