Chapter 6: Legacy of the Moon

Maeve's POV

"Wait, are you joking?" I stared at my mother's reflection, shock freezing me in place.

Mom continued arranging my golden curls, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "It seems my daughter invited a special guest without knowing his history."

"I... I had no idea Cyrus was..." I couldn't bring myself to say the name. The word stuck in my throat like a jagged stone. Dominic—the name whispered in fearful tones among Callisto wolves, the tyrant who had hunted us to near extinction.

And I had invited his son to my birthday celebration. Even worse, I had kissed him.

"If I'd known that, I wouldn't have invited him," I whispered, my head down.

Mom's fingers pressed lightly on my shoulders. "Darling, Cyrus is nothing like his father. His mother fled with him from Dominic's control. Only after Dominic's death was nine-year-old Cyrus sent back to the Kratos pack."

"Does Dad know I invited him?" Anxiety crept into my voice.

Mom's eyes shifted to a soft pink in the lamplight. "Your father respects Cyrus greatly. That boy did the impossible, rebuilding a pack Dominic nearly destroyed."

I tried to reconcile these words with the stern, unapproachable man I knew from combat class. It seemed impossible to imagine Professor Cyrus as a nine-year-old boy thrust into the legacy of a hated father, or as a fourteen-year-old shouldering the burden of an entire pack.

Mom's fingers gently tucked a stray golden curl behind my ear, her voice softening. "Speaking of complicated relationships... I hear things have changed between you and Louie?"

I looked up in surprise. "How did you know? I didn't tell anyone!"

Mom smiled mysteriously. "My daughter, a mother's intuition is stronger than any mindlink. You've come home without that expectant light in your eyes lately."

I sighed. "It's Juniper. I caught them in the academy dance studio... you know." I twisted my fingers nervously. "I don't want Dad to know. Louie's father is still a member of the Morpheus Alliance."

"Your father is a professional, but if you don't want him to know, your secret is safe with me." Mom pressed a kiss to my forehead. "But I guess Louie probably won't show up tonight."

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, my shifting eyes reflecting my turbulent emotions.

"Tonight is your night, Maeve," she said softly. "I can feel it."

I tried to hide my anxiety. "What if nothing happens?"

"Then nothing happens," she squeezed my shoulders reassuringly. "You're still you. The Moon Goddess has her own timing."

Through the windows, I could see guests already arriving. The great hall below had been transformed with silver and midnight blue decorations, honoring both the moon and our Callisto heritage.

"Ready?" Mom asked, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

With a deep breath, I nodded and descended the staircase, my silver dress flowing around me like liquid moonlight.

"Moon Goddess!" A familiar voice squealed before my best friend, Gisella, rushed forward, embracing me tightly. "You look absolutely breathtaking tonight!"

I laughed. "Don't exaggerate. I just want to celebrate properly and hope my wolf decides to make an appearance."

Seeing my expression, she quickly changed the subject. "I heard almost every Alpha from nearby territories will be here tonight. Who knows? Your destined mate might be among them."

I forced a smile. "After what happened with Louie, I'm not sure about mates anymore." The memory of finding him with Juniper still stung, though less from heartbreak and more from wounded pride.

"Forget that jerk!" Gisella linked her arm through mine. "Tonight is your night."

Inside, I wasn't sure what to think about mates anymore. My parents made it look so effortless, so magical—but what if I never found that? Or worse, what if my mate turned out to be someone completely wrong for me?

Someone like... Cyrus.

The image of Cyrus flashed unbidden in my mind, and I quickly pushed it away. He was my professor, Dominic's son, and clearly wanted nothing to do with me except as a student.

"Everyone!" Father's powerful voice instantly commanded attention. "Tonight we celebrate my daughter Maeve's coming of age. Eighteen years ago, the Moon Goddess blessed us with this gift, and today, we await her full awakening."

Mom stepped forward with an enormous cake—red velvet with chocolate frosting, my favorite—topped with eighteen silver candles.

And then, Cyrus entered the great hall, and the mood instantly changed.

Conversations hushed as his commanding presence filled the room. His tailored black suit emphasized his broad shoulders. His intense blue eyes scanned the crowd, and when they found mine, it felt like the world held its breath.

Something primal inside me recognized him. Wanted him. I couldn't look away.

Mom gracefully moved to my side. "Alpha Cyrus looks striking enough tonight to make half the young women here swoon."

"He does look... impressive," I managed to keep my voice steady. "Honestly, I didn't think he would actually accept the invitation."

"You're the daughter of the Morpheus Alliance leader," Mom laughed softly. "It's both courtesy and politics."

I said nothing, my thoughts returning to our impulsive kiss days ago. Even across the room, I could almost taste him again, feel the surprising softness of his lips against the hard tension in his body.

As night deepened, Cyrus stood among Alphas, his few words carrying weight and respect. His gaze periodically scanned the room, searching. Each circuit made my heart beat faster, anticipating the moment his eyes would find me.

"Happy birthday, my little princess," a warm voice interrupted my thoughts. Uncle Kirk, our pack's Beta, approached with a small gift box.

"Thank you," I smiled, momentarily forgetting my annoyance at Cyrus's apparent dismissal.

"I'm surprised to see Alpha Cyrus here," Kirk followed my earlier line of sight. "That guy usually avoids social gatherings."

"Really?" I asked curiously. "Why would someone dislike celebrations?"

"He's carried heavy burdens since he was nine. After becoming Alpha at fourteen, he barely had a normal adolescence. I've heard he spends all his time training and managing his pack."

"So he never shows any... happy emotions?" I couldn't help asking.

"No one I know has ever seen him genuinely smile," he shook his head. "Not surprising though. Carrying Dominic's legacy while taking over a nearly collapsed pack at such a young age... anyone would become serious."

The idea of him bearing such burdens from childhood tugged at something inside me. What would it be like to be the one who finally made him smile?

When I looked toward him again, my breath caught in my throat. This time, he didn't look away but continued to gaze at me, his eyes holding mine with an intensity that made everything else fade away.