The Forgotten Moonchild

Sarah's POV

The sting of Celeste's words lingered far longer than Sarah wanted to admit, but she had learned years ago that allowing herself to dwell on them would only make the day harder to bear. By the time she returned from the well with freshly filled buckets, the Alpha Estate had transformed into a whirlwind of activity. Servants hurried across the courtyards carrying polished silverware, baskets of fresh flowers, bolts of expensive fabric, and crates of imported wine. Warriors moved with unusual urgency along the walls, inspecting every entrance while stable hands prepared the finest horses for distinguished guests. The peaceful rhythm that usually defined the estate had disappeared beneath an air of restless anticipation, and even those who rarely spoke to one another exchanged hurried whispers as they passed. Something important was about to happen, and everyone understood that a single mistake today would not be forgiven.

Sarah quietly delivered the water to the kitchens before reaching for a clean apron and joining the other servants without waiting to be told what needed doing. The enormous room was already overflowing with heat from the stone ovens, while cooks shouted instructions over the clatter of pots and chopping knives. Fresh loaves of bread cooled upon wooden racks, vegetables were sorted into neat baskets, and several young servants struggled to carry trays piled high with roasted meat toward the dining hall. Normally, Sarah found comfort in the familiar routine of work, but today every corner of the kitchen seemed to pulse with nervous energy. Even the head cook, whose patience had become something of a legend among the servants, barked orders so rapidly that no one dared pause long enough to catch their breath.

Head Omega Laura soon appeared in the doorway, her calm presence standing in sharp contrast to the chaos surrounding her. A ledger rested beneath one arm while several servants followed close behind, waiting for instructions. The moment her eyes found Sarah, a small smile softened her otherwise composed expression. "There you are," she said as she approached. "I've been looking for someone I know I can rely on." Before Sarah could respond, Laura handed her a carefully folded bundle of rich blue fabric embroidered with silver thread. "These are the ceremonial table runners for the Grand Hall. They arrived from the royal palace last night, and they must be placed before the guests arrive. Be careful with them. If they're damaged, we'll never receive another set."

Sarah accepted the bundle with both hands, surprised that such an important responsibility had been entrusted to her. "I won't let anything happen to them," she promised sincerely.

"I know you won't," Laura replied without hesitation. "That's exactly why I asked you."

Those simple words meant more than Laura probably realized. Trust was something Sarah rarely received. Most people saw only the omega who had never shifted, the servant whispered about behind closed doors, the girl some believed had been abandoned by the Moon Goddess herself. Laura, however, had always looked beyond the rumors, and for that alone Sarah would gladly shoulder twice the work if asked.

Leaving the kitchens, Sarah carefully made her way toward the Grand Hall. Every corridor she passed reflected the frantic preparations underway throughout the estate. Decorative banners bearing the crest of the Luminous Pack had been hung from polished stone pillars, while fresh flowers filled elegant vases that lined the entrance halls. Servants climbed ladders to dust chandeliers that sparkled beneath the morning sunlight, and warriors inspected every doorway with disciplined precision. The arrival of the Alpha King was far more than a ceremonial visit. It was an event that placed the entire pack under the scrutiny of the kingdom, and Alpha Bruce intended to ensure that nothing less than perfection greeted his royal guest.

As Sarah entered the Grand Hall, she paused for a moment to admire the transformation taking place before her. The chamber was magnificent even on ordinary days, but now it seemed almost unrecognizable. Long banquet tables stretched across the polished marble floor, their surfaces already gleaming with silver goblets and crystal dishes. Massive windows allowed sunlight to pour into the room, illuminating intricate carvings that told the history of the Luminous Pack. High above, blue banners fluttered gently beneath the vaulted ceiling, while servants moved silently between the tables making countless final adjustments. Sarah carefully unfolded the ceremonial runners and began arranging them with patient precision, smoothing every crease until the silver embroidery rested perfectly along the center of each table.

While she worked, quiet conversations drifted through the hall.

"I heard the King defeated an entire rogue pack without losing a single warrior," one servant whispered.

"My cousin serves at the Dark Moon Palace," another replied. "She says His Majesty remembers the names of every soldier who serves under him."

"I've heard he's impossible to fool."

"They say he can look at someone once and know when they're lying."

Sarah listened without joining the conversation. Stories about King Liam had spread across every pack in the kingdom for years, growing more impressive with each retelling. Some described him as an unmatched warrior blessed by the Moon Goddess herself, while others praised his wisdom and fairness as a ruler. To Sarah, however, those stories belonged to another world entirely. Kings ruled kingdoms. Servants polished floors. Their lives were never meant to cross.

As she reached the final table near the front of the hall, a strange warmth suddenly spread beneath her dress. Sarah froze, her hand instinctively moving toward the wooden pendant hidden against her chest. The sensation was unmistakable this time. Unlike the brief pulse she had felt earlier that morning, the warmth lingered, flowing gently through the carved crescent as though something deep within the pendant had awakened. Her breathing slowed as she glanced around to see whether anyone else had noticed, but the servants continued working without the slightest sign that anything unusual had happened.

Her eyes drifted toward the enormous mural decorating the far wall behind the Alpha's seat.

She had passed it countless times over the years without paying much attention, yet today something about it immediately caught her eye. At the center of the ancient artwork stood a silver crescent unlike any ordinary moon. Strange symbols surrounded it in a circular pattern, each carved with remarkable detail despite the mural's age. Sarah's heart skipped a beat.

Those symbols...

They looked almost identical to the ones carved into her pendant.

She took an unconscious step toward the mural, unable to pull her eyes away. Questions raced through her mind. Had the pendant been made here? Why had she never noticed the resemblance before? And why did it feel as though the symbols were... watching her?

"Sarah!"

The sharp call shattered her concentration.

She turned to find Laura standing near the entrance.

"The royal scouts have arrived," Laura said, her voice carrying a mixture of urgency and excitement. "His Majesty's procession is less than an hour away. Everyone is to report to their assigned stations immediately."

The warmth inside the pendant vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.

Sarah looked back toward the mural one last time.

The strange symbols appeared perfectly ordinary once again.

For a moment, she wondered if she had imagined everything.

Then, from somewhere beyond the estate walls, the deep sound of a ceremonial horn rolled across the valley.

The Alpha King had entered the territory of the Luminous Pack.