Episode 2

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.

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