Sophia

The Full Moon Ball is only a day away, and the pressure is on. Each year different pack hosts Full Moon Ball and this is year it is Redwood Pack's turn to arrange this annual ball.

My father is leaving no stone upturn to make sure our pack's Full Moon Ball is one of the best balls that has been witnessed in the years.

Determined to get through my day without drawing any attention, I keep my head low and busy myself with the long chores that I have been assigned.

My stomach grumbles with hunger but ignoring the hunger pangs I continue sweeping the hallways floors until it is shiny enough for people to see their reflection.

Standing up with a sigh, I pick up the bucket of dirty water and carry it outside to throw the water in the bushes before resuming the cleaning of the guest house where all the Alphas and their families will be staying.

As I am polishing the silverware in the dining room, I overhear some of the higher-ranking wolves talking about the guests who will be arriving.

"Did you hear? The Blind Alpha is coming," One of them whispers.

"Really? I thought he never attended these kinds of events," another replies.

A expression of disgust passes over my face when I hear them addressing the Alpha as the Blind Alpha. No one has the right to judge someone and especially labeling them. From what I have heard he is blind, but this doesn't mean that he should be defined by his disability. I quickly shake off the thought and focus on my work, determined not to let their gossip distract me.

As the day progresses, the guest house starts to take shape. The decorators hang lavish drapes, arrange elegant centerpieces, and ensure everything is perfect for the high-ranking guests.

I take a moment to admire the beautiful decoration and feel myself smiling at the thought how beautiful everything will look once moonlight will light up the entire place.

"Sophia! Stop lazying around and get back to work!" Cynthia's sharp voice reaches my ears, her eyes cold and unforgiving.

"Yes, Luna." Nodding my head, I head back outside to tend the garden.

My hands turn raw and bleed by the time I finish clearing up the weeds and picking up the roses from the garden for the vases.

Sitting on the steps, I bend my head on my knees as I feel dizzy because of the lack of food. I haven't ate anything for the past few days, but unlike last time this time I am allowed to drink water. And that is something helping to me suppress my hunger.

Letting out another sigh, I recall the rest of the chores that I have to finish before the sunset. The rest of the day passes in a blur of chores and commands. By the time the sun sets, I'm exhausted. I return to my room, collapsing onto my bed.

As I lay there, my mind drifts to the Full Moon Ball. It's a time when many find their mates, the one person destined to be their perfect match. A small part of me clings to the hope that my mate will come and take me away from all this.

Wrapping my arms around my stomach, I curl up on my side as the pain becomes overbearing. I have a wolf, and the lack of her presence is due to the fact that my father has made her dormant by not allowing me to shift. I have only shifted into my wolf once, and now I feel even she has left me because it has been years since I have felt her presence inside me.

I let myself cry for a few minutes, the tears flowing freely because the realization hits me that I don't have anyone with me; I am all alone, not even my wolf.

"Please come and find me, you are my only hope. I need you." Closing my eyes, I whisper to my probably non-existent mate, hoping that maybe by some miracle my longing will reach out to him.

Mikhail

Alexei sits beside me as we travel to the Redwood pack.

I can sense his curiosity and slight apprehension about this trip, but he knows better than to voice it.

I normally don't attend such events, but for some reason, I felt intrigued to go there. It is almost like something is calling me.

"How much longer?" I ask, my voice cutting through the quiet.

"About an hour," Alexei replies. He momentarily stops using his phone as the sound of his typing stops.

Nodding, I lean back against the leather seat.

The number of rogue attacks has been increasing, and while I prefer to handle things within my own territory, I cannot ignore the potential benefits of forming alliances. Maybe coming to this ball is not a bad idea, as it sounded to me earlier.

Abruptly, Alexei's words about the true mate bond come to my mind. A mate, destined by the Moon Goddess, created for me alone. I shake my head, trying to dismiss the thought.

Layla is enough. She will be my Luna.

"We're almost there," Alexei says, interrupting my thoughts.

As we arrive at the Redwood Pack, my senses are overloaded with all the foreign smell and sensations. I am out of my comfort zone, here everything is new and foreign. Without my sight, it would not be easy to navigate for me, but I will not show any weakness.

A sign of weakness serves as the invitation to other Alpha to challenge your credibility.

Alexei and I have trained all our lives; he is my eye whenever I have to travel to a new place.

The car comes to a stop, and I feel Alexei slightly turning towards me, a silent reassurance. "Let's go, Alpha," he says and steps out of the car.

Squaring my shoulders, I step outside the car as a stoic mask takes over my features. I let my Alpha energy radiate off of me so everyone knows I am not someone they can mess with.

The air is filled with the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass. I can hear the faint rustling of leaves and the distant murmurs of wolves preparing for the event. Despite my poor vision, I can sense the grandeur of the place.

"Welcome, Alpha Mikhail." A voice greets me, and I recognize Alpha Gregor's scent. "It's a pleasure to have you here."

"Thank you for the invitation." Grabbing his extended hand in a firm shake, I nod my head.

"Please, make yourself comfortable. We have prepared the finest accommodations for you," Gregor says, leading us inside. "And if there is anything you need, we will be honored to serve you."

As we walk through the hallways, I can sense the bustling activity around us. The Redwood Pack is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the Full Moon Ball. My heightened senses pick up snippets of conversations, laughter, and the occasional sound of hurried footsteps.

Among all the foreign smells, my nose picks up hints of lavender and vanilla, causing my wolf to come forward. The smell seems hypnotic, yet it causes strange restlessness inside me. Inhaling deeply, I try to get another whiff of the smell, but there are only lingering traces of the scent disappearing among other scents.

"Alpha Gregor, what's the agenda for tonight?" Alexei asks, trying to gather information about this ball.

"Tonight is just for settling in and mingling. Tomorrow, we will have the main event. It will be a grand affair, with the hope that some of our guests will find their destined mates," Gregor explains.

The mention of mates again sends a ripple of unease through me. I try to focus on the immediate tasks, pushing aside the thoughts of the Moon Goddess's plans.

"Very well," I say, keeping my tone neutral.

As we reach our quarters, Gregor takes his leave.

Alexei room is in the opposite room to mine, which is convenient as he can come to whenever I need his assistance.

Alexei quickly skim through my room, and check everything before giving me the detailed information about the room so I can navigate on my own.

I can hear the faint sound of water from a nearby fountain, adding a calming effect to the atmosphere.

"Go get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day." I dismiss Alexei because I know that even though he is tired from this long journey, the full moon is affecting his wolf as well.

"You, too, try to get some sleep," He responds, leaving me alone in the room.

I sit on the edge of the bed, my mind wandering to the scent of lavender and vanilla. Something about it felt different... almost inviting.

My wolf stirs restlessly inside me the more I think about that scent.

My thoughts keep drifting back to that alluring scent.

It's maddening.

The more I think about it, the more unsettled I become.

Sophia

Checking my reflection in my small mirror, I tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear, which have escaped from my braid. Running my hand over my white dress, I try to smoothen it as much as I can. Honoring the Moon Goddess, all the she-wolves wear white, especially the unmated she-wolves.

This is the only nice dress that I own that I have been wearing for the past few years on the Red Moon. But since tonight is Full Moon Ball, I decided to wear it even though it is not Red Moon because I want to look a bit presentable in front of others.

Wiping my face with the small hand towel, I once again check my reflection before I head out towards the training ground to help others prepare the ground for the Full Moon shift.

All the unmated wolves will try to find their mates during the ball. And later, when midnight strikes, everyone would come outside and shift into their wolves and go for the run. Newly mated wolves will celebrate their unions while the other will run alongside their family and friends.

I join a group of pack members setting up tables and chairs for the post-ball feast. Almost everyone leaves as soon as I join the table, and moves to work on the other table. I can hear their taunts directed towards me and the sound of their laughs that they are having at my expanse.

But not paying attention to their words, I keep my focus on the work at hand; the sooner I finish here, the sooner I can get back into the safety of my room.

I am not allowed to attend the Full Moon ball as per my father's order because he is embarrassed to be associated with me. Joke on him, his blood runs through my veins, even if he want he can never turn his face from this truth.

Just as I finish setting up one of the last tables, I feel a rough shove from behind. I stumble but manage to catch myself before falling.

"Watch where you're going, bitch," a voice sneers.

I turn to see Kane, one of the warriors, glaring at me with a smirk on his face. His smirk identical to Cynthia's a strong giveaway he is her nephew.

Not only look, but it seems like they even share the same mean streak. Maybe it is their blood.

"Sorry, Kane," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I didn't see you there."

"Yeah, well, maybe you should pay more attention," he snaps, stepping closer. "Or maybe you are seeking opportunities to get closer to me." His eyes move up and down my body, causing a shiver to run down my spine in disgust.

I feel a surge of anger but force myself to stay calm.

"I am not interested in you." Keeping my face neutral, I look at him, "In fact, if anything, you disgust me."

His smirk falters, replaced by a flash of anger.

You should watch your mouth, Sophia," he snarls, grabbing my throat. "You don't get to talk to me like that."

He closes his fingers around my throat, blocking my airways. Everyone stops doing whatever they are doing and looks in our direction.

It is becoming difficult for me to breathe, and I try to free myself by clawing his hands away from my neck.

"Let go of me, Kane." My voice comes out choked as my vision becomes blurry due to lack of oxygen.

Suddenly, a large gray wolf comes out of nowhere and attacks Kane. I hear screams of horror coming from some she-wolves, along with Cynthia's screams.

My vision turns hazy as I feel myself losing control of my body. I begin to fall down as my eyes shut.

Even before I could fall down, a strong pair of arms wrapped around me while holding me close.

A strange comfort washes over me while my nose registers the most amazing and intoxicating smell I have ever smelled.

I am trying to fight against the darkness and forcing my eyes to open, but I am failing miserably.