"Welcome 2026!"
Joyous shouts and greetings echoed across Lunareth as people celebrated the new year with hopeful hearts for better days ahead. Fireworks filled the sky like stars, mirrored in the eyes of those watching them. For a few minutes, the entire world was loud, and the scent of sulfur clung to the air.
Lynsandra watched the fireworks from the balcony of the Royal Pack's castle, arms crossed. Her beautiful features were fixed in cold repose as she stared at the distant bursts of light spreading across the sky. Below her stretched a line of endless cars—ranging from the latest models to older luxury vehicles—moving at a slow pace as they entered the castle grounds.
A dull comparison.
While the rest of the world welcomed the New Year, werewolves from all across the continent were making their way here for one—perhaps two—reasons.
Two reasons she could not care less about.
"Luna."
A soft call rang behind her.
Lynsandra glanced over her shoulder and saw Virgo—a sworn beta from a lineage of wolves who had pledged loyalty to the royal family centuries ago. More than that, Virgo was not merely someone under her command, but also a childhood friend.
Virgo joined her on the balcony. He stepped to her side, rested a hand on the railing, and let his gaze fall upon the line of cars below.
"Will you look at that?" he quipped, sliding his brown eyes toward her. "Anyone of those could be your husband, Luna."
She peeled her gaze away from the view, scoffing softly.
"Anyone, huh?" she murmured, leaning her arms against the railing. "But I don't want just anyone."
"Of course you don't," he replied smoothly. "You are the Luna, after all. You deserve not just anyone, but the best among the best."
Lynsandra didn't react to his casual flattery. She was used to it.
"How long has it been?" Virgo hummed, straightening his posture as he studied the guests who had begun leaving their vehicles to walk on foot. "Three years? I think it's been three. Counting last year… that makes four New Year's you haven't been here."
Lynsandra cast him a sidelong glance before looking away.
Five years ago, Lynsandra had left the Royal Pack to prove that she could be more than just the daughter of the Alpha King. It had been emotional and messy, and she had left with nothing but herself.
Then she met Victor—a wolf from a small, struggling pack. For a while, she believed that despite everything, she was content with the simplicity of their lives, as long as they were together.
Oh, how wrong she was.
Two years later, Victor cheated with the very woman he told Lynsandra not to worry about. Another year passed, and that same woman became pregnant.
In the end, Lynsandra swallowed her pride and returned to the Royal Pack, crawling back and begging the Alpha King for a chance—out of spite more than desperation. It hadn't been easy. Her departure had wounded the Alpha King deeply, and she had lost the trust of the entire pack.
Eventually, she redeemed herself… at the cost of being deemed a lunatic by every other pack.
Good for her.
All she needed now was a man—one strong enough to carry her curse—so she could reclaim what should have been hers all along.
The throne.
"It's about time for the Selection, Luna," Virgo said gently, his voice close to her ear as his eyes traced her elegant profile. "Does it make you nervous?"
Lynsandra straightened, her sharp eyes remaining on the arriving guests.
"Not at all," she smirked, finally meeting his gaze. "But I do feel theirs."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked back inside. Just before reaching the sliding door framed with intricate carvings, she glanced back at him.
"It's still a shame you refused my offer to join the selection, Virgo," she teased. "I would've taken especially good care of you."
Virgo chuckled lowly, pushing himself off the railing as he followed her inside. "Then I would've had to compete for your attention as well, my dear Luna."
*
*
*
The grand hall of the Royal Pack's castle bustled with men and women from all across the continent. Elegant dresses and sleek tuxedos filled the space like fireworks of their own. The warm glow of the chandeliers made champagne glasses sparkle as lively chatter echoed through the hall.
Tonight was not merely a selection—it was also the night many young, beautiful bachelors and bachelorettes would find their destined ones.
"Greetings, beautiful she-wolves and wolves of Lunareth."
The chatter fell silent as everyone turned toward the voice. Standing near the throne—where the Alpha King and his heir sat—was an elder of the Royal Pack.
"Tonight, as part of the Lunar Goddess's gift to our kind, she grants us this moment to find your destined mates. On the same day she herself held the hand of her destiny, you too shall find those whose hands you will hold for the rest of your lives."
As the elder recited the familiar tale of the Lunar Goddess—a story Lynsandra had heard countless times—the lights in the hall dimmed. Slowly, glowing red threads began to appear, weaving through the crowd in a beautiful, mesmerizing display.
Each thread emerged from the ring finger of the men in the hall. Though the strands appeared tangled among many, each would lead to only one person—their destined mate.
Just as the Lunar Goddess had found hers.
Slowly, men began to trace where their threads of fate led. Some were hopeful, others excited. A few appeared nervous, and a rare few remained completely indifferent.
Lynsandra glanced down at her own finger.
Unlike everyone else her age, there was nothing there—not even the faintest trace.
The Alpha King, imposing and dignified upon his throne, glanced toward his daughter. A deep sigh escaped him. This truth had been known ever since Lynsandra had come of age.
She was not destined for anyone.
As fated mates met each other's eyes, all other emotions seemed to fade away. Some, even meeting for the first time, felt an indescribable surge of longing.
Others were struck with shock, clearly not expecting the person before them.
And then—just like every year—there were those…
"I reject you."
The hall fell into complete silence. Heads slowly turned toward the source of the rejection. A dashing man stood opposite a petite young woman.
"I reject you as my mate," she repeated, her voice steadier this time.
At once, the thread connecting them faded. Her cheeks flushed, her hand clutched to her chest, and beads of sweat formed along her brow.
"Another rejection of destiny," the Alpha King murmured softly to Lynsandra. "What a brave young woman to reject such an influential southern pack."
A rejection was never as simple as words. Defying fate—and the Lunar Goddess—came at a steep price.
"That woman will suffer pain for the rest of her life," the Alpha King added quietly. "What a shame."
"Was it, really?"
He turned to his daughter, who had replied to his comment.
Whether driven by bravery or foolishness, the Alpha King had witnessed many rejections in his lifetime. This was neither the first nor the last.
Noticing the attention focused on her, the young she-wolf fled the hall, leaving the rejected man standing in humiliation. The elder quickly raised his voice to reclaim the crowd's attention.
"To those blessed tonight by the Lunar Goddess, may you find peace and happiness with your destined mates," the elder intoned, his voice flowing like a prayer. "As for those who were not chosen, do not be discouraged. Though the Royal Pack hopes to welcome you again next year, we wish you to enjoy the rest of the evening."
Smiles spread through the hall as hands found hands that fit theirs perfectly.
"Once again, congratulations," the elder said warmly. "Now, I invite all candidates who received royal invitations tonight to step forward to the center of the hall."
Instinctively, the crowd parted, leaving the center of the grand hall empty. After all, many had come seeking fate, but that was not the only reason they were here.
Tonight, something else was about to begin.
Soon, the center of the hall filled with men—tall, handsome, confident, radiating distinct auras, and men who had something to put on the table. More than fifty stood at arm's length from one another, their gazes fixed toward the throne.
Then the elder's voice rang out once more.
"May the selection process begin."