Under the Triple Moon

Elias Nightshade couldn't breathe.

"Sera, I can't do this," he whispered, tugging at the silver collar of his formal robe. The cloth felt too tight around his neck, like it was choking him.

His sister Seraphina gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "You can and you will. We've hidden long enough."

They stood at the edge of the forest, watching as hundreds of wolves from different packs gathered in the huge clearing ahead. Torches lined the road, casting dancing shadows across faces filled with excitement and hope. The Lunar Choosing Ceremony happened only once every ten years, a special night when unmated wolves might find their destined partners.

But Elias knew he didn't fit here.

"Everyone's staring," he muttered, feeling the weight of curious eyes on him. His midnight-blue hair with its strange silver streaks made him stand out, even among the lively crowd.

"Let them stare," Seraphina said, lifting her head. Her violet eyes flashed with pride. "You're a Nightshade. Act like one."

Elias took a big breath and straightened his shoulders. The name Nightshade still meant something in the Moonlit Realm, even if most thought the line had ended eighteen years ago when their parents were murdered.

As they moved into the open, whispers followed them like shadows.

"Is that really a Nightshade?" "I thought they were all dead." "Look at his eyes—they're almost glowing." "Do you think he can really control the elements like they say?"

Elias kept his eyes forward, pretending not to hear. Inside, his stomach twisted with worry. His magic had been acting strange lately, surging unpredictably whenever his feelings ran high. What if he lost control tonight, in front of everyone?

The ceremony grounds were arranged in a perfect circle, with a raised stone platform in the middle. Three massive bonfires burned at equal distances around the circle, indicating the three moons that would soon align overhead.

As Elias and Seraphina found their places among the other unmated wolves, the crowd split suddenly. A hush fell over the crowd.

Kael Stormcrest had arrived.

Elias had heard stories about the fearsome Alpha of the western territories, but nothing prepared him for the truth. Kael moved with the confident ease of a predator, his powerful build making other Alphas seem small in comparison. His jet-black hair was pulled back, showing sharp cheekbones and golden eyes that seemed to burn from within.

Those eyes swept across the room and stopped when they reached Elias.

Something electric passed between them—a jolt that made Elias's heart skip and his magic stir beneath his skin. He quickly looked away, confused by his body's response.

"Don't stare," Seraphina whispered, but her voice held a note of worry.

"I wasn't," Elias lied, though he could still feel Kael's gaze on him like a physical touch.

A horn sounded, marking the start of the ceremony. The crowd fell silent as Elder Moira, a respected healer with silver-streaked hair, climbed onto the center platform.

"Welcome, children of the moon," she called, her voice carrying across the area. "Tonight, we gather under a rare alignment—the triple moon—a time when magic runs strongest through our veins."

Elias gazed up. The three moons hung in perfect alignment, bathing the area in silver-blue light. He felt his magic react, pulsing just beneath his skin.

"The Choosing is simple," Elder Moira continued. "When your name is called, you will step forward. Let your wolf guide you. If the Goddess wills it, you will find your fated mate tonight."

Names began to be called, and one by one, wolves stepped forward. Some found their mates instantly, their wolves recognizing what their human sides might have missed. Others circled the stage before returning to their places, their time not yet come.

Elias watched, both fascinated and frightened. What would happen when his name was called? Would anyone step forward to claim him? Or worse—what if his wolf recognized someone, but they rejected him once they learned how different he truly was?

A noise at the edge of the clearing drew his attention. A new group had arrived—wolves with silver-white fur draped over their formal clothes. The northern pack. At their head walked a tall man with silver hair and ice-blue eyes that held no love.

"Darius Frostveil," Seraphina breathed, her body tensing beside him.

Elias stared. So this was the old Alpha that Kael had once been friends with. Something about Darius made Elias's skin crawl. When those cold eyes found him in the crowd, Elias felt his magic react furiously, churning inside him like a storm.

"Elias Nightshade," Elder Moira called suddenly.

His heart stopped. Had she really called his name already? Seraphina gave him a light push.

"Go," she whispered. "Remember what I taught you. Control your breathing if you feel your magic rising."

On shaky legs, Elias walked to the stage. The crowd's whispers grew louder as he climbed the steps and stood in the center. The triple moonlight seemed to focus on him, making his silver hair streaks shine with an unearthly glow.

Elder Moira smiled at him, but her eyes held worry. "Let your wolf come forward, child."

Elias closed his eyes, calling to his wolf. The shift was partial—just enough for his mercury eyes to glow white and his senses to strengthen. He could smell every wolf in the clearing now, their unique scents mixed with pine and smoke.

And then he caught it—a smell that made his wolf howl inside him. Wild weather and mountain air and something else, something hidden beneath layers of magic. His eyes snapped open, searching the crowd.

Kael Stormcrest stood frozen at the edge of the platform, his golden eyes wide with shock. Their gazes locked, and Elias felt the world tilt beneath his feet. His magic responded quickly, rising so fast he couldn't control it. The ground shook slightly. The flames in the three bonfires leaped higher.

Whispers turned to gasps of panic.

Before Elias could try to rein in his power, Darius Frostveil stepped forward, breaking the link. The older Alpha climbed the platform with a hungry smile.

"I claim the right of courtship," Darius stated, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "By ancient pact between Frostveil and Nightshade."

Confusion spread through the crowd. Seraphina pushed forward. "There is no such pact!"

Darius smiled coldly. "Your parents signed it before their unexpected deaths, little wolf. I have the proof."

Elder Moira looked worried. "If there is a claim of prior arrangement, we must—"

"No."

The single word, spoken in a deep voice laced with Alpha command, stopped everyone. Kael Stormcrest stepped forward, his golden eyes now burning red with anger.

"The Nightshade heir has a fated mate bond," Kael said, his voice leaving no room for debate. "I felt it. Everyone here felt it."

The clearing exploded in confused shouts. Fated mate bonds were rare, nearly mythical—and for one to form between two men, one an Alpha and one an Omega, was unheard of.

Elias stood frozen in the middle of the chaos, his magic swirling dangerously close to the surface. His eyes met Kael's across the stage, and he felt it again—that undeniable pull, like their souls recognized each other.

"The bond must be tested," Elder Moira stated finally, raising her hands for silence. "It is the old way."

Darius's cold smile grew. "Yes, let it be tried. And when it fails, my claim stands."

Kael moved to the platform, stopping just short of Elias. The air between them seemed to crackle with energy.

"May I?" Kael asked quietly, his voice softer than Elias expected.

Heart beating, Elias nodded.

Kael reached out slowly, his hand hanging just above Elias's cheek. The moment their skin touched, white light burst around them. Elias gasped as power surged through him, his magic breaking free despite his best efforts to control it.

Wind whipped around the platform. The ground shook. Flames jumped from the bonfires, dancing in impossible shapes.

And behind them all, unseen by anyone but Elias, a woman with long white hair and eyes that shifted colors appeared briefly in the moonlight, her lips curved in a knowing smile.

"The prophecy begins," she whispered, her voice reaching only Elias.

Then everything went black.