Chapter 3 THE SHIFTING FESTIVAL

The moon shone brightly in the sky, accompanied by the distant echoes of wolves howling in the background. Wolves roamed around, playfully shifting and rolling amidst the grass. It was the annual festival of shifting, a time when older wolves who hadn't shifted yet finally got the chance to do so. Those who had been mocked by their peers for their inability to shift were now relieved to shift under the first blood moon.

Amidst the lively crowd, three teenagers animatedly argued, each claiming their wolf would be more beautiful than the others. The Lunar Crest wolf pack was crowded, with its members and some members of neighboring packs eagerly participating. The festival wasn't as grand as the upcoming Mating Season, but the excitement was palpable.

Men sat around a big table, mixing drinks and laughing boisterously; their merriment even caused a nearby pup to flinch and bawl.

The mating season festival was set to happen on the blood moon. Every wolf girl in the pack was discussing the upcoming "D-day," except those who had already found their mates. Luna's father, a member of the pack, had talked to her about the day, even though she was already familiar with the festivities. She had witnessed young wolves shift for the first time before, and now a new alpha would be crowned on that day, tasked with finding their mate before the event.

Luna stood near the window, tightly clutching the necklace she had received as a present. It was a cherished keepsake that she never took off. Knowing her father would be looking for her after her decision to skip the festival, she hesitated to join the crowd.

As a hybrid-a forbidden child with the ability to shift and yet choosing not to-Luna worried about revealing her true form to the pack members. She raised her hand and touched the window, finding solace in the comforting wind.

"Luna?"

Startled, she turned to see her father leaning against the door frame with his favorite long jacket on and his hand folded on his chest. Shirtless and with chest hair poking out, he had been watching her attentively, like a hawk eyeing its prey. She frowned, briefly avoiding his gaze.

"How long have you been standing there?" She questioned, her annoyance evident.

"Only a few minutes ago," He replied, raising his brows.

"You were stalking me." She demanded, feeling defensive.

"No," Her Dad said, quickly raising his hand in defense. "I was just checking up on you. I couldn't find you at the festival, and I figured you'd be in your room. You're not even dressed up yet."

"Dressed up for what? A shifting festival when I can't even shift."

Luna observed her father trying to put on a strong face. She knew he understood her inability to shift, and she couldn't comprehend why he wanted her to expose herself to potential humiliation. The pack members knew nothing about her inability to shift since she stayed mostly indoors and only ventured out at night.

"I never asked you to shift, and if you don't want to attend the festival..."

"I want to stay in my room," She chirped in, determined to avoid the event.

Bartram's jaw tightened. "I still liked it better when he was here."

Her eyes locked on his. "When was who here?"

"Assy," He stated. "He was a good friend who made you smile more often, even though he was an imaginary friend."

Sadness enveloped Luna as she remembered Assy, her only friend during her lonely times. She used to check the wall clock, eagerly anticipating his arrival. But those days were gone, and the sadness dissipated as quickly as it emerged.

"I never had an imaginary friend. Assy was real, and he was the only one who cared for me after Mom. You were only devoted to Lunar Crest and serving the alpha like a great Beta."

"Luna!"

"Father!" She retorted. "Assy is going to come back."

Her Dad pretended to understand. "He will never come back. It's been years, Luna. He never existed; you only imagined him because you were lonely."

"I was lonely, I admit, but Assy taught me how to manage it. I can be alone and still have a great friend."

"A friend that only comes at night? I could only hear your giggling; I thought you

"Father, don't start," She interrupted, not wanting to delve into that topic.

Bartram took a deep breath. "Fine, I won't say anything, but you have to come downstairs with me. You might be lucky to find your mate before the blood moon."

"I don't feel like going to the festival."

"You have to, Luna. You won't find your mate in your room. I'll pick a dress for you; you don't have to shift since everyone thinks you can."

"I'll only go to the festival if you promise to let me go to the lake and stay for a little bit."

Bartram thought for a moment before nodding. "Sure, the lake might brighten your mood, just like always."

Luna rolled her eyes before turning back to the window. "You can go now; I'll pick the dress myself."

As she waited for the doorknob to turn, she realized her father was still watching her. His hands were tucked to his sides, and his expression suggested he had something important to say or lecture her about. Luna's look conveyed her unspoken question: "What?"

"You can't be alone forever; you can't keep shutting people out of your life. You need friends."

Before her father could continue, Luna placed her hand on her ears and began chanting loudly.

"Yada, Yada, Yada, blah, blah, blah."

Bartram smiled, understanding her message through her sign language. Though Luna had asked him not to choose a dress for her, he insisted. As she chanted, he walked over to her wardrobe and picked out a silver gown.

"This would complement your moonlit silver eyes perfectly. It's night, and you'll look like a goddess."

"Stop trying to sugarcoat it, Father," She hushed. "Wearing that long dress looks boring. I'm going to the lake, remember?"

Bartram smiled. "No dress, no lake."

"You can't be serious," Luna grumbled.

"I may have a smile on my face, but I'm not joking," He stated.

"You're unbelievable!" Luna snapped as she walked over to him and snatched the dress, then snapped her fingers.

The dress appeared on her body, and Bartram grinned with delight. The dress suited her so perfectly; she looked like a moon goddess that had just stepped out of the lunar realm.

"Are you done staring? Can we go now?" She inquired, trying to act impatient.

"Not yet. Your birthmark is showing," He said, pointing at her forehead.

Luna raised her hand to touch her forehead and hurried to the mirror. The glowing symbol of a half-moon and another unidentifiable mark appeared. She grabbed a brush and tried to hide it, but her father took it from her and styled her hair to perfectly conceal the mark.

"We might have to curl your hair to hide the mark better."

"That's not what I wanted to hear. Why can't I just walk freely without hiding everything about me? Can't I be normal for once?" Luna asked, her frustration mounting.

Bartram smiled at her reflection. "Now this looks better. Let's head downstairs and to the festival. Do not disappear on me."

"I won't," Luna replied.

"Good." He rubbed her hair. "You can go to the lake after staying within the pack for at least an hour."

"An hour? That's too much! Why would I waste so much time in the pack?"

"You've always wanted to fit in, haven't you? If you want them to regard you as one of the pack members, you have to act like them."

"I don't love red meat, and I don't like body rubs."

"You have to act like you love it to avoid suspicion. You can be friends with other beta's daughters, the gammas, or even the alpha's."

"I will try, Father, but I am scared of being discovered."