The Blood Moon

ORELIA

I sat by one of the long tables, dressed in a ridiculously sparkling gown with a tight bustier and a skirt with countless layers of silk and chiffon. My blond hair with a few peculiar reddish strands was braided, tied up, and formed in a crown, ornamented with several golden pins. I nearly resembled one of many ballroom decorations, which only made my mood gloomier.

Tonight was the night of the Blood Moon—the night all shifters who reached adulthood could find their fated ones. For some, the Blood Moon's night was a life-changing moment. I, however, found it immensely irritating.

I stared at those who had just found their fated ones, listening to their laughter and sweet, naughty whispers. The ballroom was filled with the newly found mates, their happiness, their arousal…

I wasn't among the lucky ones. The wolf inside me sat quietly; perhaps she had even fallen asleep, too bored to pay attention. I was fairly certain this was not how my first chance to find a mate should have looked like, not that I expected or wanted to find a mate in Verendell...

My instincts told me my destined one awaited me elsewhere. In the capital, perhaps? For now, however, I was stuck in my hometown, even though I knew I had a chance to earn an important position at Alpha King Zyran's side. I was born with healing powers, and everyone knew that those with special abilities were welcomed at the court. I could build my future there…. If only my overprotective father would let me.

One would have thought the life of the great Alpha Eamon Solamen's daughter was easy. It was quite the opposite. I had been working my ass off, trying to prove I was more than just a pretty face with the right name. Well, yes, I could admit I inherited some of my beautiful mom's looks, but I wouldn't let them define me. I wanted my life to mean something. I wanted to become a warrior or a healer. Unfortunately, my father was against it. He even forced me to keep my abilities secret, although I couldn't understand why…

I raised my chalice, pouring the remaining wine down my throat. A peal of laughter attacked my ears, and my head snapped to its source—the table at the dais, the Alpha's table. My father, his younger brother, Cyril, and Aunt Nedra sat there along with the Beta, Gamma, and their mates. The great Alpha Eamon leaned back in his seat, nodding in approval at something Beta Rase had said. He smiled, and the small wrinkles immediately framed his bright, blue eyes. He looked like he genuinely enjoyed the feast. I, on the other hand, was nearly dragged here by force, and I couldn't wait for the moment this whole love exposure was over.

“I need wine,” I mumbled, glancing at my friend, Bea, Gamma Tieran's daughter.

She gave me a knowing look and shook her head. “You've just finished drinking a whole glass.”

“I need more,” I groaned, placing my elbows on the table and resting my chin on tangled fingers. “Why do they all look so… happy?”

Bea snorted, then pulled her brown hair behind her ear. “It's the pull of the mate bond. I bet they don't even know how lucky they are. Some shifters will never have a chance to find their mate.”

I gave her a wry smile. “And I have a feeling my father wants to decrease my chances to zero.”

She nudged my arm. “Don't say that. Your father loves you.”

“Yeah…” I let out a long sigh. “He loves me too much to let me leave Verendell and the Silver River Pack.”

She winced and patted my shoulder. “It wasn't easy for him when Luna Althea died. Maybe he's afraid to lose you, too. Maybe he's just… waiting for the right moment.”

“Don't know about that last part…” I shifted closer and leaned over her ear. “The messenger from the King was here yesterday. I overheard that he brought a marriage proposal. The King wanted me to marry his son, Prince Jared.”

Bea gasped. “No way! So… how did Alpha Eamon react?”

I looked at my father's table, and my jaw clenched. Then I turned to Bea and drew a deep breath. “He rejected his proposal and didn't even think to ask for my opinion first.”

Sympathy curved my friend's lips. “I'm sure he had his reasons.”

A humorless laugh escaped me. “Yeah… He said this would have been a political marriage, and he doesn't want a loveless relationship for me.”

“That sounds… like a good explanation,” Bea murmured.

I rolled my eyes. “But he doesn't know whether there would have been love between us or not. I heard that Jared is handsome and intelligent. He should at least give me a chance to meet him. And what if we're mates?” Bea gave me a look, and I groaned, tilting my head back. “I know, I know… But is it wrong to want something more?”

My eyes drifted to my father's table again, and I saw him talking to my uncle. Then Uncle Cyril snapped his fingers at an omega servant, and the man rushed to the table, carrying a bottle of wine. Another servant appeared at our table with a similar bottle. “It's a present from the King,” the servant explained as he bowed low and filled my chalice.

I looked at the wine and winced. It was dark and had an oddly spicy smell. I glanced at my father's table and saw everyone raising their glasses. “I think you should drink it,” Bea muttered, nudging my arm. “It would have been disrespectful to refuse the drink from the King himself.”

“Guess I have no choice…” I drew a deep breath and lifted the chalice to my lips. I let the first few drops fall down my throat, and the searing sensation nearly burned my insides. Groaning, I put the cup down and wiped my mouth. “Gods… it's not wine but liquid fire,” I strained through my teeth.

Bea laughed. “Now I'm glad I didn't have to drink it.” She handed me another chalice and filled it with ale. “Hope this will help.”

I grabbed the cup and downed it in seconds. Then I poured more sweet wine down my throat, hoping it would wash away the memory of the searing disgustingness, yet an odd tingling sensation remained. A few hours passed, and the liquor's heaviness twisted my stomach.

“I need some fresh air,” I mumbled as my head began to spin.

Bea grabbed my hand. “Want me to go with you?”

“No…” I gave her a weak smile. “Don't worry. I'll be fine…”

I strode out of the ballroom and headed beyond the castle walls. I wasn't sure what kind of force led me to the forest, but suddenly, I felt the urge to run. A moment later, I let my garments fall to the ground and turned into my wolf form.

I stormed deep into the woods. I didn't know where I was heading. I let my instincts lead me, enjoying every liberating second. I had barely noticed when I crossed the pack's borders and found myself at the Geal Lake's shore.

The water seemed to call me, coaxing me to dive in. I cautiously scanned my surroundings before turning into my human form and walking into the lake. The cool water caressed my bare skin, soothing my senses. I knew I should have gone back, but an odd voice inside me whispered it wouldn't hurt if I stayed here a little longer…

The soft rustling sound pierced the night's silence, and everything within me froze. Slowly, I swam closer to the shore and hid among the reeds, submerging up to my shoulders. I heard a twig snap under someone's feet, and my breath caught in my throat.

The rustling sound grew louder, and I barely stifled a gasp as I noticed a huge black wolf prowling toward the shore. I clamped my hand over my mouth as the wolf turned into a man…

The stranger stepped into the water, slowly emerging from the shadows. An odd wave of shivers rushed through me as the moonlight exposed every inch of his perfectly carved body.

My eyes grew wide, and my stupid heart began to pound. I added another hand to cover my mouth as strange sounds began to bubble in my throat. I should at least try to turn my gaze away, but I couldn't. My stubborn eyes kept devouring the man's broad shoulders, his chiseled chest and stomach, his—

Dear gods… I swallowed and forced myself to look up, but a violent wave of heat had already flooded every inch of me. He lifted his powerful arms and ran his fingers through his dark hair. My thighs clenched together, and a hot humidity appeared between them. There had to be something seriously wrong with me. This man might have been dangerous. He might have been a rebel or a vicious rogue. And yet, I couldn't take my damn eyes off of him!

I watched him submerge himself, disappearing into the dark depths and then appearing dangerously close to the reeds. His scent hit my nostrils, and my wolf whimpered, trying to surface. Gods, this was the last thing I needed! I had to calm down. I had to breathe. I had to snap out of this. I had to—

I blinked and saw the god-like man looking straight into my eyes. My breath froze in my lungs. His full lips stretched into a wicked smile as his deep purr sounded. “Enjoying the show, little mouse?”