Fortunately, what had begun as a promise between families slowly blossomed into something genuine.
Aria and Caleb had grown up within the same territory, training under the same elders and learning the ancient traditions of their kind together.
From a young age, their wolves had always been comfortable around one another. Even before their mate bond awakened, there had been an unspoken pull between them—something deeper than simple friendship.
Their personalities were remarkably alike.
Both were stubborn.
Both fiercely loyal.
Both willing to protect the people they loved with tooth and claw if necessary.
Because of those similarities, affection had grown between them naturally over the years.
By the time they reached adulthood, what had once been nothing more than an agreement between two families had become something far more powerful.
It had become love.
When Caleb turned twenty-one, his father—who had served as one of the pack’s leading Alphas in the council—passed away after a long illness.
With his death, Caleb inherited both his father’s responsibilities and the heavy expectations that came with them.
Leadership was never an easy burden.
And yet Caleb carried it with determination.
Clara, his younger stepsister, was the daughter Caleb’s father had with his second mate later in life. Though Caleb had never truly felt comfortable around the woman his father had chosen as his second Luna, he cared deeply for Clara.
On his father’s final night, beneath the pale glow of the Moon Goddess, Caleb had made a promise.
He would always protect his younger sister.
No matter the cost.
Clara and her mother had always treated Aria kindly as well, and for many years their relationship appeared peaceful and harmonious within the pack.
Meanwhile, Marcus grew into a cheerful and hardworking young wolf.
Despite losing their parents so young, he never allowed bitterness to take root in his heart.
When he turned eighteen, he met Sophia during their final year of training at the pack’s warrior academy—a place where young wolves learned to control their transformations, hone their strength, and understand the ancient laws that governed their kind.
What began as a simple friendship soon deepened into genuine love.
Two years later, beneath the light of the full moon, Marcus asked Sophia to become his future Luna.
She accepted without hesitation.