002~ FUCKING PREY!

Vaelra

The next morning, I stand in front of Mama's room, contemplating whether to open it or not.

She had made breakfast before sunrise and retreated back into her room before I woke up.

A neatly folded bundle of dresses sits on the table beside a handwritten note.

Take these to Elda. Tell her the new dresses will be finished soon. And don't forget to eat lunch.

I stare at the last line for a moment, guilt twisting in my chest.

Knocking softly on the door, I whisper, "Mama."

There was no reply.

Hands tightening around the bundle, I push the door open and find her lying on her side with her back to me.

Her shoulders tensing tell me she isn't asleep.

"I'll be back before dark," I say quietly.

She still doesn't respond.

The silence hurts more than shouting would have. But I know she will rather keep it all to herself than raise her voice at me.

Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I pull the door shut and leave.

The sky is dark, the first hints of dawn barely touching the horizon when I step outside.

I reach Elda's door and knock.

A few seconds later, it swings open, Elda's expression turning sour the moment she sees me.

"Why are you delivering them?" She asks, looking around to make sure no one was in sight.

Good morning to you, too.

I shove the bundle into her arms.

"She said the next batch will be finished soon."

Elda catches the bundle before they fall and glares at me.

"You—"

"The money." I cut her off.

Her lips thin. "Disrespectful brat."

She unties the leather pouch hanging from her belt and tosses several silver coins onto the ground between us.

I crouch, count them, and then look up.

"You're short of three silvers."

"I'm paying what I think the work is worth."

I chuckle, rubbing my neck.

"Is this what you've been paying her?"

She folds her arms. "You should be grateful I buy those dresses."

This bitch has got to be kidding me.

I take a step toward her and she immediately takes one back almost falling.

"Don't come any closer."

I can see the fear in her eyes. The fear everyone has when I try to get close.

"Pay my mother what she's owed."

"Or what?"

I smile. "I'll make sure everyone knows the cursed omega and her mother makes every dress in your shop."

Her face pales.

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

For several seconds, she just stares. Then she curses under her breath and reaches back into her pouch.

"Add extra for wasting my time."

Her eye twitches, but she adds more and throws everything onto the ground.

"There. Take your money and leave."

"Don't worry," I say as I gather the coins from the dirt. "I'm leaving."

Her shoulders relaxes.

Then I add, "And later, I'll be back for every silver you've cheated my mother out of."

I turn and walk away before she can answer.

The village is fully awake by the time I return.

Pack members hurry from place to place carrying lumber, banners, tables, and supplies, workers are hammering away at newly built cottages.

My gaze drifts toward the Moon shrine, where a large clearing has been made beside it.

This year, for the first time in generations, our pack is hosting the moon festival.

Everyone is excited. Everyone except me.

The old healer barely glances up from grinding herbs when I entered.

"You got everything?"

I set the basket down. "Yes."

He grunts. Which coming from him is practically a heartfelt thank you.

I take my money from the table where he usually leaves it and spend the rest of the morning until afternoon running errands no one else wants to do.

By evening I'm exhausted. Which is exactly why I'm currently at the river.

It's a narrow stretch hidden behind overgrown bushes and hanging willow branches, far from the parts most people use.

So it's become my spot.

After a quick swim, I stretch out on a smooth patch of grass near the bank.

I close my eyes for a short nap, but the giggling of girls from the other side of the river ruins it.

Peeking through the curtain of willow branches, I spot a group of girls making their way toward the river.

Great. Just what I needed.

They look a little younger, all dressed in flowing white skirts with silver ribbons braided into their hair.

They must have been practising for the moon dance.

"I swear if my mate has a resciding hairline, I'll cry," one of them says as they start taking off their clothes.

Laughter erupts.

I roll my eyes and turn onto my side, hoping they'll leave soon.

But the conversation only grows louder, and I'm forced to listen to their bullshits about mates.

"I hope mine is tall."

"I want an Alpha with a big dick."

A chorus of giggles follows that one.

"Oh, for Moon Goddess's sake, Lyanna!"

"What? Who doesn't like a big dick?"

The girls dissolve into laughter again.

I bury my face deeper into my arm, already forsaking sleep, but too tired to move.

The conversation continues for several more minutes before one of the girls suddenly lowers her voice.

"I heard the Blood Moon pack will be attending."

Even from where I'm lying, I can feel the atmosphere immediate shift.

"Really?"

"My brother said so too."

"Isn't that the pack with the moon's outcast as their Alpha?"

The what now?

"Yeah. The hybrid."

"I heard he is a tyrant who drinks the blood of his own pack members."

"No, my father said he is a hideous monster who keeps rogues chained in his dungeon and feeds on them."

The girls gasp.

The stories become more ridiculous with every sentence.

"No wonder the moon goddess never gave him a mate."

"I'd rather die than be mated to him or anyone from his pack."

The others quickly agree.

The girls continue talking but I stop listening.

Above me, the evening breeze stirs the willow branches.

I find myself wondering if he hates the moon goddess as much as I do.

**********

Most of the guest packs were already here by the moon festival's eve.

Mama never mentions the festival again, but the blue dress she hung in my room does the talking for her.

On the first day of the moon festival, everyone has gathered near the moon shirne to watch the moon ritual.

I, on the other hand, went to the river for a late night swim.

Taking off my clothes, I slowly walk into the water.

A sigh escapes me as the cool river rises to my shoulders.

I close my eyes and tilt my head back.

Then I feel something move beneath the water.

My eyes snap open just as a head bursts from the river barely an arm's length away.

A scream lodges in my throat as a man rises from the river like something dragged straight from a nightmare.

Moonlight glistens on pale skin and long silver hair hangs damp against broad shoulders. Every inch of him is hard angles and raw power, as though he was carved from stone.

His eyes are unlike anything I've ever seen.

One gleams silver beneath the moonlight, and the other burns a deep crimson.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moves as the river rushes around us.

Then, a low growl rumbles through his chest, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

His nostrils flare as his eyes drag slowly down my body something dark flickering across his face when they met my eyes again.

It's primal and possessive.

My heart starts hammering against my ribs so violently that I think it might break free.

Every survival instinct I possess screams at me to run.

Because he is a predator.

And he's looking down at me like his fucking prey.