Blood and Moon Ties

Mating...

Soul Ties...

Soul Mates...

True love...

Growing up in wolf society, I heard these words a lot in our village. We live among humans, a fact ignored by them.

Normally, we walk around in our human forms and develop the ability to transform into wolves on our 18th birthday.

And when that happens, we meet our predestined mate.

The Moon Goddess creates a soul mate for every single wolf in the world. And, when we find her, we love no one who is not that person for the rest of our lives.

However, few have that chance, nowadays, it is rare for a wolf to find its partner.

Mostly because, every day, the number of wolves decreases thanks to the incessant persecution of human hunters and renegade trackers.

My father met my mother at a gathering in the neighboring villages and instantly fell deeply in love with her. But sadly, she died in childbirth-while I, Elodie Lunt, was being born.

In the loneliness of grief, my father remarried Freya, who, as his second wife, came to rule the Lunt family.

My father, Marcus, was a warrior of our pack, the Gamma of the pack, but five years ago he died in action.

Now, I was only a few days away from turning eighteen, and I was nervous with anticipation of finally meeting my she-wolf.

And more importantly, meeting my mate.

"Elodie! Have you finished the laundry? Dinner's ready!" Freya shouts as I spread the laundry on the clothesline.

I looked up at the sky, basking in the warmth the sun offered. It was a rare occurrence since we lived in a small village called Drusila, which snowed most of the year.

Our pack, the Night Eclipse, lived among humans who had no idea of our existence.

When I entered the house, I was greeted by my stepmother's hideous grimace.

"What took you so long? I'm starving!" She complained.

"You could have started without me." I replied, sitting down to eat.

I needed to give Freya this credit. Her food is excellent.

"So, Elodie... In a few days, you'll be 18, right?" She asks awkwardly.

I looked at her over my plate.

"Hi? Oh... Yes." I mumble, turning my attention back to my food.

"You know... It's about time you started earning your own money. Marcus' pension is getting smaller and smaller."

I looked at her again, almost choking on my food.

"What's it like?"

"Yeah, it already wasn't much to begin with, dear, and having to split it between the two of us has taken a huge toll on the finances." She says it sadly. "So I've decided to offer your name to the leader's house, they urgently need servants to work on the alpha's birthday celebration."

"You did what?" I shout in shock, and I stand up so abruptly that the chair falls backward. "How could you?"

"Pay attention, Elodie! It's way past time for you to help with the expenses around here." She crosses her arms. "The alpha's party is one of the biggest events of the year, they need any extra hands they can get." Freya raises her eyebrows. "Think about it! Maybe you'll meet your partner that night."

I couldn't believe it. I huffed, annoyed, and stomped off toward my room, not wanting to be around her for another minute.

Not that Freya was a bad person, she practically raised me after my dad died, but she was so annoying sometimes, assuming that whatever she decided for me was the right choice.

I pick up my cell phone and dial a video call to my best friend, Maia Willow.

"Hey, Elodie!" Maia greets me with a scary black goo on her face.

"What the hell do you have on your face?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, it's a charcoal mask. Rebecca tipped me off, so I decided to try it." She says this, shrugging her shoulders as she swallows a cookie. "So, what are the plans for your birthday? You must be very excited about turning 18. You're going to meet your partner!" Maia shouts excitedly.

I roll my eyes at her craziness.

"I can't wait to turn 18!" Maia speaks enthusiastically.

"First, I'm not even sure I'm going to meet my partner. You know, that's a once-in-a-blue-moon thing."

I turn over on the bed and hug my teddy bear.

"And I have to work on my birthday, so I won't be able to do much."

"What do you mean you're going to work that night?" She asks incredulously. "Oh, my goddess, you don't..." She gives me a suspicious look.

"No, I don't. But Freya does." I roll my eyes again.

"What! Why did she do that?" Maia asks, confused.

"She said this would be the best way for me to find my partner."

"Oh, I don't believe it! She can't be serious!" Maia's nostrils flare in fury. "Sometimes I can't understand your stepmother, Elodie."

"Yeah, well... Not much to do. I'm going to go to the damn dance, work all night, earn my money, and come home." I stifle a yawn, tired of the whole situation.

"Well... If you're saying... I'll call you later, then. I'll get this thing off my face and get something to eat. Love you, Elodie." Maia jumps out of bed and starts pacing.

"I love you more." I turn off the phone and stretch out on the bed.

Is it that important to find my partner? It's not even such a common thing anymore. What if he's a weirdo?

These questions keep dancing in my head until I fall asleep.

~~

I wake up a few hours later, stretch and get out of bed, go downstairs, and, through the unusual silence, realize I am alone in the house.

"Freya must have gone out." I think out loud before I go back to my room again.

I wasn't hungry, so I didn't bother to prepare anything. As usual, my stepmother wasn't home, so I didn't need to bother with her either, but her idiotic words kept echoing in my head.

What if I meet my partner that night? Do I leave with him right away?

Will he even like me? Will I like him?

"Argh! This is so annoying!" I huffed, clutching the pillow, and covered my face with the blanket.

The next day, I woke up startled by a hammering noise at my bedroom door.

"I'm awake, I'm awake!" I shout. Jumping out of bed, I stumble to the door, open it and bump into Freya.

"What do you want?" I ask with remnants of sleep in my voice.

"Honey, you should be dressed by now; you have to be at the alpha's house in an hour." Freya cracks a small smile.

"Why?" I ask, exasperated.

"What do you mean, why? We've been over this, Elodie." Freya raises her voice, putting her hands on her hips.

"No, we haven't! You decided for me, but you know what? I'm going, yes, and I hope I meet my partner there, so he can take me away from this place and you!" I slammed the door in her face, my heart racing with anger.

~~

An hour later, I was dressed and on my way to the alpha's house, complaining quietly about my miserable life.

"I should probably apologize to Freya on the way back..." I mutter to myself, regretting the way I spoke to her earlier.

As I approached the alpha's house, I couldn't help but feel disturbed by its opulence. It was extravagantly large. How many people lived there?

A guard was standing by the entrance, and he looked me over from head to toe before speaking. "What is the reason for your visit?"

"Hm, I was hired as a servant to help with the Alpha celebration." I answer stiffly, feeling a little intimidated.

"Name?" He asks, pulling out a clipboard.

"It's, um... Elodie Lunt, sir." My voice comes out in a squeak.

He checks the list and nods. It took me a second to understand that this meant I had permission to enter.

I've been to the leader's house only once when my father was still alive. I was about six, and we were both playing in the park when he was summoned to an urgent meeting. As there was no one else to leave me with at such short notice, my father took me with him. I remember him putting me on a chair outside the meeting room.

"Just sit there quietly, Elodie. I won't be long." He patted my head and walked into the room full of other werewolves.

As I sat there, a huge man came walking towards me. He had long black hair, dark onyx eyes, and a horrible cut on his face.

Next to him was a boy with the same mass of black hair and the same bright blue eyes. The boy was arguing with the older man.

"But I'm the future alpha, Dad! I should be at this meeting with you!" It was the alpha of the pack and his son.

"You're not ready for meetings like this yet, son." The alpha spoke in a monotone voice and with a stoic expression.

They came closer and closer, so I quickly slid out of my chair and bowed my head in respect; it was what my father and the other villagers always did when they saw the alpha.

They were not even aware of my presence, even though I was right in front of them. The two of them just continued talking.

"They killed my mother! Those bastards killed my mother, and I want them to pay for it." The boy shouted angrily.

He was shaking, and tears were threatening to fall from the corner of his eyes, yet his father stood there, expressionless, before finally speaking.

"Son, when the time comes, you will join us in the meeting room. But for now, continue with your defense training." The alpha said as he turned the knob. "I will avenge your mother." He finishes in a threatening tone before disappearing behind the door.

I raised my head slightly to look at the boy, who was staring at the door. His eyes were red with tears, wanting to fall, and his fists clenched. The boy finally noticed me; he turned to me and faced me, quickly wiping away the tears with his arm.

"How long have you been there? Who let you in?" He asked harshly, still staring at me.

"Hm... My father has been summoned to an important meeting with the Alpha and the Elders, sir." I answered quickly, bowing my head once more.

"Who is your father? What is his name?" The boy asked, still unconvinced.

"Marcus Lunt, sir." I replied, waving my hands nervously.

"Lunt? Is your father the Gamma?" The boy asked, calmer this time.

Back then, I wasn't too familiar with the pack status; I knew there was an alpha and that he was the leader. Then there was the beta, his second in command, and the gamma, responsible for strategy and organizing all events and meetings.

Then there were the elders, the healers, or werewolf doctors, the warriors, the seekers, and the peacemakers.

I knew Dad's role in the pack was important, but I didn't understand how much. "Hm... Yes?" I said intimidated.

"Is that an answer or a question?" The boy asked me, mocking me.

"It's... The answer, sir. My father is the Gamma." I replied, trying to speak with more confidence. He looked me in the eye for a moment, then shook his head and waved his hand, dismissing me.

"Get on with... With what you were doing there." And with that, he spun on his heels and walked away.

"Hey, you there!" I was snapped out of my memories by a voice shouting at me. A lady was walking towards me as fast as she could; her face was scowling.

"Are you one of the volunteer maids for the gala ball?" She asks, her breathing a little fast.

"Y-yes, ma'am. I'm Elodie Lunt, ma'am." I bow my head.

Furthermore, I feel a slight tap on my shoulder and lift my head to see the lady covering her mouth with her hand.

"Elodie?" The lady asks with her face white with shock.

"Yes, ma'am." I reply, confused by her change in attitude.

She surprised me by giving me a big hug.

"Aaah, Elodie! The last time I saw you, you were just a little girl. Look how you've grown!" The lady steps back, analyzing me from head to toe. "Have you found a partner yet?" She asks curiously.

"Hm, no, ma'am. I don't turn 18 for a few days. Do I... Do I know you?" I asked a little awkwardly about the situation.

"Ah! Sorry, my child. I am Tessa, the head of the alpha's house and the village midwife. I knew your father when he was the pack leader, and I knew your mother too." Her expression turns sad. Her expression turns sad. "I was there the day she..." Tessa can't finish the sentence. "I'm sorry I couldn't save her, sweetheart."

I place a hand on her shoulder to reassure her.

"It's all right, Ms. Tessa." I crack a slight smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"So you're here to help us for the big night tomorrow, huh?" The woman asks, walking in the direction she came from.

I followed her immediately.

"Yes, ma'am. My stepmother offered my name; I'm sorry to say I didn't even know so much help was needed." I scratch my head a little shyly.

"Well, thank Goddess she did. We need all the support we can get."

As she spoke, she opened two large golden doors, which revealed a vast hall. No wonder they needed so much help.

The place was huge!

It took Elodie and the other staff a full day and another half day to prepare the venue for the party.

Lady Tessa told us that there would be over six hundred guests between our pack and the neighbors, with whom we share a peace treaty.

When we finished setting up, she sent me home, so I could rest for a few hours. I had to be back at the alpha's house by nightfall. The party would not start until nine o'clock.

When I got home, I was greeted by the unpleasant sight of my stepmother walking naked through the living room...

"Disgusting!!" I said it out loud to get her attention. "You know, these rooms were made specifically for our privacy. Not for us to walk around the house completely naked."

I turn around, expecting her to grab some clothes.

"Oh, sorry about that, dear. I wasn't expecting you so soon. I just got back from patrolling the southern area of the village." Freya shrugged, indifferent.

My stepmother was a seeker; she had a keen sense of smell.

Occasionally, the alpha would assign her to patrol to see if she could sniff out the renegades that had been roaming the border lately.

"Whatever" I roll my eyes at her as I go straight upstairs to my room and throw myself on the bed.

I try to sleep, but sleep won't come, so I get up and decide to go downstairs to prepare dinner. When I get downstairs, I realize I am completely alone in the house again.

Freya has gone out again. I shrug my shoulders.

"Better for me." Walking into the kitchen, I make a simple pasta, after which I sit in front of the TV and find a movie to watch. My cell phone rings. I look at the screen and smile when I see that it's my friend.

"Hey, Maia."

"What's up... How was the cleaning and preparation for the big party?"

"So far, pretty exhausting. That place is huge. I thought we'd never finish decorating." As I spoke, I shoveled a bite into my mouth.

"Argh, I can imagine. What time does it start?"

"I have to be there around five-thirty. The whole ordeal starts at eight."

"Do you know what time you'll be leaving?"

"Not really, but I'm sure it won't be before midnight."

"Gee... That sucks. I guess I'll have to wish you a happy birthday tomorrow."

"Yeah, they told me to leave my cell phone at home, so I won't be able to read any messages until I get back here."

Maia growled.

"That, yes, sucks." I couldn't help but giggle.

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing, and I barely noticed the time flying by.

~~

A few hours later, I was on my way to the leader's house. I presented myself at the gate, went to the servants' quarters, and put on my official uniform. The outfit consisted of a white shirt with long sleeves, a red bow tie, black high-waisted pants, and black heels.

When I finish getting ready, all the servants go into the ballroom, where the lights are dimmed. Each one takes a tray and prepares to receive the guests.

Lady Tessa assigned each servant a section of tables to keep an eye on, then instructed us to stand against the wall closest to the designated area.

The space soon began to fill with people dressed in their most expensive attire.

The last to enter were our allies, the Star pack from the west. Their alpha entered with his daughter, Keira Howler. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

With long, straight blonde hair, tanned skin, and sparkling hazel eyes, her whole being exuded perfection. After them, the gamma of our pack, Caleb Silas, who was in his early twenties, entered. He was holding hands with his partner, Cassandra.

Caleb had dark hair with a few golden strands here and there; he had brown eyes, and he was one of the shortest men in our village.

But despite his size, he was not only one of the smartest in the pack but also one of the strongest.

Next came the beta, Victor Tail. He was tall, with blond hair and green eyes. All the girls were crazy about him, even though he was a womanizer. Victor was the second-strongest wolf in the pack.

Last but not least, the hero of the hour stepped into the hall.

Our alpha, Felix Moonstone.

If the beta drove the women crazy, it was the alpha who had the power to make their pants drop.

He had a mass of black hair that always gave the impression he'd just rolled out of bed, and eyes so blue they sparkled like sapphires.

Felix was huge, and I could see the bulging muscles marking his clothes; it was as if he had been designed by the goddess herself.

But there was one problem with him... The man didn't know how to smile or be nice to anyone.

Despite being drop-dead gorgeous, that closed face, combined with his powerful alpha aura, scared people away.

Most of the time, he was only seen with his beta, who happened to be his childhood friend. Or with Keila, the other alpha's daughter.

For a moment, our eyes met, and his intense gaze nailed me to the floor. The whole thing lasted a split second, but it was enough to stir me up inside.

When the alpha takes his place, everyone else does the same.

And so the party begins.

~~

It was all going by too fast.

I was so busy with my tables that I didn't even realize how fast time was going.

"Elodie, Ms. Tessa needs you in the kitchen." One of my coworkers approaches and warns.

"I'll be there in a minute." I gather a few empty plates and fill champagne glasses.

As I enter the kitchen area, I'm greeted with a shower of confetti.

"Happy birthday, Elodie!" Everyone shouts and approaches with a beautiful cake with eighteen candles on top.

"Oh, my goddess! Guys, you didn't have to!" Thrilled, I look at the cake with tears in my eyes.

"Oh, stop it! It's not every day you turn eighteen." One of the cooks says it laughingly.

"Yes, very soon you will hear your she-wolf. Then you will be able to transform and..." Lady Tessa drags out the last words as she looks at everyone. "Find your mate!"

I roll my eyes as they giggle. We eat some of the cake and soon return to the hall to continue our work. Suddenly, I hear a strange voice in my head.

"Hello, Elodie..." The voice was subtle but clear as day. It was my she-wolf. She had finally awakened.

"Hm... Hello?" I reply in my mind. She laughs and comes up; her fur was snow-white, and her eyes were purple.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ayla. I'm your wolf." She says this, sitting in front of my eyes, looking at me.

"It's my pleasure, Ayla." I speak in amazement. "I hope we can get along..."

My words are interrupted by a delicious aroma that fills my nostrils. The smell was a mixture of maritime pine, almonds, and amber.

It was intoxicating, almost as if it were drawing me towards it. Ayla sensed it too. She points her muzzle upwards, sniffing, then says something that chills me to the BONE.

"Our partner is here. I can smell him."