She stood at the periphery of the gathering, her hooded cloak obscuring the delicate features of her face. Waist-length strands of hair spilled from beneath the fabric, and her stature—smaller than average—made her appear younger than she was. Some might simply attribute it to a youthful bloom. Tinted lenses masked the true nature of her gaze.
If discovered, death was certain. But she doubted they would notice, positioned as she was near the forest line, ready to vanish should the need arise. In her world, certainty was a luxury she couldn’t afford.
She was dispatched by the Queen—a silent observer tasked with monitoring their adversaries. The mission: to ascertain if an impossibility had come to pass. Whispers spoke of an “abomination,” a creation defying the natural order. As a Celestial Affinity holder—unmatched in her abilities—she’d been sent to investigate. If she couldn’t perceive it, something was profoundly amiss.
For the child’s sake, she hoped it was merely coincidence.
Her gaze settled on their leader, the Alpha. Communication with the Queen was forbidden—reporting this sighting was too dangerous. Information in the wrong hands could be catastrophic.
She scanned the crowd, bracing for the moment one of them might detect her presence. They didn’t—or if they did, they ignored her. This day was too significant to concern themselves with trivialities.
The Alpha ascended a podium. A woman joined him, cradling a bundle of swaddling cloth. Her. The Luna—the Alpha's mate—would be disgraced if her true identity were revealed.
Though she doubted the woman herself was aware of her deception.
If the Luna failed to manifest an Affinity, the child wouldn’t either. The vision had confirmed the girl’s ability to shift. Her own kind had favored a male heir, but fate had intervened.
The Alpha and his mate stood on the stage, and he slowly unwrapped the bundle in his arms.
The moment she met the girl’s eyes, she knew everything was about to unravel. Nothing would proceed as planned.