As the horse carriage pulled away, Serena’s gaze remained fixed on Alpha Evan, her eyes following him until he disappeared from sight. Once he was out of view, she let out an excited screech, tapping my shoulder in giddy excitement, her cheeks flushed a deep red. I couldn’t help but smile at her. It may seem crazy to be so head over heels for an Alpha, but if this kind of craziness could make her happy, then I’d be right here, supporting her all the way.

“Did you see how striking our Alpha looked?! Dorothy, he is so damn handsome!” She gushed, her voice filled with admiration.

“Yeah, I saw him. No wonder you’re crushing so hard,” I teased. “But, come to think of it…”

Serena’s eyes widened with curiosity. “What?”

“Well, out of all the people in the town square, what are the odds you’d see the Alpha? Honestly, I think it’s the Moon Goddess giving you a sign that you and Alpha Evan are really meant to be,” I said, playfully fueling her daydreams.

Just as I expected, Serena let out another excited scream, clearly thrilled by the idea.

By the time we returned to the mansion, it was already evening. Serena helped me carry all the things she had bought for me to my room, and afterward, I resumed my duties as a maid. After dinner, I finished up my last tasks for the day and decided to take a nice, long bath. I changed into my pajamas, ready to settle in for an early night when I heard a soft knock on my door. I opened it to find Serena standing there, a cheeky grin on her face.

“Dorothy, I can’t sleep. Will you stay with me in my room tonight? Let's have a little chat and some snacks on the balcony,” She said, her eyes twinkling.

Despite feeling tired, I didn’t hesitate to agree. Serena had that kind of charm. When we got to her room, I immediately noticed the snack table she had set up for us. It was filled with all my favorite treats—strawberries, pretzels, candies, chocolates, a small vanilla cake, and a bottle of fresh milk. She’d done this a few times before, and I knew exactly what she wanted to talk about—the Alpha.

As we both sat down on the balcony, I gazed up at the dark, starry night, feeling the cool breeze brush against my skin. There was something so peaceful about being out here, with the quiet of the evening and the soft hum of the night. It only took a few moments before Serena started talking about Alpha Evan again, reliving the moment we saw him earlier at the town square. Her cheeks were still flushed, a telltale sign of just how deeply she admired him. I listened quietly, nibbling on the snacks she had prepared, letting her words fill the air.

Serena had been only fifteen when she first laid eyes on Alpha Evan, during his official Alpha ceremony. Even then, she had fallen for him instantly. I thought her crush would fade over time, but as the years passed, her admiration only deepened. Despite her parents’ insistence that she should wait for her destined mate, Serena’s feelings for Alpha Evan never wavered. It became a secret she shared only with me, a bond that had brought us closer together over the years.

“Do you think there’s a chance Alpha Evan could ever like me?” She asked, her eyes sparkling with hope.

I smiled and nodded. “Of course he would, Serena. Who wouldn’t fall for you?” Then, with a teasing tone, I added, “But I’m curious—what would you do if you were mated to someone else in our pack? You know, someone high-ranking but not Alpha Evan?”

Her expression faltered for a moment as she considered the question. “I think… I’d reject the wolf. With my family’s influence, I’d do everything in my power to make sure I was mated with Alpha Evan,” She said, her voice soft but firm.

Her answer caught me off guard, the seriousness in her tone heavy in the air. But then, as if sensing the weight of her words, she laughed lightly. “I’m kidding! I wouldn’t really do that. Let’s not even think about it!”

I laughed along with her. “Yeah, let’s not.”

She then turned to me with a curious glint in her eyes. "I have a question for you too... What would you do if you were the one mated to Alpha Evan?"

I blinked, caught off guard. “I mean, it’s incredibly rare for an Omega to be mated to an Alpha, right?”

“It is,” she agreed, “but there’s still a chance. So, what would you do?”

Her question made me pause. I thought about it for a moment before answering, “If that ever happened, I’d reject Alpha Evan and ask him to choose you instead. Out of everyone, you’re the one who deserves to be the next Luna of this pack.”

It was true. Serena had always dreamed of being the Luna, and honestly, she was the perfect fit. With her grace, her upbringing, and her family’s high status, no one could be more deserving of the role.

Her eyes lit up with surprise. “Really? You’d do that for me?”

I nodded, then looked away, suddenly recalling the words I had said. I know it was just a hypothetical conversation. The chances of an Omega like me being mated to the Alpha were slim to none. But still, her question lingered in my mind, more unsettling than I expected.

If it ever did happen, if I were mated to Alpha Evan, would I really be willing to give him up for Serena?

Days passed quickly, and the long-anticipated day of the yearly mating ball had finally arrived. Serena's parents spared no expense, hiring the best makeup artists in town to prepare both Serena and me for the evening. We were in her room now, getting ready, and, as usual, Serena hadn't stopped talking about Alpha Evan. I didn't mind, though—I was used to it by now.

To be fair, I couldn’t blame her for being so captivated by him. After all, she wasn't the only one. Ever since Alpha Evan was appointed as our pack’s leader, countless she-wolves had been infatuated with him, fantasizing about the possibility of being his mate. Serena was no exception. Well, at only twenty-seven, Alpha Evan had not only stabilized the pack but helped it flourish. Amber Stone Pack was more vibrant than ever under his leadership.

Alpha Evan wasn't just intelligent—his strategic mind and commanding presence made him a highly effective leader. And of course, his good looks didn’t go unnoticed. With dark hair, a sharp nose, and a well-built physique, he looked every bit the prince that any woman would dream of. Despite his reputation for being possessive and dominant at times, many she-wolves were still drawn to him, perhaps even more because of it.

After three hours of preparation, our makeup and hair were finally done. I was already dressed in my gown while Serena was still in her walk-in closet, finishing up. Gazing at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help but smile. Staring back at me was a young woman exuding elegance, confidence and beauty. For once, I didn’t see a maid or an Omega. Tonight, I looked and felt like a princess. This moment, this feeling—it was a dream come true.

Moments later, Serena emerged from her closet, and she looked absolutely ethereal. Her long, dark hair was elegantly swept up, and her fiery makeup accentuated her striking features. Her gown—a bold, vibrant red—was stunning. The off-the-shoulder neckline framed her collarbone and shoulders, while the fitted design hugged her slim waist perfectly. She looked flawless, and even I couldn't help but admire her.

“Serena… you look like a goddess,” I said, my eyes wide with admiration.

She smiled warmly. “Thanks, Dorothy. Well, I have a feeling we’ll both turn some heads tonight,” She added with a wink, making me giggle. Still, I couldn’t shake the nerves building inside me.

“I’m kind of nervous, though. This gown doesn’t change the fact that I’m still a maid and an Omega. What if my mate doesn’t like me because of that?” I confessed, voicing the fear that had been eating away at me.

Serena took my hand gently. “Don’t overthink it, alright? Your fated mate won’t care about your rank. Trust me, he will love you for your kind heart and beauty, not your status.”

Her words brought a smile to my face. Serena always knew how to lift me up when I was feeling unsure.

After a few minutes, we were on our way to the Adelaide Kingdom, where the mating ball was being held. The journey took nearly an hour, but soon we arrived. I stepped out first, with Serena following close behind. As we entered the grand hall of the kingdom, I noticed how many eyes turned to Serena, clearly mesmerized by her beauty. To my surprise, a few glances were cast my way as well, causing a light blush to creep up my cheeks.

The first hour of the ceremony passed quickly as Serena and I stuck together, eating and chatting, enjoying the lively atmosphere. But as the main event approached, everyone was asked to separate according to their ranks. Naturally, I moved to the section for lower-ranking wolves, while Serena joined the upper ranks.

Upon arriving at the area designated for us, I chose a quiet corner to sit in, observing my surroundings and waiting for whatever might unfold next.

“You’re an Omega?” Suddenly, a voice asked from beside me.

I turned and nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“Wow, I never would’ve guessed! That gown is amazing. It doesn’t seem like something an Omega would wear,” She said, her surprise evident.

I smiled softly, unsure whether to feel flattered or self-conscious.

A few minutes later, Alpha Evan stepped onto the stage to officially begin the mating ceremony. His deep voice commanded attention as he declared that tonight, he too would find his fated mate—the future Luna of our pack. I could imagine Serena's face lighting up right now at the announcement. Damn, I hope she really was the one destined to stand beside Evan as his Luna.

Around me, wolves had already begun finding their mates, their scents and the mating pull guiding them to each other. Then, one by one, couples were leaving the hall, eager to accept the bond they had just discovered. Watching their joy warmed my heart; it was truly a beautiful sight, seeing so many smiles all around.

But as time passed, a creeping worry settled in my chest. Why hadn’t I found my mate yet? The hall was rapidly emptying, with only a handful of Omegas and lower-ranking wolves left. I walked around, hoping to sense the pull, but nothing. No scent, no bond, no fated mate waiting for me. A sinking feeling weighed me down—was I destined to be mateless?

Dejected, I sat down in one of the chairs, feeling the hopelessness wash over me. Just as I was about to lose myself in the gloom, Serena’s voice suddenly entered my mind through a mind-link.

“I’m not mated to Alpha Evan,” She shared, surprising me. “My mate is the Beta’s son, Andrew. He’s handsome and kind, and I’m with him now, but… I think I’m going to reject him. He’s not what I imagined. Oh well, keep me updated on your mate, alright?”

Her words snapped me out of my spiral. Even Serena, with all her confidence and beauty, wasn’t guaranteed the mate she had hoped for. I wasn’t alone in my uncertainty. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder—where was my mate?

“That’s tough, Serena. But don’t reject him just yet. You can try to give him a chance,” I replied through the mind-link. “As for me, I still haven’t found mine… I think I might really be mateless.”

As I cut the link, a sudden, intoxicating scent hit me, making my wolf jump inside me. The smell was earthy, like cypress oak, and it filled my senses with a strange allure. I glanced around the hall, seeing everyone paired up. Where was this scent coming from?

Compelled by the smell, I began following it, growing more confused with each step as it led me toward the area reserved for the upper-ranking wolves. I hesitated for a moment, but my wolf urged me forward, so I mindlessly continued with my heart pounding. Suddenly, I collided with something—someone—tall and solid. My face landed squarely against his firm chest, and the scent hit me full force, making my heart race faster.

Before I could react, his strong arms wrapped around me in a hug. The sensation was unfamiliar but undeniable. This man… he was my mate. My pulse quickened as I tilted my head up to meet his gaze, but when I saw his face, my entire body went cold. A shiver ran down my spine, and in shock, I pushed him away.

No. This couldn’t be happening.

But he gently reached for my hand, his touch soft despite the strength in it. “My wolf stirred the moment you bumped into me,” He said, his deep voice calm yet intense. “You are my mate.”

It was Alpha Evan.