SONIA’S POV

The boy Ivy introduced me to was super funny. He told the most outrageous stories in the calmest voice. His words painted wild pictures of chasing runaway chickens through the market at dawn or finding hidden caves filled with glowing rocks.

I found myself laughing so hard I forgot it was a buffet and I was supposed to eat. The sound of my own laughter mixed with the crackle of fires and the low hum of conversations around us. The night air felt alive, carrying the rich scent of roasted meats, fresh bread, and sweet fruits from the stalls.

After tonight, only the moon goddess knew when I would have that much food selection again. Plates piled high with steaming ribs, golden breads, and colorful fruits sat everywhere I looked. But every time I tried to move away, he jumped into another story, and I was instantly glued. The lantern light danced across his mask, making his eyes sparkle with mischief.

I didn’t even notice Ivy had slipped away until she returned with two plates in her hands. The aroma of warm soup and tender meat rose up, making my stomach rumble. "Hey, take this. If you listen to Moon, you’ll be here all day."

"Your name is Moon?" I smiled as I accepted the plate from Ivy and even muttered a thank you. The plate felt warm in my hands, the food glistening under the soft lights.

"To be fair, my parents weren’t that creative," he chuckled. His voice stayed steady and calm, like a gentle stream.

"Weren’t?" I lifted a quizzical brow, tilting my head slightly.

"Yeah, they died ten years after the attack. Unfortunately, they never got over the trauma." His tone didn’t change, but I caught the faint shadow that crossed his eyes.

"What a—oh." My mouth grew bitter.

Because of my father, so many people had lost their identities. The weight of it settled heavy in my chest, making the delicious food on my plate suddenly less appealing. I never really thought of it that way and always felt down the road there would be room for redemption.

"Hey, you don’t have to be sad about it. The alpha found most of us again, and look at the pack now." He reached over and patted my shoulder lightly, his touch brief and kind.

"I know. I’m still sorry. You know, I always wondered why many members of the pack wouldn’t give me a chance. I thought it was just the alpha’s orders. But now, I can understand why they’d want nothing to do with me. I’m a horrible reminder of a horrible tragedy." My voice grew quieter, the laughter from earlier fading completely. The night breeze felt cooler against my skin now.

"Stop it, Sonia. You’re not your father. You didn’t do anything," Ivy said angrily. She set her plate down with a soft clink, her eyes flashing with protectiveness.

"She’s right, Sonia. Can I call you Sonia?"

"I wouldn’t have you call me anything. In this pack, you’re of higher ranking than I am."

"Well, that’s objectively not true," he laughed. The sound was warm, easing some of the tension.

"It isn’t?" I inquired, genuinely curious as I took a small bite of the food. The meat was tender and flavorful, juices bursting on my tongue.

"Yep. You’re supposed to be the alpha’s mate, right?"

I scoffed. "That’s just a mistake. I’m sure one day we’d come to find out that there was a flaw somewhere in that destiny." The words tasted sour even as I said them, the bond pulling at me despite everything.

"Why do you always do that?" Ivy dropped her spoon, and it rang loudly on the plate.

Thankfully, we were a little bit isolated from other gatherings. The distant drums and laughter felt far away.

"I don’t understand. Why are you mad at me?"

"Because you talk like everything’s set in stone. As if things cannot change. I have hope that whatever this stupid fight is about, one day there will be peace. You and Ramon will find your way to each other, because it is fate and destiny."

"I think so too." Moon stroked my arm gently, his touch light and reassuring.

I looked down, shocked by the feeling that just rushed through me. Warmth spread from the spot he touched, mixing with the cool night air on my skin.

"Your hands," I said.

"There she goes changing the topic." Ivy hissed in frustration, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

"No Ivy, I’m serious. I’ve read somewhere about hands like these. They make the best precious stones."

Moon chuckled nervously. "What are you talking about? I wasn’t even brave or strong enough to make the list of the pack warriors. How is it possible to know anything about precious stones when I’m nothing but a servant?"

"Don’t say that. In ancient packs, there were certain people who enriched the pack’s bank. They were usually very close to the alpha’s. In some cases, they were even the alpha’s beta’s."

"Are you sure you haven’t lost your mind? With all due respect, of course."

"No, I think she’s dead serious. Sonia doesn’t lie," Ivy said firmly, her voice carrying conviction.

"I wouldn’t lie about something like this. Your hands are very special. Someday, you’ll be a well renowned young man."

He reached for my shoulders and patted it gently. His touch was warm and brief. "Thank you for your kind words, but I’d much rather leave now, before the alpha tears me apart with just his eyes."

"What are you talking about?" I added, rolling my head in confusion.

When I turned towards his directions again, he had walked away. His figure disappeared into the crowd, leaving a strange quiet behind.

"What just happened?" I questioned Ivy in confusion. The night felt a little colder without his easy stories.

"I think it’s Ramon. He scared him off with his eyes."

I stared towards the direction of Ramon, and he had his hand resting on Lorena’s waist whilst she fed him. The sight twisted something sharp in my chest. My wolf growled with jealousy as I moved my eyes away. The food on my plate suddenly tasted like ash.

"I don’t think you both know what you’re talking about. He’s too invested in Lorena to notice me. And even if he wasn’t with Lorena, he still wouldn’t notice me."

"Like I said, that disbelief again. You need to learn to trust in yourself. It’s sad to witness you not know what you are, and what you carry. Really sad." She shook her head and continued munching on her food.

I hoped the bitterness in my mouth had worn off enough to eat. Just as I was about to put a spoon of the soup in my mouth, someone brushed past me on purpose. The plate slipped out of my hands and dropped to the ground with a loud clatter. Hot soup splashed across the dirt, staining the hem of my gown.

"You can’t be that careless, outcast!" I heard, followed by a swift slap landing on my face. The sting burned hot across my cheek, sharp and sudden. My skin throbbed where her hand connected, the force making my head turn.

It happened so fast, I barely had space to breathe in between. My hands went to my burning cheeks as I rubbed the sting. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back fiercely.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you slap her?" I heard Ivy scream. Her voice cut through the growing murmurs around us.

I could feel numerous pairs of eyes turning to stare at us. But I was trying my hardest not to burst into tears, despite my face hurting so badly. The night air felt heavier now, pressing down on my shoulders.

"What do you think you’re doing?" The girl that slapped me asked. "Why are you always defending a girl that has a murderous father? A father who is the reason our pack suffered greatly? Why our alpha still has to fight battles? Don’t you see that she’s the child of a demon?!" She screamed back at Ivy.

Ivy moved towards her in rage, but I quickly intercepted her movement before she could cause major damage. My hands gripped her arm gently but firmly, holding her back.

"Leave her alone. It’s not worth it. People are staring." My voice came out shaky, the pain on my face spreading like fire.

"I don’t care. She can’t speak to you that way. It’s totally unacceptable."

"By whose authority is it unacceptable?"

I turned around, and there Ramon stood. Beside him, Lorena smirked, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

My shoulders slouched because I knew things were going to get even messier. The night that had started with laughter now felt cold and heavy.