Chapter 12


    12. The Moon Goddess Festival


    YILEYNA


    The Night of The Moon Goddess’ Festival arrived and, like every year, the skies were clear, the full


    moon gracing us with its presence, and the sheer ambience of the night was warm and weing. The


    merry music drifted in through the open windows, making you want to get up and join.


    I was getting ready with Charlene. She had been adamant that I spend the afternoon getting ready with


    her, although this was usually a time one spent with their families, and every year before this one, she


    and her mother got ready together just as I did with mine. “Those curlers look ready to be removed.”


    Charlene said to the human woman who was helping us. “Yes, princess.” Belinda replied, bowing her


    head before she came over to me and began to remove the curlers from my hair. I stared in the mirror


    at my face. My make-up was done, having been told my skin was perfect without a base. She said


    she’d do subtle touch-ups… but I looked entirely different… I looked older, more mature… My cheeks


    were entuated, a shimmer dusting my cheekbones, with a vibrant deep pink lipstick coating my lips.


    My eyshes wereyered with mascara, making my longshes stand out even more with a touch of


    shimmer on my lids.


    When she began to open my hair, letting my now curly hair frame my face, Mom came to mind and her


    promise to curl my hair on my birthday. I felt a little emotional, but before I could delve into those


    thoughts, the door to Charlene’s room opened and her mother, Luna Soleil, stepped inside.


    She was an inch taller than Charlene, with features that were very simr to her daughters. Her red hair


    was braided and twisted into an updo, woven with sprigs of fresh flowers. Wearing a gorgeous pale


    blue dress with coloured embroidery along the entire skirt, it fell to


    the ground spreading around her stunningly.


    I stood up and lowered my head to the Luna.


    “I thought I’de to check how you girls were getting on. My, you look breath-taking Charlene.” Luna


    Soleilplimented, looking over at Charlene who was wearing an off shoulder ivory dress with a


    green leafy pattern along the sleeves and bodice. It reached just below her knees and she had


    essorised it with a deep green that only enhanced the green in her eyes. 2 “We are almost done,


    I’m ready.” Charlene replied, smiling over at me. “Perfect, we need to leave.” Luna Soleil reminded her.


    The royal family would walk down the main street before taking their ce in one of the marquees. The


    Luna wasn’t often seen out. Being the true mate of the Alpha, if she was killed, it would kill the Alpha


    too, and so she was always kept inside. Even for this festival, she would spend the majority of the time


    inside and under heavy security, away from the public. Even Charlene would not be able to enjoy the


    festival as I would. “You look lovely as well, Yileyna.” Luna Soleil remarked, looking me over. I didn’t


    miss the


    way her eyebrow shot up as she looked at the dress that I was wearing. “Interesting choice. Nowe


    along, Charlene.” 2 I smiled politely, although I don’t think it was exactly apliment. Was it the


    fabric? “Ah, I got to go! I will see you for the banquet.” Charlene whispered, giving me a tight hug. She


    smiled, her red-coloured lips onlyplimenting her snowy skin. I nodded. “See youter.”


    I watched her until she disappeared from the room before I looked back in the mirror. Thece dress I


    was wearing was fitted to the waist, with thin straps and a bow on each shoulder. The skirt was four


    layers of tulle with a matching belt tied around my waist. The fabric had tiny sparkling stones sewn to it,


    giving the dress a stunning sparkle every time I moved. 1 Belinda finished doing a braid along the


    crown of my head, adding a few sprigs of flowers and leaving the rest open. I reached up, tugging a


    few strands out and letting them frame my face.


    “Thank you, Belinda.”


    I bent down and pulled my matching heels on, tying the ribbon that went around my ankle in a bow


    before I put in the drop earrings that I had selected from Mom’s collection.


    I stood up and smiled at my reflection, trying to imagine what Mom and Dad would say to me. Dad


    wouldpliment me and joke that he needed to hide me away from all theds. Mom would get


    emotional and say I’ve grown so much. The first round of fireworks that signalled the Alpha and his


    family had stepped out made me turn.


    “Have fun tonight!” I called out to Belinda, knowing that once her chores werepleted, she’d be able


    to enjoy the festival if she wanted.


    Humans would join in too. Although they didn’t worship the same deity as us, the festival was still a


    ce of fun for all. The food alone was enough to get anyone to step out of the confines of their


    homes. “Thank you Miss!” She called as I left the room, clutching onto my little pouch that hung from


    my wrist. I was going to make sure I won some toys so I could donate them to the kids at the city


    orphanage. I rushed from the castle, my excitement growing with every step…


    “I win!” I jumped up, punching the air as the man behind the counter chuckled.


    “Finally, but well done, now which one would you like?”


    “Finally? I used seven gold coins there! It is not easy to hit three targets when they are moving.” I


    pouted. “Oh, that white bunny!”


    “Yes, yes, but can’t have it too easy now can I,ss?”


    “I guess not.” I smiled, taking the bunny teddy and walking along the bustling streets.


    Couples, families, and groups made their way around the vendors or simply enjoyed the treats they


    held in their hands. Laughing and joking, some newly mated couples were obvious to


    point out, staring with starry eyes into their mates’ eyes. That, or making out with one another, like they


    only existed in each other’s worlds.


    Mates, it wasn’t very often that we actually found our fated mates, they say one in five people will find


    their true mates. It’s rare considering they could be anywhere in the world.


    Since I had stepped out, I had received a lot of attention, and a lot of it was from young men.


    I stopped outside a food stall, the smell of the fried steak fries filling my nose, and I waited patiently for


    my turn to purchase them. I tried to ignore the two young girls in front of me who were staring at me


    very openly. “Hey…” I waved, hoping they realised they were staring. “You look like a princess.” One of


    them eximed.


    “Yes, you only need a tiara.” The second added.


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    Both looked cute themselves, they were no older than ten and were dressed in stunning organza


    dresses with floral embroidery on them.


    “Well, I believe that we don’t need a crown to be a princess.” I replied with a smile. “Just like the two


    princesses before me.”


    They giggled, turning away when it was their turn to order, just as two adults came hurrying over.


    “Thanks, aunty!” One of the girls said, smiling at the woman who had paid for them. I turned my gaze to


    the sky above, ncing at the full glowing moon, enjoying the soft wind whispering past me. They say


    when we die, we go to the realm of the moon goddess… Were Mom and Dad there


    now?


    “Next!”


    “One cone of fries please.” I spoke, stepping forward and taking out the money to pay for it.


    “My! You look stunning!” The woman behind the counterplimented me, as she tossed salt and


    pepper over the square of paper containing my fries, before giving them a good shake and holding it


    out to me.


    “Thank you!”


    “Next!” She called, giving me a nod as I moved away and a group of five stepped forward.


    I picked up the little wooden fork and began eating, bncing my bunny under my arm. The sound of


    upbeat folk music reached my ears and I followed it until I saw arge crowd of young adults clearly


    seeming to have some sort of dancing show going on.


    Arge group had gathered around to watch the twelve young women in the middle dance to the


    current song. All dressed in vibrant colours. The crowd sang along, pping and cheering them on. I


    munched on my chips, pushing my way through the crowd until I got to the front. “Oi, stop pushing!” A


    woman growled.


    “I’m short!” I protested apologetically.


    Well, short in werewolf standard anyway.


    I moved my hips to the music, eating my chips, enjoying the show. I had just about finished my chips


    when one of the stunning women dancing grabbed my wrist. “Join us!”


    I blinked, as the crowd cheered. I looked around, scanning the crowd, wondering if there were any of


    the high ranking wolves here. Seeing none, I tossed my bunny to the ground behind us and started


    watching the other women’s footwork. I ced my hands on my hips, copying them as we danced to


    the music. I swayed my body sensually as I twirled, hoping my dress didn’t ride up.


    “Go Yileyna!”


    My eyes widened as I spun around, scanning the crowd, when a head full of ck hair caught my


    attention. Raiden stood there; looking handsome in a navy shirt, tucked into a pair of ck pants and a


    belt around his waist. Arms folded as he watched me, giving me a wink. Confidently he strode towards


    us and fell in step by my side as he began dancing alongside us. The crowd only seemed to get more


    excited.


    “Seriously, Raiden?”


    “Only way to get a dance with you.” He replied, smirking as he took my hand and spun me out. His


    eyes dipped to my breasts as his hand went to my waist, his eyes shing before locking with mine.


    “You’ve always been the most beautiful girl in Astalion… but tonight I don’t think there’s even one


    woman on this who can match up to your beauty.”


    “How poetic.” I smiled, raising my eyebrow. “But thank you, it’s a pretty dress, isn’t it?”


    He spun me around, his hands on my hips as he danced behind me. “Not as pretty as the girl in it.”


    “Don’t make me your next pursuit, Raiden, it won’t work. I am not interested.” I said lightly, pulling away


    and dancing by his side once more. “You can never be just another one of my escapades, Yileyna. I


    genuinely…” He trailed off, spinning me back into his arms and pressing me against his firm chest. I


    could feel his entire body against mine, blushing in embarrassment as I tried to pull away. “Don’t look


    now, but I think many are jealous of me right now.” He chuckled.


    I was confused, wondering what he had been about to say when I felt a chill run down my spine as the


    song came to an end. Through the cheers and pping, I looked in the direction Raiden was now


    staring, my heart thundering when I saw Theon standing there. His arms crossed, his eyes shimmering


    a dazzling gold, the hostility in them clear as he red at Raiden.