Erin’s POV

I slowly regained consciousness with a pounding headache. I blinked a few times, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The familiar pale blue walls came into focus, along with the glow-in-the-dark stars my father had stuck on the ceiling when I was little.

How did I get back here?

The last thing I remembered was the forest, moonlight filtering through the pine trees, and then… Derek Stone’s face looking down at me as I collapsed.

I sat up abruptly, a wave of dizziness washing over me. I groaned, pressing my palms against my forehead, willing the room to stop spinning.

I glanced at the digital clock on my nightstand—11:30 PM. In half an hour, I would officially be eighteen. This day, which I had looked forward to for so long, now felt hollow and meaningless.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

“Erin? Are you awake?” my mother’s gentle voice came from the other side.

“Yes, come in,” I answered, my voice raspy.

The door opened, and my mother walked in. Her long brown hair was loosely tied in a bun, and there were traces of flour on her faded jeans. Despite the late hour, she looked completely awake, her eyes scanning me with maternal concern.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, sitting on the edge of my bed.

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck,” I admitted. “How did I get home?”

“Your brother brought you back.” She brushed my messy hair from my face. “He said the Alpha found you in the forest at the edge of Pack territory. You had fainted, and when Aaron came to check on the situation, he recognized you and brought you home.”

My heart sank a little. So Derek hadn’t personally brought me home. I wasn’t sure why that disappointed me.

“I see,” I said softly.

“Aaron was worried sick,” my mother continued. “He said you were as pale as a ghost when he found you.”

I lowered my gaze, not wanting her to see the pain in my eyes.

“Oh, dear.” She pulled me into a warm embrace. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I shook my head, leaning into her shoulder. “Not now. Maybe tomorrow.”

She didn’t push, just held me tighter. After a moment, she pulled back slightly, her hands still on my shoulders. “Well, I think we should try to salvage what’s left of the day. It’s almost midnight, after all.”

Before I could respond, there was another knock at the door. It swung open to reveal Aaron, wearing a ridiculous party hat on his head. He was holding a small chocolate cake with a single candle flickering in the center.

“Almost happy birthday, sis,” he said, his usual gruffness softened by a rare smile.

The sight was so unexpectedly sweet that I felt tears welling up in my eyes again.

“You didn’t have to do this,” I said, struggling to keep my voice steady.

“Of course we did,” my mother replied. “It’s not every day our little girl turns eighteen.”

Aaron set the cake on my nightstand and checked his watch. “Two minutes until midnight. Better make a wish soon.”

I stared at the small flame dancing on the candle, trying to think of what to wish for.

Yesterday, my wish would have been clear—that Bradley would be revealed as my Soul Bond. Now, the thought made me sick to my stomach.

What did I want now?

As the time approached midnight, I closed my eyes.

From now on, wherever the moon guides me, I will follow my destiny.

Just as my digital clock flipped to 12:00, I blew out the candle.

“Happy birthday, Erin,” my mother and brother said in unison.

I smiled, genuinely touched by their efforts to make this moment special despite everything. “Thank you both.”

We shared the chocolate cake right there on my bed, chatting and laughing as if it were any ordinary night.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” my mother said at the door. “The Alpha’s Binding Ceremony is tomorrow night.”

My stomach dropped at the mention of the ceremony. The last place I wanted to be was at an event where I might see Bradley and Lily together, not to mention Derek and his fiancée Mya.

“I don’t think I’ll go,” I said softly.

My mother’s expression immediately turned serious. “You must go, Erin. It’s the Alpha’s Binding Ceremony.”

In our world, tradition and Pack obligations were paramount, especially for an omega like me who couldn’t defy tradition.

“Fine,” I relented. “I’ll go.”