The grounds of Silver Moon spread out before us, a vast expanse of rolling hills and lush greenery stretching as far as the eye could see except for a spot of lights in the distance. The town.

Aiden led me down winding pathways and through hidden gardens, each corner revealing a new and unexpected treasure. We paused by a tranquil pond, the surface of the water shimmering as colorful koi fish darted beneath the surface.

"This is one of my favorite spots," he said, his voice soft with reverence. "It's where I come to think or to just be alone."

As we continued our exploration, Aiden regaled me with stories of the pack and its history, his passion and love for his home shining through with every word. I hung on his every word as we wandered through the sun-dappled pathways.

"You know, this is not how Silver Moon was explained to us in Dark Moon."

"No?"

I shook my head. "Why is there such bad blood between the two packs?"

"I'm not sure where it started, but Conrad has definitely kept it going."

"He has?"

Aiden nodded his head.

"Hm. I wonder if my dad knows that. He goes on everything Conrad says."

"He really shouldn't do that. Conrad is slowly isolating Dark Moon from everyone. We've tried having their leaders join us for an all packs counsel meeting, but he always refuses."

"That sounds like something he would do," I mumbled.

As we returned to the house again, Aiden turned to me with a smile, his eyes sparkling with affection. "Thank you for exploring with me, Elara. Today has been truly magical."

I returned his smile, feeling a warmth spreading through me at his words. "Thank you for showing me your world, Aiden. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

"Let's eat."

"Food would be good."

"From the smell of it, dinner should be ready or just about ready."

We walked down the hallway to a large dining room. I was amazed at how many wolves were there.

"Wow," I gushed. "Is this your entire pack?"

Aiden laughed lightly. "No. My Beta, Saunders. My Omega, Carlisle. His daughter Ciara. That is Saunders mate and his kids. Carlisle's mate and the rest of their kids. My guards. Assistants." He pointed from person to person.

The girl, Ciara, just about snarled when she saw me.

"Is she okay?" I whispered.

"Um, yeah. She's been hoping I would do a force marking with her since I never found my mate."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Hopefully now she'll realize I was serious when I said I wasn't going to mark her."

"Alpha Aiden. Who is the young woman you're with?" the man he said was Carlisle asked, standing up.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet Elara Everheart."

Everyone gave a very enthusiastic hello, except Ciara.

"Is she staying in the pack long?" she asked.

"She'll be here for as long as we're both alive," Aiden said with a smile. "She's my mate."

"She's your what?" Ciara stood, slamming her hands on the table.

"My mate. She's my mate. We're having our marking ceremony next week during the Blood Moon."

"Congratulations!" Saunders said, clapping his hands.

"That is wonderful, Alpha!" the woman he said was Saunders wife said.

I need to get her name. She could be a friend.

"No!" Ciara yelled. "No! You said we would be mates!"

"Sit down, Ciara," Carlisle growled at his daughter.

She started crying and flopped into her chair.

"Um, thank you everyone. It's great being here."

"Where are you from?" Carlisle's mate asked.

"I'm from the Dark Moon HowlersHowelrs."

Everyone got quiet and just stared.

"Is that okay?" I asked.

They looked at each other before looking back to me.

"Of course!" Saunders said. "Welcome! We're so glad that Alpha Aiden finally found his mate!"

Aiden led me to our seats and pulled out my chair. We ate and drank while laughing and chatting long into the night.

Finally, I'm home.

"Everyone here is so much nicer than my old pack," I whispered to Aiden, the warmth of the room and the genuine smiles of the pack members making me feel at ease.

Aiden chuckled and pulled me into a gentle hug, his strong arms providing a sense of security I hadn't felt in a long time. "I'm glad you think so," he said, his voice filled with affection.

He then pulled out a chair for me to sit. "Thanks," I murmured, appreciating the small gesture.

"I'm sure you're hungry, so let's eat?" Aiden suggested with a smile.

When was the last time I ate? I couldn't even remember.

I nodded my head eagerly as my stomach growled loudly.

I watched in awe as everyone around the long, wooden table talked animatedly, passing platters of mouth-watering meats, roasted vegetables, and vibrant fruits. The delicious aromas made my stomach rumble even more.

"This is my absolute favourite dish ever," Carlisle's mate said, her eyes twinkling as she handed me a platter piled high with succulent meat.

"What is it?" I asked, intrigued by the delicious scent.

"Oh, sorry. It's a beef roast. It's braised in this delicious gravy and then roasted to perfection. My name is Laura, by the way. Alpha is awful at introductions," she giggled, her laughter infectious.

I smiled warmly at her. "Thank you, Laura. I love roast."

"And ignore Ciara," Laura continued with a dismissive wave of her hand. "She's such a spoiled girl. Her father gives into her every whim. Everyone told her that Alpha would never do a force marking."

"It's really not a problem. I know I kind of just intruded on everything."

"Oh pish posh. You are absolutely not an intrusion! There is nothing more joyous than when we find our mate."

As the meal progressed, I found myself drawn into lively conversations with various pack members, each sharing their own stories and jokes that made me feel like I belonged. It was a feeling I had longed for, for so long. Aiden sat beside me, occasionally whispering explanations about pack traditions or introducing me to new faces. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and camaraderie.

Silver Moon is not the horrible place the Alpha Conrad and Dad said it was. Why would they lie like that?

Midway through the meal, Saunders stood up and raised his glass for attention. "I just wanted to take a moment to officially welcome our newest member," he announced, gesturing towards me with a warm smile. "We're thrilled to have you join us, and I speak for everyone when I say that you're already part of the family."

The pack erupted into cheers and applause, making me blush with gratitude. Aiden squeezed my hand affectionately, his eyes shining with pride. I felt a wave of emotion wash over me; this was more than I had ever dreamed of.

I reached up and wiped a tear from my cheek.

As the meal drew to a close, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Coffee was passed around as some leaned back in their chairs, contented smiles on their faces. I exchanged grateful glances with Aiden.

With the dishes cleared away, everyone began to disperse, bidding each other goodnight. The warmth of the pack's hospitality was something I would never forget.

"Welcome to the pack. I hope it starts to feel like home!" Becky, Saunder's mate said, leaning in for a hug.

"Thank you. You're all so wonderful."

"It was so great to meet you, Elara! Welcome to Silver Moon. I have so many ideas for the marking ceremony!" Laura gushed excitedly. "You would look incredible in an emerald green gown and I have the perfect one at my shop. Do stop down tomorrow?"

"I would love to," I replied, touched by her enthusiasm.

"Oh my Goddess, mom! You're helping her? She stole my mate!" Ciara whined, stomping out the door in a dramatic huff.

Laura sighed and rolled her eyes. "I really am sorry about her, Elara. She'll come around eventually. She's just...well, she's Ciara."

I nodded, feeling a mixture of amusement and unease at Ciara's outburst.

"Please, forgive our daughter," Carlisle said. "She's not normally like this. She's had this ridiculous crush on Aiden for the longest time."

"There's nothing to forgive." I smiled. "Crushes can be hard to get over. I'm sure we'll be friends one day."

He smiled and shook my hand before leaving.

Aiden turned to me, his expression softening. "Don't let her get to you. She'll realize soon enough what it's like to have a mate when she finds hers."

I smiled hesitantly. "'I'm really not that bothered. She reminds me a lot of my sister. I'm just happy to be here."

As the night wound down, Aiden and I took a leisurely stroll through the pack's territory. The moonlight bathed the landscape in a silvery glow, and the cool night air was refreshing. We walked hand in hand, our footsteps crunching softly on the gravel path.

"Thank you, Aiden," I said softly. "For everything."

He stopped walking and turned to face me, his eyes locking onto mine. "You don't need to thank me, Elara. You're my mate. I would do anything for you."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I leaned in closer, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. In that moment, under the light of the moon and surrounded by the serenity of the night, I felt truly at home.

"Have you ever stopped to think how crazy the mate bond is?" I asked.

"Huh?"

"The mate bond," I said. "Isn't it such a crazy thing? I mean, you meet this person that you've probably never seen before, like us, and you just fall in love or whatever."

"I never really thought about it I guess, but you're right that is a crazy thing. I don't even know what your favorite color is."

"What?" I looked at Aiden.

"Your favorite color? Mines red."

I pursed my lips for a moment. "I have two. Can I have two?"

"You can have as many as you want."

I smiled softly. "Pink and blue."

"Pink and blue. Those are good colors. I like blue."

I squeezed his hand as we made our way back into the house. He guided me to our room. As we reached the door, he turned to me with a soft smile. "You don't mind sharing a room with me already?" He pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"Of course not. But I've never slept in the same bed as a man before."

"Never?"

I shook my head. "Have you ever slept in the same bed as a woman?"

He smiled lightly. "Never."

My heart thudded in my chest as we entered the room. "I hope you don't mind, but I had Marshall pick up a few things for you while we ate."

"That's why he wasn't at dinner?"

"Mm hm."

"Oh I feel bad! I wish he wouldn't have gone out of his way for me."

"Don't feel bad. He had to pick up a few things for me anyway and he's not much of a social butterfly."

"Okay. As long as he doesn't mind."

Aiden chuckled softly as he took off his shirt. I couldn't help but stare. His skin was a beautiful golden tan and there wasn't a single flaw, except for a scar that went from the top of his chest all the way down past the top of his pants.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Huh? Oh. Um, I had an accident a few years ago."

"I'm sorry." I crossed the room to where he stood and lightly touched the scar. "You don't have to tell me anymore."

He grasped my hand and kissed the top of it. "You are such an incredibly sweet woman, Elara."

I shrugged my shoulders and looked up at him.

"It's why Silver Moon and the Dark Moon Howlers don't have anything to do with each other."

"What?"

"About ten years ago when Conrad and I were 14, before we were Alpha's, we ran into each other near Silver Lake. He started a fight with me, I ended up getting cut pretty bad. His father, Alpha Dorian, believed that I started the whole thing and tried to attack Silver Moon. My father quickly put an end to that uprising and we haven't had dealings with each other since."

"So he's why the Dark Moon Howlers are so isolated."

Aiden nodded his head.

"What an asshole."

"Pretty much."

"Can I ask you something else?" I asked.

"Of course, my love."

"Earlier today, when Conrad was here, he said something about a prophecy."

"That."

"What exactly does the prophecy say?" I asked, my voice trembling with anticipation.

Aiden hesitated for a moment, his gaze searching mine. "The prophecy speaks of an Alpha, a true leader who will rise to unite all Lycan packs under one banner," he explained. "It foretells of a time of great upheaval, where darkness threatens to consume our world."

"And who is this Alpha?" I pressed, my heart pounding in my chest.

"We're not one hundred percent sure, but most of the other Alpha's think it's going to be me."

"Why?"

Aiden's brow furrowed in thought as he considered my question. "The prophecy describes the Alpha as possessing a lineage of ancient blood, marked by strength and resilience. It speaks of a leader who will emerge in a time of turmoil, uniting the scattered packs under a single banner of unity and strength."

My curiosity piqued. I leaned forward, eager for more details. "Is there more to it? What about the physical attributes?"

Aiden nodded, reaching for a weathered tome resting on a nearby shelf.

"This is the ancient text that speaks of the prophecy," he explained, his voice tinged with gravity. "Let me read you the passage."

Clearing his throat, Aiden began to recite the words with a solemn cadence, each syllable resonating with power and purpose.

"The chosen Alpha shall bear the mark of the moon upon his brow, a symbol of his divine lineage. His eyes shall burn with the fire of determination, his strength unmatched by mortal man. He shall be a beacon of hope in the darkness, a leader destined to guide his kin to greatness."

As the last echoes of his voice faded into the stillness of the room, I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine. The description painted a vivid image of Aiden, his noble bearing and unwavering resolve embodying the essence of the prophecy. Not to mention the uncanny crescent moon birthmark above his eyebrow.

"Aiden," I whispered, my voice trembling with awe, "this is... incredible."

He nodded, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of pride and humility. "I suppose. I still don't know if I fully believe it or not."

I reached up to caress his cheek, his eyes sparkled with a warmth that melted my heart, drawing me closer to him.

"You're not just a great leader, Aiden," I whispered, my breath catching in my throat. "You're also an incredibly caring and compassionate man. That's what makes you truly fit to be king."

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Unable to resist the magnetic pull between us any longer, I leaned in, my lips brushing against his with a hunger born of longing.

Aiden responded eagerly, his arms encircling me, pulling me close as our kiss deepened, igniting a fire that burned with an intensity all its own. Our bodies pressed together, every touch sending shivers of pleasure coursing through me, awakening a primal need that begged to be sated.

Lost in the heat of the moment, our hands roamed freely, tracing the contours of each other's bodies with a reverence that bordered on worship. Each caress, each whispered word, fueled the flames of passion that raged between us, binding us together in a primal dance of desire.

But as the intensity of our connection enveloped me, a nagging thought tugged at the edge of my mind. Was I truly worthy of this? Could I ever be enough to stand beside him as his Luna, to be the strength and support he needed? What if my own fears and insecurities overshadowed my ability to lead, to be the mate he deserved? The questions swirled in my thoughts, even as the warmth of his embrace offered a fleeting comfort, leaving me to grapple with my doubts in the quiet corners of my heart.