Julia picked up all the clothes that were scattered around the Alpha's bedroom.

A few months ago, she would never have imagined she would be there in that room. But she took a deep breath, finished gathering everything, opened the bedroom window and threw it all out.

Alexandre was the leader of the Lua Nova pack, which was hidden in a rural area of Sao Paulo. It was a small town that went unnoticed by any human who was nearby, but it had all kinds of technology and comfort for its members. Many of these wonders were hidden among the woods, in underground spaces or inside the cave that was in the city. Obviously, this cave was unknown to the population, being used only by the wolves of the small town.

The Alpha was a good man. He worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone was always safe, comfortable, and happy.

However, his Luna, Emily, was quite different.

Since childhood, Emily and Julia had been very close friends. Both of their parents worked for the former alpha, Antonio. Emily's father was the beta and Julia's father was the personal secretary to both. Thus, the girls were always seen playing together, walking around town, and studying in the same classroom. Alexandre was five years older. He didn't play with them, but he was always around, like a super protective brother.

When alpha Antonio died, Alexandre took his place. He was 22 years old and felt prepared. He had studied his whole life for this and the transition was very smooth. The whole pack accepted him with joy. The girls had not yet found their wolves, as they had not yet turned eighteen.

Alexandre had become a very handsome man. He was tall, strong, with black hair and brown eyes. His brown skin bore some tattoos that covered his right shoulder and part of his arm. He had a beautiful smile, which he always distributed freely to those who greeted him in the morning.

The girls had also become beautiful women, even though they were very different from each other.

While Julia had her wavy brown hair, a curvy body in all the right places, and honey-colored eyes that exuded kindness, Emily was blonde, tall and slender, with piercing green eyes and the air of a model. Julia always told her friend how beautiful she was, and after a while, Emily made a point of reminding her friend of that.

In their senior year of high school, boys began to notice the two friends. They asked for their phone numbers, sent notes and made a point of accompanying them everywhere. Including Alexandre. He was a perfect gentleman with the girls, carrying their bags, opening the car door, giving his arm for them to lean on. Every time he arrived at school it was a real commotion.

Julia always remained more reserved regarding the advances she received, preferring to treat the boys with politeness and kindness. Emily, on the other hand, made a scene with every new note she received. After a while, the guys simply stopped sending her anything, afraid of her reaction. However, they kept trying to win over Julia.

But the girl remained reserved, for her heart was already taken. She realized she loved Alexandre a few years ago. And since then, she had been waiting for the day when she would find her wolf, and find out if they were mates or not.

He showed no favoritism between the girls, for he considered himself a friend to both. But the affection and attention he gave them made Julia dream about him even more, hoping that fate and the goddess would unite them.

Today, once again, Alexandre came to meet us at the end of class. Oh, if only he knew what I feel...

But I'm sure it's not appropriate. He has already told me that he is waiting for his destined mate by the Goddess of the Moon. Ah, Selene, please give me the chance to be that chosen one!

As soon as Alexandre arrived at the school gate, Emily rushed in front of me and jumped into his arms. I love my friend, but I don’t feel good seeing her act this way.

I told her how I felt a few days ago. She said I need to wait for my wolf to emerge, so I can know if I am the alpha’s mate. After that, she launched into a long conversation about how the last formal event ruined her beautiful hair and how she had to yell at the manicurist to be quicker with her nails.

“Hello, Julia!” – Alexandre greeted me as I got closer to the two of them. Emily was already hanging off his arms and shot me a long look of innocence. Why couldn’t I believe her?

“Hello, Alpha!” – I replied with a smile and a nod.

“Come on, Juju! You know you have the freedom to call me by my name. Emily here has understood that.”

“Of course I understood, Alezinho!”

Emily wrapped her arm around his shoulders as she responded.

I lowered my gaze, embarrassed by the situation.

“Let’s go, girls. I’ll drop you off at home before heading to my office.”

Before I could open the passenger door next to the driver, I felt Emily tugging my arm back.

“Friend, let me sit in front. You know I get car sick…”

“Alright, Emily…”

I moved to the back seat, carefully holding my bag and books. The entire journey was reduced to Emily jumping from one topic to another, cutting me off whenever I tried to give my opinion or make a comment. Alexandre was so absorbed in the conversation that he didn’t even notice my futile attempts to participate.

Alexandre dropped me off at my doorstep and continued with Emily to her house.

I felt a tremendous pain watching the two of them walk away together. But I shouldn’t do anything. I knew he would remain true to his decision to wait for his mate. In less than a month, I would turn 18 and receive my wolf, and finally know if we were destined companions or not.

I watched the car drive away, with Emily gesturing wildly. When I entered the house, my mother, Paula, was waiting for me with lunch ready.

“How was today, little one?”

“Good, nothing different…”

“Did Alexandre pick you up?”

“Yes, and now he’s taking Emily to her house…”

My mother looked at me with a smile on her face and said: “Daughter, I’ve always heard that Selene takes our feelings into account when choosing our mate! Have faith!”

I looked at my mother, trying to capture a bit of her optimism… “Selene, if you really take my feelings into account, you already know who might be my mate, right!?”

One month has passed. Today is my 18th birthday.

My parents woke me up with a beautiful breakfast in bed.

I received lots of affection and words of love.

My mother gave me a beautiful necklace, with a delicate sapphire

pendant.

"Honey, sapphire is the stone of wisdom! I hope you will

be very wise!"

"Thank you, Mom and

Dad!"

The day flew by with the preparations for receiving

my wolf.

My parents organized all the materials that would be

used in the ceremony, went over the names of the guests and called

those who had not yet confirmed their attendance. The cake was waiting in

the fridge, as part of the evening would be a small celebration for my

birthday.

During the day, I was supposed to eat well, to ensure

I had the physical strength for my first transformation, to rest a lot and to try

to connect with the Moon Goddess, to broaden my channel of connection with my wolf and

with the pack.

I spent almost an hour relaxing in the tub, when I heard

my mother knocking on the door.

"Honey, it's time. Let's get ready. Your dress is on

the bed."

I got out of the tub, wrapped the towel around my body, and followed

to my room, where I found a beautiful white dress on the bed. It was

tradition that in the first transformation, we would wear a white dress,

to symbolize the beginning of our transformation. In rituals this color was

intended only for those who would be transformed for the first time on the occasion. I completed

the look with flat strappy sandals, and my mother helped to put my

hair in a half-up hairstyle, which made my waves look

very beautiful. I put on light makeup.

We gathered our things, and went to the car,

towards the forest entrance.

Alexandre was there, his beta and his family, as well as my

relatives and Emily next to everyone, in a blue dress so light that it almost

looked white. My mother glared disapprovingly at my

friend, I heard her wolf growl softly, but she maintained her composure and we moved on

ahead.

We started the evening by celebrating my 18th birthday and as soon as the moon

reached its highest point in the sky, we would start the ceremony.

We ate the cake, toasted and as soon as we noticed the moon

reaching its peak, we headed to the clearing at the edge of the

forest. The environment was all lit by candles, which formed a circle adorned

with stones, flowers and crystals. Inside the circle, a red blanket was

folded on the floor.

After everyone touched my forehead wishing me a

perfect transformation, I went to the center of the circle, where Alexandre

was waiting for me.

I took a deep breath when he looked at me with a smile and touched

my forehead, like the others did.

"You look beautiful, Juju. Your wolf will be beautiful, for sure."

"Thank you, alpha... I mean, Alexandre."

I heard someone snorting in the background, but I chose to ignore it.

"Ju, the first transformation is always the hardest, but

I'm here. And I'm going to help you!"

"Thank you. I'm ready."

Alexandre looked at everyone who was around the circle.

"Tonight we will welcome another wolf into our pack.

Everyone here will help her adapt to the lupine form, and welcome her into our

pack?"

"Yes, Alpha!" – Everyone answered out loud.

"May nature also receive this wolf, with the

blessings of Selene."

The candles around the circle increased their flames, the

crystals gleamed and the flowers exuded more fragrance into the air.

"Julia, as Alpha of this pack, the New Moon, I invite your

wolf to come out and introduce herself to all of us."

I felt my bones snap and break. In my head I could

hear my wolf talking to me.

“Julia, I am your wolf, Ceci. Receive me.”

I fell to the ground and felt the red cloak being placed over me,

so that my transformation would be preserved just for me. When

least expected, I smelled the smells stronger than usual and my hearing was

much better. I could hear everyone else present transforming along

with me.

As soon as I felt ready, I came out from under the

red blanket and looked around at all those wolves that were together

by the circle.