Chapter 3

BRIELLA.

My cousin had been on a one-woman mission all week, and I was her primary target. She was determined to execute a full-blown shopping trip that'd most likely include sparkles, sequins, makeup, and other torture devices designed specifically to make me squirm. Why? The Full Moon Festival, of course.

Cassie had insisted, in that dramatic way of hers, that we wouldn't dare show up in last year’s dresses because that was how she apparently spelled taboo.

"Everyone is required to attend unless they have special permission from Alpha," she said without looking up from her phone, her thumbs flying across the screen with practiced ease. The soft tap-tap-tap of her manicured nails against glass punctuated each word. "I highly doubt that he'll give you that, so we're going. Do you really want to show up to the annual event, looking like you couldn't give a shit?"

"But I don't." I dropped down onto her bed and flung an arm over my eyes.

Cassie gasped as if that was blasphemy or something. Dramatic. That was my cousin in a nutshell.

"Briella Hart, you will not go to the Full Moon Festival looking like you rolled out of bed." Her voice had taken on that lecturing tone, the one that meant she was gearing up for a full speech. I could practically hear her standing up, hands probably on her hips. "This is the event of the year. Who knows? The Goddess herself might be watching. Who knows? This year might be different."

I sighed, knowing that this wasn't a conversation that she ever let me win. To her it was all about living your best life, making memories, and having no regrets.

"I'm fairly certain that the Goddess has more important things to worry about than whether my dress meets certain standards."

But my cousin wouldn't hear it. Before I could protest further, she was already pulling me out of the room, hollering to Aunt Dee that we’d be back after unearthing the treasure as she’d put it.

Goddess, I loved my cousin.

Preparations for the festival had officially taken over the pack. Each store was packed with people who were hunting for the perfect outfits. Some people got fairly vicious this time of year, which was another reason why I didn’t like participating in the craziness.

I swore that Cassie must have a gift because she somehow always knew where to find exactly what she was looking for. She took me to a smaller shop on the edge of town that was empty of customers when we got there. No idea why because the dresses were absolutely gorgeous!

“Ah, Ms. Hart. I was wondering when you’d happen along,” an older woman said as she stepped out of the backroom.

Cassie's confused look mirrored my own, clearly not having told anyone where we were going.

I’d never met her before but had seen her around the pack. Rumor had it that she was descended from the original witch family who had helped to protect this pack. The way that she looked at me, as if she could see through me, was disconcerting.

“How do you know who I am?”

“Only idiots don’t know who you are, dear,” she said, giving me a fond smile. Cassie snorted at her words in full agreement. “It doesn’t matter for now. All in due time. They’ll learn one day.”

Then she murmured something about hoping that it wouldn’t be too late. She just waved a dismissive hand when I went to ask her what she meant by that. The woman was very strange, but I kind of liked her.

Dressing up had never been my thing, but I had to admit that I actually enjoyed the hours that we spent in her shop. I found myself trying on many different options and found a couple that looked amazing. However, the winner was one that she brought out from the very back. It was a satin emerald dress with a corset-style bodice, a sweetheart neckline, and had a thigh slit on one side.

I stood there completely stunned. This wasn’t something that I’d normally be caught dead in. But even I couldn’t deny that the dress was stunning.

Maybe Cassie was right that this year could be different.

*****

RYDER.

‘Is this really necessary?’ Axel asked me.

My wolf watched Dad paced back and forth as he droned on and on.

‘Apparently,’ I deadpanned.

I was doing everything in my power to look attentive during another lecture about the Full Moon Festival. The man had many talents, and one of them was being able to turn a ten-minute reminder into a half-hour speech about my responsibility as the next Alpha of this pack. I’d heard it all before. The lectures began before I’d even been old enough to shift, but it was being laid on thicker than normal this year. The difference was that I was eighteen and capable of finding my Luna. Right. Like that was my main focus in life.

“The festival is important. It’s not just a celebration. It’s a strategic opportunity to show unity and the strength comes from respect, tradition, and from the bond found between pack members, son.”

Dad sat behind his massive oak desk that had the family crest carved into it. A wolf’s head thrown back as it howled at a crescent moon. It felt like a taunt. A reminder about the legacy that was attached to my last name, the one that I would never be able to outrun.

“I know, Dad.”

A sneer told me that wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

“And yet, I’m not entirely convinced that you do understand or that you care. You’re the future Alpha of Crescent Moon for fuck’s sake. Everyone will be watching you tomorrow and how you conduct yourself. An example for everyone will be set. It’s not just an excuse to indulge in distractions. It’s an opportunity to show your people that you’re ready to lead.”

And there it was. The usual speech about duty. About carrying the Landon legacy. About not letting my personal life interfere with the image of the perfect heir. He demanded perfection even though I was anything but perfect. I knew how to play a part, but that didn’t mean that I enjoyed it.

“I’ll behave,” I said dryly. “Promise not to start a brawl, insult the elders, or engage in an orgy.”

The corner of his mouth twitched once before he fixed his expression.

“See that you don’t. The Goddess may decide to bless you. It might be the night that you meet your mate.”

I nodded in understanding even though something twisted inside of me.

The whole destiny thing had always been a topic that made me uneasy. I believed in loyalty, sure. In family. In protecting what’s mine. The idea that fate could just hand me someone random and expect me to bind myself to them, to love them, was a different matter altogether. That was a chain that I wasn’t sure I wanted.

‘Unless it’s with a certain brown-haired beauty,’ Axel drawled.

‘Dunno what you’re on about.’

‘Surrrre you don’t. Remember, I’m in your head. I know your thoughts. I see just how many of them center around her. The same way that mine certain around that grey vixen with blue eyes. I, for one, would be fucking thrilled if the Goddess paired us together. There’s something special about her. But I just can’t put my paw on it.’ He hummed in thought. ‘Oh well. They’ll turn eighteen tomorrow. Who knows what’ll happen.’

I wanted to deny it, to lie and hide it from him, but he was right. He knew everything that went on in my head.

‘How do you know when it is?’

No time was wasted in leaving once the rant was finished, needing to grab a shower before heading out to meet up with the guys. We were supposed to grab our suits for tomorrow from the tailor.

‘How do you not know? How long have you secretly watched her? Not to mention that her cousin asked about birthday plans in class yesterday. You should really start paying better attention to details, Ry. Regardless, I think it’s time to stop all of the stalking. We’re future Alphas. We need to man, and wolf, the fuck up. Who gives a shit what others think? All that matters is that we’re happy. I really think they’d make us happy.’

I was silent as I bathed, thinking over his words.

Briella had been a fascination of mine since we hit Freshman year. That was when I first noticed her.

She was a quiet person. I appreciated how she didn’t fall all over herself to make others like her. It was almost like she couldn’t give a shit about what others thought, keeping her head down and minding her own business. It was intriguing and infuriating at the same time because I couldn’t ever tell if she even saw me. She wasn’t like other chicks who went out of their way to get my attention. I’d never even held a conversation with her, but that didn’t stop me from watching her.

Perhaps Axel was right about it being time to man the fuck up.