Hailey stood in front of her mirror, fingers trembling slightly as she smoothed the fabric of her white ceremonial dress. Eighteen. The age she had been waiting for her entire life. Tonight she would shift for the first time… and the Moon Goddess would reveal her mate.
Behind her, Claire breezed into the room with a swirl of lavender perfume and confidence that Hailey wished she could borrow.
"You're going to leave scratch marks on that dress if you keep fidgeting," Claire said, plucking Hailey's hands away and replacing them with a sparkly silver ribbon. "Hold still. Dad will lose his mind if you show up looking like you fought the curtains."
Hailey groaned softly. "I'm nervous, okay? Everyone's expecting this big moment."
"Because it is a big moment," Claire replied, tying the ribbon around Hailey's wrist with surprising gentleness. "But you're Hailey Black. You've got Alpha blood. You'll be amazing."
Before Hailey could respond, a soft knock came at the door.
Her mother stepped inside first—Della Black, the pack's Luna, radiant as always. Her warm smile immediately eased some of Hailey's tension.
"Oh, sweetheart," Della breathed, placing a hand over her heart. "You look stunning."
Hailey felt her cheeks warm. "Thank you, Mom."
Alpha Liam Black followed behind her mother, tall and strong, his presence filling the room. His normally stern expression softened the moment he looked at his daughter.
"My little girl," he murmured, brushing a thumb over her cheek. "Eighteen. It still doesn't feel real."
Hailey smiled. "Dad… I'm not little anymore."
"You'll always be my pup," Liam said, but pride glowed clearly in his eyes. "Tonight, you join the adults of this pack. Your wolf will awaken. And whoever your mate is…" His jaw tightened protectively. "He'd better be worthy."
Claire snorted. "Dad's been practicing that line all week."
Liam shot her a mock glare. "I have not."
Della laughed softly and pressed a kiss to Hailey's forehead. "Ignore them. This is your night."
Another howl echoed through the trees—the signal. The pack was gathering.
Della squeezed Hailey's hands. "We'll be right beside you. Always."
Hailey drew in a shaky breath, then nodded. "Okay. I'm ready."
They walked together through the moonlit woods: her father leading with Alpha authority, her mother at his side, Claire looping an arm through Hailey's in quiet support.
When they reached the clearing, the pack parted respectfully. Lanterns glowed among the trees. Wolves in various shades of fur padded around the circle, watching with anticipation.
Liam turned to her. "When the moon is directly overhead, your shift will begin. Don't fight it. Let your wolf come forward."
Della kissed her temple again. "We're right here."
Claire stepped back but kept her gaze locked on Hailey, silently cheering.
The moon climbed higher—silver, radiant, powerful.
Hailey felt it before she saw it—heat rushing beneath her skin, her heart racing, her wolf pushing forward with a joyful growl.
The first wave of pain hit. Sharp, consuming, ancient.
But her mother's voice reached her through the haze. "Breathe, Hailey. You can do this."
Her father's voice followed, steady and grounding. "Let go. Trust your wolf."
Hailey surrendered.
Bones shifted. Limbs elongated. A surge of wild strength tore through her as her wolf rose—golden-eyed, sleek-furred, powerful.
Gasps rippled through the clearing.
Claire whispered proudly, "She's beautiful."