Blood Moon: Cursed Gift

This book is the second in the Blood Moon series. I recommend you read my first book, Blood Moon: Lunar Eclipse.

Lovetta

Today is the day.

At exactly 11:01 am, I finally turn 18.

I know my family has something prepared for me; they always do. My mother is the worst when it comes to surprises, but I let her think I don’t know what she’s up to. Hence, I have spent most of my time tending to the garden instead of in the pack house.

This morning, I received a letter from my grandmother Vera wishing me a happy birthday. She was currently touring the world, something she seemed to do most years. My father says it started when she lost her mate, my grandfather Enzo. It was a way to keep her occupied, a way for her to still see the ever-growing beauty and mystique of the world.

“There she is,” my father announced from behind me.

I pulled out a final weed before I stood up, brushed myself down, and turned toward my father.

“Is it time?” I asked, removing my apron so my dress would keep clean.

He lightly chuckled, fully aware of my mother’s lack of secrecy.

“Yes, your mother’s ready,” he said with a smile, holding his arm for me to take.

As we approached the pack house, I felt a sudden wave of nerves wash over me.

“What’s the matter, Vetta?” my father could always tell when something was up. That was one of the many traits that made him an incredible Alpha.

“I never got my heat when I was Sixteen. What if it happens tonight?”

He turns to face me, gently placing his hands on my shoulders.

“Whether it happens tonight, tomorrow, or two years from now, your mother and I will be right by your side.

“And if you’re worried about the unmated males, don’t be. For the ones that are stupid enough to so much as think about going anywhere near you when the heat hits, having a pissed-off Alpha to deal with will be the least of their concerns,” he said with promise.

He’s right. No one would ever come near me unless they were my mate. My father was scary enough; add my mother to the mix with her fire magic, and the two could annihilate an entire village in the blink of an eye.

“And don’t forget, your mother’s heat started when she turned 21,” he said, a little too hopeful.

I giggled as I took my father’s arm and continued to the pack house.

The large clock at the top of the packhouse read 10:30, only 31 minutes until my birthday.

As we approached, the two guards beside the large double doors at the entrance stepped aside and opened, revealing a ballroom overly decorated in gold and red.

“Happy birthday!” a chorus of cheers erupted around the room as my family and friends joined in on the surprise. A shower of confetti and streamers rained down on me and my father.

My mother stood front row centre. Her vibrant, long hair was tied up in a neat bun, except for two carefully curled strands that framed her face. She was beaming with joy, her face adorned with the biggest smile I had ever seen.

This is why I played along.

My mother was the first to embrace me.

Despite her challenges, my mother remains the fiercest woman I know. She may be our Luna, but she is, and always will be, a fearless warrior at heart. I aspire to be like her, even though I never quite got the warrior gene that she did.

My father’s name gained widespread recognition after he defeated Fenrir in battle. Alphas of other packs sought an alliance with both my parents after they found out they had rid the world of a tyrant like him. Now, Blood Moon is one of the most influential and protected packs there is.

I was snapped from my thoughts when someone collided with me, almost knocking me to the ground. Speedily, toned arms wrapped tightly around me in a crushing embrace.

Hazel.

Hazel’s my cousin. Well… not by blood, but we grew up together and have been inseparable since we were toddlers. Our mothers, who have been best friends since childhood, paved the way for our friendship.

“Finally! Your 18.

“Now I can take you to the human bars in town,” she winked, her dark green eyes held a hint of mischief.

Hazel’s tomboyish nature didn’t match her delicate features. She enjoyed sparring, just like my mother. Sometimes, I wondered if we were switched at birth since we share more similarities with each other’s parents than our own. However, looking at Hazel, it’s clear that she is the spitting image of Caroline.

Hazel has honey-coloured skin with cool undertones. Her short, tightly coiled raven-black hair and high cheekbones have made boys swoon over her ever since puberty hit. Her soft heart-shaped face and plump lips resemble Caroline’s, with a small beauty spot above her lip, only accentuating her beauty and adding to her delicate features.

I heard my father clear his throat, clearly unimpressed by Hazel’s comment.

“Logan, she’s a woman now,” my mother playfully slapped his arm, “She’s grown enough to make her own decisions.”

Before he could respond, my grandparents, David and Serena, came up beside my father. My grandmother looked sophisticated as always with her sharp auburn bob, now peppered with urbane silvery strands.

“Before you know it, Lovetta will be mated. And if they are anything like you were, she’ll be packing her bags quicker than you can say, Moon Goddess,” my grandmother teased.

My father growled, unable to respond.

“Tyler!” Harley’s voice called out in the most adorable high-pitched squeal you could imagine.

We all faced the noise and witnessed Tyler with white icing all over his hands and face.

Harley, a 9-year-old girl with gentle blue eyes resembling Clara’s, was staring at Tyler in disbelief. Her short, coppery, and toffee blonde hair, inherited from Denzel, was waving from side to side as she dramatically scolded Tyler with a shake of her head.

Layla, Harley’s older sister, was 14. Her electric Caribbean blue eyes drew attention from all the young males and gave Denzel a constant headache. Her platinum blonde hair, always styled in effortless beach waves, only added to her striking appearance.

Despite her petite frame, Layla had a feisty personality and often assisted Clara at the hospital. She aspired to become a nurse, and with her inherited earth-healing powers from her mother, it seemed like a perfect fit for her future career.

“Sorry,” Clarice apologised as she began to wipe the evidence of cake from the 5-year-old’s face.

Clarice was Ethan’s mate and one of the pack’s best trackers. They met seven years ago when Ethan was visiting a neighbouring pack in hopes of securing an alliance. Tyler is their first son, and judging by Clarice’s overly round bump, another is soon on the way.

“Don’t fret,” my grandmother reassured, “I have a freshly baked wedding cake at home that was cancelled last night.”

“Isn’t that bad luck?” Layla commented.

“Thank you,” my mother mouthed.

“Happy birthday, Vetta,” Eric said sheepishly, holding a small velvet box before him.

“Thank you, Eric, you really didn’t have to.”

The dainty silver bracelet, which held a ruby-red stone in the centre, took me aback.

I knew Eric had a little crush on me; he had for a while now. Being the son of the Zeta meant he was around the pack house a lot, and as I lived here, we saw each other almost every day.

“It’s not real silver,” Eli smiled awkwardly.

“It’s beautiful,” I thanked, and a slight blush overlaid my cheeks.

“Could you be any more whipped?” Eli, his twin brother, teased in a hushed tone, causing a flush to spread to Eric’s face.

“Eli,” Noah warned.

Noah and Trinity had the twins shortly after I was born.

Eric and Eli were strikingly similar. Their facial features were almost identical, but their personalities couldn’t have been more different.

Eric had a charmingly nerdy appearance, with his short, dishevelled black hair and a pair of glasses perched on his nose. On the other hand, Eli had an air of confidence around him, with his long, unkept hair that fell past his shoulders.

The only thing that seemed to unite them was their light, grassy green eyes, which shone with a vibrancy that was hard to ignore.

I remember my mother telling me that Eli took after his father, Noah, who was known for his boisterous and playboy nature. Despite their differences, they both had an undeniable charm that made them equally likeable in their own unique ways.

“Can we move onto the buffet? I’m famished!” Ruby added.

Ruby was Hazel’s younger sister and loved all things girly, just like her mother. She had a beautiful honey-toned complexion reminiscent of Hazel’s, and her thick, messy curls always seemed to shine with a thin gloss coat. She had hazel eyes, the dominant colour of deep forest green.

“Good idea,” my mother concluded before the crowd headed towards the buffet.

I briefly stopped in my stride as I felt a slow-burning sensation fizzle from my centre. It wasn’t painful, yet it had a gentle violence to it that I couldn’t quite explain.

“Lovetta, you ok?” my uncle Damon noticed my brief hesitation.

“Y…yeah, just birthday jitters,” I joked light-heartedly.

***

The meal was as delectable as always, especially as Denzel was the one behind the tasty masterpiece.

“That was delicious,” my father thanked as he polished his third plate clean.

“I had a little help this time,” Denzel replied and nodded towards Harley.

Harley was more like her dad; she loved the kitchen just as much as Layla loved the hospital. Talk about following in your parent’s footsteps.

“This is our song!” my mother stood from the side and dragged my father to the dance floor as a new song sounded through the ballroom.

They held so much love in their eyes as they danced. I hope to someday hold that connection with my mate. The one where no matter how much time has passed, you would still look at them with as much love and adoration in your eyes as the day you met them.

The other couples around me began to join in on the dance, and a sugar-filled Harley bounced wildly in the centre of the room.

“Come on, birthday girl!” Hazel reached for my palm and pulled me towards the centre of the room.

The light, tickling sensation from earlier grew exponentially the second I stood. I could feel my insides tense and contract at a pace as though something was crawling inside of me.

Then it happened…

The doors were thrown open with a loud clang. The joyous atmosphere ceased as everyone faced the intruder, who had a frenzied, almost feral, look in his eyes.

How did he pass the border undetected?

Aleksi and Noah stood defensively around the children. Even in his old age, Aleksi could still take on almost any opponent without breaking so much as a sweat.

My mother and father stood protectively before me as hypnotic golden irises bore through mine.

Everyone else in the room had recoiled at his overwhelming presence. Hazel was pulling my arm from the side, trying to get me as far away from this intimidating beast of a man.

But my feet remained rooted to the floor.

My wolf was enthralled.

The man standing before me effortlessly towered over the room, his unwavering gaze fixed upon me. His ripped shirt barely contained his broad, muscular frame, and I could see the tension in his muscles as though he were battling restraint.

“I want what is mine.”

Despite his intimidating presence, his voice was soft and velvety, almost hypnotic. Yet, it had a deadly edge, akin to a venomous snake coiled and poised to attack. I couldn’t help but feel a stimulating chill run down my spine as I stood there, locked in his piercing gaze.

My father spoke in a low, menacing tone that was almost inaudible.

“King Lycaeus.”