A Moonlight Promise

The ballroom of Roxburg Castle was filled to the brim with high society dressed in their finest attire. Glittering jewels and shimmering silk sparkled beneath the trio of chandeliers as the couples twirled and spun across the polished marble floor, their laughter cascading throughout the room. It was the opening ball of the London season, held by the Duke and Duchess of Roxburg. All of the ton was attending, hoping to make a suitable match.

Standing against the far wall of the ballroom, Lady athena Felix was suffocating. She was trapped in a gilded cage of a marriage to the coldest and most heartless gentlemen, Lord Victor Felix. Their union, which was in its third year, was devoid of love and affection, filled instead with neglect and cruelty. She was viewed as an ornament to be displayed, not a woman of flesh in blood to be loved and cherished.

Athena closed her eyes, no longer wanting to watch the joyful couples dancing across the ballroom floor. Her heart was aching to do the same, to find someone who would adore her, not just for her beauty, but for the wild spirit that flowed in her veins. She felt her wolf beginning to stir, whimpering inside her head.

Victor's voice, harsh and cold, cut through Athena's thoughts. "Still standing here are you?"

Athena swallowed nervously. "I have been waiting for you to ask me to dance. Are we not going to at least have one waltz?"

Victor burst out laughing, the strong smell of whiskey flowing from his breath. "As if I would have a desire to dance with you. You are simply my ornament, meant for display and not play."

Athena felt a growl slip from her throat before she could stop it. "You have treated me nothing more than an ornament for the last three years Victor. I would appreciate some form of respect."

Victor's bright gray eyes narrowed, his hand reaching out and grasping her wrist. He moved until his face was inches away from hers. His voice dropped to a deadly and menacing whisper. "I suggest you keep that dog of yours quiet. Otherwise, I will expose your secret."

Athena whimpered softly with pain, immediately feeling her wolf curl up into a ball of defeat. She dropped her eyes to Victor's boots. "My apologies my Lord."

Victor released her wrist. "Good, that is how you should be. Quiet, demure, not speaking your mind."

Athina nodded, keeping her gaze lowered. "Of course."

Victor stepped back, and without another word, turned and left her standing alone once more.

Athena watched him leave, striding toward the drink table to chat with a group of his friends. She took a breath, mentally caressing the top of her wolfs head, assuring her that things would be all right. Needing to clear her head, and get away from Victor, she turned on her heel and stepped out onto the terrace.

Approaching the marble railing overlooking the Roxburg rose garden, Athena placed her hands onto the cold stone and looked up at the inky black sky. She felt her wolf approach the front of her mind, her eyes drifting up to the full moon and glittering silver stars. She longed for her mate, the one who could heal her pain and break her free from her gilded chains. Little did she know her prayers would soon be answered. Having had enough of the ball, she made her way down the circular steps leading into the garden, disappearing into the night.

***

Damon Blackwood, the Duke of Courtney, stood near a towering display of white roses and blue violets, irritated out of his mind. For the last hour, he had been approached by several mothers intending to throw their unmarried daughters at him, wanting them to be his Duchess. He wanted none of that. He desired a young lady who would love and cherish him for who he was as a person and for the wild spirit that thrummed beneath his skin.

Damon sighed, closing his eyes with weariness. He was desperately wanting to find his mate, the one who would adore him for every aspect of himself, not simply his title. He despised the games of society and desired something real. He longed to be treated like a man of flesh and blood, not apprize to be coveted.

Suddenly, Damon's eyes flew open, his body becoming rigid. The action wasn't caused by another potential mother and daughter, but by the sweetest smell curling around him. It was the decadent smell of vanilla, pure, potent, and consuming. He felt his wolf stir, lifting his head and sniffing the air in his mind.

Pushing away from the wall, Damon followed the delicious aroma out of the ballroom and onto the terrace. He took a deep breath, the smell becoming intoxicating. It was stronger, guiding him toward a small circular staircase leading down to the Roxburg Rose Garden. Descending the steps, he moved into the garden, the heavenly perfume mixing with the roses around him. His mate was close, he could feel it.

The decadent vanilla perfume continued swirling around him as Damon moved further and further into the garden. His wolf was going mad, barking and running around in circles inside his head. As he approached a large archway of red pink and white roses, the perfume became overwhelming. He stopped, looking around him for any sign that someone was with him. And then, as his eyes swept beneath the archway, he saw her.

She stood beneath the magnificent blooms, illuminated by the brilliant moonlight. She was breathtaking, exquisite. Her golden blonde hair was fixed into a braided bun, exposing her creamy neck. Her voluptuous curves were on full display in her dark blue velvet gown. Her eyes were a beautiful pair of powder blue diamonds.

Damon couldn't breathe, couldn't form coherent thoughts or sentences. She was his mate, his destined love. The one he had been searching for. His heart began to pound wildly against his rib cage as he watched the elegant beauty slowly turn to face him.

***

Athena was frozen where she stood, her eyes wide with surprise and wonder, her heart feeling as if it would fly from her chest. Her wolf was yapping and circling in her head with excitement. The gentleman standing before her was her mate, her destined love. The one she had been longing for.

He stood in the dazzling moonlight, illuminated with brilliant beams. He was dashing, radiant. His hair was a rich caramel brown, neatly combed and styled into luxurious waves that went just a bit past his ears. His muscular frame was outlined perfectly in his three-piece black velvet suit. His eyes were a spectacular emerald green.

Athena took a breath, inhaling the luxurious aroma that emanated from him. It was caramel, pure, sweet, and intoxicating. It wrapped around her, curling into every fiber of her being. She smiled softly, looking at him.

Damon returned her smile, stepping closer. He extended a hand, his voice dropping into the deep baritone of his wolf. "Good evening."

Athena lifted her hand, placing it gently into his palm. Her soft voice, a tinkling melody, drifted to his ears. "Good evening."

Damon brought her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "Tell me, what is a lovely jewel like yourself doing out here alone?"

Athena sighed softly. "I was seeking a bit of peace."

Damon squeezed her hand gently. "What has you seeking peace? The expectations of society? The stifling nature of the ballroom perhaps?"

Athena nodded. "A bit of both. The demands of society can be quite tedious."

Damon chuckled softly. "They certainly can be. I must say, the Duke and Duchess of Roxburg have outdone themselves this year. It seems every ball they host becomes more and more grand."

Athena giggled. "They certainly do. I remember a moment last year when a flock of peacocks emerged from a cage that the Duchess of Roxburg had placed in the corner of the ballroom. They flew into a cacophony of fireworks."

Damon laughed, his emerald eyes sparkling. "That was quite absurd but brilliant."

Athena. "It certainly was."

As the moon rose higher, illuminating them with dazzling light, their amusement faded, their bodies humming with a powerful current. They stepped closer, their hands intertwining, their eyes locking. A singular thread of silver magic seemed to swirl around them, weaving their hearts together like the finest silk ribbon. They slowly leaned forward, their lips brushing for a tender kiss, their bond shimmering into place.

Victor's voice sliced through the silence like a knife. "What the hell are you doing?"