Standing inches away from me, his fingers gripped my arms in a vice-like grip, his harsh hot breath fanned my face.

It happened so fast in a blink of an eye, it knocked the breath out of me.

He moved so fast…it wasn't possible for even a werewolf. But before I could wrap my head around it, his proximity set my skin on fire. Electric tingles rushed through my entire body at his touch. My heart pounded in my chest as my wolf purred with pleasure.

Those dark, blazing silver eyes stared at my hazels, reaching out to my soul, captivating it.

His nostrils flared. He inhaled deep, as if taking a desperate sniff. "Didn't I ask you to leave?" Voice deep. "To stay away?"

The way his eyes flickered from silver to red brought me out of my daze. I gulped.

His wolf.

"I…" I stuttered, my heart pounding from his proximity and powerful aura.

Leaning in, with his face inches away from mine, he sneered, "Has falling into trouble became a habit of yours, hmm?"

I didn't know what to feel at that moment. Fear him for his wolf coming out, or stare at his beautiful yet lethal features. That wide forehead, dark thick brows, intense silver eyes, strong nose, sharp jaws and plump lips…

"I missed you," I whispered in a daze, my heart aching, craving to trace those stubble shadowing his jaw. And I did.

His shoulders went rigid the moment my fingers touched his jaw. My eyes welled with tears at the touch I craved for years. It both burned and pleasured me in an inexplicable way.

Silver eyes completely turned a deep shade of red and black veins spread across around his eyes and down his neck.

I froze in my place. Eyes widened.

W-what was happening to him? Black veins?

"Vin? W-what's happening…"

Before I could finish, a powerful arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him. I gasped at his rock hard body pressing against mine. Delicious shivers trembled my body.

His lips twitched, giving a glimpse of his elongated canines. His form shook, as if losing control. A growl reverberated through his chest. I whimpered as he gripped my hair in a fist before going for my neck. The sharp canines scraped my sensitive skin, making me tremble. Both in delight and fear.

"Aurora…" he said in a guttural voice I never heard.

W-what was he doing? What was happening to him?

"Vin, stop." My heart pounded in my heart in fear and an odd…thrill. But my hands tried to push him back.

"You're still good at provoking me." His grip tightened around me. The shaking in his form increased. His canines started to pierce my skin.

And as if my wolf submitted to him, my eyes closed.

"Vinson?"

He froze with his canines must be drawing a few drops of blood from my neck. Then he was a foot away from me.

I found myself cold with his warmth leaving my body suddenly.

With my heart thundering, my eyes met Adeline's bright blue ones. They were blazing.

My knees weakened at the realization. She caught me in her mate's arms, with his canines almost marking me.

Wait…he…was about to mark me?

My gaze snapped to Vin, who stood a foot away from me. His form was still, too calm for him grabbing me to mark a moment ago. His eyes were back to silver, and the black veins were gone. As if…nothing happened just a moment ago.

The sudden pressure in the air made my wolf whimper. Adeline's anger was releasing her alpha aura. Her eyes were drilling on my skin.

"Everyone is waiting for us. We should go back to the meeting room. The alphas are already here," she said to Vin. Her voice was too calm to be normal.

And without uttering another word, she cast me a last cold look before turning on her heels.

A pinch of guilt hit me. I just wanted to talk to Vin, I didn't even know what was going on between us just moments ago. He hated me, right? Then…what was that?

When my confused gaze fell on him, he didn't meet my gaze. He was back to his cold and indifferent self.

"Leave with Donovan. Now. He is waiting for you outside."

Then he was gone.

Leave? But what about the meeting? I wanted to know what the Alpha would decide.

Seconds later, Uncle Donovan found me still standing in the hallway with all the confusion, shock and questions surrounding me. And after half an hour, we were back at the pack.

Though my knees were still weak from his…scorching touch, my consciousness was concerned about the Council's decision.

"Uncle? What do you think would be the Council's decision?" I asked, standing outside his house.

"Matt just messaged me. The Council gave a warning to Gilbert and dismissed the case," he said with a bright tone.

I frowned. "Why would they warn Gemma Gilbert?"

Warm aged eyes widened. "Oh, I forgot to inform you. The flies Vinson submitted to the Alphas had evidence of Sam's misdoings across the pack. He was even associated with some rogue pack for…wrong businesses behind our Alpha's back." He hesitated, keeping the whole truth from me. "And being connected with rogue packs is considered treachery. So it was right for Vinson to punish him. And Gilbert's being a Gemma and Sam's father, he should have known about it. That's why the Council warned him and ended this chapter right there."

Rogue pack? Rogues were lone wolves who were banished from their packs for crimes or other reasons. Being severed from their packs, they turned wild and more animal than a werewolf. Then when did rogues become a pack?

And what business Sam used to do with them? This was something much bigger than meets the eye.

Then the realization struck me. We were proven innocents!

A smile spread across my lips. I wasn't going to go anywhere, nor would Vin lose his alpha position.

I wrapped my arms around uncle Donovan with a squeal. He returned the hug with a chuckle.

"I was so worried! That means I'm not going to be punished!"

He patted my back before pulling away. "You never did anything wrong. So how could anyone punish you? Now go and have a rest. You must be tired."

"She will, after she prepares the lunch." Aunt Jude stood at the door, giving me glare.

She and Ophelia haven't been home since yesterday night after Sam's death. They were with his family for support. Even Kate locked herself in her room. The reason I was still alive away from their wrath.

Not to forget, I disobeyed aunt Jude and went to the party.

"Can't you make it yourself for once?" Uncle Donovan fired at his mate. He never supported his family's way of treatment towards me. But he couldn't really do anything much to his mate and daughter. His hands were bound.

Aunt Jude snorted. "I have pack issues to handle. Your dear Luna is just for the namesake, you know that." Then her sharp gaze fell on me. "And you, I will deal with you later. For now, go and finish the chores. Tonight, we all will have to attend the pack dinner. The mess you created needs to be addressed before the whole pack."

Pack dinners meant I had to attend as well.

Biting my lip, I nodded silently before she walked away. The look on Uncle Donovan's face made me frown.

"Is there something wrong, uncle?"

He stared at me for a moment. "Be careful around Adeline, Rory. She…"

Memories from the hallway flooded my mind, warming my cheeks. The skin of my neck where Vin bit tingled. But I knew it was already healed, it was just a scratch after all.

"She what?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Just be careful. She didn't look good before we left the Council building. Her unmoving eyes on you...Something is going on in her head. Did something happen that I should know of?"

A tremor ran through me remembering her calm yet blazing eyes.

How could I say that she caught me and Vin in a compromising position? I didn't even know what was Vin doing,

At my shake of head, uncle Donovan nodded. "All right. You go inside and have some rest. I will see you during the pack dinner."

The moment he left, Mia appeared beside me.

"What happened in the meeting? Did Vin save you from those old Alphas?"

Subconsciously, my hand went to my neck. I could still feel his breath on my skin, his arms around me.

My heart beat faster. Butterflies fluttered in my tummy. Even though I shouldn't hope, I couldn't stop myself from hoping he didn't actually hate me. He still cared for me. There was still a chance…

Maybe, just maybe…

"Rory!"

I blinked at Mia's loud voice. "Help me prepare lunch. And I will tell you everything."

Except what happened between me and my forbidden alpha.

***

"Hurry up, you girls! The alpha and beta family will have dinner now!" The head chef of alpha manor snapped at us three omegas helping with the cooking. Mia, me and another girl who worked at Mia's cafe.

After the pack had their dinner outside and Sam's matter was discussed, it was time the Alpha and Beta family would have their supper. After knowing Sam's truth, everyone was displeased with the Gemma family, the reason they left early.

After hours of non-stop washing the dishes and serving food, I was tired. But I didn't get a single glimpse of him. Pack dinners required everyone to be present, even omegas, the reason I was here. Even though I knew my step-mother wouldn't take it lightly, I wanted to see Vin. I…wanted to ask what his behavior meant back in the hallway of the council building.

"Rory, I think you should leave now. You can talk to Alpha Vinson later. If Luna finds you here…" Mia whispered.

I bit my lip. Uncle Donovan's warning still echoed in my mind. I didn't really need to face a jealous Alpha female. Enough trouble was created by me in one day.

Maybe Mia was right. I could talk to Vin later.

"All right. See you outside."

Wiping the sweat across my forehead, I towel dried my hands and silently rushed outside the kitchen, trying to avoid the dining hall where everyone was already waiting for dinner.

But before I could flee, Adeline's tall and slender figure stopped me on my way.

I froze.

Her bright blue eyes took a stroll over me, her features were indifferent. Her cold aura made my wolf nervous.

Then a sweet smile tugged at her red lips. "Aurora, why are you leaving so early? Come, join us for dinner."

I shook my head. "No, I'm not…allowed to have dinner with the alpha family."

There was a mocking glint in her eyes. "Luna Ralph is the reason, right?"

I nodded, anticipating the blow my gut feeling said she was about to give me.

"No worries. At least you can serve us, right?" Her chin rose. "There is going to be an announcement. I want you to be there. After all, you are Vinson's dear step-sister."

I bit my lip at the pinch in my heart.

"I can't…"

Before I could say anything, she grabbed my hand and took me to the dining room. Everyone was already seated around the huge dining table and three Omegas were serving the food.

At the head of the table, sat Vinson Salvatore Rustov, the man I craved to get a glimpse. His eyes snapped to me the moment I entered the room, as well others'.

The chair to his left remained empty where the Alpha and Luna sat on his right. Oddly enough, Luna didn't utter a word to me. While everyone else looked displeased at my presence except Uncle Donovan and Matt.

"I wanted her to be present for the announcement. After all, she can be considered as family. Right, Vinson?" Adeline said, taking the chair beside him, as his mate.

My chest ached the way she placed a hand on his thigh. His silver eyes hardened on me before they looked away. No one opposed Adeline's decision. Ophelia, who sat between her parents, shot a dark look at Adeline's way.

"Come, Aurora. Serve my plate," Adeline said, with a command in her tone.

She considered my family, right?

Uncle Donovan frowned but didn't say anything. While Vin took a bite on his steak. He didn't care.

At Luna's raised brow, I hung my head low and started to serve Adeline's plate. Standing between him and her, I could smell his intoxicating scent of woods and fire. Goosebumps rose on my skin at the heat my body felt from his. But he didn't even acknowledge my presence.

When I was about to serve the meat curry on Adeline's plate, her hand suddenly collided with mine, causing the curry to fall on the ground. I gasped.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just taking the salt. You should have been careful." Taking some tissues, she handed them to me. "Clean it, please."

Her tone was sweet, but her eyes were cold as they watched me. Some of the curry splashed her left heel as well.

"Don't forget my heels."

My eyes burned at the humiliation.

"What are you waiting for? Clean the mess and her heel. Do you know how expensive it is?" Luna snapped.

Flinching, I glanced at Vin who silently chewed on his salad. A pain slashed through my heart at his ruthless silence. I thought…he still cared.

I swiftly wiped the tear that left my eye and squatted down to clean Adeline's heel, ignoring Aunt Jude's sneakers of mockery.

But before I could touch Adeline's feet that she extended for me to clean, a sleek black shoe came into my view. My eyes followed the owner and met the pair of cold dark silver pools.

"Leave," said his deep, harsh voice.

I blinked.

Adeline's jaw tightened.

"I said leave!" He hissed.

Letting out a whimper, I stood and took a step back. His blazing eyes set on me the whole time. Wide powerful shoulders were tense.

"Rob, clean the mess," Uncle Donovan ordered another server, before turning to me. "Rory, you can go…"

"She was just cleaning the mess she created, Vinson. But I can understand if you don't want her to do that," Adeline said, casting me her steely gaze. "She was close to you in the past after all. But she should listen to the announcement before leaving, right Luna Ralph?"

A muscle of Vin's jaw ticked. Matt shot a look at him.

My step-mother nodded. "Of course. Honey, I think it's time for you to make the announcement." She turned to father.

What announcement? Why was Adeline so persistent for me to hear it?

The alpha nodded before clinking his glass with his fork, snatching everyone's attention. I could feel the mindlink to every pack member open. Mia silently came and stood beside me.

"Everyone, thank you for attending the pack dinner tonight. As the situation with Sam has been settled, I think it's time for Vinson's coronation ritual which was left unfulfilled last night." His voice was loud and clear for everyone to hear. "The coronation ritual will be held this blood moon, which is two days from now."

My wolf felt joy hearing the news. I could hear the pack's happiness through the mind link as well, except Vin's. I couldn't reach his mind no matter how much I tried since yesterday.

Then the alpha' voice rang again.

"As we all know the importance of Blood Moon, we decided to fulfill another sacred ritual under the night. If any wolf didn't find their mate, there is a high chance they will with God's blessings on this sacred night. It's an important night for mateless wolves."

Vin's shoulders tensed at the last sentence, his fists curled into balls.

Why was he so agitated?

With bated breath, I looked at the Alpha. What was the other ritual they were holding under Blood Moon?

"So, with all your blessings, and the ally Alphas' presence, Vinson and Adeline's mating ceremony will be held on this Blood Moon."

My heart stopped.

V-vin's…mating ceremony?

Whoa!! Vin will mark Adeline soon? What do you think will happen on Blood Moon? Do you think our Aurora will get a mate as well? 😉 What will be Vin's reaction?

Let me know in the comments! I love to read your thoughts! I noticed there are a good amount of reads but only a few of you comment and vote. It hurts me, really ☹️ I would be grateful if you vote and share this book with your book nerd friends!

The next update will be up soon!

With love,

Eva Zahan