POV: Asher Thorne
The moon loomed heavier than usual, its pale glow staining the early morning sky like spilled silver. Even with the sun still clinging to the horizon, the edges of the world seemed redder, like something ancient was awakening.
Tomorrow was the Blood Moon—and his Alpha Naming Ceremony.
But Asher hadn't slept a full night in days.
His wolf, Orbit, had been pacing endlessly beneath his skin. Growling. Agitated. Every breath Asher took felt like it wasn't deep enough.
"She's close," Orbit whispered again that morning. "She's in danger."
Asher rolled his neck, trying to ignore him. Again.
🌕 The History of the Blood Moon
In werewolf legend, the Blood Moon was not a curse—but a sacred night of power.
It was the day, centuries ago, when Selene, the Moon Goddess, descended to the earthly realm. She chose her first avatar, gifting her with a piece of her divine power—the red sword, a celestial weapon said to glow in battle, forged from the Goddess's own blood and light.
This avatar united broken packs, ended the first rogue wars, and became the first Luna Queen.
Since then, every Blood Moon marked awakening.
New Alphas were crowned under it. Mates were found beneath it. Some wolves even had their first shift on this night, guided by its ancestral magic.
To be crowned under the Blood Moon was a sign of divine approval.
To find one's mate during it… was considered destiny.
Asher stared out the high window of the packhouse, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His room overlooked the southern fields, where already warriors were setting up torches, banners, and rows of ceremonial firewood.
Tomorrow, he would walk through that fire and be named Alpha of Silverstone.
He should have felt pride. Strength. Readiness.
Instead, all he could feel was restlessness.
"Why do you keep thinking about her?" he snapped internally at his wolf.
Orbit growled. "Because you touched her. And now you're pretending you didn't feel it."
Asher closed his eyes, the memory slamming into him again.
Soft skin. A breathless gasp. Her fear. His mistake.
He had thought it was Irene. She always waited for him like that. But this time—everything had felt wrong and right all at once.
Since that night, he hadn't seen Irene. He hadn't looked for her.
And he hadn't stopped seeing those wide, startled eyes in the dark.
Eyes that weren't Irene's.
"Asher," a sharp voice cut through his thoughts.
His mother, Luna Lisy Thorne, stood in the doorway of his room, arms folded.
"You've been brooding since last week. What's going on?"
"Nothing," he muttered, rolling his shoulders.
She studied him for a moment. "You know tomorrow is more than just a title. Your father wants to brief you tonight. And Alpha Elijha is expecting strength—not mood swings."
"I'm fine."
She didn't look convinced, but nodded. "Then get ready. Gamma Darren will be meeting with you boys for a final tactical drill."
Just as she turned to leave, she paused. "And Asher?"
He glanced up.
"If you've gotten some poor girl in trouble again, fix it before tomorrow. An Alpha isn't just strong—he's responsible."
He said nothing.
Later that evening, in the war room of the packhouse, the future heads of the Silverstone pack gathered—Asher, Jack, Alex Ashwood, and Micah Wood.
The elders were present too—Alpha Elijha, Beta Kael, and the others.
Maps were spread on the table. Marked in red were the recent rogue attacks—farther north than usual, dangerously close to neighbouring packs.
"They've started moving in coordinated patterns," Alpha Elijha said gravely. "And the last attack was not random. It was organized."
Jack leaned forward. "Are they targeting a specific pack?"
"No," Elijha answered. "But it's Blood Moon tomorrow. That makes everything more volatile. Some rogue alphas believe it's the best time to strike—when we're distracted. Celebrating."
Asher's jaw tightened.
"She's in danger," Orbit growled again.
He gripped the edge of the table.
"Who is she?"
"You already know," the wolf murmured. "You just won't admit it yet."
Tomorrow, Asher would become the Alpha.
Tomorrow, under the Blood Moon, he would be fated to find his mate.
But something told him…
She's already here.And something terrible is coming.