Blur Games lined the path to the festival gemurda, dancing shadows across ancient will naties. My heart raced in Steven wooden carriage, caned with northern pack-symbols, rolled tin a stop. El pone for in for with more wolves and survived, but being surrounded by hundreds of wolves in Calley praps had me rating buller,
"You''re a knockout, Steven whispered, his hand resting on my back as we walked
in
I stood taller, feeling eyes on us from every direction. The silver dress fit perfectly, but I stuck out like a sore thumb among these born with-a-silent-spon wolves.
Two older guards stepped in our way, sizing me up.
"Who''s this?" one asked, suspicious but not hostile.
Before I could open my mouth, Sophia appeared out of nowhere, grabbing my hand with a smile,
"Just smile and nod," she whispered. "OM traditions. Don''t overthink it."
I rxed a bit with her beside me. Then Jackson showed up behind her, and my gut twisted. He shed some fancy emblem, and the guards practically fell over themselves clearing the way.
Steven showed his northern pack token, and they bowed even deeper. They looked curious about me, but not mean Still I couldn''t shake feeling like I didn belong.
Inside the main za, I couldn''t help but stare. A huge blue bonfire lit up wolves dancing to drum beats that seemed to vibrate is my bones. Something in the air made my wolf stir, like she wanted to break free and join them.
"Wow," I breathed, looking up at the moon hanging impossibly close. "Feels
could reach out and touch it.''
Steven gently rubbed my hand. "First festival, huh?
"Is it that obvious? Iughed, feeling like a rookie.
He nodded toward the dancers. "Don''t sweat it. This is about cutting pose, not following rules."
All around us, wolves from different packs mingled in outfits that told stories I couldn''t read.
*Packs get together to make deals, catch up with old friends, sometimes find mates," Steven exined, watching everyone with practiced ease.
I looked around, feeling lost. "I don''t know the first thing about how this works."
"It''s not rocket science," he smiled. "Want a drink?"
"Anything but that blue glowing stuff," I said, eyeing some weird liquid going around.
Steven grinned. "Moon nectar? Not your thing?"
"Last time I tried it, couldn''t feel my tongue for hours," I admitted.
Heughed and gave my hand a squeer. "I''ll grab something taster. Hang tight."
Alone in the crowd, I tried not to look as out of ce as I felt. I focused on the decorations-wolf symbols carved in stone,nterns hanging everywhere, strange flowers that seemed to glow
"Ava!" Sophia''s voice snapped me back as the headed over, Jackson in tow. "There you are! Having fun!"
Estreightened up, feeling barkson''s eyes all over nit. His unile sermed blendly enmal, but someth
"It''s great," I lied. "Steven''s getting drinks."
"That dress is amazing on viu, Sophia gushed. "Siher''s totally your ralert
Jackson nodded. "You wew it well. Not many warriors could pull it off."
His words sounded nice, but I caught the die drinath. Every syble from him was salt in old wounds.
"You guys look great together," I managed, the words bitter in my mouth. "Comer again.".
Jackson pulled Sophia closer. Thanks Lucklest guy in the world."
Sophia beamed, gling against him. "We''re still figuring out wedding stuff. You have toe!!
Guilt hit me like a truck. Here was Sophia, no clue about my history with Jackson-or worse, with her dad. Some friend I was.
Steven showed up with drinks, saving me from my thoughts.
"Hope I didn''t take too long, he said with a nod. "Hayes, Sophia"
Jackson nodded back. "Morgan. Heard your northern festival was killer this year."
"Maybe you''ll see it next time," Steven said smoothly
The drums got louder, catching Sophia''s attention. "Look! The moon dance!" She lugged Jackson''s arm. "Come on,
She turned to me with a smile. "Need anything, just holler, okay?"
babe!"
As they walked off, Jackson looked back at me a beat too long, sending chill down my spine despite the warm night.
Steven
handed me
drink. "They look happy
I nodded stiffly, not trusting myself to talk about Jackson. The drink was sort, and I hoped it might wash away the bad taste in my mouth.
ke''s POV
The crowd parted as I walked in, which only annoyed me more, Guards bowed low, like I might bite their heads off if they didn''t.
"Morgan Alpha! Special seat?" The head guard bowed so low I thought he might fall over.
"Other Alphas waiting, another added, voice dripping with respect.
I waved them off without stopping. My dark blue robes with silver threading told everyone who I was better than any
Tyler stuck close, watching for trouble. "Something''s off tonight. Too many packs in one spot always spells drama."
introduction
"You say that every month," 1 muttered. "Just I
ned. "Just keep your eyes open."
Young unmated females tilted their heads as I passed, their scents purposely sweetened. I ignored them all, just wanting to get through th
"You could fake a smile, Tyler said under his breath. "Looking like you''d rather be getting a root canal"
I grunted. "These things are all politics. Nobody''s having
head home.
As we neared the elders are N Nowork avable now, Please check your
beacon.
va stood there in that liver dress, showing off every curve of her waiter body: Among all the beautiful without trying:
I stopped walking, raught off guard. "What the hell is she doing here!
Tyler followed my gaze. "Looks like your nephew brought your warrior girl,"
My eyes narrowed. "When did he invite her? Why didn''t I know?" "You signed off on it," 7
Tyler reminded me, eyebrow raised. "He asked you directlyst week." vendrested pack mys.
The memory clicked as sous as the wonds left my mouth. I had approved it, distracted by work and determined to keep my distance after that night.
er like a predator.
I looked from Steven at her side to Jackson watching her from across the za, his eyes fixed on her
"Has that kid forgotten he''s marrying my daughter?" I growled, fist clenching.
Tyler shrugged. "Young wolves. Thinking with the wrong brain."
"Sophia should be the only woman he sees," I said though gritted teeth. "Or else..."
I didn''t finish, but Tyler got it. So did my wolf, pacing inside me, wanting to cross
that za and show everyone who was in change.
And who Ava belonged with.
Chapter Comments
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Mike
i welll woth how vague he was asking i can understand not being clued in on it
haha. i do hope this wakes him up to her for real now though
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