The first thing I felt was the heat.Not from the place around me, but from within me. A deep, humming pulse beneath my skin, as though fire itself had taken it's root in my veins.When I opened my eyes, dawn was only a pale line on the horizon, but the room glowed faintly. My hands trembled when I lifted them. The mark on my neck still shimmered softly, threads of gold fading into my skin like veins of light."What's happening to me?" I whispered.No answer came, only the faint echo of last night's words — that strange, haunting voice repeating the words; You are not alone, Samantha.For a long time, I sat in silence, staring at the dying fire, at the empty bed beside me. He hadn't still returned. And I doubt he came when I fainted either. I told myself it didn't matter. That I'd gotten used to being left behind long before he came into my life. But the lie didn't hold. The bond hummed in my chest like a wound refusing to heal.By the time I made it downstairs, the packhouse was awake. Warriors crossed the hall with reports; omegas hurried past with trays; laughter spilled from the courtyard.Life went on as usual, just without me in it.When I entered the dining hall, conversation changed as always.But this time, I didn't lower my gaze.I lifted my chin, ignoring the whispers. My steps echoed too loudly in the silence, but I didn't shake. If I was to be their Luna, then I would start by standing, even when my knees wanted to buckle.At the head table sat Elder Rowan, his sharp eyes gleaming beneath his silver brows. To his left was Ashlyn. Radiant, confident, utterly composed. She looked up as I approached, that same honeyed smile curving her lips."Luna," she greeted sweetly. "How… lovely to see you up so early."I forced a smile. "I have to be up and doing my dear. Duty doesn't wait for comfort."Rowan hummed disapprovingly. "And yet the Alpha has not summoned you. Perhaps rest would serve you better than appearances."The jab landed cleanly. I bowed my head slightly. "I'll rest when the pack no longer doubts me."A few gasps rippled down the table. Even Ashlyn's smile faltered just for a breath.Before any of them could respond, the door opened and Xavier walked in.Every wolf in the room rose to bow. My pulse quickened against my will when his eyes met mine. There was something strange in his expression today. Exhaustion, maybe, or confusion I couldn't tell. "Sit," he ordered quietly. The room obeyed.As he took his place at the head of the table, the conversation slowly resumed, cautious and formal. I sat beside him in silence, pretending to eat, feeling his presence like gravity beside me.When the others were distracted, I leaned slightly closer. "You didn't come back last night."His jaw flexed, but he didn't look at me. "I was needed elsewhere.""Where?""Out."I almost laughed. "Out," I repeated, bitterness curling the word. "That must've been important enough to abandon your Luna."His eyes snapped to mine. "Be careful, Samantha." he warned. The room fell quiet again. My heart thundered, but I didn't look away. "I'm not your enemy, Xavier. You don't have to keep fighting me."His eyes softened then. For a second, I could see the faintest hint of guilt in his gaze. But as usual, he masked it well and it was gone. He pushed back his chair. "Finish your meal. We'll speak later."He stood up and left again.As he walked away, I felt that same heat from the night before, burning stronger, sharper, alive under my skin.Except this time, it wasn't just heat.It was power.---Later that afternoon, I found myself drawn to the edge of the training field.The warriors sparred in the sun, their grunts and growls echoing across the air. Ashlyn was there, commanding as ever, her blade flashing silver as she sparred. She moved like lightning, every strike elegant, practiced, and almost perfect.When she caught sight of me, she lowered her sword and smirked. "Luna. You've come to watch?""I just came to observe." I said quietly."Good." Her tone was sugar and steel. "Maybe you'll learn how a real wolf leads."A few of the nearby warriors snickered. My face burned, but I didn't answer. I turned my back to leave but I froze.For an instant, I saw the faintest flicker of flame curling from my fingertips. The air around me seemed taut and tensed. People gasps around me while I just stared, my heart racing. The fire vanished as quickly as it came, leaving only warmth behind.Ashlyn's eyes widened, then narrowed. "What was that?""I… I don't know."Rowan, who had been standing at the far end of the field, stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You are wolfless, yetyou command power at your finger tips. Even fire responds to your will." His gaze sharpened. "Perhaps the Goddess does play tricks after all."Murmurs began to spread through the onlookers like wildfire. I backed away slowly, trembling."I didn't mean to—"Xavier's voice cut through the noise like thunder. "Enough."He appeared beside me, his presence silencing the field. His hand gripped my arm, firm but not cruel. "Everyone return back to your training."Ashlyn hesitated. "Alpha—""I said enough." His voice was iron.When the others finally dispersed, he turned to me, eyes hard. "What happened?"I shook my head. "I don't know. I felt something and then fire appeared."He studied me, searching my face. "Fire?""Yes. But it was only for a moment."His jaw tightened. "No wolf in my pack wields elemental energy. Not unless…" His words trailed off, lost to thought."Unless what?"He didn't answer. Instead, he turned, his hand still wrapped around my arm. "You're coming with me.""To where?""To the healer. She will bel tell us what this is."But even as he dragged me away, part of me already knew.It wasn't a curse.It wasn't the Goddess's mistake.It was the beginning.---The healer's hut smelled of herbs and smoke. An old woman with white braids peered at me, eyes cloudy but sharp. "Sit." she commanded softly. She placed her hands over the mark on my neck. The moment her skin touched mine, the fire in me flared. Not in pain, but in recognition.Her breath hitched. "Oh, child."Xavier stiffened. "What does that mean?"The healer's eyes turned to him, wide with fear and awe. "This bond was forged under two moons. One of flesh… one of flame.""I don't understand."She withdrew her hands slowly, voice trembling. "Your mate is not wolfless, Alpha. She carries the spark of the forgotten bloodline. The Flameborn."Silence crashed between us.Xavier turned to me, disbelief warring with something softer in his gaze. "That's impossible."The healer shook her head. "It is not impossible. It is rare, dangerous. The Flameborn were said to carry the Moon's wrath itself but she, she is prophesied to unite two kingdoms together."I looked down at my hands. They were shaking again. Only that this time, I wasn't sure if it was fear or power rising beneath my skin."What happens now?" I whispered.The healer looked between us, voice grave. "Now, Alpha… the Goddess's fire has chosen your Luna. And the world will burn or bow because of it."
