Calista shook her head in disbelief, wondering what her friend found so dreamy about being a Luna. Life in the palace was hardly a fairy tale, especially for someone like Aurora, who was too soft-hearted for such a cutthroat world. Calista gave her friend a quizzical look and finally asked the obvious question.


    "Are you even invited to the banquet?"


    Aurora''s cheerful expression immediately crumpled into a pout. "No," she admitted with a dramatic sigh, "but that''s beside the point. I could be!"


    Calista arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Aurora, you''re not serious."


    Her friend grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her lightly. "What if he''s my Prince Charming, Cali? What if I''m meant to meet him? I can''t just miss my destiny over a little thing like an invitation!"


    "A little thing?!" Calista replied incredulously. She sighed, patting Aurora''s shoulder in mock sympathy. "Listen, you''ll survive, banquet or not. One day, you''ll stumble into Prince Charming while tripping over your skirts at the market." She flashed a sly grin. "Hopefully, he''ll find clumsiness endearing."


    "Very funny." Aurora narrowed her eyes. "But this could be my moment!" Her face lit up with sudden determination. "Actually, I have an idea: let''s just… sneak in!"


    Calista froze, immediately wary of where this was heading. "No. Absolutely not."


    "Aw, come on!" Aurora begged, tugging on Calista''s sleeve like a child pleading for sweets. "If we dress as servants or—I don''t know—disguise ourselves as men, no one will notice. You''re clever, you''ll come up with something!"


    "I said no," Calista replied firmly, though she could already feel her resolve weakening. Aurora was more stubborn than a mule and twice as creative when it came to harebrained schemes.


    "But Cali, I have to go!" Aurora''s voice was full of pleading now, her wide eyes practically brimming with unshed tears. "If you help me, I''ll owe you a huge favor. Anything you want!"If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Calista sighed in resignation, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Aurora, you know this is a terrible idea, right?"


    "Yes," Aurora replied cheerfully. "But we won''t get caught."


    "That''s not comforting," Calista muttered. She glanced at her friend, knowing full well there was no stopping her now. If she didn''t help, Aurora would end up getting herself into trouble.


    "All right," she said with a deep breath. "We''ll need a plan—a good one. No room for mistakes, or we''ll both be in serious trouble."


    Aurora threw her arms around her, grinning like she''d just won a battle. "I knew you''d come around! Thanks, Cali! You''re the best!"


    Before Calista could protest, Aurora spun on her heel and dashed off. "Wait, Aurora—!"


    "See you tomorrow!" Aurora called over her shoulder, laughing.


    Calista stood there, watching her friend disappear down the path, feeling a mixture of exasperation and affection. "You''re going to get us both killed," she muttered under her breath.


    Back at home, Calista found herself grappling with the same feelings of alienation she always did. For all the wealth and grandeur of her family''s estate, it never felt like home. The towering stone walls and finely crafted furnishings only made the emptiness seem louder.


    Her parents were seated in the dining room with her siblings, engrossed in their usual conversations. Dinner was a quiet affair at first, broken only by the clinking of forks against plates.


    Emily broke the silence, her voice dripping with false modesty. "Father, do you think the Alpha King will choose me as Luna?"


    Mateo didn''t even hesitate. "Of course. If it''s not you, who else could it be?" He sounded so sure, it was almost amusing.


    Jacob, however, leaned back in his chair with an uninterested shrug. "I heard the Alpha''s daughter from the Blood Moon Pack is attending. She''s got the strength, looks, and lineage to match." His tone was deliberately indifferent, but his words hit Emily squarely, causing her to scowl.


    "That''s enough, Jacob," Rachel said, though there was a slight edge to her voice.


    Emily was quick to interject. "I don''t care who attends—I will be chosen. I was born to lead."


    Mateo nodded in agreement, placing a reassuring hand over hers. "You''ll be perfect, Emily. All you need to do is focus on making an impression. Look your absolute best."


    Calista felt a strong urge to roll her eyes but kept her gaze fixed on her plate. Her father turned his attention to her.


    "Calista, you''ll help Emily tomorrow with whatever she needs to prepare. Is that clear?"


    "Yes, Father," Calista replied blandly, though her mind was elsewhere.


    As the conversation continued, Calista''s thoughts drifted back to the plan Aurora had roped her into. Sneaking into the banquet was a foolish risk, but if there was one thing Aurora was right about, it was that life had become far too predictable. Maybe a little rebellion was exactly what she needed.


    Maybe it was time to take a chance.