Fake Heirness. True Luna

Chapter 1: Turning Eighteen

Irina’s POV

“Are you ready, honey?” My mother asked as she helped me adjust the delicate silver tiara on top of my golden curls.

This was the moment I’ve been waiting for years. My eighteenth birthday, my first shift, and the day I could finally recognize my mate.

“Yes, Mom,” I said, smiling. I couldn’t wait until the Goddess gifted me my wolf and I could meet my mate.

There is one man I have been in love with for years—the Beta’s son. Lancer is everything a woman wishes for. He is tall, muscular, those hazel eyes of him look perfect against his tanned skin and that husky voice always makes my knees weak.

On top of that, he is smart, kind, and intelligent.

He would be the perfect mate.

“Then let’s go, honey. Your father is waiting for us,” my mom said, grabbing my hand and guiding me downstairs.

I felt like a princess from a fairy tale. My dress flowed around me like the sky. The small diamonds on the skirt resembled the stars, and with the tiara, I’m sure I look just like a princess from one of those movies I loved as a child.

Every pack member came to my celebration. They were curious if I would find my mate today or if I would leave the pack.

For years, I’ve had all sorts of training. Father wanted me to become the best Alpha daughter in the region. He made sure I had the best teachers and all the clothes I could need so I could always be flawless.

In this world, all that mattered was the rank you were born into. If an Alpha had a son or a daughter, all the pack’s resources would go to them to ensure they excelled in everything.

My brother, Serim, was still going through his Alpha training, but considering he will turn 22 soon, I’m sure it will be time for him to inherit the pack.

And speaking of the devil…

“You look gorgeous, sis. I might have to kill anyone who dares to lay a finger on you tonight," Serim's deep voice rumbled from the grand staircase behind me. I turned to see my older brother descending.

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Please don't start a bloodbath at my birthday party. Father would have a fit."

Serim smirked, reaching out to adjust my tiara with surprising gentleness. "No promises. Especially if your mate turns out to be some weakling from our pack."

My mother gasped. “Don’t joke about that, Serim! Irina is your sister; she is an Alpha’s daughter. There is no way she is mated to anyone from this pack, and if she is, it must be Lancer.”

At the mention of his name, my heart skipped a beat. I really hoped mom’s words were true, but at the same time, I couldn’t believe they were questioning the Moon Goddess’s will. If she paired me up with someone else, I would respect her decision.

My brother kept bickering with my mom; he loved to get on her nerves. I was so nervous that I didn’t hear what they were saying.

We quickly reached the grand ballroom. I could hear people talking from inside. They were all wondering when I would arrive.

The doors opened, the conversations hushed, and my mother gave me a slight push, so I started walking.

“My daughter has arrived,” my father’s voice boomed. Come, Irina, greet your old man. We have been waiting for you.”

I walked toward my father, my heart pounding in my chest. The room was filled with the pack’s most important members. Their eyes followed me, some with admiration, others with curiosity, and a few with thinly veiled envy.

But my gaze darted past them, searching for one person in particular.

And there he was.

Lancer stood near the front, his broad shoulders accentuated by the tailored black suit he wore. His hazel eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world around us faded. His lips curved into that slow, devastating smile that always made my stomach flip.

Please, Moon Goddess, I silently prayed. Let it be him.

My father placed a firm hand on my shoulder, pulling me back to reality. “Tonight, my daughter becomes a woman,” he announced, his voice carrying across the room. “Tonight, she will shift for the first time, and the Moon Goddess will bless her with her wolf—and, if she is fortunate, her mate.”

A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd.

I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling at my sides. The ceremony would begin soon, and then I would know.

Would Lancer feel the pull too? Would he recognize me as his?

Or would fate have other plans?

“What are you thinking so hard about?” That silky voice sent a shiver down my spine.

Lancer had somehow slipped through the crowd and now stood beside me, close enough that I could catch the faint scent of pine and cedar that always clung to him. His hazel eyes gleamed with amusement, and the corner of his mouth quirked up into a sexy smirk.

Breathe, Irina.

“Just wondering if I will meet my mate tonight,” I said lightly, forcing myself to meet his gaze without blushing.

“That sounds like you have someone in mind already,” He teased.

Lancer is three years older than me, but can’t know who his mate is until she turns eighteen. I really hope that it's me. That he's been waiting for me all this time.

But before I could respond, my father's commanding voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd.

“Let’s start with the ball. In a few hours, you’ll see my daughter’s splendid shift,” He said proudly.

Lancer winked. “Can I have this dance?”

My breath caught as Lancer extended his hand, his hazel eyes gleaming. I had to stop myself from giggling like an i***t as the orchestra played a slow waltz.

He wants to dance with me.

Before I could make a fool of myself, I placed my hand in his. His fingers closed around mine, warm and strong, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm.

"I thought you'd never ask," I murmured, trying to sound confident and sassy, but I’m sure I failed.

Lancer's smirk deepened as he guided me to the center of the dance floor, the crowd parting around us. Whispers followed in our wake, but I barely heard them—not when his other hand settled at the small of my back, pulling me closer than propriety allowed.

"Careful, Beta's son," I teased, tilting my chin up. "People are staring."

"Let them stare," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. His thumb traced a slow, deliberate circle against my waist. "I've waited three years for this. I'm not wasting another second."

Three years.

My heart skipped a beat. “What does that mean? Are… we mates?”

His gaze darkened, his grip tightening almost possessively. “I hope we are.”

The music swelled around us as he spun me effortlessly, the diamonds on my dress catching the light like scattered stars. We danced and danced until my father finally said it was time for my first shift.

The moment the music faded, my father's commanding voice cut through the ballroom.

“Go change, Irina, we will be waiting for you outside.”

I nodded and did as my father asked. My first shift couldn’t be using this dress, instead I changed into a ceremonial robe with a golden trim and walked outside.

The air outside was cool and crisp, a stark contrast to the warmth and noise of the ballroom. The entire pack had filed out onto the expansive lawn, forming a wide, expectant circle around the sacred clearing where the shift would take place. Torches flickered, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to hold their breath along with everyone else.

My father stood at the edge of the circle. My mother offered me a trembling smile, her eyes glistening with pride and anxiety. Serim lingered near my father. He had to maintain a calm demeanor, but I saw him give me a thumbs-up, as if that could ease my nerves.

And then there was Lancer. He stood just outside the circle, his suit jacket gone, his white shirt glowing in the moonlight. His gaze was fixed on me, a silent anchor in the swirling sea of my nerves. He gave me a single, slow nod. You can do this.

“Irina, please step in,” My father instructed.

In my pack, Blue Moon, this is the most important event—your first shift. I could have the best teachers in the world, but if my wolf was weak…

It would be the end for me.

My bare feet sank into the cool, dewy grass as I walked to the center. The ceremonial robe felt light against my skin. I took a deep breath to steady myself, and then felt it.

A scream threatened to come out as my body started to rearrange. My bones cracked, my skin turned into fur, but I never emitted a sound.

I shifted into a beautiful white and cream wolf—at least, that's what I saw when I looked at my paws.

Some gasped in awe, others murmured that I seemed bigger than they had expected, and another commented that white was the color of a Luna. But none of that mattered; what did was the scent I immediately caught.

Raspberries and lemon…

“Mate!”