“I, Riccardo Saviano, future Alpha of the Grey Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Artemisia Guerrieri, Daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna.” One single sentence. One stupid single sentence was all it took to disintegrate my...
Chapter 1
Artemesia
I’m the daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, today is my twentieth birthday.
I woke up before the sun, heart racing, body felt like it was on fire, because today was every single wolf waits for. I will find myself the happiest wolf in the world with finding a mate on my birthday.
My wolf stirred, restless and excited, whispering his name into my soul like a prayer.
Riccardo.
Ricardo was my best friend, my childhood sweetheart, the boy that I loved since I was fifteen. We had been lovers after he stole my first kiss in high school, I gave him my everything as we went to college.
For me to be fated to him, despite all, what could have gone wrong, That was something that I was happy about.
I had waited patiently for this day, and now it was here. Now I can just be his and he can be mine.
I believed it. Stupidly. Naively.
Little did I know things were just going to take a turn that I did not know. Things were going to end up backfiring on me in a way that I did not calculate.
The pack was throwing a celebration for me, I thought Riccardo will come to mark me and claim me.
But he didn’t even come timely.
Long time passed, he finally appeared, he looked like a stranger in my mate’s skin. No flowers. No kiss. No warmth in his eyes.
I pushed through the crowd to get to him, heart thundering with anticipation, nerves fluttering. I wanted to be by his side.
“Rick?” I asked softly. I extended my hand and brushed it over his own, trying to understand what was going on. “Is everything alright, Riccardo?”
He stepped back. Just one step. But it felt like the ground cracked beneath my feet.
“I, Riccardo Saviano, future Alpha of the Gray Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Artemisia Guerrieri, daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna.”
The silence in the room was deafening.
The silence of the pack members who were watching, listening, even looking at the two of us made me feel smaller than I ever did.
My breath caught. I waited for him to laugh. To say it was a joke. But he didn’t. His expression was carved from stone. And my wolf felt it too. For a moment, neither one of us reacted, but then everything crashed on me like a wave that I refused to be able to swim in.
The rejection hit like a blade to the chest. My knees nearly gave out.
“You’re rejecting me?” I whispered. “You’re my… Riccardo, we’ve been…” My throat burned. “We’ve been everything to each other. Why?”
“I’ve already found my mate, my two kids and my pregnant mate are waiting for me at home.,” he said coldly.
Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to let them fall in front of him.
“You have kids?” I whispered. “You kissed me. Slept in my bed. Made promises. And now… you’re with another woman? Why?”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t have to.
I never thought I was betrayed and rejected on my 20th birthday.
***
Four years later
If there’s one thing I’m grateful for, it’s that even after my fated mate rejected me and left me broken, I didn’t give up on my studies. I healed well enough and managed to become a doctor at our pack hospital. But my heart never truly recovered. The pain of being rejected still lingers, heavy and unbearable.
“Missy!” I turn around as I see my younger brother kick a stone in his path. “Mom wants to talk to you about Gio’s coronation.”
I groan, picking up my shoes and getting up. “I’m going to help, but I won’t go!”
“You have to. Gio would be sad if you didn’t.”
My older brother would indeed be sad if I were to miss his coronation ceremony. He and his mate have been training for this moment for months and I know exactly how nervous he is.
But the worst part is that Riccardo will also be attending Gio's coronation ceremony. Even though I boast about being over Riccardo at every possibility I’m given, I fear the moment of meeting him at the ceremony. Also, facing him without a mate by my side is always the worst thing to live through.
Walking back with my younger brother, who talks non-stop about his sparring classes at school, I reach our pack house pretty fast.
I find my mother in her office and knock at the open door, making her turn to me with a big smile. “Ah, Missy, there you are.”
“Hey, Ma. Is there a possibility I could help without having to go?”
She chuckles, moving her glasses up her nose by pinching their frame.
“Honey, we have already discussed it. We all must show your brother our love and support. What will people think if you don’t show up?”
I take a piece of paper that she is handing me over her desk and slump into the seat standing in front of it with a groan.
“I need you to memorize the names of the guests, so we can make a good impression.”
“Mom! These are hundreds of names!” I shout, looking at her agape, but she just waves dismissively.
“Oh, I’ve highlighted the important ones, and you have a few days.”
Scrunching my nose, I check the list and murmur, “You have to be kidding me.”
She is humming along happily as my eyes fall on a special name.
“Blackwood?” I whisper to myself, attracting my mother’s attention.
“What was that, honey?”
I turn the page for her to see and she squints her eyes at it. “You invited the Blackwood heir. From the Blood Fang pack?”
Chapter 2
Artemisia
You may not know, that the Blood Fang Pack has signed a peace pact with us, but they are too powerful, they can break that useless pact at every given moment. So I was very surprised that my mother invited Blackwood.
I look up as my mother nods and she lifts her glasses to read better. “Yeah. We had to.”
“Why?” I ask, standing from my seat.
I hate Alpha Blackwood so much. I hate his insolence, his guts, I hate everything about him. He's rude, lacks respect even to the older alphas, lacks humanity and acts like he owns the world. The fact that other packs and my brothers idolize him makes me hate him even more.
Mother sighs, “The treaty that we have with them is really important for us. It is already unstable as it is. So we have to be extra nice to them. Imagine if they attacked us for real. That would be horrendous. Now, be a nice little lady, and help me pick out the flowers. Luna Diana showed you the dress she picked, right?”
“I can’t believe you all!” I yell at her,“No wonder they keep playing us like a violin! Those arrogant bastards don’t deserve to ruin his ceremonial coronation as well as everything else they show up for!”
***
I returned to my room feeling gloomy. The thought of having to please a pack that could bully us at any time made my heart feel heavy. I didn’t even notice my brother walking in.
Giorgio takes a step forward, tilting his head at me. “Is there something that is bugging you? To have you agitated like that?”
I scoff, rolling my eyes, continuing to sulk while staring outside the window. “It’s just not fair.”
“A lot of things aren’t!” He simply states, getting me to turn around to look at him.
“Aren’t you going to change something as the new Alpha? Will you allow them to continue to just act as they please?” I ask him, clenching the shiny surface of the sideboard I am sitting on.
“Missy,” he sighs, putting his hands into his pockets. “There is not anything we could do.”
Shaking my head, I raise my eyes to the ceiling, “Did you hear that they executed a wolfless She-wolf a few days ago?” I still cringe today whenever I'm reminded of that. And the innocent she-wolf is not their only victim. Blackwood and his proud triple younger brothers of course. They are so unhinged and merciless. They are brutal and ferocious, but Giorgio still goes ahead to invite them. The thought alone makes me sick. Why flatter them?
“Yes,” he answers, the corners of his mouth dropping. “But it is only a rumour going around. The council hasn’t found anything on it.” I scoff under my breath. Of course, they cover up their brutal acts so well. Why would the council find anything?
“But they are still investigating, aren’t they?” My voice reaches a high-pitched tone, nearly failing me.
Giorgio shifts his weight from one foot to another, “Yes, but-”
“No buts!” I scream, jumping off the furniture. “They act like monsters. We should stop doing as they please. Having them treat us as puppets to pull off a show with.”
In the blink of an eye, Giorgio is standing in front of me, grabbing my arm brusquely. “You will calm down and refrain from saying anything like this out loud ever again! Do you understand me?”
I whimper and pull my arm up, trying to cover from his intimidating fury. As I nod shyly, he growls, making me wince. “Do you. Understand. me?”
“Yes, Alpha.” I say lowly, finally getting him to release me.
I rub the spot pulsating painfully on my arm, pouting. “It’s not just us, Missy.”
Looking up at him, I see that his rage-filled expression has now morphed into the usual caring one that I normally get from my big brother. “It’s important that you know that all of us are in danger. Even if we were to attack them all together, the chances would be high for them to crush us with a tired smile on their faces. You can’t grasp the things that we saw, so please. Don’t risk it. Especially not in your condition.”
“My condition,” I murmur feeling crushed while still caressing my arm with my thumb.
He flashes me his canines as he grins at me. “So, care to change the subject, you will come to my ceremonial coronation, right?”
I wrinkle up my nose and shrug, “Sure. Wouldn’t miss it for no reason.”
“Thank you. I’ll set Zeno and Zack to your side. This way Riccardo will not dare to come close to you again.”
“That would be awesome, thank you. But I can defend myself, he is just a wimp, let the Zs enjoy their evening with their girlfriends.”
He sighs again, holding me by my shoulders. “We are a family, and they will understand. He has to learn that he lost you and has to let you be.”
“I’ll be alright. Don’t worry!” I say, with a grin.
He nods, and is already standing by the door as he turns around, “You aren’t wolfless, Missy! Don’t punish yourself for something you can’t control.”
I remain looking at the training ground, as I sigh, the first tears falling fastly.
***
Joyful laughter fills the air while a rustling rises from the floors below us. The preparations for the ceremony are running smoothly and still.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. Let ceremony begin.” My mother’s voice resounds in the hall.
Squeezing Diana’s hand, I wish her good luck before I leave the room with Caterina.
As we reach the ground floor, I halt just behind my mother and feel Zeno laying his arm around my shoulders.
I can feel how everybody is anxious but also extremely excited. My brothers and I stand there to face the first guests with a smile while my parents welcome them officially on our pack grounds. I stare in awe as the elegant representatives of other packs walk in dressed elegantly.
Everybody seems to be working tonight. The organization of the guards, the escorts from the boarders, and the logistics for the party bear witness to my mother’s skill as Luna.
We decide to move with the crowd and go to the back of the house. The big patio leading to the large meadow is now decorated lovingly with garlands and flowers. At the end of the field that is fenced with rose bushes, there has been set up a huge stage where the coronation will be held.
I squeal excitedly as I follow Zeno out to a few bar-high tables that are still free and start snacking on the hors d’oeuvres that are being served.
Zaccaria reaches us with fast steps, and I groan.
“Really, I don’t need your pity. Just leave me alone and go enjoy the evening with your mates.”
Zeno grins as he munches on pretzel sticks. “No can’t do, sis.”
“I brought you champagne.” Zaccaria beams as he stretches out his arms for me to get my glass.
“Thank you, Zack.”
Even before Zeno can take his glass from our brother’s grip, his expression darkens.
“The assholes are here.”
Zaccaria’s and my head whip to the patio, just in time to see five members of the Blood Fang Pack scanning the crowd with a frown.
Well, no, let me rephrase that.
One of them wears a frown. I can’t tell what the others are doing.
And what a frown.
His strong frame lets all the others pale in comparison. Even surrounded by the strongest wolves in the Southern Hemisphere, he seems to tower over everybody. He has his squared jaw clenched as he stares us lowlives down with his glacial eyes and I guess I could cut myself if I was to touch his face, due to his high cheekbones.
And why the fuck would I want to touch his face?!
For the first time after what seems an eternity, I feel my wolf stir and I gasp, tearing myself out of my trance. My heart thuds loudly in my chest and my heart begins to race as I turn restless. My wolf has been silent since Rick rejected me, but now she's uneasy. It's like everything around me has faded and time has slowed down for me. I feel multiple jolts of electricity go through my body and all my senses comes alive.
My brothers look at me concerned as I grab the material of my dress.
“What's wrong?”
“Cassy… She… I think she just moved.”
“Really?” Their sparkling eyes have my heart bleeding as I think that it might be for an entirely wrong reason.
“Mate.” I straightening my spine with a deep breath.
Chapter 3
Artemisia
His scent overpowered everyone else’s easily and signaled me that he was near. Who is he? My second mate?
I chew at my thumbnail while my thoughts keep running wild about the fact that all of this just doesn’t make any sense.
How bothersome it would be to have a Blackwood as my mate.
So, why am I disappointed?
Joining the applause that drags me out of my train of thought, I beam as my brother and his mate step onto the stage. They look so excited and anxious at the same time at what is about to happen that it makes me feel butterflies. The best thing out of all is that it seems like they are happy to finally be able to see each other again the most. Even if in such moments the memory of my rejection hurts the most, I’m glad that the feelings of happiness that I feel for my family overpowers me.
Automatically, my eyes wander over the crowd to find the Alpha Blackwood already looking at me. My eyes snap back to the stage and I gulp.
So embarrassing.
As he is standing rather close by, I guess that the mystery of the mouthwatering scent that I’m smelling is resolved.
Goddess, why me?
As the elder finishes the ritual, and my brother goes to take his Luna’s hand, a collective gasp rises. I clench onto Zaccaria, and he puts his arm around my wrist to stabilize me on my feet, even though he must feel the uncomfortable feeling of our bond to our parents as leaders being strapped from us, before our links to our new Alpha and Luna click into place.
As another round of applause disrupts the air, I try to push through the crowd after my brothers to get to Giorgio and Diana to congratulate myself with them. But the people are just too aggressively trying to get there first that I get separated from my brothers and, as I seem not to be able to move any further, choose to step out to the side, waiting for everyone to just calm down after they had their chance to see the beautiful pair.
I take a deep breath and smile at a waiter who brings me a glass of champagne before my nostrils get assaulted by a scent that I had hoped not to smell again.
And just when I’m without my brothers.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Taking a sip from my champagne flute, I act annoyed while hoping that he will get the hint.
Even if he never does.
“Alpha Riccardo, good evening.”
“Come on, Missy. Come back in with me. Let’s talk.” He chuckles, trying to get closer to me. “No need to be so formal. After all we have been through?”
I push out a single laugh, trying to keep my voice down. “You are not really trying to hit on me while your mate is at home, pregnant with your third baby, Rick!”
“You always think too much. Missy, come on.” As he grabs my wrist, I snatch it out of his hold maybe a little too aggressively.
“Don’t you dare touch me!”
“Why are you acting so ha-” Riccardo is just about to open his mouth the wrong way as he gets interrupted by a deep baritone.
“Missy, is everything alright?”
I have to keep myself from physically shuddering as I turn around to look at the disrupter wide-eyed.
What did he just call me? And how does he know my name?
Blinking repeatedly as I am still recovering from his voice traveling through me like honey, I put up a smile and shake my head.
“Yeah. Everything is just alright.”
Alpha Blackwood clenches his jaw, his gaze moving onto Riccardo. “Where is your mate, Alpha?” His gaze, his cold and his tone firm. There is this domineering aura surrounding him and his presence alone sends waves of shock through my body. He's intimidating and Rick is intimidated by Blackwood, despite being an Alpha himself.
I nearly choke on my spit as Riccardo’s face pales, and he starts to stutter like an idiot. The way he pronounced his title mockingly, made me feel malicious joy. I like that Blackwood intimidates Rick and I like that Rick is no longer running his mouth and now looks so apprehensive.
“She wasn’t feeling well, so she stayed at home.” He stutters slightly and I noticed the way he flinched as he speaks.
Alpha Blackwood clicks his tongue, totally uninterested in what Riccardo just said, and leans in slightly to talk to me. My heart skips a beat at that moment and Casey becomes so restless that I find it hard to keep my cool. He's too close— and his smell. Fuck! Missy, why are you feeling this way?? I remind myself that I hate him, but I don't seem to at this very moment.
“Didn’t you want to congratulate your brother? I guess we could get to him now.” I do. I glance up at him in surprise. Blackwood is so good looking and why am I only noticing that now? My heart keeps fluttering as I look into his eyes.
A shiver runs down my spine as his eyes capture my gaze entirely, making me lose the sense of time and place for a second. Just as I see him lift an eyebrow I finally get my brain to start working again.
I jerk up slightly to look over the crowd and don’t see how we are going to make it as my brother is still closed in tightly by his admirers, but still chooses to go with his rescue offer.
“Oh, great let’s go. Bye, Rick.”
He nods his head at Riccardo with his signature frown, before saying, “See you around, Richard.” Richard??? Rick looks so embarrassed and I've never been so satisfied. I love the defeated look on his face. So satisfying.
I stifle a laugh as I pass the lawn to find an open space where we can get through, but there is no avail. I suddenly feel so grateful to Blackwood. He actually saved me from Rick. Getting away from him would have been an issue but Blackwood handled it in a matter of seconds. He still has that menacing look in his eyes and I feel the sparks as I walk with him. Maybe he's not so bad after all.
Alpha Blackwood just follows me leisurely and seems to watch me without wanting to help me.
“His name isn’t Richard,” I tell him.
“Really? I don’t pay much attention to names.”
“But you called me Missy.”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “He was practically screaming it all over the field. Didn’t like how uncomfortable he made you look.”
I let my shoulders slump and turn around to look at him with a smile. “Thank you!”
Seeing the corner of his lips twitch, has butterflies erupting in my stomach even though I don’t get the smile.
I’m such an idiot.
“Doesn’t seem like we will be getting anywhere near my brother.” I sigh sadly and purse my lips.
“Yeah.” He states frowning, staring towards the crowd, and I’m actually surprised that he is still around.
“Well, can’t be helped,” I say, turning around to face him. “Have you already had a tour of the grounds?”
My heart beats into my throat as I wait for him to crush my invitation like it would be appropriate for the lowlife, he must be thinking that I am.
“That would be lovely, thank you.”
“Oh,” I say, taken aback. “Nice, come with me then.”
We walk back to the pack house more or less silently. The silence is only disrupted by me commenting on the garden or the house. As we reach the front yard of my home, I gesture along the paths splitting in front of us.
“This way you reach the back of the house.” I look up at him, expecting his gaze to be directed to the house, only to find him looking at me.
And as the massive flirt I am, I blush terribly while I stutter, “Erm… There is like a garden with high bushes designed as a… well… like a… around a set of fountains…”
I remember my brother telling me how he saw Alpha Blackwood punish a warrior for having stuttered in front of him when he had visited the Blood Fang Pack territory. So, I’m a bit frozen at seeing a slight smile on his lips.
I press my lips together as I avoid his gaze to look at the path that leads to the lake.
This is so embarrassing.
Goddess, I’ve been engaged. When did I get back to act like a lovesick teenager?
We walk to a bench a few steps away from us and stare at the lake silently. I push down the urge to say something just to end the silence as it will definitely be embarrassing. Thinking about how it’s not awkward at all and how much I feel at ease with him, has me worrying. I bite the nail of my thumb thinking about the last time I felt like this in the company of a man. But seeing all the horrible dates I had after breaking up with Riccardo, there is really no surprise.
Oh, Goddess! He isn’t my mate, is he?
أُوكَازيُون
أُوكَازيُون
أُوكَازيُون
أُوكَازيُون
