The Moon's curse

I can’t bear it anymore.

Every mating season, the heat returns—painful, suffocating, unbearable. Each year, I drag myself to the Mating Ceremony, hoping—just hoping—that the Moon Goddess has finally revealed my fated mate. And every time, I leave disappointed. Broken.

But not this time.

I’m done getting my hopes up. I won’t go.

I woke up drenched in sweat, my clothes and sheets soaked through. My body burned from the inside out, sweat dripping from my brow like a fever with no cure.

“Moon Goddess,” I whispered, the plea falling flat in the silence, “why do you torment me like this every single year?”

The bathroom was my only refuge. I stumbled in and filled the tub with ice-cold water, throwing myself in without hesitation. The shock numbed the pain for a moment, but it was fleeting. Nothing could compare to the way the heat devours me beneath moonlight.

What’s worse?

I go into heat even though I’ve never felt the companionship of a wolf.

I’m wolfless. A werewolf without her wolf. A curse in a pack that already wants nothing to do with me.

They’ve never accepted me.

I’ve always felt disconnected—like a stranger among my own kind. All I know is that the Alpha and Luna found me near the river years ago and took me in. That’s where my memories begin.

But before that... there are flashes. Fire. Screams. Someone pushing me into a well. And then darkness.

How I got out… how I made it to the river where the Alpha and Luna of Moonrose Pack were passing... it's still a mystery.

A sudden knock on the door startled me. No one ever visits me—not unless it’s trouble.

I quickly wrapped myself in a robe and opened the door to find two messengers from the Alpha.

“Gentlemen,” I said, scanning their faces, searching for any signs of trouble. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

Despite myself, I could always sense people’s emotions. It was a strange gift. They were calm—relieved, even. That settled my nerves.

“Good day,” one of them said. “The Alpha has ordered all unmated maidens to be at the mating grounds by sundown.”

I frowned. “That’s odd. I thought attendance was voluntary for the unmated.”

The other messenger shrugged. “These aren’t his orders. They come from the Lycan King himself. It’s rumored he’ll be attending this year. He’s searching for his mate.”

I blinked, then laughed. Loudly. They exchanged confused glances.

“Sorry,” I said quickly, “thank you for the message. I’ll be there.”

I didn’t have a choice. Disobeying the Alpha—worse, the Lycan King—was asking for death.

Still, the idea made my chest tighten.

The Lycan King—ancient, powerful, feared. They say he’s been searching for his mate for over 500 years. A curse, some whisper. One woman once tried to force the bond with dark magic… but she didn’t survive his bite.

Tonight, I’d see him with my own eyes. Some say he’s devastatingly handsome, with a scar on his left cheek and a height that towers over even the strongest werewolves. A legend.

But none of that mattered now. I had to prepare.

I slipped back into the bath, forcing myself to calm down. If I was going to survive tonight, I needed control—especially over my scent. Last time I lost control, the unmated males nearly tore each other apart trying to claim me. That wasn’t happening again.

I pulled out a piece of cloth and began sketching a design for my gown. It was customary to wear something striking to the ceremony.

Then, suddenly, it hit me. A vision.

“You need to take revenge for us, baby,” a soft, pained voice whispered. “You’re strong, Selene. When you find out who you truly are, promise me you’ll make them pay.”

The scene blurred—wounded hands, fire. A child’s voice—my voice—pleading, “Mommy, please… I’m scared.”

“Listen to me, baby. You are strong and wise. You are the child of dragon and phoenix blood. When you embrace your power, nothing will stop you. No matter what happens, do not leave the well. Hush now. I love you.”

And then silence.

I snapped back to reality, gasping. My body was soaked again, this time with fear and sweat. The vision had triggered something. My scent was spiking, spinning out of control again.

The sun began to set. Stars pricked the darkening sky like cold jewels. The ceremony would be held at the old temple grounds, far from where I lived. I’d isolated myself for years, fearing moments like this—when my heat surged uncontrollably and chaos followed.

I still didn’t understand.

Why was I going into heat without a mate?

Why did I, a wolfless werewolf, experience this at all?

Some say a female only goes into heat when her mate is nearby—as if nature is calling him to her. If that were true…

I stepped out of my shabby home and headed toward the temple. I passed a few werewolves, none of them friendly.

“Look at her,” one girl sneered. “Still unmated and stinking up the path.”

“Do you think she’ll find a mate this year?” another mocked.

“She better not. She’s nothing—wolfless and powerless. She’s below an omega.”

I ignored them, even when a sharp-tongued girl with glossy black hair chimed in.

“Oh Selene, we were just talking about how your very presence is bad luck. Do you really think you belong at the same ceremony as our Lycan King? Why did you even crawl out of your rabbit hole?”

Her perfume was thick, expensive, meant to attract attention.

Let her have him. I wasn’t there to catch a king. I just wanted answers… and relief.

Then it happened.

The moon rose—glorious, glowing—and my body responded.

I dropped to a crouch, grabbing my hair as the wave of heat struck harder than ever before. I couldn’t breathe. I was glowing. A soft light pulsed from beneath my skin, and a crescent moon carved itself into my arm.

“Selene!” someone shouted, “Cover your scent, for goddess’ sake! Trying to seduce everyone here?”

Another scoffed, “You unmated freak. Who do you think you are?”

And then… the clouds covered the moon. The pain faded. The glow disappeared. Silence returned.

I stood there trembling.

What… is happening to me?