The night of my wolf ceremony has finally arrived, and I've spent the day greeting countless Alphas and their families. It's been exhausting, meeting many unmated females who seem to be in awe of me. Along with all that, I’ve been worried that I might shift against my will tonight. The pain I went through when I had shifted was unbearable, to the point I thought I would die. It’s not an experience I want to repeat. I know the pack doctor is here just in case, but I don’t think there’s anything he can do to help me if I shift.
More unmated she-wolves arrive and swoon around me. ‘Is it true you shifted early? Is it true your wolf is white? Are your muscles real?’ Another asks, annoyingly feeling my biceps.
I can’t help but notice Nina watching me with uncertainty. She looks stunning in her red dress that drops down from her waist and flows lightly behind her. Her hair is up high, with a couple of strands dangling down.
I can’t help but wonder what I’ve done now to upset her this time.
The Moon Hall has roughly a thousand people inside. I take my seat. Moss arrives holding Nina’s hand, and they sit together at the same table. Now, I am the one glaring at her.
Mum elbows me, gaining my attention. ‘Not even one of these unmated she-wolves is your mate?’ She asks, curious.
‘No, Mother, I’m sorry,’ I answer, keeping my eyes on Nina.
‘It’s okay. Perhaps your mate is not from any of these packs?’ She suggests.
‘Patience, Mother, all in due time,’ I assure her.
She smiles, content with my answer, and nods.
My father stands up, expressing gratitude to everyone for being present. We move on to the banquet, but despite my hunger, I find myself pushing food around with my fork, my focus on Nina.
'It's time for the dance to begin,' my father announces. Mother nudges me again, gesturing I must participate in the dance as it's my wolf ceremony.
A swarm of she-wolves rushes towards me, each hoping for the coveted first dance. I reluctantly oblige, choosing a partner without even looking. She giggles throughout our dance, seemingly unfazed by my lack of enthusiasm. As the song concludes, I select another she-wolf for the next dance, her fluttering eyelashes causing one to fall off, unnoticed by her.
Moss and Nina approach the dance floor as I continue with the next partner.
The Moon Hall is abuzz with murmurs of admiration as Moss and Nina dance, and the air is filled with hopes that they may be fated mates. However, I can't shake off the unease within me as I observe Moss's hands gradually lowering down Nina's back, dangerously close to her rear.
An involuntary growl escapes me, and the attention of everyone shifts to my unexpected outburst. Attempting to diffuse the tension, I chuckle, 'Sorry, everyone, my wolf just wants to join the dance.' The room erupts in laughter and the dance resumes.
Yet, I can't shake off the unease as Moss holds Nina too tightly, causing her discomfort. Politeness compels me to finish the dance with my current partner before intervening. I approach Moss and lightly tap him on the shoulder, signalling the end of their dance.
'As the future Alpha and with it being my wolf ceremony, it is only proper I get to dance with a girl of my choice,' I declare, taking Nina's hand from Moss. Though Moss glares, he knows he can't refuse without showing disrespect to both me and my father, the Alpha.
'Of course,' he grits, clearly agitated.
With a smile, I take Nina's hand, placing the other gently on her waist, and begin a waltz. I dance with a true gentleman's grace, avoiding inappropriate touches.
Concerned for Nina, I ask, 'Are you okay?'
'Was it that obvious?' She blushes, embarrassed.
'Yes, my wolf almost appeared when I saw where Moss's hands were and noticed you were uncomfortable about it,' I admit.
'Well, that explains the growl that almost made the Moon Hall collapse,' Nina laughs. 'Are you nervous... that you might shift tonight, against your will?' She asks, her demeanour now serious and filled with concern.
'I won't lie. I'm nervous, but there's a chance I won't shift since I've already had my first shift,' I respond.
'That's true. No matter what happens tonight, Magnus, ' I won't go anywhere,' she assures me, resting her head against my chest as we slowly dance.
In this moment, holding my best friend close, I wish time could freeze. With a knowing grin, my father watches us, his amusement clear. Raising an eyebrow at him, his smile only widens.
'You were angry at me earlier. Did I do something wrong?' I ask Nina.
'What do you mean?' Nina asks, evading the question.
'Before the banquet, when more she-wolves arrived, you were glowering at me.'
'Oh, sorry. I was, never mind. It's not important. I was just being silly,' Nina dismisses with a smile.
The dance concludes, and the connection between Nina and me reluctantly breaks as Moss swiftly steps in to claim her hand, shooting me a venomous glare over his shoulder. His possessiveness triggers a sense of discomfort, but there's no time for dwelling on that feeling.
With a quarter to midnight, the looming inevitability of my shift sends tremors through my hands and beads of sweat across my forehead. I attempt to contain the emerging wolf within me, but it's a struggle and feels like an unstoppable force.
Concerned, my mother senses something is wrong and calls my name. When I turn to her, she gasps. My eyes, normally reflecting the colour of my human form, are now pools of pure black, manifesting the impending shift. Panic ensues.
'Ryker!' She exclaims, clutching my father's arm. 'It’s begun. He is going to shift,' she says with irrefutable worry.
My father and Leon swiftly move into action. They support my arms over their shoulders, guiding me to the centre of the Moon Hall. The pain intensifies, and involuntary cries escape my lips. Unable to endure the agony, my father removes my socks and shoes, and Leon manages to remove my suit jacket, tie and shirt as my bones crack and break.
As my body contorts with more snaps, Nina races towards me with concern and compassion. However, as she attempts to reach me, Moss intercepts her, gripping her arm and restraining her. Despite her promise to be by my side during the shift, Moss demands her compliance.
'You must stay with me,' Moss insists.
'I promised Magnus I’d be by his side if he shifts,' Nina retorts, defiant.
'He is not your mate,' Moss growls, tightening his grip. 'You will obey me and stay by my side.'
'I don’t care if he isn’t my mate, Moss. I— I—' Nina stammers, struggling to reveal her true feelings.
‘You what?’ Moss snaps angrily, and I want to kill him just for speaking to her in that tone.
'It doesn’t matter, Moss. What matters is that I’m there, by Magnus’s side,' she asserts.
Moss remains adamant, tightening his grip on Nina's arm and pulling her further away from the unfolding scene.