As twilight descended, the pack gathered beneath the sprawling branches of the Eldertree, their ancestral gathering spot, illuminated by the silvery light of the Wolf Moon. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, of playful banter, and of warmth as families embraced. Kaelan stood at the forefront, his heart racing with the intoxicating blend of anticipation and anxiety.
The eldest of the pack, Luna, an ancient seer with hair as white as snow, stepped forward. "Tonight, the magic flows strong. Those who are destined to find their mates will feel the call of their hearts. Let the ceremony commence!"
With that, the pack began to howl, a deep, rich sound that reverberated through the woods, joining together as one. Kaelan closed his eyes, listening to the symphony of voices and feeling the power of his pack. But within it all, he still felt a void.
Suddenly, a bright flash illuminated the clearing, and Kaelan's heart skipped a beat. He turned sharply towards the source of the light and locked eyes with a figure stepping through the treeline—an ethereal woman with hair like the midnight sky, cascading down her back, and eyes that sparkled like the stars. The world around him faded, and all he could focus on was her.
"Who is she?" he whispered, barely able to comprehend the sight before him.
"It can't be..." Darius murmured, awestruck.
The woman approached, and as she drew near, Kaelan felt an overwhelming connection, an electric pulse surging between them. The air thickened with magic, and instinctively, he felt himself drawn to her. She was his mate.