Since the world of wolves was blessed by the moon goddess Selene, there had been an unshakable tradition: every wolf, at birth, already had a destined mate chosen by her. It was a profound connection, forged through a sacred bond that manifested upon turning eighteen, provided the mates were near each other. It was impossible to ignore the scent, the magnetism, the force that united them. But to Maya, this never sounded like a gift.

She was a dreamer. And unlike the other young women in the pack, Maya questioned this imposed fate. Why should anyone love without choice? Why blindly trust a connection created by a goddess, even if it was Selene? What if the destined mate was someone of dubious character? Of course, there was the possibility of rejection, but that was also cruel. For a wolf, being rejected was like having a piece of oneself torn away. The pain was excruciating, and many could not bear it.

Yet, once rejected, the wolf could fall in love freely. They could, at last, experience true love. However, this path was also uncertain: what if they fell in love with someone who had not yet met their destined mate? And when that day came, they would be left behind? Maya considered all of this a great injustice. Why couldn't they just choose for themselves, love with freedom?

There were only a few days left until her eighteenth birthday. And though her anxiety grew, she was not excited to meet her mate. What she desired most was to finally transform. To see her wolf. To know her. To hear her inner voice, learn her name, discover if she possessed any special gift. That was what made her daydream.

Time seemed to mock her, passing slowly, dragging the minutes. The long-awaited day was approaching, but at the same time, it felt increasingly distant. Maya tried to distract herself, reliving happy memories, like the day her brother found his mate.

She smiled just remembering it. Josh had been blessed with a gentle fate. He found Ava, a young woman from the Southern pack, during the Full Moon Festival—the great annual gathering of the packs. The hall was full, illuminated by torches and the moon itself hanging imposingly in the sky. Maya still remembered every detail.

Josh began sniffing the air, restless. Something was calling him.

"Josh, what's happening? Where are you going?" she asked, trying to keep up.

"That scent..."

"By the goddess! It's your..."

Before she could finish the sentence, he stopped abruptly. Ava was there, facing him. Her long blonde hair swayed gently in the night breeze. Her blue eyes reflected the moonlight. They stared at each other for a few eternal seconds, full of admiration and desire. And then, at the same time, the magical words were spoken.

"Mate!"

"Mine!"

Maya's heart warmed. Josh, even overtaken by instinct, maintained his composure. He embraced Ava with care and respect, deciding to wait, taming his animal side. He treated her with delicacy, like someone who knows that love is also made of patience.

At that moment, Maya found herself wondering who her mate would be. Would he be handsome? Gentle? Would he have values she admired? Or would he be rude, arrogant, one of those who think the bond of destiny entitles them to everything? Maya shuddered. She knew she would not accept just anything. If it wasn't as she hoped, she would reject him. Because she had self-love. And that love was not for sale for a sacred bond.

"Self-love is when you don't need anyone to tell you how beautiful and amazing you are. It's looking at yourself in the mirror and loving yourself without waiting for someone to love you. It's living in your own company doing what you love to do, having respect for yourself without needing to wait for someone to make you happy, because you are happy alone."

This was her favorite quote, by Sandrinha Marques. It was written on a sheet of paper hanging on her wall. She read it every morning.

Maya was simple. She loved the smell of wet earth, the sound of rain hitting the leaves, the wildflowers scattered across the fields. She liked to run barefoot, play with the pack's children, and train with Josh in the clearings. She was different from the other she-wolves, and that made her special. But there was a pain she kept only to herself: the absence of her mother.

She lost her mother as a pup. The memory of her sweet eyes and the scent of lavender grew increasingly distant, but the void persisted. Her father was always present, loving and strong, doing everything he could to fill the space his mate had left. Still, there were nights when Maya cried silently, hugging a blanket, missing that unique love.

Even with this wound in her chest, Maya lived intensely. She believed each day was a gift. She did everything with dedication and soul. The Alpha of the pack was very proud of her. And the others respected and loved her. Her empathy was rare. Always willing to help, especially the younger ones. It was common to see her distributing small handmade gifts to the children or teaching them to run and fall without fear.

But no matter how peacefully she lived, something was about to change.

The goddess Selene had already decided her fate. The invisible thread connecting Maya to another heart was already stretching. And when the day of transformation came, when her wolf awakened, nothing would ever be the same again.

Perhaps it was the beginning of a great love. Perhaps of a great struggle.

Her heart raced. Anxiety dominated every cell of her body. The next day was not just any day. She would turn eighteen, the day she would meet her inner wolf. And possibly, she would meet her destined mate.

The house was silent, but her soul screamed.

Josh appeared at the door with a proud smile.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"I think so..." she replied with a hesitant smile. "Or maybe not. It's strange to feel that everything could change in a matter of minutes."

The day dawned with a different glow, as if even the sky shared the anxiety that vibrated within Maya. At eighteen, she was awakening to a new cycle — not just as a woman, but as a wolf. The first transformation was a milestone, a sacred rite of the Northern Pack, awaited with pride and reverence. And now, it was her turn.

Maya got up with a racing heart. The sky was still tinged with orange hues, and the morning air carried the fresh scent of flowers from the woods. After her morning ablutions, she put on a light white linen dress, with thin straps and subtle lace details that her aunt had sewn by hand. Her hair, loose and soft, cascaded in waves over her shoulders. She wanted to be light, simple, like the nature that awaited her for that great moment.

As she descended the stairs of the pack house, Maya was surprised by a scene that made her stop in the middle of the last step. There, standing in front of the stairs with a radiant smile, were Josh, Ava, and her father, Alpha Khalif. A beautiful white cake, covered with wild berries and dozens of small lit candles, shone like a constellation.

"Happy birthday, Maya!" the three said in unison.

Maya brought her hands to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears.

"You did this for me?"

"Of course, sis!" said Josh, already approaching to wrap her in a tight hug. "Today is your big day. Our little wolf is becoming a warrior."

Khalif handed her a small crescent moon pendant. "This belonged to your mother. She received it when she turned eighteen. Now it's yours. Today you enter the history of our lineage. I saw you being born. I felt your first cry, the first time you looked at me. Now… now I will see you become who you were born to be."

Maya hugged him tightly. His chest was a safe haven, and there, for a moment, she was just his daughter — and not the young wolf about to transform.

"Thank you for everything, Dad."

"Always, my daughter."

The day passed wrapped in emotion and expectation. The village filled with movement, with members of the Northern pack and guests from the neighboring pack arriving, bringing offerings, drums, flowers, and incense. The children ran free, the women danced to the sound of flutes and ancient songs. But, within Maya, everything was silence and tension.

She wondered what her inner wolf would be like. Would it be white as snow or black as night? Would it have amber eyes or silver ones like the moon? Would it be strong? And her mate… where would he be? Would he have a good heart? Appearance was a mystery, but what Maya most desired was someone respectful, gentle, someone who saw her soul before her beauty.

And then, the sky darkened, painted with stars. The forest fell silent. Night had arrived.

Josh appeared at the door, wearing his ceremonial robe, with embroideries that told the ancestral stories of the family. His gaze was protective and proud.

"Are you ready?"

Maya nodded, holding her breath.

Josh's gaze softened. He walked over to Maya with a proud smile and visible emotion in his eyes.

"You look beautiful, sis…" he said in a hoarse whisper. "I can't believe the day has arrived. It feels like yesterday that I taught you how to climb the tallest tree in the yard. Now, you will become even stronger."

He extended his hand, carefully.

"Let's go. The moon awaits you. And I will be by your side, as I always have been."

They walked to the sacred clearing, where the light of the full moon touched the earth like a blessing. The stone circle, in the center of the clearing, was already surrounded by wolves and humans. Drums throbbed in a slow rhythm, like beats of a heart about to awaken. Fires burned in torches, and the air was filled with incense that danced in the wind.

Alpha Khalif raised his arms to the sky. "Today, under the gaze of the Mother Moon, Maya unites with the ancestral spirit of the wolves. May she find her essence, and may her wolf reveal herself with truth and strength."

The circle fell silent. Maya entered the center of the clearing. Eyes turned to her. Her heart pounded with strength, as if it wanted to escape her chest. And then, a sudden pain took over her body — a heat that made her fall to her knees.

She screamed, a scream that echoed through the forest. Bones contorted, muscles cracked, skin widened. It was as if each cell was being reborn. Tears streamed from her closed eyes as her body trembled. But in the midst of the pain, something shone — something ancient, sacred. Something alive.

With a final roar, Maya fell onto her paws. No more hands. No more legs. Now, she was a wolf.

A beautiful wolf.

Her fur was silver like moonlight. Her eyes, of a deep blue, sparkled like the sea at dawn. Tall, elegant, with a noble and wild bearing.

And then, a voice arose within her.

"I am Lyra. Your wolf. Your essence. Your strength."

"You are beautiful," thought Maya, touched.

"And you are brave. Together, we are whole."

They ran together through the forest, feeling the ground, the wind, the call of nature. It was freedom. It was connection. It was soul.

But then, something changed.

A strong, warm, sweet smell. Something that made Maya's heart race. The bond. Her mate was there. Close. Lyra felt it too.

"It's him. He's here."

Following the scent, Maya approached the edge of the clearing where the guests from the neighboring pack were. Among them, an imposing wolf watched her. Tall, muscular, dark hair and golden eyes. He smiled as he saw her, with arrogance and certainty.

Kael.

A warrior from the Southern pack. Famous for his strength in battle, but also for his fame with the females — always jumping from bed to bed, treating them as trophies and not as equals. Maya had heard stories. Proud. Arrogant. Never respectful.

Kael walked towards her, confident. His eyes showed no surprise or emotion, only a desire for possession.

"So it's you…" he said, stopping in front of the wolf. "My mate. It was to be expected. The gods would give me someone my equal."

Maya took a step back, her heart pounding. Lyra growled inside her.

"No. He is not what we want."

"Don't say anything," Kael continued, moving even closer. "I will claim you now. We will be one, and you will be my female. You'll get used to it, they all do."

Maya returned to human form in a snap, with a fiery look.

"You will not claim me," she said, with a firm, fearless voice. "That's not what I want."

Kael frowned, irritated. "Are you rejecting your destiny?"

"I'm rejecting you. If destiny wanted this, it was wrong."

There was a murmur among those present. Josh was already approaching, ready to protect her. But Maya raised her hand, keeping everyone away.

"I dreamed of this day my whole life. Not to be dominated by someone who doesn't respect me. I want a companion, not an owner. And if you are not capable of seeing me as an equal, then you do not deserve the blessing of the bond."

Kael gritted his teeth, his ego wounded. But before he could say anything, Alpha Khalif approached with authority.

"The wolf's decision is sovereign. And it will be respected."

Kael retreated, begrudgingly, and disappeared among the guests, under the disapproving gazes of the elders.

Maya took a deep breath. She was trembling. But she felt free. Strong. True.

Josh hugged her from behind, whispering:

"I'm so proud of you, my sister."

Ava arrived soon after, with tears in her eyes. "You were amazing, Maya. Never settle for less than you deserve."

Her father watched her with reverence, as if he were before a queen.

That night, Maya not only transformed into a wolf. She transformed into a woman. Into a warrior. Into herself.

And although her mate was not what she expected —, she knew one thing:

Artemis was with her. And that was enough.

Within her own pack, many supported her, especially the younger ones and the females, who saw her as an inspiration. But outside, in other packs, murmurs began to arise. Some called her ungrateful, others insolent. For many, the bond with one's mate was too sacred to be denied.

Kael, in turn, did not let his wounded pride heal with time. He further inflamed the comments. He told distorted versions of the truth, suggesting that Maya had humiliated him in public, that she rejected him out of arrogance, thinking she deserved someone "better."

Maya did not worry about it—at least, she didn't show it. She immersed herself in training with her brother. She spent hours in the clearing, honing her senses, learning to control her inner wolf, Artemis, who proved to be powerful, swift, and protective.

In her free time, she continued to do what she had always loved: she spent hours with the children, picked flowers for the elders, helped with the preparations for the festivities. But inside, she felt isolated. She carried an invisible weight: that of having gone against an ancient and powerful tradition.

"I know I did the right thing," she said one day, sitting with Josh by the riverbank. "But sometimes I wonder if I will ever be fully accepted again…"

"You will be," her brother assured. "Maybe not by everyone. But you will be truly loved, one day. By someone who will see who you are, not who they expected you to be."

In the field, Maya maintained her focus on training. Her body moved with precision, her blows were firm, and her inner wolf, Lira, vibrated with energy, satisfied. But she did not go unnoticed by the envious eyes of Nayra, a wolf from her own pack, who had long felt threatened by Maya's presence.

Nayra approached when the training ended, her voice dripping with venom.

"You think that because you rejected a mate, you are above us all, don't you?"

Maya wiped the sweat from her forehead and stared at her calmly.

"I don't think anything, Nayra. I just live as I believe."

"That's it. You believe so much that you preferred to be alone than to accept what Selene gave you. You know what they say about that, don't you? That wolves like you end up old and bitter, with no one."

Josh stepped forward, ready to defend his sister, but Maya raised her hand, stopping him.

"Better to be alone than next to someone without a soul."

The phrase had an impact. Nayra laughed, but inside she burned with hatred. She walked away, leaving in the air the silent promise that this conflict was not over yet.

That night, the full moon rose with a strange presence. Something felt different in the air. At dawn, the answer arrived.

A howl sounded at the entrance to the territory. A messenger. Covered in dark cloaks and accompanied by royal guards. He brought an announcement sealed with the emblem of the Supreme Pack.

The council gathered in the main clearing. All members were present. The messenger, with an imposing posture, opened the scroll and read aloud:

"By order of the Supreme Alpha, Darian—sovereign of the Northern, Eastern Packs, and the Valley Territories—it is communicated to all packs:

After two years since the passing of Queen Mirca, a new mate will be chosen, worthy of occupying the throne alongside the King.

All wolves between eighteen and twenty-five years of age, who possess pure lineage or merits recognized by the elders, may present themselves for selection.

A cycle of sacred challenges will be initiated, where strength, wisdom, and spirit will be tested. In the end, three finalists will be chosen. Among them, the Moonstone—a sacred relic of the goddess Selene—will reveal the one who carries within her the true essence of leadership, courage, and honor.

The chosen one will not only be Queen—she will be a guide, a warrior, and a guardian alongside the Supreme Alpha."

And then... the square exploded in reactions.

"Did you hear that?" whispered a blonde wolf with dark eyes, quickly pinning up her hair as if she were already preparing for the challenges.

"The Moonstone…? This is serious…" murmured an elder, his eyes wide. "He hasn't chosen since Queen Elira."

Others began to whisper among themselves, with eager and ambitious looks. Mothers squeezed their daughters' arms, encouraging them with poorly disguised pride. Some young women laughed nervously, others held their chins up, already imagining themselves dressed in royal colors.

"Do you think the Supreme Alpha will attend the challenges in person?"

"He's never appeared before… But they say this choice will be different."

Josh whispered near his sister:

"I bet half the wolves will lose sleep over this."

Maya, however, felt a shiver run down her spine. Something within her reacted to those words, as if Artemis had awakened.

Three days passed. The routine seemed unchanged, but everyone was attentive. No one knew when or where the Alpha would appear.

What no one imagined was that he was already among them.

Disguised as one of the warriors sent to the pack, representing the weight of the Coria, the Supreme Alpha Darian observed in silence. He was tall, with black hair and eyes of such a light gray that they seemed to be made of ice. His presence was contained, cold, almost invisible. He dressed simply, used the name "Darrien," and spoke little.

There was something in his eyes that always seemed to calculate, measure, weigh every action and word. He was accustomed to control, command, and obedience. And for that very reason, what he felt when he saw Maya for the first time disconcerted him.

She was alone, lying on the grass near the lake, reading a book and laughing to herself at some passage. The sun touched her golden skin, and the wind tousled her brown hair.

"You seem happy alone," he said, appearing beside her without warning.

She looked up, surprised, but not frightened.

"And you seem to like to observe," she retorted, raising an eyebrow.

Darian smiled. Rare. True.

"I'm trying to understand some things."

"For example?"

"What makes a wolf reject the mate chosen by the goddess."

She closed the book.

"Ah. So you're just another one curious about that."

"Maybe. But unlike the others, I don't think it was foolish. I just want to understand."

Maya looked at the warrior for a longer moment, evaluating him. He was handsome, that was undeniable. But there was something beyond. A weight on his shoulders, a silent pain hidden behind those cold eyes.

"The bond is powerful, but it's not absolute. Sometimes, the goddess unites paths to test, not to force. I didn't pass the test… Because I didn't accept what hurt me."

Darian felt as if something inside him broke and fit together at the same time. That wolf… She was different from everything he had known. Not by strength, nor by appearance. But by the soul.

"What if someone told you that you were made to reign?"

She let out a light laugh.

"I would say that person should sleep less and walk more barefoot on the earth. It's good to get back to reality."

He laughed. For the first time in years, he laughed lightly. And he knew, there, that he had a problem.

He was starting to feel something dangerous.

Not for just any wolf. But for the one who rejected her mate. Who challenged traditions. Who spoke with children and helped the elderly. Who danced with the wind and trained as a warrior. Who had a free, indomitable spirit.

And that wolf, Maya, had no idea who the strange warrior was who began to surround her presence more often, with subtle questions, restrained compliments, and long looks.

But Nayra noticed. And she didn't like it at all.

She would not let Maya shine again. Not when the throne was at stake.

And Maya? She still had no idea how much her life was about to change.