Chapter 5 The moon festival

Clarisse is at my door first thing in the morning, which was not good with only three hours of sleep I was able to get last night.

The figure had finally decided to retire in the wee hours of the morning leaving me with only a few left to sleep.

"Wake up Ruthni!" She screamed on the other side of my door.

I didn't need this; I dragged my comforter over my head, turned to my side, and buried myself in it.

"I'm going to come in there and drag you out from that bed if you don't respond" She went silent after that. And if Clarisse is anything like I know her, she's slowly counting before she kicks my door down. I don't want that so I'm left with no choice but to stand up and open the door.

Just as it opens, I'm met with the sole of her shoes to my face.

She almost did it this time.

"Why are you still asleep by this time Ruthni?"

"Because I can?" I ask as a response. She looks at me like I've grown two heads, and she proceeds to hit me on my shoulder.

"Ow, what did you do that for?" She pushes past me, not giving me a reply, and heads to my closet. She starts rummaging through my clothes, occasionally picking out outfits to visualize the look on my body.

"What are you doing Clarisse?" I ask with a sigh, I did need to go back to sleep. I sit back on my scattered bed facing her.

"Have you forgotten what today is?" Her voice comes out muffled from her head being in the closet. Okay, so a question for a question.

My brain goes into overdrive and I try to remember what today could be, and I take a wild guess, "Your birthday?"

Her eyes snap to me, utter disbelief in her expression "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that!" She responds, her voice laced with annoyance "Today is the moon festival"

"The moon festival?" I ask, and then realization washes over me. Right, the moon festival! Every year, during the third full moon, the pack hosts a festival to honor the moon goddess.

The Alpha and Luna are always present along with their betas and their families. All the council members will be present and every other family in the pack.

Every year, Clarisse tries to make me attend, but I never did. I assured her that the year I got my mate, I would attend with her.

It was a day when dishes were made in excess; there was music and dancing. Activities that engaged everyone, some alphas, and betas, will spar with each other, children playing in the fields or just enjoying the show and stuffing their faces with food and drinks. For some lucky ones, that's the day they find their mate. In essence, it was a day of celebration in the pack.

I never cared for it. To me, it was just a day some people had an opportunity to show off their abilities: their strength, healing ability, speed, and whatnot.

As I watch Clarrise from my bed, I notice the excitement she emits, the little bounce in her step, the way she shakes every outfit she takes out. For someone who was annoyed with me just a couple of minutes ago, she was sure excited.

"Clarrise" I call after her.

"Yes?" she responds swiftly turning to me with a smile on her face.

"Did you see Mother on your way in?"

She smiles wider, then follows with a laugh. "She said you smelt your mate! When were you going to tell me?" She crosses her hands across her chest and pouts or fakes one at least, the excitement not letting her.

"You promised Ruthni that when you get your mate, you'd finally follow me to the moon festival." She pouts for real this time.

"Fine" That was my only response. I did make a promise, and I never break a promise. Clarrise squeals with joy and hugs me repeatedly. She goes back to pick out a final outfit.

I head to freshen up in the shower. When I'm out, I see Clarisse seated on my bed by what I assume is my outfit. It's a blue floral dress with high-knee boots and a black hairpin.

I dress up quickly, and we both head out, saying goodbye to Mother. As we stroll to the moonstone where the festival is taking place, I can't help but hope Exol will be there.

I don't know his relationship with the Alpha, but I hope he follows him along. I had wanted to go back to the packhouse today once I was healed and stable but since everyone is expected to be at the festival, I'd just speak to him there.

The moonstone is crowded by the time we arrive, and the activities are in full swing. Just as expected, an alpha and beta are sparring in a corner. The alpha scoops the beta up from his torso and lands him flat on the ground where the beta stays defeated. The little audience around them ensues in cheers and applause with the alpha raising his hands in victory.

Show off.

I take my eyes away from them and continue searching for him. He should be here. We pass the children playing in the field, Clarrise dragging me along, the destination unknown to me.

Anticipation builds inside me as I continue scanning the grounds for him, I spot Alpha and Luna ahead just by the moonstone. I drag my eyes over the Alpha, looking as majestic as ever, then over the Luna, who looks just as glorious beside him.

But no Exol.

My eyebrows crease as I extend my search around them but to no avail. He's nowhere to be found.

I excuse myself from Clarisse's hold and try to make my way over to the Alpha. The place is packed so it's a hassle evading people's touch. The atmosphere changes and I feel weird.

The same feeling I got last night. I feel it coursing through me as an electrifying sensation that touches every fiber of my being. It begins as a subtle hum, a vibration deep within my core, building into a rush of energy that spreads like wildfire.

My skin tingles, my heartbeat syncs with the rhythm of an unseen force, and the air around me feels charged and alive.

As I stand in place searching for the shadowy figure from last night, someone bumps into me and whispers something, "You shouldn't have come here." When I turn to confront the person, they're gone, almost like the wind.