DEREK
The sun was hovering just above the trees, and the cocktail hour had rounded out with a glass of celebratory champagne. Paper lanterns swayed overhead like little glowing moons, casting halos of light over the
Music filtered in from the edges of the lawn–strings and dates now giving way to soft drums, the kind the stirred something ancient in your blood.
I was it
just finishing a conversation with one of the Moonstone Betas–pleasant enough guy, though I could tell he was still trying to figure out if I was a threat–when I heard Aiden’s voice cut through the noise.
“There he is!” he shouted, barreling toward me at full speed.
Before I could brace myself, he grabbed my hand. “Come on! It’s starting!”
“What is?”
“The opening speech. Grandpa’s gonna do it!” He yanked on my arm with surprising strength. “We have to go stand with Mom!”
I didn’t even have time to ask questions. Aiden dragged me through a sea of legs and laughter, winding between small children with glowing necklaces and older wolves holding drinks and dipping pastries into honey.
And then I saw her.
Elena stood near the raised fire platform, her red hair loose and gleaming, her face tilted slightly toward the moon as if listening for some secret only she could hear. She was still in her simple blouse and jeans, but the light caught her like royalty.
Aiden raced up to her and, without missing a beat, slipped his other hand into hers. Then, still holding mine, he looked up at both of us, beaming with pride.
And just like that, we were standing there–Elena to his left, me to his right, the three of us linked together.
If anyone were to look at us in that moment, they’d see a mother, a father, and their son. No questions. No gaps. Just…us.
Something shifted in my chest, quiet and devastating
I caught Elena glancing down at Aiden’s hand wrapped in both of ours. Her eyes flicked briefly to mine. She didn’t let go.
Neither did I.
A hush fell over the gathering as Elena’s father, the Alpha of Moonstone, stepped forward onto the fire platform. His voice rang out with the kind of quiet power that only years of leadership could grant.
us tonight.”
“Brothers and sisters,” he said, “thank you all for coming to celebrate the Moonbinding
A round of applause erupted, warm and reverent. A few wolves howled in the distance, answering the moment.
“The Moonbinding is the most sacred celebration in our history,” he continued. “It marks the mythical moment when the Moon Goddess gifted us our sacred bond with the moon, our ability to shift, and the magic that links our souls to one another.”
+25 BONUS
There was a subtle ripple of reverence through the crowd,pines straightening, heads tilting toward the sky
Tha Alpha went on. “These gifts are not just blessings they are responsibilities. To honor our bonds. To proter four young. To lead with strength and compassion.”
He paused, eyes sweeping across the crowd, then smiled down at his mate. “My Luna has spent months planning tonight’s celebration. Her vision has brought this gathering to life.
A cheer rose up again, this time more celebratory. The Luna dipped her head in acknowledgment, eyes shining,
“And of course,” the Alpha added, “our daughter Elena has contributed significantly to this evening’s events. As always, her touch brings both structure and spirit.”
I felt Elena shift beside me. I looked at her, and saw the way her cheeks flushed slightly, the way she bit back a smile. She didn’t like being put on a pedestal. But gods, she looked good up there anyway.
“Tonight,” the Alpha declared, “we celebrate the Moonbinding in all its forms. We have the traditional events- offerings to the moon, the moonlight shift, the courting circle, and the great feast on the lawn. But this year, my Luna has decided to add her own flair.”
There was a murmur of anticipation in the crowd.
The evening usually starts off with a hunt, but this year, we will be holding it symbolically–scavenger style,” he announced, grinning now. “One for the children, and one for the adults. And let me warn you all, the adult version comes with…stakes.”
The crowd laughed and groaned in delight. Someone near the back shouted, “Last time I had to serenade my mate in front of everyone!”
Someone else shouted, “You jumped in the fountain!”
“That was you?” a woman nearby gasped.
I leaned toward Elena. “What kind of stakes are we talking here?”
She smirked. “Let’s just say. last year’s losers had to do an interpretive dance about the phases of the moon. In loincloths.”
I choked on a laugh. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were.”
The Alpha raised his hand. “Partners will be assigned at random. Winners will receive a surprise prize. Losers… well, you’ll find out soon enough.”
Laughter rippled again.
The Luna stepped forward and called the children to her. “All little wolves, come gathe
A swarm of small bodies bounded toward her, including Aiden.
She crouched down, smiling warmly. “Each of you may pick one adult helper. Choose wisely. These clues won’t solve themselves.”
Aiden turned on his heel and marched right back to me.
“Will you be my helper?” he asked, eyes wide and hopeful.
Chopter int
I didn’t even hesitate. “Of course,”
110grin lit up his whole face. “Yes! Okay, okay, stay here, I’m gonna go get our first clue!”
He ran off before I could blink.
Elena cluickled. “That’s a bly; deal, you know.”
“What is?”
“Him choosing you. He doesn’t usually ask for help.”
My chest warned. “I’m honored.”
Before she could respond, I felt it.
A chill.
The Kind of chill that crawled up your spine even in warm air.
I turned.
And saw him.
Logan.
+25 BONUS
Standing stiffly under the canopy of a nearby tree, arms crossed, jaw tight. His eyes locked onto mine, cold and unblinking.
I’d been here for hours. And this was the first time I noticed him.
Fiancé.
Right.
I resisted the urge to shift my stance or roll my shoulders. Just looked at him. Let him see I wasn’t afraid. That I wasn’t going anywhere.
His gaze narrowed.
I gave him a slow nod.
Then turned back to Elena, who hadn’t noticed the silent standoff–or was pretending not to.
“Is he always that charming?” I asked under my breath.
Elena followed my gaze, and her lips thinned.
“Goddess,” she murmured, rolling her eyes.
Before I could ask anything more, Aiden returned, triumphant, holding a parchment with a little wax seal
“Eirst clue acquired!” he announced.
“Let the games begin,” I muttered.
But even as the scavenger hunt kicked off–kids running wild, adults pretending not to take it too seriously–I couldn’t shake the weight of Logan’s stare burning into my back
Chapter 11
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And for the first time all night, I realized something with complete clarity:
This wasn’t just a party.
It was a battlefield.
Only this time, the weapons were smiles, the territory was trust, and the prize was a future I hadn’t dared belie I still had a shot at.
