Alana's POV
The palace halls were unnerving silent as I wandered them, the weight of the upcoming ritual pressing down on my shoulders like an iron collar. The scent of fresh herbs, wolfsbane, and sacred oils hung heavy in the air, mingling with smoke from the ceremonial torches now placed in every hallway. My chambers had been prepared for the Blood Moon Mating Ceremony, but my heart rebelled with every beat. I was no one's Luna, not by choice, not by spirit. Especially not his.
Yet, fate played strange games with me. And today, it played another.
I found myself drawn toward the corridor of the elder quarters, a part of the palace where whispers lingered and time slowed. My footsteps were soft against the stone, but each one echoed louder in my mind, matching the storm brewing inside me.
That's when I saw her.
