The Luna’s Revelation
The grand announcement of Isla as Luna had drawn every member of the pack, from seasoned warriors to curious pups, each eager to witness the rituals and celebrations that marked the rare occasion. Lanterns illuminated the night, casting a warm glow over the intricate carvings of the ceremonial altar, and drums echoed in a steady rhythm, fueling the anticipation.
Isla stood at the center of it all, her nerves coiled tight beneath her composed facade. The silk ceremonial dress clung to her, its silver embroidery glinting like moonlight. She glanced at Draven, who stood beside her, his imposing figure a source of both comfort and pressure.
“This is your night,” he said quietly, his voice steady. “The pack needs to see you, Isla. All of you.”
Her throat tightened as she nodded. All of me,
The rituals began with dances, the wolves moving in perfect synchronization to honor the Moon Goddess. Elders recited ancient blessings, their voices rich and melodic, weaving history and power into the ceremony. Isla followed every motion, her actions deliberate and graceful, but her mind raced. What happens if I fail? What happens when they see I can’t shift?
As the last blessing was spoken, the crowd erupted in cheers, howls echoing into the night. The final moment had arrived.
Draven stepped forward, his voice commanding. “Tonight, we honor the Luna of Crimson Fang, Isla. She has proven her strength and resilience. Now, as tradition demands, she will reveal her wolf.”
The pack’s cheers quieted, their collective gaze falling on Isla. Whispers rippled through the crowd like a current.
“I heard she has a rogue wolf,” someone muttered.
“What if she’s a rare one?” another whispered.
Isla swallowed hard, her heart pounding. Lira, her wolf, was silent—a void in her mind that filled her with dread. Please, Lira,Not now. Don’t abandon me now.
She closed her eyes and focused, reaching deep within herself for the familiar spark of transformation. She felt the moonlight against her skin, the pack’s anticipation palpable, but nothing came. Her breaths quickened as she tried again, and again, desperation clawing at her.
The murmurs grew louder. “She can’t shift,” someone said.
“What kind of Luna is this?”
A ripple of unease swept through the crowd, and the first boos sounded, cutting through the fragile silence. The elders exchanged uneasy glances, shaking their heads, their disappointment evident. Draven’s jaw clenched as he stepped forward, his protective instincts flaring. He wanted to shield her from the crowd, to end this farce before it destroyed her.
But just as he reached for her, the clouds parted, and a shaft of silver moonlight bathed Isla in its glow. She froze, her body trembling as a strange warmth spread through her chest.
And then, it began.
Her bones cracked, her skin stretched, and pain like fire shot through her body. She fell to her knees, gasping, but she didn’t scream. She surrendered to the breaking, the reshaping, the raw power surging through her. The pack watched in stunned silence as Isla transformed.
When the pain subsided, she stood on four legs instead of two. Her coat was white—brilliant and pure, as if crafted from moonlight itself. Gasps echoed through the crowd, followed by hushed whispers.
“She’s… she’s white.”
“White as snow…”
“The rarest of us all.”
Isla’s glowing eyes swept over the pack, their astonishment reflecting back at her. She felt power humming beneath her skin, sharper senses, a deeper connection to the earth and sky. For the first time, Lira’s voice rang in her mind, clear and strong. We did it, Isla.
Draven shifted without hesitation, his massive black wolf, Raven, stepping forward to join her. He lowered his head slightly, his voice filling her thoughts. You shifted, Isla. And you’re special. Are you ready to take your first run?
I… I don’t know what’s happening,
Then let me show you,
He turned and bounded into the forest, and Lira surged forward, following instinctively. Together, they ran beneath the moonlight, their wolves dancing through the trees as the pack howled in celebration behind them.
