HALFBLOOD LUNA

LYRA'S POV

The hallway buzzed with noise, laughter, heels tapping, lockers slamming, voices raised in gossip and whispers. All of it swirled around me like a storm. I am used to being overlooked. The students treat me as though i didn't belong because I am an omega. Even the alpha of the pack just keeps me here because of my mom. My mother was a really strong warrior who gave her life to defend the pack when there was a rogue attack or so I heard. I continued walking until I heard some people cursing me.

"A lowly servant." Some of them said to my hearing.

As an omega in the Crescent Fang Academy, i had learned how to take up as little space as possible. My shoulders were hunched, my steps light, my eyes down and my mouth muted. I hid my scent with crushed mint and rose thistle, the herbs my grandfather brewed for me every morning.

The other wolves hated my scent anyway so hiding my scent was like the best thing I could do for them. They hated a lot of things about me.

I kept my head low as I slipped past the lockers, my arms wrapped tightly around my worn textbooks. My hoodie were sizes too big, my shoes scuffed and my hair, always tied in a messy bun. Omegas were preys and also easy targets to the strong. And I had spent eighteen years learning how to become invisible.

And the worst part was that I haven't even shifted. Not even once. Eighteen years old, and not even a flicker of transformation.

"Freak," they called me. "Dead wolf walking." "Pity pup."

I clutched my books tighter against my chest, trying to block their voices out of my ears and also trying to make it to my locker fast but before i did, someone was already waiting for me

Vanessa Calista

She's the Beta's daughter. Alpha's favorite. Head of the cheerleaders circle and self-declared Queen of Crescent Fang. The air seemed to shift around her like she was royalty but to me, she......ughhhhh, she smelled like too much perfume and cruelty.

"Hey, Lyra!"

Vanessa's voice rang sharp and high-pitched like a cracked bell and I froze on my tracks.

"Lost your collar again?" Her voice sounded like torture itself. Two girls snickered behind her. Tanya and Ria. Those were her minions who treats her ego, feeding it so well.

I didn't respond, I didn't even look at them. I just passed the girls without a word and turned the corner.

"Better run before she infects someone." Someone said, their voice dripping with malice and disgust.

"She still hasn't shifted," Tanya whispered loudly enough for me to hear. "It's embarrassing. What's the point of keeping someone like her in the pack?"

"She only gets to stay because of her dead mother's name," Tanya added.

Vanessa chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Barely. If I had my way, she'd be scrubbing rogue dens, not attending a mating ceremony."

"That's so right." Tanya said as they walked away.

My heart thudded louder than the hallway noise. This is the night i have been waiting for. I was going to find my mate. The thought occupied my head as I smiled a little.

I reached my locker and forced my trembling hands to turn the lock. I opened it and found a neatly folded envelope tucked inside my worn textbooks. It was clean and sleek and there was a familiar handwriting in thick black ink.

My breath hitched in my throat

My fingers reached for the it and brushed the bottom of the note. My heart skipped as i opened it.

📝Meet me tonight behind the garden. After curfew. I miss you.

- C

XOXO 📝

Caleb Draven

The future Alpha. The boy who promised me a future if the Moon Goddess paired us together.

Caleb had been my secret, my warmth in the freezing dark of my life. Our meetings were always hidden. Whispers behind classrooms. Late-night walks in the woods. Kisses stolen between training.

He once told me, "If we're fated, Lyra... I'll make you my Luna. No matter what."

A soft smile cracked my lips. For a moment, the hallway, the gossips, the whispers, they all faded. It didn't matter that I was the granddaughter of a broken elder, or that I still wore my dead mother's pendant like a prayer. When Caleb held me, the world stopped spinning.

I tucked the note into my pocket.

Tonight was the full moon. My eighteenth birthday. The night of the Fated Mating Ceremony.

The night when fated mates would be revealed. When bonds would form, and destinies would begin.

The night i had prayed for since I was fifteen.

And if the Moon Goddess had any mercy left in her... Caleb would be mine.

The bell rang, jarring me from my thoughts.

I slammed my locker shut and turned to the direction of my class and entered. Vanessa and her minions were already in class trying to flirt with Caleb who was sitting at the back. As i walked in, they both exchanged glances and he winked at me causing my cheeks to go red at that Instant as I found my way to my seat.

I sat through my last class in silence and also kept stealing glances at Caleb who was focusing on the teacher. I then stared at the snowy peaks beyond the Academy's barrier walls. My l fingers toying with the pendant around my neck, a smooth bloodstone crystal set in silver.

The only thing my mother had left behind.

My grandfather claimed it was blessed. "It'll protect you when your wolf is ready," he always said. "Or when something tries to kill you."

Sometimes, I wasn't sure which would come first.

I haven't shifted. Hadn't heard my wolf's voice. Sometimes, I even wondered if I had one.

Most omegas didn't shift until late, if ever. They were considered weak. Servants, breeders, background wolves. They weren't useful at all.

I hated that word.

Omega.

I didn't want to be an Alpha, but I didn't want to be nothing, either.

"Miss Grey?" The teacher called out to me.

"Yes madam Raveena." I quickly answered. This was the first time the teacher called me in class.

"Your mind isn't here. What is solitude in the pack?" Madam Raveena asked.

"What? I... I." I stammered, I wasn't actually listening to her teachings.

"You heard my question. I won't say it twice." Madam Raveena said, eyeing me up to down.

My eyes darted around as if the answer was written everywhere. I was so embarrassed, I couldn't even look at Caleb. "I... I don't know." I muttered, staring down at my desk.

"Anyone wants to answer the question." Madam Raveena asked, looking around for any raised hands.

Vanessa raised up her hands and Caleb looked at her. I glanced back at her too.

"Yes Vanessa." Madam Raveena said.

Vanessa smirked and stood up. " Solitude in the pack refers to a state where a pack member is isolated or alone, physically, emotionally, or socially despite being part of a community that is meant to be close-knit and united."

"Thank you Vanessa." Madam Raveena said and also told me to sit down.

I sat down, feeling so humiliated and almost immediately, a paper flew in my direction. I looked around and opened it.

📝Get out of here you dummy 📝

I sighed, burying my face in my palms, tears stung my eyes.

Few minutes later, the final bell rang and the school exploded with excitement.

I stood and was about to walk out of the class when Vanessa came and pushed me out of the way. I fell on my butt and yelped in pain. Vanessa chuckled and walked out.

I managed to stand up and walked to the door. Outside, I found girls running down the halls with curling combs and makeup bags. Boys comparing colognes and suits. Everyone wanted to look perfect. Tonight was the night they'd find their mate.

The ballroom was already being decorated. Silver lanterns lined the ceiling like miniature moons. Twinkling fairy lights and roses wrapped around the pillars. Lanterns glowing, silk threads of gold dancing in the air. Crystals pulsed with energy, set at each corner of the hall to guide fate's magic.

I stood still in the middle of it all, watching the shimmer of hope and desperation in every detail.

Then I slipped out, going home.

I walked through the trees, past the training field, past the rusting garden gate where Caleb had first kissed me. I stopped and stared at the garden for a while before I headed back home.

My grandfather's cabin sat at the edge of the woods, small and creaking, far from the heart of the pack. Smoke rose from the chimney. The scent of pine and brewed roots lingered in the air.

Inside, my grandfather sat by the fire, a glass of beetroot wine in hand. His eyes were heavy with thoughts and years.

"You're late," he muttered.

"I stayed after to clean," I lied.

He didn't say anything or argue, he just nodded and continued drinking his wine.

I entered the house and went up to my room which was tiny, neatly arranged, filled with dried flowers, old books, and a cracked mirror nailed to the wall.

I stood before the mirror and unwrapped the old box which i brought from beneath my bed. Inside was her mother's dress. A cream-colored linen, simple but soft, stitched with a love that never died.

I slid it on carefully. It clung to my waist and fluttered just above my knees.

I stood staring at my reflection. The girl in the mirror didn't look like someone that was going to become a Luna someday.

Didn't look like power.

Didn't look like someone the Moon Goddess would bless with powers.

But I would try.

I reached for my pendant, clutching it to my chest.

"Please... if you can hear me... just let him be mine." I prayed, pleading with the moon goddess as if she could hear my prayers.

Inside my wolf stirred faintly. I could feel it but it stopped seconds later.

I put on some makeup and let my hair down. I looked in the mirror and smiled, holding the pendant as it glowed softly. I bid my grandfather father goodbye and set off for the party.

I finally got to the party and pushed the door open, looking around. My mouth opened in awe of the hall but I closed it as I saw some students staring at me. They seemed to be enchanted by how pretty I looked but immediately came back to their senses as Vanessa walked through the crowd.

"Hey Lyra," she called out to me while walking towards me.

I didn't say anything. I just tilted my head in confusion.

"Look Lyra, I know I have been a really bad person to you and I am really sorry about that," Vanessa said. Gasps filled the hall as everyone focused on us.

"You are sorry? Why would you.......I....I don't know what to say, Vanessa," I stuttered, still confused.

"Yes, I am really sorry. It's okay for you to be confused," Vanessa said as she walked slowly to me and placed her hands on my shoulder.

"O...kay," I said.

"Oh come on, birthday girl," Vanessa said, smiling.

My eyes widened. I hadn't told anyone that today was my eighteenth birthday. "How... How did you know about that?" I said.

"I decided to be a good friend and dig in on you. Not to be rude or anything. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and a good luck in finding your mate today," Vanessa said and hugged me.

I stood there frozen. The almighty Vanessa Thorne just hugged me.

"Come on, hug me back," Vanessa pouted, still hugging me.

I came back to my senses and slowly raised my hands, hugging her back.

Vanessa made a disgusted face but immediately replaced it with a smile as she moved away from me. "I prepared a surprise for you Lyra and I hope you will like it." She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "Follow me."

I didn't notice it. I smiled and followed her. We walked till we reached a door.

"Your surprise is inside, like I said I hope you like it." Vanessa smirked and pushed the door open. It was dark and a foul smell hit the air as we entered.

"What's that smell?" I said, covering my nose. "Vanessa? Vanessa?? Where are you?" I called out but there was no answer.

Suddenly the light came on and I saw lots of students. Some were smiling at me while some gave me dirty looks. But almost immediately, Vanessa pushed me forward.

"You little omega, you think I will just...be your friend from nowhere? You really had lots of expectations from me. Well, as I said, I hope you will love what is gonna happen," she said menacingly as she signalled two boys.

The boys dragged a rope and immediately a pool of pig's blood fell on me, staining my dress and drenching me completely.

"Ohhhhh!!" They laughed at me, pointing their fingers. Vanessa joined in too.

I was a fool to listen to this cruel witch.