Chapter 1

The midnight orchid bloomed only under a waning moon, a fact Ioannis Holland had learned from her grandmother before she passed.

Ioannis knelt beside the rare flower, its obsidian petals unfurling in the silver moonlight that filtered through the forest canopy. The Moon's Shadow Pack territory was especially beautiful at this hour, when most were asleep and she could sketch in peace. Her silver-blonde hair fell forward as she bent to capture the orchid's subtle oxblood undertones in her drawing.

A twig snapped behind her.

"You're up late," came Violeta Carberry's smooth voice. The girl emerged from between two ancient oaks, her chestnut hair gleaming even in the dim light.

Ioannis tensed, closing her sketchbook with deliberate calm. "As are you."

"Couldn't sleep," Violeta offered with a practised smile that didn't quite reach her hazel eyes. "The full moon approaches. We all feel it."

"Some more than others," Ioannis replied, standing to her full height. As the Alpha's daughter, she'd learned to never show weakness, especially not to Violeta, whose ambitions were as transparent as glass to those who knew how to look.

"I heard your brother returns tomorrow," Violeta said, circling closer to examine the midnight orchid. "Federico's been away with the Storm Striders Pack for quite some time."

Ioannis watched Violeta's fingers hover near the precious flower. "My brother goes where duty calls him. The alliance with Nickolas Harvey's pack is important."

"Of course," Violeta nodded, withdrawing her hand. "Alliances are everything. Speaking of which, I saw the twins from Eternal Eclipse at Sacred Heart Academy yesterday. Shumona and Soraya Chase. They were discussing the upcoming Moon Dance."

Ioannis caught the subtle fishing for information. The upcoming ceremony would be her first as a recognised adult, and the Moonweaver's Comb—her mother's heirloom—would be hers to wear. It was also the first time Federico would participate as a potential Alpha Heir.

"The Moon Dance is still weeks away," Ioannis said carefully, gathering her art supplies. "But I'm sure it will be enlightening for everyone involved."

Violeta's smile tightened almost imperceptibly. "Indeed. Enlightening for those who understand what to look for."

The challenge in those words hung between them like morning mist. Ioannis lifted her chin, blue eyes meeting hazel in silent acknowledgment of the game they both played.

"Good night, Violeta," she said finally, turning toward the path that would lead her home. "Pleasant dreams."

As she walked away, Ioannis felt Violeta's gaze boring into her back. The coming weeks would test her in ways she couldn't yet imagine, but with Federico's return, perhaps she would finally learn what it truly meant t be the daughter of an Alpha. Their father had been increasingly secretive lately, closing himself away in his study with ancient texts spread across his desk. Something was brewing beyond the usual politics of the packs.

Ioannis quickened her pace through the forest, her sketchbook clutched tightly to her chest. The midnight orchid's image burned in her mind, rare, beautiful, yet resilient in the shadows. Much like she hoped to be.

When she reached the main house, a light still glowed from her father's study window. Unusual at this hour. Ioannis hesitated, then climbed the weathered stone steps to the front door.

"You should be asleep," came her father's deep voice as she passed his open door.

Ioannis paused. "I was sketching the midnight orchids. They're in full bloom tonight."

Alpha Holland looked up from an ancient leather-bound book, his silver-streaked hair catching the lamplight. "Your grandmother would be pleased. She always said you inherited her eye for beauty." He gestured for her to enter. "Since you're awake, come see something."

Curious, Ioannis approached his desk. Maps and genealogy charts were spread across the polished surface, some corners weighted down with moon stones and wolf tooth pendants.

"Federico returns tomorrow," her father said, tracing a line across one of the territories. "And with him, Nickolas Harvey."

Ioannis felt her pulse quicken. "The Storm Striders' heir is coming here? Why?"

"The balance is shifting between the packs. The Blue Moon's Alpha is ailing, and the Forest Mountain Pack has been testing boundaries." Her father's blue eyes, so like her own, met hers directly. "Your Coming of Age ceremony isn't just about you anymore, Ioannis. It's become political."

She swallowed hard, understanding dawning. "You want to strengthen our alliance with the Storm Striders."

"Smart girl." He nodded approvingly. "Nickolas Harvey is unmarked, as are you. The timing is... fortuitous."

The implication hung in the air between them. Ioannis felt her chest tighten. "Father, I..."

"Nothing is decided," he said quickly, his expression softening. "But options must be considered. The Moonweaver's Comb will be yours at the ceremony, and with it comes responsibility."

Ioannis nodded stiffly, her mind racing to Violeta's words in the forest. Suddenly, the other girl's interest made perfect sense. If Violeta had somehow learned of this potential alliance...

"Does Federico know?" she asked.

"He's helping arrange it. Your brother understands what's at stake." Her father closed the book before him. "Get some rest, Ioannis. The coming weeks will require all your strength."

As she climbed the stairs to her room, Ioannis thought of the Storm Striders' Alpha heir, who made her nervous; she always found Nickolas handsome, and she also knew her duty to the pack to help keep it safe. But a political mating made her head hang low at the thought that she hoped that she would meet her fated mate rather than it coming down to this.

Sleep eluded Ioannis that night. She lay awake, watching moonlight paint silver patterns across her ceiling, thoughts churning like storm clouds. Nickolas Harvey. She'd seen him only twice before, once at the inter-pack council meeting three years ago, and again at last year's Moon Dance, though they hadn't spoken. He'd stood tall among the Storm Striders, his dark hair and piercing eyes commanding attention without effort.