Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“Old friend, I’ve been keeping something from you. It was a part of the agreement. No one could know. My great-great-great-grandfather made a deal with the moon goddess, so when I was offered the same opportunity, I thought nothing of it,” he starts.
“The fire wolf,” I say.
“Yes, Api Kecil was his reward for his deal. She brought prosperity with her. Do you remember how healthy the pack had been when she was here? Our people wanted for nothing.
“I remember the stories of her from when I was a boy, but you were here. You know how much my people thrived. That was all I wanted for my pack and my Luna. Have you ever known why Shadow Moon has had a vendetta against our pack?
“Alpha Douglas is my cousin, after all. We were once cordial. Our alliance was strong. Our fathers loved and respected each other.”
“The tension has always struck me as odd. I had considered maybe it was because of your promotion to the seat on the council,” I reply.
He shakes his head. “No. It was because of Celine. Douglas thought she would become his luna.
“They had known each other from the time they were pups. However, when he turned eighteen, she was not his mate. He still intended to take her as his chosen.
“That is until I arrived, and the mate bond was clear between Celine and me. Douglas had a witch curse our union. This is the reason we were together so long without pups of our own.
“I couldn’t bear the pain I watched my mate suffer. I tried to find a witch to reverse what was done, but when I couldn’t, I begged the moon goddess to intervene. Api Kecil came to me in a dream.
“She revealed the moon goddess’s plan. I would have my sons, but the curse wouldn’t be broken until Api Kecil’s return. When the triplets were born, they had a guardian from the goddess.”
“Daphne,” I bite out.
The little wolf who wouldn’t stick around for my visits. I would catch her scent, but I never met her. She was registered with the club, so I never questioned it. I wrote it off as a coincidence.
“Yes, Taylor carries her scent. I noticed it right away. Daphne was not a true wolf. A shifter, yes, but not a wolf. I believe Taylor has something to do with Api Kecil’s return and a connection to the moon goddess’s servant, Daphne.”
“Just as I thought. The gods are at play,” I rumble. “But what is the game?”
Remember
Everyone has taken a seat around the huge bonfire. Men, women, and children alike. This pack is massive.
However, you can tell the difference between the three packs by the colors they have on. Crescent Moon members are dressed in sapphire blue and gray. Full Moon members are in all sapphire blue. New Moon members are cloaked in sapphire blue and red.
The elders of the pack are dressed in white as they are all from the original Sapphire Moon pack.
“My King, My Queen, will you come forward?” Alpha Dyson says as he stands before the fire.
Bradan stands and helps me to my feet. He then takes my hand and leads me to where Alpha Dyson stands with his luna. They are smiling brightly at us.
“Will you honor us with the dance of one?” Alpha Dyson says.
“Dance of one?” I repeat.
“Yes, my dear. It’s the dance we do at ceremonies to remind us all we are still one pack, one heart, one breath,” Luna Celine says.
“It would be an honor, my friends,” Bradan says and takes my hand to spin me as music fills the air.
I’m shocked that it’s a modern song that greets my ears. “Rain” by The Teskey Brothers plays, setting the mood for this dance. Bradan lifts his palms facing me and locks his eyes on mine.
I lift my hands and press them against his. I get lost in his eyes and he turns us toward the left, then back to the right. I follow his lead. The packs begin to whistle and cheer.
My cheeks heat, but I keep my focus on the being standing before me. Suddenly, he slips an arm around my waist and pulls me into his chest. He lifts me from my feet and spins me with him, not breaking eye contact.
I inhale him as he begins to move us around the perimeter of the fire. I’m lost in a trance. There’s such a strong connection between us right now.
I begin to feel lightheaded. I don’t know if it’s because he’s spinning me around or something else. Then my vision blurs and it’s as if I’ve taken flight from my body.
At first, I’m standing in darkness. I no longer feel Bradan’s arms around me. Then, a fire ignites, surrounding me in the flames.
I know I’m no longer alone as two figures move toward me. I look around wildly for an escape route, but there is none. The fire has me trapped.