AVA: AWAKENING OF THE LUNA

It was the biggest event that had everyone buzzing, something even beyond high school prom excitement; girls huddled in corners whispering and giggling about which girl Alpha would choose as his mate. Everyone wanted to be his favorite.

Then there was Madison - a stereotypical mean girl who glances at you as if she owns the place. Rumors were that she had basically ransacked every beauty salon in town just to be the prettiest there. But you know, you can put on makeup as thick as you want, but it cannot replace an ugly personality.

Now, Ava? She could care less about any of this. Actually, she detested every single person in the pack, and honestly, who could blame her? They had been awful to her, shoving around and making her feel like she did not belong just because they thought her weak. She knew she had no chance of being chosen, and she was all right with that.

Thank God for Alora though; she was one perfect thing in Ava's life. They had been best friends ever and Alora could literally be the sole person who saw Ava for who she was. She was not afraid to confront everybody else and tell them they were wrong about her friend.

Then - BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Ava's alarm snapped her back to reality. She had lost herself in thoughts, managed to nearly forget the date - the anniversary of her father's death.

Ava rushed through preparations; her silver hair caught the light as it was once again put in a ponytail - the way she always did it. Gentle looking sweet features; nice eyebrows; these deep brown eyes that soften in a morning sun. The physical thing everyone used to pick on her was this crescent birthmark on her forehead that genuinely stood out.

After showering, she wore some cozy clothes that perfectly fitted her slender body. Bundling her purse, then saw that old scar on her right arm. Odd thing about it; she'd had it since childhood, but she did not know how she got it. Ignoring that mystery, she went out the door.

Walking the street gave a feeling like being under a spotlight - that feeling when everybody watches: noisy whispers and glaring eyes toward her, but Ava just kept her head down. She had gotten good at tuning all that out by now.

She had stopped to pick up white lilies at Flora Flowers, as they always reminded her of her dad. He loved them. But to get to the cemetery, she had to run the usual gauntlet of bullies.

"Hey! Freak!" someone yelled.

Ava just kept moving.

"Yeah, that's right, keep walking, demon!" There was even spitting on the ground after her, as if she was something disgusting.

Her chest felt constricted, yet she would not allow them the satisfaction of seeing her cry. She kept telling herself this much worse feigned breath.

After reaching the cemetery, she checked all around to ensure that no one was shadowing or tailing her. Only after that, did she relax a little.

Honestly, she feels pretty much drained due to everyone's mina with her. It hit her all over again when she squatted between the tombstones of her parents': a deadly hollow feeling of loss. She tried so hard to keep strong, but seeing the names carved in those old stones broke something in her.

The tears just fell. It crashed over her like a wave-the truth of whole aloneness. She wiped her eyes with her hand and took a wiggly breath before laying the lilies down.

"Mom, Dad... it's me," she whispered through an unstable voice.

"I'm sorry I'm not around so much anymore. Things are just... really tough right now. Nothing changed-people still hate me, treat me like I don't belong here. But I'm trying to be really strong about this, as much as both of you would have wanted."

She squirmed a little and released that pitiful laugh that said a lot without words.

"You know Dad," she added softly-toying with the petals of a lily- .

"It's been one more year without you, and this world... it still feels so empty. There are times when I even wonder if those people might be right-about me being bad luck. If I hadn't crossed their path, maybe you and Mom would have been here, you know?"

At that moment, this intense fury of wind blew through the cemetery, and the trees shook their tops to pieces. Ava went completely stiff.

It wasn't new - it happened every time she came to visit. Inside her, she liked to think it was her parents communicating with her. The way the wind was howling seemed like someone was saying, "No, don't think like that!" But then again, maybe she was just seeing what she wanted to see. At least this way, she felt not so completely alone, as if they were somehow still looking out for her. Still, just as the wind died down, she took a breath and smiled a bit. "So...I've got something to tell you both," she said slightly blushing. "You remember me mentioning Damon? The Alpha?" She waited for him as she twirled her silver hair nervously. "Well, today's a big deal. He's picking his mate. I mean, I know he is hardly ever going to notice me, but... I don't know, he just does something to me, you know? Whenever I see him, it's... I can't explain it, but like we're somehow connected. My wolf goes crazy around him - she's never reacted to anyone else like that." The dreamy look in her eyes faded with a deep sigh. "But let's be real about this," she said, sounding somewhat playful at the end of her sentence. "He probably doesn't know I exist. I've spent all those years watching him from afar, but he's never once noticed me at all. He has always built a wall. like he's made of ice or something." After sitting there for a while longer, just being close to her parents' graves, Ava finally picked herself up and headed home. Later that Evening

 

Once again Ava lay stretched on the bed as she went through the cracks in the ceiling, probably for the hundredth time. Down at Moon Square, the entire pack must be going crazy with preparations for the Moon Mating Ceremony; and here she was, living happily in her little bubble.

 

A sharp knock at her door startled her.

 

"Who in the hell...?" she muttered and dragged herself off the bed.

 

Ava stood up and open the door, and literally had to catch her breath. There was Alora, appearing as if she had just stepped out of a magazine; adorning this incredible midnight blue gown which shimmered with every movement along with absolutely flawless makeup-the one done that probably took hours to prepare but looked so natural.

 

"Oh my god, Alora..." Ava breathed taking in her friend's transformation. "You're stunning. Like, really stunning."

 

Alora did a little twirl, grinning. "I clean up pretty well, don't I? But hold up - why are you still in your pajamas? Please tell me you're not planning to skip this."

 

Before Ava could even think of an excuse, Alora had already pushed past her and was heading straight for her closet like she owned the place.

 

"I just... I don't know if I should go," Ava said quietly, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "Maybe it's better if I stay here."

 

Alora looked back, hands on her hips, and said, "Let me guess." Thrusting her hand deep into Ava's clothing, she completed her phrase in a dull monotonous voice: "Feeling nervous about those stupid jerks and their stupid comments?" She asked her worriedly about all the looks and whispers.

 

Ava didn't respond but looked down at the floor. The silence of Alora was enough to comprehend that she had hit the nail on the head.

 

"That's what I thought," Alora muttered while pulling out the most gorgeous emerald green dress that Ava had long forgotten. "Well, tough luck, bestie. Well, baby girl, don't let them ruin the entire night for you. Come with me, and we'll have a fantastic evening. Besides," she said in a mischievous way, "you never know who might make a note of you."

 

She tossed the dress toward Ava, who caught it automatically. "Now get dressed. We've got a ceremony to attend, and I'm not taking no for an answer."

 

Looking at the dress and then her best friend's dogged face, Ava felt a smile crinkle her lips, her first real one all day.

 

"You're not going to drop it, are you?" She already knew the answer from her friend.

 

"Not a chance," Alora declared triumphantly. "Now, hurry! Beauty like this takes time, and we have work to do!"

 

Perhaps tonight would not be such a disaster she had feared, Ava thought as she held the dress up against her and wore it because with Alora by her side, anything seemed possible.

"And... finishing touch!" Alora declared, adding one final sweep of highlighter to Ava's cheekbones. She took a step back, tilting her head as she studied her handiwork. A huge grin spread across her face. "Girl, you need to see this. You look absolutely incredible!"

 

Ava felt her stomach doing nervous flips as she slowly turned toward the mirror. The moment she caught her reflection, her mouth fell open. The person staring back at her... was that really her? She blinked a few times, not quite believing what she was seeing.

 

"I... is that actually me?" she breathed, leaning closer to the mirror. She gently touched her face, almost afraid the whole look would somehow disappear. The emerald dress made her silver hair look like starlight, and Alora had done something magical with makeup that made her eyes look huge and sparkly. Even her birthmark seemed to add to the ethereal effect rather than standing out awkwardly like it usually did.

 

"Alora, I can't even... this is..." Ava struggled to find the right words. "Thank you so much. Like, seriously, I don't know how you did this."

 

"Oh my god, stop thanking me!" Alora groaned, but she was grinning as she organized her makeup brushes. "That's like the millionth time today. Friends don't need to thank each other for every little thing - it's literally in the job description. 'Must make best friend look fabulous for important events.'"

 

She grabbed a strand of her own perfectly styled hair, twirling it thoughtfully. "You know, I've been thinking... I might want to do this professionally someday. Like, maybe open my own boutique or something. Create whole looks for people, you know?"

 

"Are you kidding? You'd be perfect at that!" Ava exclaimed, genuinely excited. "You've got such an amazing eye for this stuff. The way you just... know exactly what will work on different people?"

 

Alora struck an exaggerated pose, making her dress shimmer. "Obviously! And when I'm this super famous designer with clothes in all the magazines, you're going to be my star model. No arguments!"

 

They both cracked up at that, but their laughter was cut short by the deep, resonant sound of the ceremonial bell echoing through the night. The sound made them both freeze.

 

"Oh crap!" Alora yelped, suddenly frantic. "How is it that late already? We need to move!"

 

Without wasting another second, they rushed out of the house and made their way toward Moon Square. The streets were alive with excitement-colorful decorations lined the pathways, street performers entertained the crowd, and the entire pack was buzzing with anticipation. But what stood out the most was the moon.

 

Tonight, it was unusually bright, almost glowing.

 

Ava couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled in her chest. She glanced up at the sky, her brows furrowing.

 

As they walked toward Moon Square, Ava couldn't shake this weird feeling in her gut. The moon hung impossibly huge in the sky, casting everything in this intense silver light that made the whole world look different somehow.

 

"Hey, Alora?" she said quietly, grabbing her friend's arm. "Does something feel... weird to you? I mean, look at that moon. I've never seen it shine like this before. What if it's trying to tell us something? Like maybe we shouldn't..."

 

"Oh my god, here we go again!" Alora threw her hands up dramatically. "You're seriously going to go all doom and gloom on me right now? On tonight of all nights?"

 

Ava chewed her bottom lip nervously, eyes still drawn to that eerily bright moon. Her wolf was restless too, pacing inside her mind.

 

"I'm just saying..."

 

"And I'm just saying," Alora cut in, poking her in the ribs, "that everyone's out here having the time of their lives! The air is literally buzzing with excitement! If that moon is trying to tell us anything, it's probably 'hey girls, something amazing is about to happen!'"

 

Ava couldn't help letting out a small laugh at Alora's terrible impression of a moon voice, but that uneasy feeling still wouldn't go away completely.

 

Suddenly, Alora's eyes lit up with that look that usually meant trouble. She grabbed Ava's hands, grinning mischievously. "You know what you need? To stop thinking so much and start moving!"

 

"Wait, what are you-Alora, no-!"

 

But it was too late. Alora had already pulled her into an impromptu dance, spinning her around right there under the moonlight. Ava tried to resist at first, but Alora's enthusiasm was infectious. Before she knew it, she was laughing and twirling, their dresses swirling around them as they danced like nobody was watching. They kept going until they were both completely out of breath, doubled over and giggling.

 

"So?" Alora asked, still trying to catch her breath, her perfect hair now slightly messy. "Did that help clear out all those worried thoughts?"

 

Ava pretended to think about it, fighting back a smile. "I don't know... if I say no, are you going to force me into another dance workout?"

 

"Oh, you better believe it!" Alora threatened with a grin. "I've got all night, and I'm not above embarrassing us both in front of the whole pack if that's what it takes!"

 

They both burst into laughter as they continued walking toward Moon Square.

 

The moment they walked into Moon Square, Ava literally stopped in her tracks. "Oh... wow."

 

The place looked like something out of a fairy tale. Like, if magic was real, this is what it would look like.

 

Everywhere she looked, there was something amazing to see. Twinkling lights hung in swooping patterns overhead, casting this soft golden glow over everything. Wolves from every pack in the area were dressed to the nines - suits, gowns, jewelry that probably cost more than her house.

 

The music had everyone either swaying or full-on dancing, and servers were weaving through the crowd with trays of fancy drinks that sparkled like liquid starlight.

 

But there was this weird tension in the air too. Everyone kept glancing around, clearly looking for one person who wasn't there.

 

The Alpha was MIA.

 

"Over here!" Alora grabbed her hand and pulled her toward an empty table. The second they sat down, Alora's arm shot up like she was hailing a taxi. "Hey! Two drinks please!" she called to a passing server, then spun back to Ava with wide eyes. "Can you believe all this?"

 

"Hm?" Ava was still taking everything in, barely registering the question.

 

"Earth to Ava!" Alora waved her hand in front of Ava's face, practically shouting over the music. "I said, this party is insane! They must have spent a fortune on all this!"

 

That made Ava laugh. "No kidding. Whoever ends up as Luna is walking into one fancy life."

 

Just then, a group of girls Ava recognized from school walked by. They all lit up when they saw Alora, calling out hellos and complimenting her dress. But when it came to Ava? Nothing. Not even a glance. It was like she was invisible.

 

But honestly? She was okay with that. Being ignored was way better than the alternative - the whispers, the looks, the not-so-subtle comments. At least when they pretended she didn't exist, she could pretend right back.

 

"Want me to say something to them?" Alora whispered, clearly noticing how they'd snubbed her friend.

 

"Don't," Ava shook her head. "Really, it's fine. I'd rather fly under the radar tonight anyway."

 

Their drinks arrived - something fizzy and pink that looked way too pretty to actually drink. Ava took a tiny sip and was surprised to find it tasted like summer berries and sunshine.

 

Alora, sensing her discomfort, gave Ava's hand a reassuring squeeze before excusing herself to go talk to some friends.

 

Ava sighed, glancing around uncomfortably. Sitting alone in the middle of all this chaos was not how she had planned to spend the night. And to make matters worse, the selection ceremony was about to start, and Alora was nowhere in sight.

 

"Well, well, well... look who we have here."

 

Ava stiffened. She knew that voice.

 

Slowly, she turned around, only to find Madison and her usual group of minions standing behind her, smirking.

 

"What do you want, Madison?" Ava muttered.

 

Madison crossed her arms. "Oh, don't play dumb, freak. I just have to know... what made you think you belonged here?"

 

Ava sighed. "Please, I don't want any trouble-"

 

"Trouble?" Madison laughed mockingly before grabbing a fistful of Ava's hair and yanking her forward.

 

"You don't want trouble? Then why did you show up looking like you actually matter? You must've forgotten your place, so let me remind you."

 

Before Ava could react, Madison shoved her backward, making her stumble onto the cold floor.

 

The crowd didn't intervene. They just stood there, watching and laughing.

 

Ava sat there, tears brimming in her eyes, wondering why they took such pleasure in her suffering.

 

And then-

 

A deafening growl echoed through the square.

 

Instantly, the laughter died down. The air shifted as the pack members hurriedly straightened themselves, preparing to greet the Alpha.

 

Ava's whole body felt like one giant bruise as she tried to get her feet under her. She managed to stand for about two seconds before her legs gave out - but instead of hitting the ground again, she felt someone catch her.

 

"What the actual hell happened to you?"

 

Ava's heart sank. Of course Alora would find her like this. She turned to see her best friend's face, which had gone from shocked to furious in about half a second.

 

"It's not as bad as it looks," Ava tried to brush it off, forcing what she hoped was a convincing smile. "Just me being clumsy - you know how I am with stairs."

 

"Don't you dare." Alora's voice was dead serious. "You think I can't tell the difference between a fall and..." she gestured at Ava's state, hands shaking with anger. "This? Who did this? Just tell me their names, Ava. I swear to god, they won't know what hit them."

 

"Hey," Ava caught Alora's hand, squeezing it gently. She managed a real smile this time, small but genuine. "I appreciate the whole avenging angel thing, I really do. But I'm okay. Promise. If anyone ever crosses that line - like, really crosses it - you'll be my first call."

 

Alora let out this frustrated growl but finally dropped her shoulders. "Fine. But I mean it - one more incident like this, and I'm going full warrior mode. No arguments."

 

Before they could say anything else, a deep bell rang out across Moon Square, making them both jump.

 

"All eligible females, ages eighteen to twenty, please form a line for the selection process!"

 

Ava's heart started doing gymnastics in her chest as she and Alora found their spots in line. Her hands were so sweaty she had to keep wiping them on her dress, and it felt like someone was sitting on her chest as she caught sight of him.

 

Damon.

 

The Alpha himself.

 

God, he was gorgeous. Even after all these years of secretly watching him from a distance, that hadn't changed. But he'd never once looked her way - worse than that, actually. Sometimes she got the feeling he actively avoided her, like her very existence bothered him.

 

But now, as he made his way down the line, getting closer and closer to where she stood...

 

Their eyes met.

 

For the first time ever, he was actually looking at her. Really looking at her. And in that moment, everything else just... disappeared.

The moment Damon came into view, Ava's wolf went absolutely wild inside her - like a puppy who just heard the word "treat." Years of sneaking glances from across rooms hadn't prepared her for this. Up close, he was... overwhelming. He made everyone else look small, and it wasn't just his height. He had this presence, this aura of pure Alpha power that seemed to fill up all the space around him. The way he moved reminded her of a predator - every step precise, deliberate, like each motion was part of some bigger plan.

 

As he made his way down the line, he wasn't just looking at the girls - he was studying them, analyzing them. His eyes had this intense focus, like he was searching for one specific thing among all these faces.

 

When he paused in front of Alora, Ava swore her heart stopped beating for a second.

 

Time seemed to freeze as he looked at her friend, his expression impossible to read. Finally, he gave this tiny nod - so small you could've missed it if you blinked - and kept moving.

 

But then something strange happened. As he got nearer to Ava, that excited fluttery feeling in her stomach transformed into something else entirely. Something that felt... wrong. The air around her got heavy and thick, like the atmosphere before a massive thunderstorm. Her heart wasn't just racing anymore - it was pounding with warning signals. Every cell in her body was screaming that something wasn't right.

 

"I have to get out of here," her mind raced in panic. "Now."

 

She whirled around to bolt - and slammed straight into what might as well have been a concrete wall.

 

Except walls didn't radiate body heat. Or smell like pine and rain. Or make her wolf howl in recognition.

 

She'd crashed right into Damon.

 

"I'm so, so sorry!" The words tumbled out of her mouth as she stumbled backwards. Her voice sounded pathetically small, even to her own ears. "I didn't... I wasn't trying to... please, forgive me." She stared down at her feet so hard she could probably count the threads in the carpet, praying the floor would just open up and swallow her whole.

 

The silence that followed felt endless.

 

Finally, she gathered enough courage to look up - and found Damon staring at her like he'd seen a ghost. His expression was a mess of emotions - shock, confusion, and then... was that disgust?

 

And then it hit her. One word that changed everything.

 

Mate!

 

"What?!" Ava's mind screamed as her breath caught in her throat.

 

Her wolf was going crazy with joy, howling "Yes! Yes! Yes!" But Damon... Damon looked like someone had just punched him in the gut. His whole body went stiff, jaw clenched so tight she could see the muscle jumping. His hands balled into fists, and for just a second, pure rage flashed across his face.

 

"No..." she heard him growl under his breath, fighting against what his wolf already knew. But it was too late - the truth was out there now. They both felt it.

 

She was his mate. His destined partner. The one person in the world meant just for him.

 

Before she could even process what was happening, his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. "Come with me," he snapped, his voice hard and cold. He started pulling her forward, not giving her any choice in the matter.

 

The crowd erupted in whispers as he dragged her up to the platform. She could see the confusion on everyone's faces. Why her? What was the Alpha doing with Ava, of all people?

 

Her mind was spinning, heart pounding so hard she could barely hear anything else. Was this really happening? Was he actually going to claim her as his mate? Right here? Right now?

 

She didn't know whether to be thrilled or terrified.

 

Damon released her wrist and let out a deep, commanding growl, silencing the murmurs in an instant.

 

"Welcome, everyone, to the official Mate Selection Ceremony of the Moonwood Pack." His voice was powerful, unwavering. "As tradition dictates, the Moon Goddess chooses our mates. It is not something we can control, nor something we can deny."

 

The crowd waited with bated breath as Damon addressed them, the silence heavy with anticipation.

 

Then he dropped the bombshell that would change everything.

 

"My chosen mate..." His voice rang out clear and strong across Moon Square. "Is Ava Sterling."

 

The silence shattered like glass.

 

Chaos erupted throughout the square. People were gasping, whispering, some even laughing out loud like this was some kind of joke. Faces turned from shock to disbelief to horror to amusement and back again. The whispers grew into a roar:

 

"Ava? That Ava?"

"The weak one?"

"The girl who can barely shift?"

"This has to be some kind of mistake..."

"The Moon Goddess must have lost her mind..."

 

Ava stood there, feeling like she was watching everything through thick glass. Her mind couldn't seem to catch up with what was happening. She'd imagined a thousand different scenarios for tonight - being totally ignored, being mocked, maybe even being kicked out. But this? Being chosen as mate? This wasn't even in the realm of possibility she'd prepared for.

 

But before she could even begin to process it, Damon turned to face her. The look in his eyes wasn't just cold - it was arctic. Sharp enough to cut straight through her.

 

"I, Damon Harrington," his voice boomed across the now-silent square, each word precise and cutting, "reject the will of the Moon Goddess-"

 

Ava's heart stopped.

 

"-and reject you, Ava Sterling, as my mate and as the Luna of the Moonwood Pack."

 

The world seemed to stop spinning. Everything went quiet - not just around her, but inside her too. Her wolf, who had been so alive with joy moments ago, curled up into a tight ball of pain. She couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Couldn't feel anything except the crushing weight of those words.

 

In front of everyone, in the most public way possible, he hadn't just rejected her.

 

He'd destroyed her.

 

Her breath caught in her throat, and her chest tightened. Did he really just...?

 

The pain hit her all at once-a sharp, unbearable ache in her heart.

 

It wasn't just the rejection. It was the humiliation.

 

She had been mocked, insulted, and ridiculed her entire life, but this... this was worse. He had dragged her onto this stage just to shame her in front of everyone.

 

Tears welled in her eyes as she forced herself to ask the one question burning inside her.

 

"Why?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with raw emotion. "Is it because I'm an Omega? Because I'm not powerful like the others? Because I'm not-"

 

She paused, swallowing the lump in her throat before her voice rose, cutting through the noise of the crowd. "Tell me, Damon-why do you hate me so much?"

 

A hush fell over the square.

 

All eyes turned to Damon, waiting.

 

And then, his entire expression changed.

 

His anger snapped. His emotions, the ones he had kept buried for years, erupted like a storm.

 

"You don't get tired of pretending, do you?" he spat, stepping closer. "When exactly do you plan to take responsibility for what you did?"

 

Ava's brows furrowed. "What did I do?" She looked genuinely confused. "I don't understand what you're talking about."

 

Damon's nostrils flared. His hands clenched into fists. And then-

 

Memories flooded back.

 

Flashback

 

"Dad... please, no! Stay with me- Dad!""

 

A young Damon sobbed, his small hands pressing against his father's bloodied chest, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.

 

Just a few feet away stood a little girl-her dress stained in blood, a fresh wound on her right arm.

 

She wasn't crying. She wasn't screaming.

 

She just stood there, staring blankly.

 

And then-

 

"You... you did this!" Damon had roared, lunging at her. He had tackled her to the ground, his hands wrapping around her small neck. "You killed him!"

 

There had been no struggle. No resistance. She just lay there-silent, unmoving, almost as if she wasn't even there.

 

He would have choked the life out of her.

 

But then-

 

"Damon."

 

A weak, dying voice stopped him.

 

Damon turned back to his father, who was barely holding on.

 

"Son... promise me..." his father rasped, coughing up blood. "Promise me... that you won't blame her. That you won't harm her... because of me."

 

Damon shook his head, "But Dad-"

 

"Promise me."

 

His father's final words. His final wish.

 

And then... he was gone.

 

Present

 

Damon's body tensed. His breathing was heavy, his anger barely controlled.

 

"My father died because of you," he said, his voice dark with rage. "You killed him."

 

Ava's eyes widened. "What?!"

 

She shook her head, stepping back. "No, I didn't! I don't even-"

 

"Don't lie!" he growled, grabbing her right arm roughly. "What about this?" He yanked up her sleeve, revealing the scar that had been there since childhood.

 

Ava gasped, her voice shaking. "I don't know how I got that! I swear, Damon-I don't remember!"

 

But no one was listening.

 

The entire pack stared at her with disgust. No one stepped forward. No one spoke up for her.

 

Not even Alora.

 

Damon let go of her roughly, causing her to stumble and fall hard against the ground.

 

"You're only alive because I made a promise," he muttered coldly. "But I will never accept you. And I will never forgive you."

 

Ava couldn't move.

 

Then, Damon turned to Alora. He reached for her hand, pulling her onto the platform.

 

"I, Damon Harrington, take Alora McGrave as my mate."

 

Ava felt the last piece of her heart shatter.