Page 17

Selene

M y eyes feel glued shut with how heavy they are.

Rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand, I’m finally able to open them.

My head swims as I sit up. I’ve never drank alcohol, but I can imagine this is probably what it feels like after drinking all night.

My thoughts are jumbled and hard to focus on as I try to think back on last night.

There’s one thing that’s clear as day, his words.

“ You already know who I am.”

Reaching over to my nightstand, I flip open my dream journal as I pull my pencil pouch over onto my bed.

Our Lorekeepers have preached for years that you should track your dreams to see the hidden meanings.

I let out a snort. I pretty much know the meaning to my dreams. Someone is coming.

It’s got to be my fated mate which is why it’s hidden from me, right?

Using black and gray I draw out the fog and darkness surrounding me. Even though I didn’t see them last night, I draw those eyes almost from memory at this point. One day when I actually figure out who they belong to, I want to compare how accurate I’ve actually gotten with them.

After my drawing is finished, I check the time.

Shit. Any second now Odes is going to be outside singing again.

I really slept like the dead if I missed all my alarms and her text messages.

Scrambling out of my bed, I throw on a pair of black leggings, a baggy t-shirt with some band’s logo on it, and the first cleanish pair of white socks I find crumbled on the floor.

I’m damn near tripping out my bedroom door when the beginning notes of today’s song come from outside. I’m hopping down the hallway putting on my tennis shoe when my mom clears her throat from inside the kitchen.

“Good morning Moondrop!” she says cheerfully from beside Dad, who’s mid sip of his coffee when his eyes flick up to my mess of a self falling through the kitchen.

I smile at my nickname, she’s always called me that. Claims I was born on a full moon and it was like a drop of that moon filled my soul.

He chuckles. “Did someone oversleep this morning?”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, I slept through my alarm and Odessa’s morning text.”

My mom sets her mug of coffee down on the kitchen island as she walks around to stand next to me. “I was hoping that you would have some time to make pottery with me today at The Muddy Paw, after school, of course.”

Shoving the cinnamon roll sitting on the tray into my mouth, I nod my head. As I move towards the front door, Odessa is circling around to the chorus and I’m not ready to deal with Mrs. Cranford’s commentary this morning over it.

With the beginnings of a migraine coming on, probably from my tincture mixing, I’m grateful Mrs. Cranford isn’t on her front porch this morning because I really don’t want to hear her high-pitched antics.

Swinging open the front door, I give Odes the death glare and she just laughs. “What? I thought that was my best one yet.”

I roll my eyes as I push past her heading down the three steps of my porch. Caelon’s cabin is empty again. Does he even sleep?

Two hours later during my second period class, my history teacher drones on and on about the history of this country and I’ve got zero interest in what he’s saying.

I’m doodling those eyes that haunt me when Odes clears her throat next to me.

When I look over, she is pointing at her screen that has Howlr open.

“You should really check the app.”

My eyebrows furrow. “Why?”

“Besides the Moonbinding ceremony drama?”

I nod my head.

“You’re trending right now. Since your birthday is the closest, everyone is speculating who is your fated mate. That’s not even the craziest part.” She looks pointedly at my phone laying on my desk.

Sighing, I swipe open my phone and click the wolf and moon icon opening the Howlr app.

It doesn’t take long to see exactly what she’s talking about.

There are hundreds of comments on the #GuesstheMate thread all with my handle and all their wild theories.

But that isn’t what’s standing out. No, what’s shocking is the who .

@thegraywolf says: 3h ago – Jasper “I’ve heard that a secret admirer is leaving hints for @themoonsmistress to figure out who her mate is. Seems someone is trying to grab the attention of his mate.” 289 howls | 125 Growls | 106 Clipped

As I scroll through all the different comments, I see all kinds of names thrown around. But that isn’t what’s blowing my mind. This @thegraywolf has almost commented under every single comment mentioning my name.

My eyebrows scrunch in confusion as I look at Odes. “Who is this guy and why is he so concerned with what everyone is saying?”

She only shrugs her shoulders. “Beats me, but I’m currently reading all about the Moonbinding Ceremony. Click the hashtag for it! This shit is juicy.”

With one last glance at this guy blowing up this thread, I click the #Moonbinding2025 tab and see the top most Howled Post is:

“Mountain Lions Dropping Moonbinding Lists tomorrow??? Spill the Claws, who’s getting their triad bond for 2025? Let’s go, people drop those bids below!” #SummerSolstice #AlphaGames

The first comment underneath it is about the Prime’s second son, the notorious bad boy with an affliction known as playboy.

Raven Blackwood has the broody, emotionally scarred, bad boy stick down to a perfect aesthetic.

My eyes flick to the back of the classroom where he sits leaning back in his desk chair as if the idea of school is completely beneath him.

@gothiclioness says: 1h ago – Jasper “Anyone know if our King Playboy will finally throw his towel in and settle down? Signed- curious lioness” 1,564 howls | 1,023 Growls | 1,564 Clipped

Looking between my phone and Raven, I don’t get the impression that he will be. If anything, he looks perfectly content in the life he’s living. Oh well, that’s pride business not pack business.

Closing my phone, I go back to doodling while Odes continues to scroll and my teacher drones on and on, oblivious to all of us ignoring him.

Lately, I’m more and more glad when the last bell chimes in the afternoon. The elation I feel at the freedom is unmatched. Scratch that, the only thing that tops it is the perfect shot during golden hour.

Mom texted me during her lunch break letting me know she booked us a spot at The Muddy Paw for 4 P.M. which gives me enough time to run home, drop off my stuff, and change into my clothes for pottery day.

Even while wearing an apron, you are going to end up with clay somewhere on your clothes, if not the glaze.

Odes wraps her arm around mine as we walk out of the building. “What’s on your plans for the rest of the day?”

“I’m meeting Mom for a pottery class at four, then I’ve got to stop by Lou’s to discuss an idea for the booth, and then finally…a sleep tincture and prayers to the Goddess that I get more sleep.”

She nods her head and starts to talk about her plans when I feel eyes on me.

It’s that same feeling as before. Glancing around, nobody is openly staring at me, but just off in the tree line there’s a man standing just within the shadows of the canopy.

Close enough for me to see the outline, but far enough to keep details obscured.

Just like the photo I have on my desk at home.

I’m just about to tap Odes to look when he steps further into the tree line, leaving no sign that he was even there to begin with. Was I imagining that?

Shaking my head to clear my confusion, I walk the rest of the way home with Odes chatting away all about what she’s been reading on Howlr.

I stopped listening twenty minutes ago when she got on the topic of the Moonbinding Ceremony.

Why everyone is so obsessed with it is beyond me.

Cool, it’s a secret thing and everyone wants to know.

Not enough of a thing to keep my attention.

We part ways when we make it in front of my house, Odes walking down the path towards her house.

After a quick change, I’m heading back out the door towards the pottery studio. Thankfully it’s right next to the Pawspital where my mom works. It doesn’t take more than ten minutes to walk to it and Mom is just walking up at the same time. Good timing.

She wraps her arm around my shoulder pulling me in close as she plants a kiss on my temple. “Ready to make another beautiful mug?”

I shrug. “Ready to make something. Not sure about the beautiful part.”

She scoffs as she pulls open the glass door leading inside The Muddy Paw.

The front desk has a petite elder with gray and orange hair.

Her teal scarf is wrapped around her neck over her flowing shirt.

She might be older but her face still has this youthful wonder to it. I need her skincare routine for sure.

“Good afternoon Granny Fern, how are we holding up today?” My mom greets with the warm infliction of a healer checking on her patient. Who knows, she might be one of Mom’s patients.

“Feeling like a daisy blooming for the first time in spring. You ladies here for your weekly pottery session?” she asks as she flips open her appointment book, scanning her finger down today’s date.

“Ah, yes! I called earlier and spoke with Shari about fitting us in a little earlier. She said it wouldn’t be a big deal.” My mom slides her arm across the top of the front desk, leaning closer to Fern.

Granny Fern grumbles as she clicks some buttons on her computer while checking her appointment book. “Fine. But for future reference, Shari might own the place, but she doesn’t run the books. Can you please call me instead so I can make sure it’s noted for the day?”

Mom’s hand reaches across and taps gently on Granny Fern's arm. “Of course dear. We can do that. What room are we in today?”

“Room Four in the back.” She hands over the key to the room, and Mom grasps it before turning to smile at me.

“Thank you Granny Fern. You are the grease that keeps this place running so smooth.”