Cassandra’s POV
I stood at the far end of the ceremonial hall, watching the last of the Indigo Pack’s people leave after their private discussion with my father.
My fingers clenched tightly at the folds of my ceremonial gown, my blood boiling with frustration.
This was supposed to be my moment. My mating ceremony. The night when I would officially be recognized as Adolphus’s mate in front of the entire pack. But instead, it had been rudely interrupted by outsiders, by the remnants of a fallen kingdom that no longer had a place in this world.
And Adolphus had disappeared.
I turned swiftly, my gaze locking onto my father as he returned to his seat, his expression unreadable. What had they spoken about? Why did he seem so… unsettled?
"Father," I called out, stepping forward. "Why were they here? What did they want? I thought we’ve wiped their pack out of the map before?"
“Don’t worry about it darling. It’s been taken cared of. They got it all wrong and–” before he could answer more, the large doors to the hall burst open.
Nicholas, Tony, and Steve, three of our strongest warriors, stormed inside, their faces pale and filled with something I rarely saw in them. Fear.
I frowned, watching as they approached my father and bowed. "Alpha," Nicholas started, his voice urgent. "We have something to report."
"What is it?" My father’s voice was calm, but there was an underlying impatience beneath it.
Nicholas exchanged a quick glance with Tony and Steve before speaking. "It’s Katrina," he said. "She’s… she’s shifted."
The hall fell silent.
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise as I stared at them, their words sinking in.
Katrina shifted?
I folded my arms across my chest, raising an eyebrow. "And? She was supposed to shift sooner or later. Why are you acting like this is such a big deal?"
Steve swallowed hard before speaking. "Because… she didn’t only shift into a common wolf. She has a Silver Wolf."
I froze.
For a moment, my mind refused to process what I had just heard. A Silver Wolf? No, that couldn’t be possible. It was impossible.
Tony stepped forward quickly. "Not just that, Cassandra. Her eyes… they burn with fire. We all know what that means, she has the Lunar Flame."
My father chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Nonsense," he scoffed. "The only wolf in this pack that possesses the Lunar Flame is my daughter."
The warriors exchanged uncertain glances before Nicholas spoke again, his voice lower this time. "But the way she pushed us back… the way her wolf emitted that silver glow… it’s a trait unique only to those who possess the Lunar Flame."
My father’s chuckle faded, his gaze narrowing. "Are you questioning me?" His voice was sharp now, dangerous.
Nicholas stiffened, quickly shaking his head. "No, Alpha," he said quickly. "I just… we just thought you should know."
I took a step forward, tilting my head at them. "Where is she now?"
Silence.
Then, Tony hesitated before replying, "We saw her last coming out of the Pack Doctor’s hut… with Adolphus."