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Selene

Thursday, June 19th – Day before Summer Solstice

My eyes feel glued shut with how heavy they are. Rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand, I’m finally able to open them. My head swims as I sit up. I’ve never drank alcohol, but I can imagine this is probably what it feels like after drinking all night. My thoughts are jumbled and hard to focus on as I try to think back on last night. There’s one thing that’s clear as day,his words.

“You already know who I am.”

Reaching over to my nightstand, I flip open my dream journal as I pull my pencil pouch over onto my bed. Our Lorekeepershave preached for years that you should track your dreams to see the hidden meanings. I let out a snort. I pretty much know the meaning to my dreams. Someone is coming. It’s got to be my fated mate which is why it’s hidden from me, right?

Using black and gray I draw out the fog and darkness surrounding me. Even though I didn’t see them last night, I draw those eyes almost from memory at this point. One day when I actually figure out who they belong to, I want to compare how accurate I’ve actually gotten with them.

After my drawing is finished, I check the time. Shit. Any second now Odes is going to be outside singing again. I really slept like the dead if I missed all my alarms and her text messages. Scrambling out of my bed, I throw on a pair of black leggings, a baggy t-shirt with some band’s logo on it, and the first cleanish pair of white socks I find crumbled on the floor.

I’m damn near tripping out my bedroom door when the beginning notes of today’s song come from outside. I’m hopping down the hallway putting on my tennis shoe when my mom clears her throat from inside the kitchen.

“Good morning Moondrop!” she says cheerfully from beside Dad, who’s mid sip of his coffee when his eyes flick up to my mess of a self falling through the kitchen.

I smile at my nickname, she’s always called me that. Claims I was born on a full moon and it was like a drop of that moon filled my soul.

He chuckles. “Did someone oversleep this morning?”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, I slept through my alarm and Odessa’s morning text.”

My mom sets her mug of coffee down on the kitchen island as she walks around to stand next to me. “I was hoping that you would have some time to make pottery with me today at The Muddy Paw, after school, of course.”

Shoving the cinnamon roll sitting on the tray into my mouth, I nod my head. As I move towards the front door, Odessa is circling around to the chorus and I’m not ready to deal with Mrs. Cranford’s commentary this morning over it.

With the beginnings of a migraine coming on, probably from my tincture mixing, I’m grateful Mrs. Cranford isn’t on her front porch this morning because I really don’t want to hear her high-pitched antics.

Swinging open the front door, I give Odes the death glare and she just laughs. “What? I thought that was my best one yet.”

I roll my eyes as I push past her heading down the three steps of my porch. Caelon’s cabin is empty again. Does he even sleep?

Two hours later during my second period class, my history teacher drones on and on about the history of this country and I’ve got zero interest in what he’s saying. I’m doodling those eyes that haunt me when Odes clears her throat next to me. When I look over, she is pointing at her screen that has Howlr open.

“You should really check the app.”

My eyebrows furrow. “Why?”

“Besides the Moonbinding ceremony drama?”

I nod my head.

“You’re trending right now. Since your birthday is the closest, everyone is speculating who is your fated mate. That’s not even the craziest part.” She looks pointedly at my phone laying on my desk.

Sighing, I swipe open my phone and click the wolf and moon icon opening the Howlr app. It doesn’t take long to see exactly what she’s talking about. There are hundreds of comments on the #GuesstheMate thread all with my handle and all their wild theories. But that isn’t what’s standing out. No, what’s shocking is thewho.

@thegraywolf says: 3h ago – Jasper “I’ve heard that a secret admirer is leaving hints for @themoonsmistress to figure out who her mate is. Seems someone is trying to grab the attention of his mate.” 289 howls | 125 Growls | 106 Clipped

As I scroll through all the different comments, I see all kinds of names thrown around. But that isn’t what’s blowing my mind. This @thegraywolf has almost commented under every single comment mentioning my name.

My eyebrows scrunch in confusion as I look at Odes. “Who is this guy and why is he so concerned with what everyone is saying?”

She only shrugs her shoulders. “Beats me, but I’m currently reading all about the Moonbinding Ceremony. Click the hashtag for it! This shit is juicy.”

With one last glance at this guy blowing up this thread, I click the #Moonbinding2025 tab and see the top most Howled Post is:

“Mountain Lions Dropping Moonbinding Lists tomorrow??? Spill the Claws, who’s getting their triad bond for 2025? Let’s go, people drop those bids below!” #SummerSolstice #AlphaGames