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.