THE NIGHT OF A FULL MOON

PROLOGUE

It was freezing. Only the moon had cast a little illumination on the forest grounds. I sat by the tree, my back pressed against the bark as I awaited my father’s return.

Suddenly, shadows loomed closer to where I sat. I raised my head from where I buried them between my thighs to relive the figure before me.

“Dad.” I could barely find my voice.

“Let’s get out of here!” He bawled.

My brows pulled into a frown at his tone. It was unnatural. Father never yelled.

“On your feet now! Diane..”

I sensed the urgency in his voice and immediately stood on wobbly legs.

Something IS wrong.

I barely had the time to ask when a beastly creature came into view. Something I had never seen before. It lunged at father.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I watched my father struggle against it. He had never looked so helpless. My eyes widened in horror as I watched the creature sink two sharp fangs into father’s neck.

“Leave my daddy alone!” I cried, throwing a pebble stone at the creature’s hairy face.

It paused and turned on me.

Silver eyes… They stuck to my head.

Gunshots echoed from behind and I caught sight of blood, oozing from the wolf’s hind leg.

“Run. Diane. Run!”

“I can’t leave without you, Papa.”

“It’s an order! Leave now!”

I did. Leaving my father at the mercy of a beast while I trusted my instinct to guide me through the forest.

CHAPTER ONE

YEARS LATER

Diane

Crescent Pack

The alarm blared relentlessly, snapping me out of my sleep. Although subtly dissatisfied with the interruption, I still watched the clock tick. The instant 12 a.m. hit, my lips curved into a small smile.

“Happy Birthday to me,” I whispered, clapping lightly.

I rolled off the small-sized bed. The metal legs creaked at the movement. It was one of the things this family had allowed me to acquire, alongside the tiny storeroom that had now become my personal room.

It’s been ten years since I became a part of this family. One that lured me off the streets and brought me into this nightmare I now lived.

I had let my guard down that night. An eight-year-old who had no idea, who had just experienced the near death of the only family she’d ever known.

The usual annoyance that comes with remembering that night threatened to break through again, but I swallowed it down. Now is not the time…

I laid back on my bed, my eyes blank as I stared expressionlessly at the ceiling. They never celebrate my birthday, never deemed it fit to get me gifts… but today, things would be different.

I’d be turning eighteen. I must discover my wolf and find my mate. All before midnight.

That’s what I ‘need’ and what they ‘want’ for me.

I’d been waiting for this day half my lifetime. I’d finally be free from the shackles of this home and get to experience what true love feels like after such a long time.

I drifted off to sleep eventually.

…..

Rough hands gripped my shoulders, nudging them aggressively.

“Wake up, Diane!” A feminine voice screeched before slapping the side of my face really hard.

I jerked awake m, sitting upright on the bed immediately.

“What are you doing still sleeping by this time?”

I looked up to see mother’s face scrunched up in infuriation

'I'm sorry, mum. I promise it won't repeat itself'

Rather than acknowledging my apology, she pulled me by the ears, leading me into the kitchen. 'Get the plates washed this instant'.

I set to work. Cleaning… Washing… Drying…

It was still dark outside, probably in the early hours of the morning. The house was silent as well, confirming the fact that everyone else was still asleep.

I finished with the plates and moved on to cleaning the entire house. It was only a matter of time before I finished everything. The instant I was done, I made my way to the tiny storeroom with the intention of picking out my best clothes for the upcoming event happening in a few hours’ time.

A banquet.

It was organized by the Alpha of the Crescent Pack to form a truce with the Alpha of the Stealth Pack. Two packs that had been enemies for decades. Nobody would have thought they’d eventually form a truce.

Due to the nature of the banquet, the Alpha had made the attendance of every wolf in the pack compulsory.

I saw this as a chance to find my mate, and that is why I’d need to put in effort for him. I must look attractive enough for him to want me the instant our paths cross.

I rummaged through a set of faded jean trousers and faded t-shirts. It was at this moment it dawned on me. I had no special outfit for the special occasion.

I shoved my clothes back into the box. I’d plead with Hailey to help me with a dress.

Hailey was the daughter and only child of my adoptive parents. Spoilt, pompous, beautiful. She controlled her parents and got whatever she wanted whenever she wished.

Unlike me, Hailey was lucky enough to have discovered her wolf when she was sixteen, but she still never found her mate… yet.

The day moved in a blur. Exactly an hour before the banquet, I summoned the courage to go speak to Hailey.

I pushed the door to her room open. She was still undressed, sitting in front of the mirror and applying mascara to her lashes.

I released a deep breath.

“Hailey…”

She jerked at my voice, disgust crawling up her face when she caught sight of me.

“Forgotten your manners? Why wouldn’t you knock before coming in?!” she yelped.

I rubbed my palms together desperately. “I forgot. I’m sorry.”

“What do you want?!” she snapped.

“A dress I can wear to the banquet. I will wash and return it once I’m done.”

She laughed mockingly. “You? Wear one of my dresses?” Hailey turned fully on the stool, looking me up and down disdainfully. “Please. My clothes would look like rags on you the second you put them on. And I don’t lend my things to orphans.”

I swallowed. “Just one. Something simple. I won’t even keep it long…”

“No.” She stood up, brushing past me toward her wardrobe. “Go wear whatever trash you already own. It’s not like anyone’s going to look at you tonight anyway.”

“Hailey, please…”

She spun around, eyes sharp. “Don’t beg. It’s pathetic. And if you ever walk into my room without knocking again, I’ll make sure Mother hears about it. Now get out.”

I stood there for another second, hoping she’d change her mind. She didn’t.

I eventually opted for a faded black jean and black t-shirt.

We were soon ready to leave. .

Just at the door, my adopted father, Stewart Crooks, turned to face me. 'You must find your mate today, Diane. I don't need to remind you of the repercussions, if you don't. Do I?'

I shook my head. 'Of course not, Father'

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see Hailey and mother wearing a malicious smirk..

'She's such a low life. I wonder why you took her off the bushes in the first place...' Hailey's last words before she stepped out of the house.

I followed suit, keeping my distance from them. I attracted stares as I walked past. I wasn’t only hated by my family.. I was also hated by every wolf of this pack. They stared disdainfully, whispering insults. All because I am not an original wolf of the pack.

I took the most quiet alleyway, in a bid to avoid more of those talks. Just a few more minutes to get to the hall, I heard a desperate scream from afar.

“It’s an attack! An Ambush.”