Night Of Of The Blood Moon

Lively chatter echoed through the ballroom, and mild music in the background kept the mood.

Time was slowly reaching the awaited hour. Excitement and expectation could be heard and seen in the eyes of every unmated shifter present, old and young alike.

At the forefront of it all was Alpha Collins with his children by his side, ready to give a welcome speech to the guests. With a spoon, he gently tapped the glass on his other hand, and the soft, crisp sound silenced the ballroom and drew all eyes to him.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all on this fateful night,” Alpha Collins began

Beside him, Gemma's eyes swept through every face present, searching.

“The Blood Moon comes only once a year, and this year's, on this wonderful day, we have the pleasure of hosting you. I and my family and the entire Winter Pack are truly grateful to host you,” he continued.

Some of the guests nodded, and a few others hummed.

Collins stood still and expressionless at his side while Gemma slipped away. She moved between the guests with a frown on her face. Disappointment beginning to settle.

“Let us celebrate and thank the goddess, Selene, for smiling on us and blessing us once again this year…”

Alpha Collins’ voice began to fade in Gemma's ears as worry and anger began spreading its roots through her heart and thoughts.

“I pray that everyone gathered here seeking for their fated partner to be blessed with them tonight.”

The crowd cheered and clapped, the sound startling Gemma who grumbled and cursed.

“Where the hell is he?” She muttered, glaring at every corner she looked, especially at the main entrance.

“Once again. I welcome you to the Winter Pack and the Blood Moon. Drink, eat, and be merry,” Alpha Collins concluded as the crowd clapped once again.

Gemma turned and glared at her father and brother, inwardly blaming them for making her believe her dream man was coming.

Her eyes narrowed as she saw Austin, her father's beta approached him and whispered into his ears. She quickly walked back to where they were, almost running, bumping into people but didn't stop to even apologize.

Alpha Collins turned to Julian and said, “I'll leave the ballroom to you,” he said, knowing he probably heard everything the beta said.

Julian gave a nod and a light hum.

Gemma quickly pulled Julian aside, her grip a little tighter than necessary, but Julian’s expression remained placid.

“You said he was coming,” she said in a whisper.

“Yes, and…?” Julian asked with a hint of annoyance in his tone.

“Isn't it obvious?” Gemma asked. “He isn't here.”

Julian shook off her hand and stepped back. “Then go get him here yourself.” he said and walked away.

Gemma stomped her foot and puffed her cheeks, but Julian paid her no mind.

Alpha Collins followed his beta out of the ballroom. He didn't bother much about those in there now because just like Julian, everyone in the hall right now were single Alphas, alpha heirs, or those below these ranks.

The guests he should entertain were either still on their way or have just arrived and have been sent to wait somewhere else. That was what his beta just came to tell him.

“How many are here?” Alpha Collins asked.

“five,” Beta Austin replied, and Alpha Collins nodded.

“What about him?” Alpha Collins asked again.

He didn't need to be specific as the beta already knew who his alpha was referring to. “There's news that he's on his way. He'll be here soon,” Austin replied. “The other alphas also know this and have become restless, too.” he added.

Alpha Collins sighed, running a hand through his hair as they moved through the corridor with large strides.

Meanwhile, away from the packhouse where everything else was happening, Rhea sat on the ground, knees drawn to her chest, chin placed on them. Her hands hugged her legs. On her ankles were chains.

The music from the ballroom often drifted into her ears, but she never once reacted to it. She just wished it would be over soon so she could go back inside.

She never wished to be in the ballroom. All she wanted was to go back to her little room in the basement, but even that wasn't enough because Julian and Gemma didn't think it would be enough to keep her out of sight.

And now…

She was out in the cold, chained to a tree in the backyard, the ground covered in snow and with no covering whatsoever.

Her eyes grew heavier by the second, yet the biting cold wouldn't even let her sleep. But Rhea was determined to have at least a little sleep before they came for her again.

But just then, she heard footsteps approaching where she was, and her heart began racing. She sniffed the air, trying to pick up a scent even with a nearly frozen nose, and when she succeeded in picking up the scent, she frowned and sprung up to her feet, alarmed.

It was an unfamiliar accent.

To Rhea, it was nothing good. There was never anything good about being found or seen by anyone.

To her, everyone was danger.

The closer the steps got to her, the more her fear grew. Just thinking of what this person approaching would do to her already had her forgetting that she was bound and tried to run only to be pulled back by the chains, and she fell.

She wanted to scream and cry out as pain shot through her knees at the impact with the ground, but she knew nothing good ever came from her voice being heard.

So she just muffled her voice and fought against the tears threatening to spill.

The footsteps soon stopped beside her. A tall and broad figure towering over her. She shut her eyes tightly, but she could feel a heated gaze on her and she wished she could turn invisible.

“Why are you chained out in the cold?” The person asked and Rhea flinched.