Page 22 of Bitten by Bloodmoon (Mateless Shifters #2)

Lumi

T hree outfit choices that couldn’t be further apart from each other are lying on my bed.

Leggings with a black shirt, jacket, and tennis shoes—casual and practical.

The second option is an off-the-shoulder black jumpsuit that would fit my body like a glove, paired with boots.

And the third, I gasp when I see. It’s a black lace gown with golden swirls that look like the runes that mark my body etched into it.

It looks low cut in the back and is paired with stiletto heels.

I’m drawn to the third. I want the third. But it seems entirely impractical for an initiation. I need to be prepared for anything.

Nyx laid out these choices to remind me that I have a choice in who is my mate, at least until I sever one of the bonds. But just like my outfit choice, it’s fake. There’s only one option that will break the curse, but I don’t know what the correct choice is at the moment.

I put on the jumpsuit. The only option that allows me to feel attractive and powerful, while still being prepared for anything that could happen. All the while I’m getting dressed, my heart still aches for the dress that I’ll never get to wear.

The bathroom is just as gorgeous as the bedroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook an incredible view of the forest. The room is bright, with white marble and gold accents. I’m brushing my sleek, silvery hair back when I hear the knock on my door.

My heart freezes. I thought I had a few more minutes to get ready before someone would come and get me for the initiation ceremony. I walk to the door, trying to maintain my composure through my trembling legs. I fumble for the door handle and push it open before I change my mind.

Dark jeans, a crisp white shirt, and a trimmed brown haircut meet my gaze, and I stop trembling as my smile draws upward.

“You look incredible,” Kael says, “and a little too relieved to see me. Are you okay?”

I swallow. “Yes, I wish you would stop asking me that.” I lead him inside, and he inhales sharply at the large window inside.

“That’s quite a view.”

I nod. “I can’t believe the vampire has a house built of glass when he can’t even enjoy the sunlight.”

“I assume that means he built it before he turned into a vampire. But it’s shocking that he didn’t have his own room redesigned. Or at least turn one of the other rooms into his room. But then again, it’s hard to destroy a view like this.”

“What do you mean, his room?”

Kael cocks his head to the side. “This is Nyx’s room.”

I frown. “How do you know that?”

“Last time I was here, I slept in the room next door. The same one I’m in now. That way, Nyx could guard me overnight. He’d hear if I tried to escape. He hasn’t been sleeping in here with you?”

I laugh. “Gods, no. It’s not like that between us.

We don’t have feelings for each other. And we’re pretty sure we aren’t even actually mates, that our connection is just because we both have information that needs to be shared to get the curse lifted.

He killed one of my closest friends. I won’t ever be sharing a bed with him. ”

“Is that how you feel about Ambrose?”

I turn from Kael and look out the window. “I’d rather not talk about Ambrose. I don’t want to know how he’s doing, or if he’s the reason you’re here. I’d rather not know about anything regarding him after he took away my choices.”

Kael bites his bottom lip as if he wants to say more, but is holding back.

I sigh, running my hand through my long hair. “What is it?”

“Nothing. It doesn’t matter about these idiotic males. What matters is that you’re safe. That’s why I’m here, to keep you safe. I won’t leave your side again.”

“And you’re okay initiating into the Bloodmoon pack to do that?”

“I’d rather be concocting an escape plan, but I know you won’t leave without answers, and whatever idiotic deal you made with him won’t allow you to leave.

So yes, I’ll join his pack. I’ve never had a problem with the Bloodmoon pack.

For the most part, they treated me well during my time here.

It’s the vampires you have to watch out for.

They don’t operate under the same civilized rules as the wolf shifters do.

They can seem human one minute, and then the next, their bloodlust or curse will take over, and they’ll go rabid, completely out of control.

They’ll kill you even if they like you and consider you an ally. No vampire is to be trusted.”

“Does that include Nyx?”

“My understanding is that Nyx has learned to control his bloodlust. As long as he’s not drinking blood, he’s in control of his own mind.”

There’s another knock, so I open the door and find Sylara in a red dress, her curls pinned on top of her head, and her makeup flawlessly painted onto her face, which makes her even more breathtakingly beautiful.

Gone is any trace of the dangerous beta who usually looks like she’s ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

All that is left is soft, feminine beauty.

For a moment, I’m envious of how good she looks and regret my decision not to wear the dress.

Sylara’s eyes look me over from head to toe. “You’ll do.”

“Thanks? Was that supposed to be a compliment?”

She shrugs. “It was supposed to be exactly what I said.” She looks past me to Kael and then frowns. “How did I know I’d find you in here? If you want to keep all your limbs, I suggest you stay out of Nyx’s bedroom with her.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Really? You think Nyx cares that he’s here? He’s not jealous. I’m not his. He doesn’t even like me.”

Sylara ignores me. “Don’t find yourself alone in his bedroom with her again if you want to keep breathing.”

Kael just nods.

“It’s time, but don’t worry, you can always change your mind. You’d just waste everyone’s time, and you’d have to go back to the Moonlight pack or whatever pack would take you.”

“I’m not changing my mind,” Kael says.

“Good,” she answers and then makes a swift exit.

“Are you really sure? I know they say that you won’t be required to do much besides make an oath, but still, you’d be making an oath to be loyal to the Bloodmoon pack, to Nyx.”

“I’m sure. I’ll do anything to protect you, Lumi. You’re the only thing that matters to me.”

Without another word, he exits the bedroom and starts following Sylara. I run to catch up, my mind whirling with thoughts of what could happen if Nyx is lying.

I’m not sure exactly what to prepare for as we walk outside.

Dusk has begun to settle over the horizon as darkness blankets the town.

The other pack members I know—Riven, Brax, and Talonis—flank each of our sides as we walk, while other pack members start coming out of their homes.

We walk through the center of town, my heart beating a million miles a minute as we do.

I’m sure everyone around me hears my anxiety pumping through my body.

We head towards a small amphitheater with a stage at the edge of the pack’s town. Nyx has already taken the stage, and as we walk down the stairs, I notice more and more people taking their seats. Some of the visitors are vampires.

I force myself to stand up straighter as I walk toward the stage. Taking a deep breath to try to ease my heartbeat, I’m not sure if we are all going up on stage or just Kael until we get there, but we don’t slow down as we reach the stage. We all climb up the stairs next to Nyx.

Tonight isn’t a full moon, and I doubt there are any witches here, so I’m curious as to how the initiation will go.

“We have a new member of the Bloodmoon pack who would like to be initiated,” Nyx says to the crowd. He motions for Kael to step forward, while I stay standing next to others on the side of the stage.

I grab Kael’s hand, giving him a gentle squeeze before releasing him and watching him walk toward Nyx. I try to focus on his steps, but a haze washes over my eyes, my skin becomes clammy, and my body trembles where I stand.

“Are you okay?” a voice whispers in my ear, but I can barely hear it, and I definitely can’t make out whose voice it is.

In an instant, I’m taken back to my own initiation into the Moonlight pack. To seeing Ambrose in that tree, unable to speak. To the fear of running. To the spell I was under. To the male pack members surrounding me, each looking at me like they wanted to fuck me.

My eyes fall shut as if it is happening all over again, but this time, I know that I don’t really want them to fuck me. This time, when I’m stripped of my clothes, when I am held and spread bare, when they touch me…

A hand goes around my shoulder, pulling me against his chest. I struggle, trying to fight off the hands. No one can touch me! Not again!

“You’re safe, it’s not really happening. You’re safe, love,” his words push against the haze in my mind, and his cool body touching me instantly brings down the fever burning through my body. I stop struggling in his arms.

“You’re safe, Lumi. It’s not really happening.”

His words break through the nightmare I’m reliving.

“The initiation is over. Everyone went to celebrate.”

“Even Kael?” I ask, shocked that he’d leave me in this state.

“I told him I needed to show you something before we went to the party. No one realized what was happening except me, not even my own pack.”

“Why? How did you notice then if none of them did?”

He runs his hand over my hair, smoothing it down as if making sure I’m really back with him, my mind not still lost to the nightmare.

“Because you were sending me image after image of what your initiation looked like. I’ve never—” he shakes his head, cutting himself off. But I can see the veins popping on his neck and his clenched fist. He’s holding himself back.

“Are you okay now?” he asks, tenderly, his voice soft.

I nod. “I’m fine.”