Page 7 of Howling Love (Hunter’s Moon Ritual #1)

Gracie

The car ride was silent, but this time it held a very different note.

No longer was Alpha Ivan dismissive of me or indifferent about my actions.

He broadcast his tension in the way he barked commands at people after we’d landed, in the way his fists clenched the steering wheel.

I was doing everything in my power to stay as still as possible, not wanting to evoke his anger—though after the Marek incident I wasn’t sure that was possible.

Somehow, the blame had also fallen on me.

Alpha Ivan didn’t say that, but I could feel the disapproval.

“We’ll be arriving right on time. I expect you to be prepared for the opening ceremonies. Do not disappoint me.” I nodded immediately, not wanting to come off as disrespectful.

Even glancing out the window might be mistaken for defiance at this point—especially considering the way he was looking at the passing land in contempt. But contempt was the last thing that I felt. The beauty of our surroundings literally stole my breath as we drove into the city.

Nature blessed the land by integrating itself fluidly, welcoming the people that lived within the territory.

There was an autumnal glow from the trees, and the crops were lush and ripe, moving with the cool wind.

Fractured light from the clouds above moved across gardens nestled against classic brick houses.

People moved in and out of them, walking alongside the country road we drove on, waving at the passing cars.

Little did they know that inside sat a man who loathed them.

“Disgusting creatures,” Clint observed, having been the only other individual allowed in the car with us.

He was clearly trying to support Alpha Ivan’s feelings on the situation.

I bit down on my lip, trying to suppress a small smile.

I shouldn’t have felt satisfaction at their annoyance over this territory’s beauty and success, but…

“The city should have less of them,” Alpha Ivan muttered, as I moved my gaze further into the distance where, from the flat farmlands, rose a magnificent city.

As we moved closer, the miles being eaten up by the speed we were driving at, I was taken off guard by the regal way the capital city was positioned like a crown jewel within the lush land around it.

As we reached the city limits, I ate up every single detail.

There were domed copper roofs, turned green with time, and marble fountains.

Bronze streetlights lined the streets, a flag featuring a black bear against a red crest standing proudly in greeting.

Terraced townhomes with balconies covered in vines filled each block, and tiled pavilions featured market stands and shops.

There was a rich history and authenticity to the city, but more than anything, there was a sense of peace.

The Scarlet Sloth region was everything the Cold Moon Pack was not.

“Here we are,” Clint announced as we approached one of the domed buildings, the marble walls sparkling like diamonds as the afternoon sun broke through a cloud.

I almost sighed appreciatively, but the moment was cut short when Alpha Ivan yanked me from the car.

Once I found my footing, a familiar thread of fear coursed through me—especially when his hand closed around the back of my neck to keep me close.

“Walk,” he ordered quietly, pasting a charming smile onto his face.

Swallowing nervously, I kept my eyes down as his hand squeezed like a cuff, his large frame overshadowing mine to the point that I hoped I would disappear.

Mostly because I could feel the eyes of others on us.

I had to wonder what they thought. Did they think I was here willingly?

That I was his mate? Or did they see me for the prisoner I truly was?

I’d always felt like I had a good gauge on the feeling of a room, and the moment we walked through a set of two-story doors and into a crowded foyer, I felt the temperature cool considerably. I kept my eyes on my feet, feeling shame for how I was being treated, knowing it was wrong.

Even more so, I wasn’t ready to meet their eyes…not when I already knew what I’d find there. True distaste. It was clear to me, more than ever, that people really didn’t like us. No words were needed to confirm what I could feel. Every step I took echoed my shame.

“Welcome, Alpha Ivan,” a kind female voice said, causing me to look up.

I was caught off guard by the warm pair of maroon eyes that met mine.

The woman in front of me was taller than myself, but slight in build, her golden figure wrapped in a loose-flowing red dress embroidered with brown and gold.

Her brown and silver hair flowed over her shoulders and down to her waist like a veil.

She was beautiful, practically glowing with life.

“Alpha Kaliyah,” Alpha Ivan said stiffly. “Thank you for welcoming us to your city.”

“Of course,” she said pleasantly before looking at me. “And who is this? Your mate?”

“No,” he said sharply, and relief filled my chest. I hoped others had heard that.

“Well, it’s wonderful to meet you. I’m Kaliyah, and you are…”

I froze, unsure if I could or should answer, but Alpha Ivan let out a rumble of warning.

“Gracie,” I managed. Alpha Kalilyah’s brow furrowed just slightly, as if sensing something was wrong.

“Gracie. Lovely name. Well, we’ll be doing the introduction ceremony soon, so please feel free to make your way to the line.”

With that, Alpha Ivan abruptly departed the conversation and led me to possibly our only ally—Alpha Graeme Sharp.

I’d seen photos of him once or twice; I’d even seen him from a distance at our compound while he’d visited.

And every time that I saw him, I had a very visceral reaction—one of extreme revulsion.

His skeletal frame and his extreme height, brought together by the spider-like way he moved, set me on edge.

I’d heard in the whispers of the servant barracks that he was Ivan’s lapdog, and considering the way he seemed thrilled to see him, those rumors rang true.

I’d also heard the man was completely absent of morals—that he would do anything . I couldn’t fathom what that meant.

“Ivan. Wonderful to see you.” He thrust a hand forward for Ivan to shake, his paper-white skin nearly transparent.

His black, greasy hair hung past his shoulders in choppy sections, and he wore a brown velvet jacket with a gold fox on the crest. It was meant to showcase luxury, but something was off about the picture Graeme painted of himself. I just couldn’t tell you what.

“Yes, unfortunately we had to spend far too much time looking at this place while driving,” Ivan said, annoyed, and the two of them broke into conversation about their disdain for the territory. The jealousy was palpable.

“I hate her.” A woman’s voice drew my attention to where she stood with a scowl on her face, arms crossed and glaring at her assistant, who was attempting to calm her down.

She wore a black jacket that reached down to her ankles, much like my own.

But hers was adorned with a white bear on a rose-colored crest. This must be Lacey Harrison from the Bloodrose Sloths.

She was beautiful, with silver hair pulled away from her face, ruby earrings glinting from her ears as she continued to rant. “I can tell she thinks she’s better than us—it’s ridiculous.”

“Of course, of course,” the other woman said as Lacey’s gaze snapped up to mine, sensing my attention. Her green eyes narrowed distastefully at me as she lowered her voice, and I drew my attention away, getting the message loud and clear.

She may have been talking poorly about someone else, but she didn’t like us either.

“We’ll be lining up to enter now!” announced a voice that echoed through the hall.

Ivan’s hand imprisoned me once more, marching us forward—but not too quickly—so we would be the last to enter.

I had to assume that he viewed it as a statement of power, although I couldn’t be sure.

Before us was Graeme, but before him was a man who seemed amused by Ivan’s appearance.

“And see here, I thought we were too lowly to expect a visit from the great Ivan,” the man said bluntly.

He paid Graeme zero mind—nor myself—as I tried to get a hold on the type of power he emitted.

Bear shifters felt similar to wolf shifters to an extent, but this man’s magic carried a different note.

“Alpha Chace. I would say it’s good to see you, but it’s not.”

Ah, he was the lion shifter—that was why his magic felt different.

The distinguished man had a commanding presence, accented by a natural confidence and charisma that made Ivan’s attempt at a similar disposition a mere mockery.

He wore a tailored black coat with accents of gold, and there was a warm gleam to his eye that Ivan didn’t like, if his increasingly bruising grip was any indication.

“Don’t be so bitter. Consider this a vacation—a paradise away from your cold, lifeless territory.

” His smile didn’t do anything to soften his words, and the growl that broke from Ivan’s chest made my eyes go wide.

My wolf began to pace in my head as my heart thumped loudly in my ears.

I hated that I had to be close to any of this, but I wanted to be far away from Ivan’s wolf at all times.

I’d once watched him rip out the throat of one of his commanders while shifted because he’d done something “wrong.”

“Gentlemen, surely this isn’t necessary, especially with a lady present,” a woman said brightly. She appeared out of nowhere, a wave of magic slamming into me and causing my wolf to panic. Dragon .

I locked every muscle in place, hoping to become invisible. This had to be Haiden Murphy, her eyes meeting mine with a sparkle of knowledge. She was strikingly beautiful, her dark eyes like burning embers that sat under her strong brows.