Faye barely slept.
Her wolf paced the entire night, restless and frustrated, muttering thoughts Faye didn't know how to quiet.
"He pushed us away."
"He doesn't understand."
"Why won't he listen?"
Because he's Darian, Faye thought. And Darian never saw her as anything except someone to mock.
By morning, she felt as if she'd aged ten years.
A soft knock sounded at her door. No one waited for her answer before pushing it open.
Serene.
She stepped inside with the kind of confidence Faye had never possessed—back straight, clothes immaculate, not a hair out of place. Her expression, though, was tight.
"We need to leave now. The elders are waiting."
Faye nodded, slipping on her shoes. "I'm ready."
Serene hesitated, then blurted, "Faye… Don't try anything."
Faye blinked. "What would I try?"
"You know what I mean." Serene crossed her arms. "Darian and I—we've been preparing for the Luna ceremony for months. Years, actually. This bond thing… it's just confusing. You know it won't actually change anything."
Faye swallowed a sigh. "Serene, I don't want anything from you or Darian."
Serene frowned as if she didn't believe her.
But she didn't answer. Instead, she turned sharply and led the way down the hallway.
The Elders' Den was carved into the hillside behind the packhouse. Moss hung from the stones, and old runes—etched by the founding wolves—glowed faintly in the morning light.
A group waited outside:
Darian, pacing like a cornered animal.
Alpha Rowan and Luna Helena, whispering urgently.
Three elders dressed in dark robes.
When Darian saw Faye, he stopped pacing and stiffened. His eyes followed her—warily, unwillingly—like his wolf was tugging at him against his will.
Her wolf stirred again, hopeful.
Faye shut that feeling down.
Elder Mira, the eldest among them, raised a hand. "Come, child. Both of you."
Darian grimaced but obeyed.
They stepped into the den together, the air cool and heavy with the scent of ancient magic.
Elder Jorin spoke first. "We examine only the bond. Nothing more."
Darian muttered something under his breath, but Mira silenced him with a look.
"Close your eyes," she instructed.
Faye did as told. She felt a soft warmth spill from the elders, brushing against her mind like gentle fingers testing the edges of her newly awakened wolf.
Who are you? the magic seemed to ask.
Her wolf lifted her head proudly.
"Faye's," she whispered. "Late but strong."
A moment later, the warmth shifted—moving toward Darian.
His breath hitched.
Then, a spark.
It wasn't painful, but it was powerful—like a cord tightening between them, humming with recognition neither could deny.
Darian swore under his breath.
Elder Mira exhaled slowly. "The bond is authentic."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Serene, standing outside the circle, went pale.
Darian stepped forward. "But she—she can't be my mate. We don't match. She's… she's barely trained, she doesn't—"
Faye's stomach twisted, but Mira cut him off.
"Mate bonds do not rely on status, rank, or skill. They rely on fate."
Darian's jaw clenched. "Fate made a mistake."
Mira's eyes softened—not in sympathy, but in warning. "Be careful, young Alpha."
Luna Helena stepped forward. "So what now? If the bond is real, we can't just ignore it."
Jorin nodded. "You cannot reject a mate before both wolves have fully formed. Faye's wolf manifested only last night. The bond must be allowed time."
"How much time?" Serene demanded.
"A month," Mira said. "Thirty days. After that, if both wolves agree, rejection is possible."
Faye exhaled shakily. A month. She had planned to be gone today. Out of this pack. Away from all of them.
Darian looked at her with resentment so sharp it nearly stung.
"This ruins everything," he said.
Her wolf whimpered.
But Faye lifted her chin. "I never asked for this. And I won't stand in your way. In a month, I'll accept whatever decision you make."
Darian didn't answer.
But the look in his eyes told her exactly what he was thinking.
She didn't need a month to guess his choice.
Faye didn't open the door all the way. She just let Serene peek in.
"Why are you here?" Faye asked, voice guarded.
Serene shifted uncomfortably. "I… I know you don't want my advice, but—this bond… it's more than just fate."
Faye raised an eyebrow. "More than fate?"
Serene nodded, lowering her voice. "I've been researching old pack records. Occasionally, a late-bloomed wolf like yours manifests a unique ability—something the elders call a Shadow Gift. It's rare. Powerful. And unpredictable."
Faye's wolf perked up inside her, ears twitching. "Shadow Gift?"
"Yes," Serene said. "It's why the elders want to observe you for thirty days. They need to see if you're capable… or dangerous."
Faye swallowed. Dangerous. That sounded like every word her family had ever used to describe her growing up.
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked.
Serene hesitated, then stepped closer. "Because Darian… he doesn't know. And if he knew—if he saw what you're capable of—he might treat you differently. Maybe even… respect you."
Faye's jaw tightened. Respect from Darian was a dream she hadn't allowed herself to imagine. She wanted nothing from him. Nothing.
Yet, her wolf whispered, excited:
"We need to be ready."
Faye shivered. "Ready for what?"
Serene glanced toward the door, as if afraid someone might overhear. "I don't know. But I've seen it happen before. Late-bloomed wolves who ignore their gifts… they end up controlled by others, or worse, used. You can't let that happen."
Faye's hands curled into fists. The thought of anyone controlling her—especially Darian—made her blood boil.
"I won't be used," she whispered.
Serene smiled faintly, relieved. "Good. Then you'll need to start practicing. Tonight."
Faye blinked. "Tonight?!"
"Yes," Serene said firmly. "The shadows respond to emotion, and you've got plenty of that. Anger, loneliness… fear. Use it. But control it. Otherwise…" She trailed off.
"Otherwise what?"
"Otherwise," Serene said, voice dropping to a whisper, "the bond will burn both you and him."
Faye froze. Her wolf growled softly, protective but wary.
She understood. The next thirty days weren't just a test of patience—they were a test of survival.
Later that night, Faye stepped into the empty training arena.