Page 27

Scarlett

T he day went by slowly, and I feel like I’m stuck in a daze; it’s now well into the afternoon and my nerves are a mess. I feel extremely jittery and I’m quiet, although that doesn’t faze Angela at all as she chatters away.

We’re now in a salon, starting on our nails. I choose what I want, half-distractedly. The nail tech is helpful enough as she tells me what she thinks will look great with the dress I’m wearing.

“You’re nervous, big day?” she asks curiously.

“Yeah, it’s a huge party,” I reply smoothly. “I don’t do well in crowds.”

I feel nauseous. I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous in my life.

The door opens and Fiona’s scent hits me. I don’t even bother glancing up at her, although I can feel her watching me intently.

“Is this length okay?” the woman asks, making me blink. I nod after a quick glance at my nails and fall quiet again.

“Scarlett?” Angela asks, concern now clear in her voice. She reaches over and taps my shoulder with her free hand.

“Hmm?” I look at Angela to find her frowning.

“Are you ok?” she asks quietly, glancing at my hands that are shaking slightly. I nod, despite the obvious tremble in my hands. “You can talk about it, you know.”

“I’m just…scared,” I admit in a whisper that is so quiet that only Angela can just about hear me over the music playing in the background. The nail technician glances at us, probably wondering how we are even able to hear each other, but says nothing, returning to her job.

“Oh, babe…” Angela murmurs and I can tell she’s worried for me. “Maybe neither of you will meet your mate tonight. Maybe nothing will happen.”

“That’s scary too. The ‘what if’ will be there,” I reply, watching the woman paint my stiletto nails.

“Believe in him,” Angela says softly. For once, she is serious. I nod, but it does nothing to ease the emotions within me. “I mean, worst-case scenario – lock him in a room every Blood Moon, then there is no chance to meet his mate!” she adds, trying to cheer me up. I give a weak smile that I know doesn’t reach my eyes because she still looks worried.

“Thanks.”

Once our nails are done, we move on to get our hair and make-up done. I know what I want and tell them before getting distracted by my thoughts once again. Angela keeps checking both her and my makeup and hair, not caring that the stylists are getting a little annoyed.

“All done,” the woman who was working on me says, turning my chair towards the mirror.

I look at my reflection. The woman I see in the mirror is still me, yet she looks ten times more beautiful.

The makeup accentuates my cheekbones, making my eyes look alluring with a smoky look that is softer than my usual eyeliner, but the slight glitter makes them look gorgeous. She’s applied some natural, yet enhancing, false eyelashes. My lips have red, matte lipstick, and there’s bronzer and highlighter dusting my cheeks.

The woman has done an amazing job of covering the ugly mark on my neck, too. She had asked me what happened, and I said it was an animal attack. The woman didn’t really seem to believe me but hadn’t said anything else. “Would you like some gloss?” the woman asks. I shake my head as I admire my hair, which is pulled back into a bun, a few strands left out that frame my face.

“I prefer matte, it doesn’t get messy,” I say, giving the woman a small wink and making her smile.

“Well, I want to make a mess and show the world he’s mine!” Angela adds. I look over at my friend, smiling as I see how stunning she looks. Her long black hair is curled and is left hanging down her back. She has a braid along the front and a, slight quiff. Her eyes are shimmering in glittery, gold shadow and her lips are a glossy nude. We smile at each other. Neither of us has to say it but we both are thinking the other looks stunning.

“Ten, baby girl!” Angela says as she stands up, hugging the woman she has stressed out for the last hour. “Thank you! I love it!”

“I’m glad to hear,” the woman says, relieved. I stand up too and thank the women before we pay for their service. Now we just need to return to the hotel, get changed, and head down to the ball. The hotel we are staying at belongs to the Ardens, and it’s where they will be hosting the Blood Moon Mating Ball, which is convenient.

“Right, let’s get going!” Angela says as she pulls me out of the salon. Just as I’m about to leave, my eyes catch Fiona’s, who’s staring at me. Her hair is being styled into an extravagant updo, her makeup as pretty as ours. Our eyes meet for a moment that feels too long. I can’t tell what she’s thinking, but it’s awkward as hell.

“Come on, babe!” Angela calls, dragging me from the salon and dragging me back to where two pack warriors are waiting for us. They were sent by Dad to watch me at all times.

Although I tried to say I didn’t need them, even Elijah agreed it was a good idea, much to my annoyance. The four of us get into a taxi and head back to the hotel together.

My phone rings and I look down at it. Mama.

“Hey,” I answer.

“Hey, Scarlett. I just thought I’d call to see how you are doing?”

“Great, I was just about to get my dress on,” I say, looking at the glittering gold dress that is now laid out on the bed, feeling my stomach churn with nerves.

“Oh, so exciting. Don’t forget to take some pictures. I won’t keep you long. I just thought to call. I know you must be feeling nervous,” she says softly.

I’m about to deny it but instead I nod, although she can’t see me. “Yeah, I am.”

“Well try not to be. Regardless of the outcome of tonight, I am certain your love will conquer. Just try and enjoy yourself,” she says softly.

I sigh softly. “Yeah… I’ll try. Thanks.”

“Say hi to Angela for me as well. I’ll let you go.”

“I will. Bye, Mama.”

We end the call and I take a deep, calming breath, feeling crazy nervous.

I pick up the tiny sheer red and gold G-string that I bought specifically for tonight. I slip it on before I put my dress on. It skims my curves perfectly, and the adjustments make it even more beautiful.

I look in the mirror, pleased that my ample breasts look even better pushed up sexily. The straps are thin with the dress having a slightly plunging neckline. I zip the dress up from the side. My cleavage looks appealing and the gold shimmer that I applied to my body only makes my skin glow even brighter. The dress has a slit on the right, from mid-thigh to the floor showing off my leg and my gorgeous, red six-inch heels. With Elijah standing an entire foot taller than me, I hope I can reach his lips a little bit easier with these heels. I smile at my reflection, turning slowly once, just as a flash goes off and I see Angela standing there in a red, floor-length dress, her phone directed towards me.

“You, girl, look like an eleven,” she says, walking over to me. “Well, so do I.”

“You do,” I agree. Both of us smile at each other before we help each other put on the last bits of our jewellery. I help Angela with her zipper before we take some selfies.

“I’m so nervous and my wolf’s so restless,” Angela says, picking up her gold clutch bag, watching me apply some perfume.

“You’re not the only one,” I say. I decide against a bag and only take my phone.

“Okay… shall we?” Angela asks, looking at me, who nods. We hold hands just like we used to years ago before an event or party and leave the room together, both hoping for the best outcome.

Elijah

I feel restless trying to squash my nerves as I fiddle with the white button-down and adjust my black blazer.

“This thing isn’t sitting right,” I mutter irritably.

“Chill out,” Liam says, looking at me. He is wearing a grey dapper suit whilst I wear a black tailored suit with black dress shoes. A necklace hangs around my neck, peeping out from the collar of my shirt.

“I don’t know. Do I look okay?” I ask. I have my hair styled in a slight quiff, a few stray strands falling in front of my eyes.

“She loves you. What more do you want me to say? I’m sure even if you look like a loser, she’ll choose you,” Liam says quietly.

I freeze, ‘She loves you’. Those words echo in my mind. I sure hope she does… She hasn’t said those words to me yet, and I never thought I’d be one to admit this, but I want to hear those words from her luscious lips. For someone who’s never believed in love, I am now completely wrapped up in wanting to be loved by her. Wanting her to tell me she loves me.

“Yeah,” I reply, fixing my jacket once more.

“Then let’s go,” he says patting my back.

He’s been quiet for the majority of the day, but I think this Blood Moon has just been on all of our minds.

We make our way down to the ground floor and towards the hall where the event is taking place. Everything is decorated in red and gold. The large hall itself has marble floors, and the ceiling is glass, allowing the moonlight to shine through. It is the perfect feature for a mating ball which is often held outside.

The walls of the hall have pillared archways along the sides, red flowers and garlands are draped around the pillars, and bouquets of red roses are on every table and stand. Fairy lights are woven along the ceiling, glittering like stars against the glass windows, only adding to the glittering of the countless chandeliers. The tables that stand to each side are covered with gold tablecloths. A vase of red roses with hints of gold stands in the centre of each table along with a scatter of tea lights and petals.

Guess the Ardens really are super wealthy.

Waiters are expertly weaving in and out of the couples with trays laden with drinks. Down the centre of the room is a red carpet and up ahead is the dance floor where there is a bar to the side and a DJ. Couples are on the dance floor, some making out already and others looking ready to pounce. To the left are doors that stand ajar, leading to the gardens. I can see the gardens are also decorated in the same colour theme.

The music is not too loud nor too quiet, just slightly louder than the hum of chatter that fills the room. The strong smell of food, different drinks, expensive fragrances, and sex all create the enticing concoction of a Blood Moon Mating Ball. But amongst the aromas there is no extreme, intoxicating scent that stands out, filling me with relief. I can see Keira found her mate and has her lips locked to his. He’s a very bulky man and he seems to be fumbling to keep up with her. I raise my eyebrow, feeling sorry for the man.

Taking a glass of wine from the tray of one of the passing waiters, I glance at Liam.

“I’ll see you later.”

He nods before I make my way outside, needing the fresh air. I can’t smell Scarlett, but then again, in this sea of people, it isn’t really going to be easy to sniff her out.

I lean against the stone railing, two pairs of steps leading down from either side and look out at the fountain that stands in the centre of the garden. The pleasant sound of the gushing water calms my erratic heartbeat somewhat. The moon is high in the sky, a perfect circle with a hint of red coating it, something no human naked eye will ever be able to pick up.

The Blood Moon.

A miracle in itself.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. Never have I been more nervous about anything than I am now.

I sigh softly when suddenly, the most heavenly scent that I have ever smelt hits me like an avalanche. It is sweet, fresh, and intoxicating, all at the same time. Enticing, heavenly, and so fucking tempting that I can’t think straight, not able to put any name on the scent that I am being consumed by.

My thudding heart is loud in my ears as my wolf awakens, surging forward, wanting to burst forth and claim the owner of the scent right now. His approval is undeniable.

Mate.

My grip tightens on the rail as I open my now cobalt blue eyes, trying to breathe through my mouth, trying not to focus on the scent.

This is it…

“I, Elijah Westwood, future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you as my mate and Lu-”

“Don’t say it,” interrupts a breathless, yet sensual, voice that makes a shiver of pleasure rush through me.