The annual Moonrise Festival was one of the most important celebrations in pack culture, a night when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds grew thin, and wolves honored their connection to the Moon Goddess. Luna had always loved the festival—the ethereal decorations, the traditional foods, the sense of community that bound the pack together. But this year, as she stood in her bedroom trying to decide what to wear, anxiety twisted in her stomach.
Damien would be there, of course. As the honored guest, he would be expected to participate in the ceremonies, perhaps even lead the sacred hunt that traditionally concluded the evening. Luna had been trying to avoid him for the past two days, ever since their heated encounter in the conference room and Marcus's unexpected visit had left her emotions in turmoil. But there would be no avoiding him tonight.
She finally settled on a flowing dress in deep forest green, its fabric shifting between emerald and jade as she moved. The neckline was modest but flattering, and the skirt swirled around her legs in a way that made her feel both elegant and comfortable. She left her silver hair loose, knowing how the moonlight would make it gleam.
When she arrived at the festival grounds, the celebration was already in full swing. Fairy lights were strung between the ancient oak trees, and the air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and mulled wine. Pack members mingled in small groups, their laughter carrying on the evening breeze. At the center of it all, a massive bonfire crackled and sparked, sending orange flames dancing toward the star-filled sky.
Luna made her way through the crowd, stopping to chat with various pack members and accepting compliments on her appearance. She was attempting to blend into the background near the refreshment tables when a familiar presence made her wolf perk up with attention.
"You look beautiful tonight."
She turned to find Damien standing behind her, and her breath caught in her throat. He had abandoned his usual formal attire in favor of dark jeans and a black button-down shirt that molded to his powerful frame. The casual clothes somehow made him seem more dangerous, more approachable, more real.
"Thank you," she managed, very aware of the curious glances they were receiving from nearby pack members.
"Dance with me," he said, extending his hand.
Luna glanced around the festival grounds, noting the way conversations were pausing as people registered the Alpha King's attention to their pack doctor. "I don't think that's wise."
"I don't care." His golden eyes burned with intensity. "I've spent five years caring about wisdom and propriety and political consequences. Tonight, I just want to dance with my mate."
The possessive claim sent heat spiraling through Luna's body, but she remained rooted in place. "People will talk."
"Let them." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that only she could hear. "I'm tired of pretending, Luna. Tired of acting like you don't mean everything to me."
Before she could protest further, he took her hand and led her toward the area where other couples were swaying to the traditional pack music. Luna was intensely aware of every eye following their progress, of the whispered conversations starting in their wake.
When Damien pulled her into his arms, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. His hand settled on the small of her back, warm and possessive, while his other hand engulfed hers completely. They moved together as if they'd been dancing for years, their bodies instinctively finding the rhythm that had always existed between them.
"You're causing a scene," Luna murmured, though she made no move to pull away.
"Good." His breath stirred the hair at her temple. "It's time everyone knew where my interests lie."
"And where's that?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.
"With you. Always with you." He spun her gently, and when she came back into his arms, she was closer than before. "I should have claimed you five years ago. Should have told the whole world that you were mine."
"Damien..." His name was a plea, though she wasn't sure what she was pleading for.
"I know you're scared," he said softly. "I know I hurt you by leaving. But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere. Not unless you tell me to."
The song ended, but they remained locked together, swaying slightly to the echo of music that lingered in the air. Luna was dimly aware that they had become the center of attention, that pack members were staring and whispering, but she couldn't bring herself to care. Not when Damien was looking at her like she was the most precious thing in his world.
"Your Majesty." Alpha Rodriguez appeared at their side, his expression carefully neutral but his eyes sharp with curiosity. "I hope you're enjoying the festival."
"Very much," Damien replied without taking his gaze off Luna. "Your pack throws an excellent celebration."
"Dr. Nightwood is one of our most treasured members," Rodriguez said smoothly. "We're very protective of our own."
The warning was subtle but unmistakable. Damien finally turned to look at the Alpha, and Luna saw something dangerous flash in his eyes.
"As am I," he said quietly. "Protective of what's mine."
The tension between the two Alphas was thick enough to cut, and Luna quickly stepped between them before the situation could escalate.
"Alpha Rodriguez, thank you for including me in tonight's festivities," she said formally. "If you'll excuse me, I should check on the medical station in case anyone needs assistance."
She tried to slip away, but Damien caught her hand. "I'll walk with you."
"That's not necessary—"
"It is to me."
They walked in charged silence toward the small medical tent Luna had set up at the edge of the festival grounds. The further they got from the crowd, the more aware Luna became of the predatory grace in Damien's movements, of the way his scent seemed to wrap around her like a claim.
"You can't keep doing this," she said when they reached the relative privacy of the medical station.
"Doing what?"
"Acting like we're..." She gestured helplessly between them. "Like this is normal. Like we're a normal couple."
"We're mates, Luna. There's nothing more normal than that in our world."
"You're a king!" The words exploded out of her. "And I'm a pack doctor who was rejected by her first mate. Do you have any idea what people are saying about us?"
"Do you have any idea how little I care?" He moved closer, backing her up against the medical tent. "You want to know what I think is abnormal? Five years of trying to function with half my soul missing. Five years of political marriages being proposed by my council while my wolf slowly died from longing. Five years of pretending that duty mattered more than the woman the Moon Goddess chose for me."
His hands came up to frame her face, his thumbs tracing the sharp line of her cheekbones. "I'm done pretending, Luna. Done putting everyone else's expectations ahead of my own happiness. Ahead of yours."
"What if I can't do this?" The admission was whispered, vulnerable. "What if I'm too broken from Marcus, too scared of being hurt again?"
"Then we'll take it slow," he said gently. "As slow as you need. But don't ask me to walk away. Don't ask me to pretend I don't love you, because I won't do it."
The word 'love' hit her like a physical blow, stealing her breath and making her wolf whimper with longing. "Damien..."
"I love you," he repeated, his golden eyes burning with sincerity. "I loved you five years ago when I was too much of a coward to fight for you, and I love you now when I'm finally brave enough to claim what's mine."
Before Luna could respond, he was kissing her. Not the gentle, hesitant kiss of their youth, but the claiming kiss of a man who knew exactly what he wanted. His lips moved against hers with devastating skill, coaxing a response that came from the deepest part of her soul.
Luna's hands fisted in his shirt, torn between pulling him closer and pushing him away. The logical part of her mind was screaming warnings about propriety and consequences, but her wolf was singing with joy at finally being claimed by her mate.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard. Damien rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed as he struggled for control.
"Come home with me tonight," he said roughly. "Let me show you how much you mean to me."
The invitation hung between them, loaded with promise and possibility. Luna felt herself wavering, felt five years of careful emotional barriers crumbling under the weight of his desire.
"I can't," she whispered, hating herself for the words. "Not yet. It's too much, too fast."
Disappointment flashed across his features, but he nodded with more grace than she probably deserved. "Then I'll wait. As long as it takes."
He stepped back, creating physical distance between them, but his eyes remained locked on hers. "But know this, Luna Nightwood. You are mine. You've always been mine, and you always will be. And someday soon, I'm going to make sure everyone knows it."
With that promise ringing in the air between them, he turned and walked back toward the festival, leaving Luna standing alone with her racing heart and her trembling hands and the absolute certainty that her carefully controlled world was about to change forever.
As she watched his retreating figure, Luna caught a glimpse of auburn hair disappearing behind one of the nearby trees. Seraphina had been watching them, had witnessed the entire heated exchange. Something cold slithered down Luna's spine as she met her friend's eyes across the distance.
Seraphina smiled and raised her hand in a small wave, but there was something in her expression that made Luna's wolf bristle with unease. Something that looked almost like calculation.
But before Luna could analyze the feeling further, Seraphina had melted back into the shadows, leaving Luna alone with her swirling emotions and the growing certainty that claiming her happiness might come at a higher price than she was prepared to pay.