004~ LOVER

Vaelra

I am off the bed before she finishes speaking.

Speak of the devil.

"Zane?"

A laugh answers me.

And there he is, standing in the middle of our tiny cottage with a grin stretched across his face.

The sight of him feels like a weight lifting from my shoulders.

"Hey," he says.

I don't bother answering and launch myself at him.

He catches me effortlessly and lifts me off the ground as I wrap my legs around his waist. He nearly stumbles backwards before catching himself.

We both burst our laughing.

"Damn," he says. "You've gotten heavier."

I pinch his side hard.

"Ow!"

"Serves you right."

"I thought your pack wasn't attending this year," I say.

His hands tighten around my waist.

"Something came up."

I pull back slightly. "I hope it isn't something serious?"

His green eyes meet mine, and the air suddenly feels different.

"Yeah." He breathes.

My gaze drifts to his mouth, and his flick to mine then back again.

A throat clears loudly, and we both jump apart.

I forgot she was still here.

Mama wraps her shawl around her shoulders. "I'll be at your Nana's."

"Mama—"

The door closes before I can finish.

The second it does, Zane's hand slides around my waist and pulls me against him.

His lips crash into mine, and a surprised sound escapes me before I melt into the kiss.

My fingers tangle in his hair as I kiss him back.

Fuck, I missed him.

He walks me backward until my back hits the wall.

When he finally pulls away, we are both breathing hard.

His forehead drops against mine.

"I missed you." His voice comes out rough.

Those three words sends butterflies in my stomach.

"I missed you too."

We just stand there grinning like idiots.

"You've gotten prettier."

Heat floods my cheeks.

"You say that every time."

"Because it's true."

His fingers brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Then he kisses my forehead, my cheek and the tip of my nose.

I giggle and shove at his chest.

"Stop."

"Never."

"You're ridiculous."

"And you love me."

Silence falls the moment the words leave his mouth.

My smile falters, and so does he.

For a second, neither of us knows what to say.

Heat creeps up my neck, and he rubs the back of his neck and lets out an awkward cough.

Then, in an attempt to break the silence, he asks, "Why aren't you dressed?"

"For?"

"The moon dance," he says, then adds quickly, "Don't tell me you weren't planning on going."

"Maybe."

"Oh, you're so going."

"But I don't want to." I pout.

"You must."

I pretend to think about it.

"Vae."

"Fine."

Victory flashes across his face as he peeks my lips. Then suddenly, his expression changes, and his eyes lose focus for a second.

"Shit."

"What?"

"My father is asking for me."

The disappointment must show on my face because he immediately reaches for my hand.

"Hey," he says, his thumb brushing across my knuckles. "I'll be all yours after the dance."

"You promise?"

A smile spreads across his face. "I promise."

When he leaves, the cottage feels strangely quiet.

I return to my room and pull down the blue dress I swore I'd never wear.

A smile tugs at my lips as I hold it against my body.

I can't wait for Zane to see me in it.

The deep blue fabric hugs my waist before flowing all the way to my ankles.

I smooth my palms down the skirt for what must be the tenth time.

"You look beautiful," Mama says for what has to be the hundredth time, her eyes shining with pride.

"My sweet pup will turn heads in that," Nana chimes in.

Mama had brought her along as plan B in case Zane failed to convince me to go.

Grabbing the sides of my skirt, I do a spin for them.

They immediately start clapping and singing praises that make my cheeks burn.

Nana steps closer and takes my hands in hers. "May the moon goddess bless you, my sweet pup."

I almost roll my eyes, but instead, I smile for her sake.

Nana is one of the only two people in this pack who truly loves me.

As Alpha's mother, she could have easily ignored us like everyone else. Instead, she took care of us and always reminded me that I was unique, not broken.

She tells me my mate story will be different from my Mama's.

But I'd rather not get my hopes up.

"Thank you, Nana." I squeeze her hands before kissing her forehead.

The wrinkles around her eyes deepen as she smiles.

The closer we get to the moon shrine the louder everything becomes. Music, laughter, and voices from dozens of different people.

The moon dance has already begun.

Torches line the paths leading toward the shrine, their flames dancing in the night breeze. The entire clearing glows silver and gold.

"Did the Alpha rob a pack to pay for all this?"

"Vae," Mama warns.

Nana laughs. "Go enjoy yourself."

"Try not to cause trouble," Mama adds.

"As long as no one crosses me," I say, hugging her.

She kisses my hair and reminds me again not to cause trouble.

Leaving them behind, I head deeper into the crowd, moving toward an area where fewer people gathered.

Girls dressed in flowing white skirt and beads around their upper body move gracefully while drums beat steadily in the background.

I am on my own watching when someone slams into my shoulder, making me stumble sideways.

"Oh moon goddess, the rumours were wrong. He is even more gorgeous in person!" The girl beside me squeals.

The second girl lets out a strangled sound. "He is looking at me. I'm going to faint."

She immediately starts to fan herself.

I give them a look and quietly step away before anyone mistakes me for their friend.

That's when I start hearing people murmuring and giggling, mostly from girls around me.

"The Alpha of Blood Moon is so hot."

That gets my attention, and I follow everyone's line of sight and immediately regret it.

Mismatched eyes are already looking directly at me.