Alexander’s POV
“Isn’t the weather wonderful?” My mother’s voice rang in my ears as she hooked her arm around mine.
“Evening Mother,” I said, looking down at the pitied blond woman hooked on my arm.
She had the same silver eyes as me, and the reflection of the bonfire flames was glittering in them. “Have you decided to join tonight’s festivities?”
I was surprised to see her here tonight; something must have aroused her to join.
“I haven’t been to one of these festivities for ages, and I wouldn’t miss this one for the world,” she said, lifting a perfect eyebrow. “I heard that a certain someone had been marked and mated. I hope to become a grandmother soon.”
If only she knew she was a grandmother already! I could just imagine her spoiling Lex, and that thought warmed my heart.
I internally sighed and looked toward my father, who was talking to some of the council members. I tried to keep the marking low-profile, but he must have spilled the beans to my mother.
“Don’t look so concerned,” she continued, slapping my arm playfully. “My lips are sealed until you tell me that I can. I am so happy for you!”
“Thank you, Mother,” I said, smiling at her.
“When will I meet this mystery mate of yours?” she then asked.
Ah, so my father told her I was a mate, but not to whom.
Sneeky, sneeky, sneeky. He must have known my mother would make a huge deal out of it.
“Soon,” I said, closing the subject.
“Very well then,” she said, pleased. “Let me go say hello to the rest of the pack members.”
I gave her a smile that didn’t reach my eyes; it felt forced.
I was glad that she left my side and went to my father’s side. My father turned his gaze toward me and nodded his head.
I returned the gesture.
“You are early,” I heard Luke say behind me, and I turned my attention toward his voice.
I raised suspicious eyebrows when I saw the beautiful, long-legged redhead with him. She looked kind of familiar.
“So are you, Beta?” I said, eyeing the girl on his arm. She was wearing a long red dress with a split on each side of the dress-a bit overdressed for the festival.
“Alpha,” he said, gesturing to the girl standing next to him. “This is Sonja, Alpha Harris’ daughter from Blue Moon Pack.”
“Ah,” I said, extending my hand to her. “Beta Luke told me you were joining us. Welcome. Make yourself at home.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” Sonja said, giving me a soft smile. “I am hoping to find my mate tonight.”
I didn’t listen to another word she was saying; I was too distracted by the most beautiful she-wolf I have ever seen coming down to the bonfire-Emily.
Ghosts howled inside my mind and scratched to be released. He wanted me to go to her.
Luke must have noticed that my attention was elsewhere, and he followed my gaze, searching for what I was looking at.
Emily stood a couple of feet from us, dressed in a knee-length navy blue dress. Her hair was tied up above her head in a messy bun, and her make-up was done naturally, making her face glow from the flames.
“Wow!” I heard Luke gasp. “Luna sure looks…”
“Beautiful,” I cut him off. I was unable to take my eyes off of her.
“Have you spoken to her?” Luke asked, sounding concerned.
“No,” I answered.
I hid the rest of the afternoon in the cottage like a coward. I was unable to face her. I hurt my mate with my words and destroyed part of the pack house due to my temper, and I hated myself for that.
My father had a theory, and it sounded far-fetched, but what if it was true?
“If you would excuse me, Alpha,” I heard Sonja say. “I am going to try and mingle with your pack members.”
I nodded, not even glancing at her.
“That’s rude of you,” I heard Ghost say, yet I didn’t care about his comments or thoughts. I had better things to do than listen to him.
“Alex,” Luke said, grabbing my arm to get my attention. “Are you going to explain to her what is going on?”
My father told me what had happened that fateful night when I went missing in the forest.
According to him, I lost my way due to the heavy downpour.
The next morning, Angelica found me in a cave and took me home. She was seen as a hero among my pack, and my mother accepted her with open arms, hoping that one day I would take her as a mate.
I couldn’t remember a single thing about that night-not how I got lost or how I was found.
The story was so similar yet so different from the one Basilia told us.
Were they related?
Did something happen that night that neither Emily nor I could remember?
A growl escaped my lips, and my gaze snapped back at Luke. He knew I didn’t like to be touched, and personal space was very important for me.
He let go of me, taking a careful step back, and raised his hands defensively in the air.
Why did he suddenly look so scared of me?
“No,” I barked. “She doesn’t need to know. I will connect the dots myself. If it’s the same night, Angelica will fill in the blanks for me.”
Luke gave me a look of disbelief, yet I didn’t care.
I was familiar with his feelings for Angelica. The two of them didn’t see eye to eye, and he only tolerated her around me because he had no say.
“Maybe you should listen to your beta for once,” Ghost warned. “He is, after all, emotionally tapped into everyone around him.”
“I know,” I replied. “I trust his feelings, but I want to take a look into Angelica’s eyes when I ask her about that night. She must remember something.”
I turned my attention back to Emily, seeking her out in the crowd. She had joined her parents at the other side of the bonfire, and Sasha was approaching her.
Was she going to try and help her tonight?
Did she agree?
My gaze moved to Luke, and he nodded, confirming my thoughts.
“Sasha and Luna have an agreement,” he said.
“What kind of agreement?” I asked.
“Sasha will try to shift tonight,” he said. “Her wolf is…”
“Her wolf is what?” I asked, looking back at Luke, seeking an answer.
“Fond of Luna’s wolf,” he said.
“How?”
“I’m not sure,” he replied. “But it will be interesting to see if Luna will be able to help her.”
“Indeed,” I replied, moving toward the stage.
My father was all set to begin tonight’s activities, which involved a pack run after dancing, singing, praising, and howling to the moon.
I turned back to look at Emily, wondering if she would join in the opening, but she was frozen, staring into the bonfire’s flames, and for an instant I swear I saw something glow in her eyes.
Luke bumped my shoulder and gestured to Emily.
“Will Luna run with us tonight?”
****