Chapter 1

SYLVIA 

It was finally here! The day was finally here! 

I spun around in my room in the dress I had prepared for this day since the year began. I had it sewn myself, and I had saved every penny I had earned from working at the pup’s daycare centre since my mother felt that buying expensive materials for a dress was unnecessary. 

I ran out of my room and rushed downstairs to the bathroom that I shared with my sister, Willow. 

Mother had gotten her the best dress made by a famous tailor in the entire region and she had gushed about it for weeks to anyone that lended an ear. 

I pulled the bathroom door open and slammed it behind me, grabbing Willow's face powder and dabbing just a little on my face so she wouldn't tell I had used it. I then applied a little lipstick of hers. 

The tube was still in my hand when she started banging hard on the door. 

“Sylvia? Are you going to live there forever? Get out! Some of us are trying to get ready!” She screamed at the top of her lungs and I knew if I wasn't out in a second, my mother was going to get involved and I didn't want to be on her bad side. She hadn't yelled at me for three days. 

That was a new record. 

I stepped out of the bathroom and she gave me a nasty look before entering and closing the door. 

I breathed out, calming my nerves. 

I would finally meet my mate today. Someone who would love me for me… 

I twirled, giggling as I imagined it all. Us with our hands together as we smiled with joy from finally meeting. 

“Girls! The carriage is here.” My mother said from the other end of the living area. 

I walked over with a skip in my step till I stood not too far from where she was by the door. 

“Make sure you're on your best behaviour, Sylvia.” She looked my dress over with a stern look but there was a hint of approval in her eyes before it vanished as quickly as it came that I almost thought I had imagined it. 

“Mum!” Willow ran towards our mother, wrapping her hands around her and hugging her tightly. 

“How do I look?” She pulled away from her and Spain in her dress and very shiny shoes. 

My mother's smile grew wide. One I had never seen her give me. 

I turned my face away as she gushed about how beautiful Willow was and that she was going to be the most beautiful girl today. 

“Oh stop mother. Sylvie looks just as good too with the dress she spent most of her nights making that she now has eye bags that even makeup can't cover.” Willow smiled brightly at me but anyone could tell how fake it was from afar and the underhanded comment about how tired I looked. 

“Her dress is alright “ mother simply said in response with her stern expression back on her face. 

“Come on, now. The carriage has waited far too long.” 

I stepped out of the door, leaving them behind and walked up to the carriage. 

The rider got down and bowed, holding out his hand for me to take so he could help me in. Once I was settled, he did the same for Willow. 

The rider got in place and Willow waved at mother as we moved while I just looked outside the window. 

“I didn't think you would finish the dress in time. It does look like something you would wear, Sylvie.” Willow said, attempting at a conversation but I just gave her a tight-lipped smile and went back to looking out the window. 

From the corner of my eye, I could see her glaring at me. 

She never took too well to being ignored. 

The carriage came to a halt and we were there. 

The palace. The tall gates opened slowly and all the carriages in a line began to ride in, dropping the maidens and the single men alike. 

It was the red Moon and on this night, marks would appear on the arms of every unwed person in the entire continent. To ensure that everyone found their mates on time, all unwed people gather at the palace and when the marks appear, you look for your mate that would have the same design on their arm. 

“I'm so excited.” Willow squealed with her friends. We had all gathered and everywhere was getting darker. 

The lights in the palace were turned on and the horns were blown announcing the arrival of the royal family. 

“Introducing the royal Thorne family of the Silverbell Continent.” The announcer said and everyone clapped as they each took their seats. 

“Did you know that the prince is also unwed and of age? He could find his mate tonight.” One of Willow's friends squealed. 

“What if it's you, Willow? You're the only one I know who is worthy of being the prince's consort.” Another said, sounding so excited before she turned to me and her lips twisted into a scowl. “Some would only dream of it though.” 

“Oh stop, you guys,” Willow responded, blushing as her cheeks turned a rosy shade. 

“The moon is appearing!” Someone screeched and we all looked up to see the red Moon coming out in all its Crimson glory. 

Gasps filled the arena as dark marks started appearing on the arms of people. 

I rolled up the sleeves of my gown, watching in anticipation for my mark. 

“My mark is appearing,” Willow shouted with glee, as did the other girls. 

Why wasn't mine appearing? I asked myself, staring hard at my arms but nothing. 

I had already given up when a faint line began to appear. 

My heart began to race as the marks slowly painted my skin with its beautiful ink. 

Then suddenly… it stopped. 

Why did it stop? 

My mind began to spiral as my hands shook, staring at my half-completed mark. 

The red Moon was already fading to its normal cream white colour. 

“No, no, no. The red Moon could not leave. My mark isn't complete yet!”, I yelled, gaining the attention of people around me who already had their marks completed. 

This couldn't be happening to me.

I stared hard at the mark again but nothing and then I slowly looked up at the sky. 

The red Moon… it was gone. 

“Why isn't my mark complete?” I said, rushing over to the guy who stood beside me and showing him my mark. He looked uncomfortable with me but I didn't care. I grabbed his arms and shook him vigorously, screaming at him to do something. 

“Do something, anything! Tell the red Moon to come back. This could not be how my night would go after I waited my whole life for this day. DO SOMETHING, YOU DIMWIT!” 

The guy slapped my hands away and shook his head at me. 

I grabbed my hair and pulled it so hard that my scalp stung as I fell to the ground. 

Everyone around me began to whisper and point fingers at me and the whole arena had their eyes on my display of sadness. 

“Someone, please… do something.” I sobbed quietly. 

“Excuse me, miss?” A deep voice spoke and I looked up, a smile slowly creeping on my face. 

Finally, someone had acknowledged me. They were going to help me. 

But I was met with stern looks from the palace guards and they did not look happy. 

“The King has ordered your presence.”