Moon Festivals

Something’s happening in the Shadow packhouse. 

An Omega maid slams into me when I turn around the corner, murmuring out a quick apology before scurrying down the corridor with a basket full of freshly-picked cherries. This had already happened five times, and both my shoulders ache at this point. I’d seen things from cherries to baked loaves of bread and even a massive platter of the richest chocolate cake I’d ever seen. 

The cake had come pretty dangerously close— it had nearly landed straight on my face. 

I wrap the scarf that Noel had left me tighter around my cheeks as I head out into the frigid cold outside. I’d found it this morning next to me, neatly folded into a stack and with a note on top that read his kindness. 

It’s even more of a chaotic mess outdoors than indoors. 

Silver lanterns hang on the brittle branches of wintergreen trees, glowing faintly with the flame protected beneath silken, insulated covers. I hear the chirping of birds, in this cold. They fly close to the heated lanterns, warming their frozen wings. 

It’s gorgeous. 

But at the same time, I was dying to know what was actually happening. 

I tap the shoulder of a maid who’s fixing a crooked lantern. She turns around, her eyes as auburn as the hair cascading down her shoulders. 

“Hello,” I start, feeling awkward already as I feel her gaze narrow. “Could you just tell me what’s going on? I—”

“I’m busy. Ask someone else.”

And with that, she turns around and leaves me standing. A bit of heat rises to my cheeks as I hear her whisper to one of the other maids, with a voice full of condescension. 

“Who is that?”

“An Omega who should really be working like the rest of us. I don’t know what the Alpha finds so special about her to be letting her in his chambers. She isn’t even pretty. Honestly, I’ve seen Elders that look better than her.”

I blink rapidly. 

Just walk away, Blaise. Nothing good will come from trying to do anything here. And who’s going to protect you if you start a whole catfight? No one, that’s who. The Alpha’s too damn scared to leave a bad reputation among his—

But I’d never been too good at controlling my temper. 

You know what?

I don’t even give a shit. 

I turn. Then as I walk away, I let the edge of my boot catch on one of the legs of the wooden stand that she has set the lantern on top of. The entire thing comes crashing down as I purposely trip, righting myself a second after as I turn back to see the lantern, now completely ruined, on the snow. 

I clasp both hands over my mouth as the maid freezes. 

“Oh my goodness,” I say, bowing my head multiple times. “I’m so sorry. Here, let me get that for you—”

The color of her cheeks now matches the bright red of her hair as she slaps my hands away. Her eyes flicker wildly back and forth, at the attention that we’re beginning to draw. And she doesn’t look too comfortable with it at all. 

The corner of my lips twists in amusement at her frantic expression. 

So she was the type of person to talk trash behind others’ backs, away from the spotlight. 

“You don’t have to.” She practically hisses under her breath, and I give her one last apologetic look as I walk away. Any apology on my face dissipates the moment I turn around. 

I run right into a slender, smiling figure. 

My surprised eyes flash up to see Noel. He’s wrapped up in winter clothes, a snow-white hat pulled on top of his messy hazel locks. His amber eyes glow a soft, proud shade in the pale sun. 

“Hi.” He whispers as I gape at him, lips parted. I’m both in shock and a bit embarrassed, that he’d seen me purposely do that to her. Maybe he’d now think that I was some kind of shady bully that—

“You stood your ground.”

…what?

“Ira’s not too kind. She also has a crush on the Alpha.” He says, glancing over at the auburn-haired maid who has run to a group of other maids. She is talking furiously to them— no doubt trash-talking me even more at a distance. “I heard what she said about you.”

He gives me a cute, crooked smile. 

“I was about to come and help you out, but you didn’t need me at all.”

His smile really is warm enough to melt. But then I remember the last time I’d seen him. The Beta had made him follow him for punishment. 

But when I voice my worry, all he does is shake his head. 

“Ezra just acts scary. He isn’t really all that.”

Ezra. Beta Ezra Lord? He isn’t scary?

I can still remember the way his violet eyes had sparked knives as he’d tightened an iron grip around my throat. 

But Noel didn’t seem hurt. 

“If you say so,” I murmur, as I uncertainly fiddle my front thumbs together. But then I look up, finally having found the one person who was willing to listen to me. “Noel, what’s going on? I’ve been trying to find out this whole time.”

“The Moon Festival is approaching.” He says, walking away. I gratefully follow him, anxious to get out of this courtyard as soon as possible. I could literally hear the mean whispers spreading like wildfire behind me. I could already tell that Ira girl would make me the common enemy against the Shadow Omegas by the end of today. 

“It’s basically an annual celebration that comes around every winter.” He explains, purposefully speaking louder so it drowns out any of the gossipings all around us. “Lots of food, music, and pretty lights. But there are mainly two parts to it.”

He holds up two fingers. 

“The Moon Dance and the Blood Hour.”

The what hour?

I echo out my curiosity. And Noel’s eyes darken, just a little. 

“The Blood Hour is basically a Hunt. For the Omegas in the pack. The higher-ranked wolves play hide-and-seek with us for an hour, and they are allowed anything except for murder.”

My mouth drops open. 

You’ve got to be kidding me. 

“Anything?”

His lips purse solemnly. Then he nods, and I can’t help but see a bit of memory flicker through his eyes. I can tell it isn’t anything that’d bring a smile. 

Had something happened to him in the past Festivals? I’m too afraid to ask him. 

“When is this?” I echo, trying to turn the conversation. 

“Tomorrow.” He whispers, forcing a smile. 

“Stick to me, Blaise. I’ll keep you safe