Brooke's entire body ached as if a wave had slammed her against a coral reef. She'd awoken drenched in sweat with her hair a tangled mess. After spending the better part of the morning dragging a brush through the knots and cursing the sun for nearly blinding her each time it peeked through the curtains, to say she felt like a polar bear had chewed her up and spat her out would be the understatement of the year.

Things only got worse once she left her house.

Mr. Evergreen sauntered into the waiting area outside the Lunas' Quarters with his head held high and his teeth bared in a sharp smile. Mr. Stillwater arrived soon after him, and though he lacked the other Alpha's effortless confidence, it was clear he'd slept far better than Brooke had.

Gwen, it seemed, had not. She collapsed into a chair with a massive sigh that earned a scowl from her father, massaging her temples with a grimace.

When Jasper finally arrived trailing behind his mother, the slouch in his shoulders told Brooke all she needed to know about how he was feeling. "Hope I'm not late," he said. "I've been feeling a little under the weather since last night."

"Not to worry," his father said, "you're right on time."

"Although it would have been better for you to arrive early considering how much we'll have to explain to the selkie." Mr. Evergreen leered down at Brooke with a simpering smile. "It's not as if her kind have cultivated a strong relationship with the Goddess like ours has."

Brooke's stomach churned as if she'd swallowed a rotten oyster. Everything about Mr. Evergreen from the overpowering rose-scented perfume clogging her nose to the sliminess of his voice made her want to throw up.

Jasper growled. "They may not have Lunas like we do, but that does not make their relationship with the Goddess any weaker."

"But it does mean I don't know nearly as much about your customs as I'd like." Brooke softened her voice to the same tone she'd use whenever a pup misbehaved, refusing to look away from Mr. Evergreen. "After all, I've always lived here, and most of the werewolves I've met have been guests."

She hated talking to people like that, but if there was one thing her mother had taught her about dealing with irritable guests, it was that getting upset would make things worse. Only by facing them with unflinching politeness could she drown their anger.

"I'd hardly expect you to be familiar with our sacred rituals," Mr. Evergreen said acidly, "although I do expect us not to waste too much time."

"Let's start with what a Luna is," Jasper's father cut in, silencing the other Alpha with a glare. "They are special wolves who forged a strong connection to the Goddess either through extensive training or by being chosen by Her directly."

"Aren't they sort of like doctors?" At least, the ones Brooke had met usually came with at least some medical supplies. She thankfully hadn't seen many of them actually use more than sunscreen and aloe vera.

"A lot of them pursue medical degrees since the mind and body are so closely linked," Jasper's father explained, "but they have two main roles within the pack. They're responsible for tending to everyone's emotional and spiritual well-being, and they commune with the Goddess."

"They'll be able to tell if She's made Jasper and I soulmates." So they could finally stop sneaking around every time they wanted to spend time with each other.

The alternative hurt too much to think about.

"That's exactly right." Jasper's father clasped his hands in front of him. "To prevent any outside interference, only the couple involved and one witness may enter the Lunas' Quarters. Since Jasper is an Alpha, it's up to him to decide who will serve as your witness."

Jasper straightened beside her, quietly observing the gathered wolves. Brooke silently prayed to the Goddess that he wouldn't choose Mr. Evergreen or his nasty Beta. This whole mess would be stressful enough without them glaring at her the entire time, not to mention their horrible perfume might make her sneeze right in the Luna's face.

"I cede my choice to Brooke."

She turned her head so quickly a fresh stab of pain erupted in her forehead. "But this is so important to your pack—"

"And you and your family." He reached to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his voice as soft as a newborn pup's fur. "After everything you've done for me, the least I can do is let you choose our witness."

Brooke gulped. This choice wasn't just about her or Jasper or even their relationship. Both Cedar Pack and Kudzu Pack would see this as an extremely important decision.

She wished she could ask for her mom or Marina, but Mr. Evergreen would have a fit if she chose a selkie. Jasper's father wasn't an option either since the other Alpha might feel slighted, and the last thing Jasper needed was for things to get any uglier between the two packs. There was only one person she could think of who'd be well-suited for the role.

"I choose Gwen as our witness."

"Me?" Gwen's eyes widened as she glanced between her and Jasper. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather have someone from your family with you?"

"You've been nothing but kind to Jasper and me, and whatever the Luna says will affect you just as much as us," Brooke explained. "I can't think of anyone else who deserves to come with us more than you."

Gwen bowed deeply. "Then I would be honored to be your witness. May the Goddess guide you to the happiness you deserve."

With that settled, the three of them entered the Lunas' Quarters. While each Luna had their own room in one of the towers dedicated to their werewolf guests, they also received access to a secluded structure far from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the resort. Shaped like a ring with an open-air courtyard in the middle, the Lunas' Quarters provided those with a special connection to the Goddess and their guests peace and privacy.

Once they reached the courtyard, an old woman with her silvery gray hair tied in a braid waved them over to cushion-covered chairs circling a table. "Pleasure to meet you all," she said. "My name is June Belrose of Willow Pack, and I'll be guiding you through the ritual we'll be using to check for a soulmate bond. Would you like some tea, dearies? I'd be glad to brew you a pot before we get started."

Brooke sank into the waiting cushions with a sigh. Not even their welcoming softness could ease her aching head or the constant churning in her stomach. "I'm pretty sure I'd puke." Her hand flew over her mouth. "Sorry! I'm sure your tea is lovely. I'm just—"

"No need to apologize for being nervous, sweetie." The Luna offered her a smile that warmed her stomach more than any tea ever could. "Neither the Goddess nor I will think less of you for it."

"No matter what happens today, I will always be grateful for all the time we've spent together." Jasper bridged the gap between him and Brooke, resting his hand on hers and sending warmth radiating through her skin. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Tears prickled in Brooke's eyes. This was it. This was the day she'd find out if she and Jasper would always be together or if he would leave her life like every other guest. Her eyes found Gwen's. "Thank you so much for everything you've done for us."

"I'm sorry I couldn't do more. Soulmates or not, you and Jasper have something special." Gwen sighed. "I wish my father and Waylon weren't making everything so difficult."

"Life is seldom as simple as we wish it to be," Ms. Belrose said. "It warms my heart to see the three of you getting along so beautifully. Much like stars, though we may be brilliant alone, we only shine our best when we are united."

That they were. Somehow, despite the tension between the packs and Brooke's duties at the resort, all the boundaries between them had melted away like glaciers that had drifted into tropical waters.

"Before we begin, you must agree to abide by the Goddess's sacred rules." Ms. Belrose clasped her hands around her moonstone pendant and pressed her lips into a firm line. "Do you, Jasper of Cedar Pack and Brooke of the Cowrie Cabana, swear to open your hearts to the Goddess?"

"I do," they said.

"And do you, Gwendolyn of Kudzu Pack, swear to serve as their witness and truthfully testify the results?"

"I do."

The Luna's expression brightened. "Then we may begin."

She dragged a bag from under the table and heaved it into her arms, spilling its contents across the worn wood. Leaves crunched beneath stones, seashells clattered against marbles, and scraps of fabric fluttered over flowers until nothing remained in the bag.

"What you see before you are objects I have gathered from the Cowrie Cabana and the surrounding area," the Luna explained. "Brooke and Jasper, you must each pick one of these with your eyes closed. Follow your heart and take whichever one feels right even if it isn't the first one you touch. No peeking!" She punctuated the last two words by jabbing her finger toward them.

Almost more torturous than the thought of not peeking during her own turn was watching Jasper take his. His hand roamed over the table, brushing against fallen leaves and bits of bark as his lips twisted into a scowl. Scraps of seaweed and a piece of coconut husk lingered between his fingers, only for him to set them aside.

Brooke fidgeted back and forth in her chair as the sun sent sweat running down her forehead. Or perhaps it was her nerves. How long would they sit here, waiting to see if the Goddess had chosen for them to share their future? What did all the different things they were choosing from mean? Would the Luna even tell them?

At last, Jasper plucked a flower from the table. Light brown rot darkened the edges, but there was no mistaking the delicate white petals curving away from a bright yellow center. This was the same kind of flower Jasper had tucked behind her ear before kissing her in the gardens.

"This one," Jasper said firmly as he cradled the blossom between his hands.

"Excellent. Go ahead and open your eyes." Ms. Belrose leaned toward him and examined the flower. "A white plumeria. Their fragrance is often used in perfumes, but they're also a symbol of love and new beginnings. It's easy to see why you might have been drawn to it."

Jasper stroked the petals with his fingers as a soft smile played on his lips. "They really are something special."

Brooke's heart quickened as his eyes found hers. She longed to press her lips against his, to relive the kiss they'd shared in their own secluded spot in the shade. Once the Luna told her she was Jasper's soulmate, that was the first thing she'd do.

"Alright, dearie, it's your turn," the Luna said. "Close your eyes and follow your heart."

Brooke obeyed. She leaned forward and reached out, resting her hand on stiff fabric. Warmth radiated through her fingertips as if they'd always been meant to be there.

"Are we allowed to tell her?" Gwen whispered.

"I think we might have to." Ms. Belrose's voice carried an undercurrent of barely suppressed laughter.

"Am I doing something wrong?" Brooke asked. She moved her hand along the fabric until warm skin brushed against hers.

"You're touching my leg." Jasper caressed the back of her hand. "I'm flattered, but I don't think this is what the Luna had in mind."

"Shoot, sorry!" Brooke eased away from what she now realized were Jasper's pants and searched until she found the table's hard wooden edge. Now she could begin her task properly.

Feathers tickled her fingers, and a shark tooth's rough ridges scraped against her skin. She plucked a satisfyingly smooth pebble and rolled it across the palm of her hand. The waves had sanded the sharpness from its surface, leaving only this perfect roundness behind. Or perhaps it wasn't a stone at all but a pearl pried from inside an oyster.

Whatever it was, it wasn't hers. Brooke dropped the sphere, leaving it to clatter against the table. The leaf still sticky with sap and the candy wrapper that crinkled in her grip didn't feel right either. Nothing did.

Not until she found the seashell.

The damp hardness pressed against her palm as if it had been made to fit the dip in the center. She ran her finger around the edges, tracing the ragged groove in the middle. This shell wasn't perfect. Like her, it held a hole waiting to be filled, yet the scent of saltwater clinging to its surface sent a surge of warmth through her chest despite its flaws. "Found it."

"Open your eyes and your hand," the Luna instructed.

Brooke obeyed, revealing a small white shell. Brown spots speckled its smooth back, with the other side parting to reveal an emptiness surrounded by tiny ridges.

"A cowrie shell." Brooke blinked back tears. Of all the shells, the fact this was the one she'd chosen told her beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Goddess had guided her hand.

"Are you alright?" Jasper asked softly. His forehead wrinkled with worry as he glanced from her to the shell and back again.

"I couldn't be better." Brooke wiped her eyes and smiled. "These were my grandma's favorite."

"It's common for people to choose objects that remind them of loved ones," Ms. Belrose explained. "It's a sign they're watching you alongside the Goddess."

Brooke glanced upward and held the cowrie close to her heart. The sun hid all the other stars from view, but that didn't stop her from feeling the warmth of her grandma's love from her head to her toes.

After removing the leftover objects from the table, Ms. Belrose turned her attention to their witness. "Gwendolyn, can you confirm both of them abided by my instructions?"

Gwen bowed her head. "Yes, Luna."

"Then we're ready to ask the Goddess if these two are soulmates." Ms. Belrose held out her hand. "Please give me the objects you've chosen."

Giving up the cowrie shell reawakened that horrible empty feeling in Brooke's chest. Judging from the way Jasper grimaced as he handed over the plumeria, this was just as difficult for him.

Ms. Belrose unfastened the moonstone hanging around her neck. Pale streaks swirled through the blackness like stardust. "I'm going to toss the objects you've chosen along with the moonstone that ties me to the Goddess. If all three things are touching each other once they land, Jasper and Brooke are soulmates."

"And if they don't, he'll have to marry Gwen." Brooke's throat tightened against the words as if she'd swallowed the Luna's moonstone. She'd known this from the beginning, yet saying it out loud made this all as real as the shell she'd held in her hand.

"If that is what Jasper chooses to do," Ms. Belrose said.

Of course he would. He had to. No matter what they felt for each other, he had to put his pack first.

Ms. Belrose clasped the cowrie, the plumeria, and the moonstone between her hands. "Goddess, reveal the truth of their hearts. Are they destined to be together, or do their souls remain apart?"

Brooke held her breath as the Luna tossed the objects. No matter what happened, she promised herself she wouldn't cry.

The moonstone landed first, hitting the table with a firm thunk. Next came the cowrie, clattering against the worn wood before stopping beside the rock.

Wind caught the plumeria, carrying the fragile blossom as its petals spun in the breeze. At last, the flight became a fall as the flower drifted down. The stem came to rest with its tip touching the cowrie as if the flower had bloomed from the emptiness inside. 

Not a single petal touched the moonstone.

"I'm sorry," the Luna said. "You are not soulmates."