Chapter 80
MOON’S POV
My heart pounded loudly in my chest. What I was about to do could destroy me if anyone found out. If Ace, or anyone else discovers I was the one who slipped an Ashfang Draught into his drink, something that would push him into a deadly rut, I’d be dead before sunrise. I had tried drugging him before, and it had backfired badly. If this plan failed, I’d be his first suspect.
I wore a dress and a mask, different from what I’d wear to the venue, and sneaked into the kitchen. My eyes immediately went to the gold cups neatly lined up, and I found Ace’s cup from the description. My hand trembled slightly as I opened the cap of the bottle and dropped four drops into his cup. The witch had been very specific when she said two drops, but I added four. She had warned that more than two could be dangerous, but we all know Ace, he always needs a little extra. I didn’t care if it knocked him out, I needed him to mate and mark me tonight.
I slipped back to my room, changed into my party dress, and made my way out. The small bottle Dad had given me weeks ago was safely strapped to my thigh. Once Ace drank his, I’d drink mine too. My scent would flood his senses, and the memory of our past intimacy would pull him in. Desire would explode, and he wouldn’t be able to resist me. I had always been his first choice, and tonight, I’d prove he couldn’t do without me.
Many were in pairs, just as it was supposed to be, Alphas and their marked Lunas. Many of the high ranked unmated wolves would probably find their mates tonight. I couldn’t focus on anyone else. My thoughts went to Ace, to him in my arms again. My body shivered as my eyes closed, and I could feel his hands, his mouth, the way he claimed me. The thought alone set fire through my veins. Tonight, he’d remember why I had always been his.
“Luna,” a deep male voice cut through my thoughts. “They’re waiting for you. You’re expected to march out with the Alpha.”
“Did Ace agree to it?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat.
“He didn’t have to. The elders demanded it. He’s waiting for you at the outer hall.”
I followed him out, my hands clutching my dress at my sides.
ACE’S POV
I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to be with Charlotte, with my son. I hadn’t had a single minute to myself since coming back from London. Gavin had kept his promise, he flushed out the Rougarous like he said he would. He found their den. while they were fleeing, and somehow someone had leaked to them that Gavin was coming. We’re yet to find their leader, I heard his name is Ravok and a few other men that escaped with him.
And then, just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, the elders and my dad were on my neck. Moon had gone to them with the divorce papers. There was chaos after that. I wasn’t about to back down, I’d do whatever it takes to be with my true mate and my son. I was done with Moon. Hell, we had been done long before that marriage ever started.
I don’t care if I have to give up my chances of becoming the next Alpha king, this time I’m choosing Charlotte and I feel no fucking regret.
I glanced at my wrist watch. I had been waiting for two minutes for her to show up because for some funny reason, she has to be by my side, at least for tonight. I was starting to walk away when she came running to my side, giving me that big smile that used to make my young heart flutter in the past. She was dressed in a red gown that hugged her figure with a slit up to her thighs, leaving nothing to the imagination. Her breasts were almost falling out from the dress. If it was in the past, I would have dragged her inside one of the rooms and pounded her until her legs wobbled.
I hissed loudly. “Fuck the damn heat.” I needed Charlotte tonight. With my heat building up very fast and the festival’s intoxicating scent mixing with the fire and noise, I didn’t feel so good. My body ached, my wolf was restless inside me, and every nerve in me screamed for release. The last time I came to this festival, I was alone, but somehow Moon had found her way there. I didn’t know how she got in, and I didn’t care. I was lost in heat, and then she had found me in the room where I
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Chapter 80
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was hiding. She pressed herself against me, grinding on my hardness, trying to claim me as she always had. But that night my wolf snapped. My body went stiff, recoiling against her touch, hating her scent like it burned my skin. I had always had sex with Moon, always wanted her, always needed her, she was good in bed, but that night, it felt like betrayal. Everything in me rejected her. My wolf, my body, even my desire, they needed someone else they didn’t know. They needed their mate, I hadn’t even found my mate then or knew what she looked like but my body craved her. I learned that night, in the worst possible way, to stay away from Moon whenever I was in heat. No matter how much I wanted to release my seed, no matter how close she tried to get, only my true mate could calm me, and she wasn’t it.
We walked out where everyone was, and the crowd erupted in cheers the moment they saw us. I gave a small nod. I stepped forward and cleared my throat. One of the men handed me a microphone to deliver my speech. The crowd went quiet the moment I began to speak. “This festival has always been more than just a tradition,” I began, glancing at the rows of Alphas, their lunas strapped in their arms and other high ranked wolves. “It’s a gathering of strength, of connection. We come together not to fight, but to celebrate who we are, to share what we’ve learned, and to grow stronger, not just as individuals, but as a community of packs. Tonight reminds us that our bonds matter, that the ties we form across packs make us resilient. Enjoy the night, find what you’re looking for, and remember why we stand together.”
A few other Alphas also gave their speeches, each of them carrying the same message, unity, respect, and the strength of our kind.
When the speeches ended, the wine was served. Everyone lifted their glasses, cheering, the fire in the center casting light on their faces. I took a sip, trying to focus on the ceremony, but then Arix growled something in my head that made my blood run cold.
Mate,
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