Chapter 707 The moon goddess is angry
Music followed the sound of the shaman’s voice as the pack roared to life.
The pack ground of the Grimroot pack was filled for the first time with people from all packs in the werewolf community.
Bodies pressed together, voices rose in laughter and conversation, and the air was thick with the scent of grilled meat, spilled wine, and anticipation.
Festive lanterns hung from the trees like captured stars, their warm glow painting the clearing in shades of gold and amber.
Chairs were arranged in circles, with tables for barbecue and drinks scattered throughout the grounds. All kinds of alcohol and soft drinks were available, and all chefs took charge of the barbecues, working against time to satisfy the excited guests and pack members. The sizzle of meat over open flames mixed with the clink of glasses and the hum of a hundred conversations.
She-wolves were separated from the werewolves, in preparation for a mate hunt. Red blindfolds were given to everyone on arrival as the shaman announced, her voice carrying across the clearing with the weight of ancient authority.
“Before the Blood Moon appears, I shall inform you all to put on the blindfolds. As for now, enjoy the festival. The Blood Moon appears at midnight, and the mate bond shall be restored.”
Cheers roared at the Grimroot pack, but Voren and Seraphine had not moved away yet.
For some reason, Voren did not want to keep his pregnant wife out of his sight. His gaze followed her every movement, his body angled toward her like a compass seeking north. The thought of anything happening to her, to their pups, sent ice through his veins.
“V, I’ll form a group with Liah, Jasmine, Nicole, and other she-wolves. Enjoy the festival. We don’t get to have it until seven to ten years. If we are lucky, we get it in four.”
“You are right.” Voren smiled and kissed her on the lips, the kiss soft and lingering, a promise whispered against her mouth. When he pulled away, his eyes were warm, filled with a love so deep it almost hurt to look at.
“Keep the mindlink open. If you feel any discomfort, let me know, and I’ll have your chef prepare your meat all done. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. They’ll make whatever you want anyway.”
Seraphine laughed, the sound bright and warm, cutting through the cool night air.
“You are behaving like a mother hen, V. I’m the queen, remember?”
“You are right.” Voren agreed, his smile widening. “And this is your pack, so no one would dare to offend you.”
Only after saying those words did he join Corvine, Jasper, and some other Alphas. His steps were reluctant, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he forced himself to turn away.
Seraphine only allowed those she was comfortable with in her circle, including Vianna, Liah, and Jasper’s childhood friend and sister to Jasper’s beta, Gordon. The women settled into their chairs, their laughter rising above the music, their voices weaving together like a tapestry of friendship and trust.
She used the opportunity to discuss things around her job with Sera. The conversation flowed easily, a rare moment of normalcy in a life that had been anything but normal.
Since Kylie had to be with the pups, she had one of Daisy’s legs chained to the chair she sat on. The chain clinked softly with every movement, a constant reminder of her captivity. If she had to pee, then she’d have to inform either of the shamans to help her.
Still, some she-wolves gathered around Daisy. They used to be very good friends. Their faces were familiar, their smiles sharp with hidden knives.
“Daisy, are you still hoping to be mated to Alpha Ravyn? He will reject you without thinking twice.”
Daisy’s head lowered, not daring to say a word. Once upon a time, she had taunted Seraphine a lot but now, Seraphine wasn’t even interested in her misery. Her own friends were the ones trying to make her life a living hell.
“I’ve been reading a lot about the Blood Moon Festival and I read that the moon goddess would have no choice but to grant the wishes of the Full Moon Festival during a Blood Moon Festival. If you know what that means, then I’m getting mated to Alpha Voren,” Luna Joyce said, her voice dripping with smug confidence. Luna Mayo sneered, her expression twisted with disdain.
“I have the same wish too, and though it states that some people could have multiple mates, I won’t share him. I’ll have him reject you.”
Daisy sulked in agony. She too, had wished to be Voren’s mate during the Full Moon Festival. The memory of that wish burned in her chest like a brand. She wanted so much to dig a hole and bury herself because Alpha Voren would reject her with that brutality of his, that would only add to her shame.
However, she knew that Voren would never be with any woman except Seraphine.
Suddenly, she burst into laughter.
The sound rang out across the circle, sharp and unexpected, making the she-wolves around her upset and curious. Their faces contorted with confusion and irritation.
“What is so funny?” Luna Joyce asked her, her voice sharp with annoyance. Daisy responded through laughter as she sipped a glass of juice, her eyes gleaming with bitter amusement.
“You all are mad. What makes you think the King would discard his queen for any of you? You don’t even have anything of value to him.”
A slap tilted her head to the side, silencing her words. The crack of flesh against flesh echoed through the circle. It was from Luna Mayo, her face twisted with fury.
“Shut your stinking mouth. Do you even know the power of the mate bond?”
All around, talks of the mate bond echoed but Voren’s group was quiet, each of the men only drinking and eating barbecue to while away time. Their conversations were low, their laughter forced, their eyes constantly drifting to the women across the clearing.
Seraphine’s group was rather lovely, as she indulged in her barbecue and fruit juice. The meat was tender, the juice sweet, and for a moment, she allowed herself to simply enjoy the moment.
At a point, most of them danced to the music as the clock kept ticking. Bodies swayed, hips moved, and laughter rose into the night sky like prayers.
Suddenly, Oriana’s voice rang out. “There is a problem. The moon goddess is greatly upset.”
The music stopped. All gazes focused on her. The silence was absolute, suffocating, a living thing that pressed against every chest and stole every breath.
Then she announced, her voice carrying the weight of impending doom.
“Before the real mate bond in the next four hours, the moon goddess is granting the wishes of the Full Moon Festival.”
The jolly atmosphere died instantly. Of course, the married couples who had wished for other people’s partners did not want to be exposed. Their faces paled, their hands trembled, their eyes darted around the pack ground like trapped animals.
“Luna Oriana, what is the meaning of this?” Alpha Oren, Luna Mayo’s husband, roared, his voice cracking with barely contained panic.