FREE *Blood Moon Cursed; Book 1

Going to the ball.

I’m speechless, I have no answer for Florain, and I’m about to question her poem, when a loud knock sounds on the door.

“Hey you guys ready yet?” Garrett calls from the other side of the door.

I shake myself from my haze, smiling at Florain, I hold my finger up signalling give me a minute.

“Yes, We are ready we’ll be out in 5 or so minutes.” I reply.

“Well hurry its 6 o’clock.” Garrett said.

As I turned back to Florain, she averted her eyes, bowing again.

“Where did you get the poem from?” I ask, could I afford not to know something else?

“Its apart of a foretold tale, “The Jealous Brother” Its near the end, a man seduces the moon goddess and she creates a child to celebrate her love, but finds out his thoughts are impure, and she makes him choose, he choses power over love, the child is said to reach maturity and appear to us for the first time, when her mask fall into place, under a crown or stars” Florain points to my crown,

“the blood moon glows gold again,” she points to the pendant, I look down and its glowing with its own light.

“She’ll ascend her throne; Dark moon ball has a throne for most voted she-wolf. That will be you.” Florain finishes.

I’m shocked, Mr Walsh, my own findings and now Florain’s, a woman I’d know barely a day, we’d all come to the same conclusion I was the promised child.

“Where did you learn about this?” I ask.

Florain shrugs, looking down.

“The packs punishments were harsh and mostly resulted in being locked away in isolation, on the plus side, they looked me in a room with plenty of books to read.” She finished.

“Well” I say trying to lighten the mood. “That might come in handy yet.” I smiled, Florain looked at me, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

HONK HONKKKK..

A car horn interrupted up 6.10pm.

“We’d better get going” I encourage, Floarin nodded, grabbing a hand bag she’s also bought for tonight, offer to put my lipstick and phone in hers seeing as I mine didn’t match my outfit, thanking her, I opened the door.

Standing there was Garrett, Mitch, Lucus and Gina, in front of a stretched limousine, though they had never interested me, I heard Florain squeal in delight, laughing I shook my head making my way over.

Everyone stared at me, Garrett who had forgotten how to breath, inhaled deeply, stepping in front of the others, he got down on one knee, bowing his head.

“My Queen.” When his eyes met mine again, there was a mixture of respect, lust and awe.

I grab his arm, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment, I help him to stand, he dusted himself off, grinning at me.

“You’re going to have every mans attention when you enter the ball looking like that, my Queen.” Garrett’s eyes twinkle with humour.

“Princess no longer?” I retort, cheekily.

“Princess is no name for the powerful woman before me.” Garrett replies, smiling down at me.

I hear a someone behind us, clear their throat then cough for emphasise.

“Yes, yes Mitch thanks” Garrett growls.

I laugh heading for the back of the car, Garrett follows reaching in front of me he holds the door for me, Florain slides in behind me, then Gina, Lucus, Mitch and finally Garrett.

We laugh and chat on the way to the ball, I introduce Florain to the others, but something tells me she hates Gina too.

We arrive and everyone files out the same way we got in, when I exit Florain offers her hand to assist me, as Garrett holds the door.

I straighten once I’m out of the car, fixing my dress, Florain removes the invitation I’d ask her to put in her handbag for me.

Garrett closes the door, walking behind us as we walk towards the entrance, the few people loitering outside, turn and stare as we walk, Florain sticks close to my side and I feel Garrett move closer to us.

We reach the entrance, walking down a long carpentered hallway, a man at the entrance to the ball room stops us.

He try’s not to stare at me, but I can feel his curiosity between myself, Florain and Garrett at my back and side.

I offer the invitation, he scans it before speaking.

“You are here representing the Walsh’s and these are your guest’s, are you a relation?” as the man asks he eyes my mask.

“I am not blood related, but have been adopted as their heir, in there words.” I reply coolly, not sure if he’d believe me.

He nods with raised eyebrows, signing off the invitation.

“Large inheritance if what you say is true, please gives them my best.” He replies before adding, “from Markus Hunt.” He informs when, I raise an eyebrow in question, I nod and proceeding inside.

As I enter the room, the people closest to us stop and stare.

I lift my head, looking towards the back of the room, I see the black throne in the middle of a raised stage that Florain had spoke of, she knew a lot about tonight despite having never been.

I head in its direction, the crowd parts, I can feel everyone I pass turn, watching me as I stride through the room.

As I near the back, I see a group of older men, dress well talking amongst themselves near the stage, as I near them the men facing me notice my approach and stare, the last man with his back to me turns, I would know his face among hundreds, Brody.

I feel Garrett’s hand on my back as he comes up beside me on my left and Florain on my right, I hold up a hand and they both step back a respectable distance, Brody raises his eyebrows in response.

I decide to bit back the words I really want to say, tonight was not the night for that, I smile pleasantly as I can manage, offering a hand.

“Hello you must be Brody, Tonight’s event Benefactor and Organiser such a wonderful event.” My words are reserved but polite, this seems to irritate him, that I’m not shaken by our encounter.

“Well thank you, I do appreciate your compliments. How may I address you?” He asks his words are short and clipped.

“Miss Ivy Sable, no other name suits me.” I reply, he took the hit hard; I can see that he’d expected to hear his own last name, Swift.

“Well Miss Sable, its wonderful to meet you and my pleasure to host you.” Says Brody.

I smile, then move on to address in the men beside him, I recognise them from Mr Walsh’s description as Mr Brown and Mr Fong, I express my apologies on behalf of the Walsh’s that their failing health, had not allowed them to attend and explain that I had come only on their behalf.

I glanced sideways at Brody, he heard and felt the point to my words, I was not here for him at all.

They expressed their appreciation of me, taking the time to address them personally, also asking me to wish their best to the Walsh’s.

Then continued to inform me, they’d been waiting on Georgie as they called him, all night for a joke, and confided it’d be a dull affair tonight without him.

The whole time I could feel Brody’s eye burning a hole in my head, but he wouldn’t be dumb enough to interrupt, for fear of losing face.

The men then introduced their final man in the group, Mr Rocka.

He was a quiet man, whom had a firm grip when I offered my hand to shake his, he eyed me warily, looking between Brody and I, I suspected he’d made a connection of sorts.

I then bowed excusing myself for the night, I almost forgot Garrett and Florain were there, they’d been silent the whole conversation and as I passed them heading for the drinks table, they eyed Brody for a long minute before following.

As I head towards the table the crowds part, whispering amongst themselves, I’m feeling tense, my anger towards Brody, is becoming hard to contain being in such close proximity.

 I order a double whiskey and coke, I quickly thank the young barmen with a wink, who blushes assuring me it was no trouble.

As I take a sip, someone comes up beside me, ordering a vodka and lime, gross.

“Be careful miss, You might cause the poor boy to asthma attack, winking so suggestively.” Says a voice beside me.

I swallow my sip, looking beside me, a tall man stand offering his drink he’d just received in cheers, I swept my eyes the length of him, cocky mutt I think.

I turn back towards barman, he stands straight at my gaze, trying not to stare, was that me when I met Garrett?

“I prefer those who are nervous, over those who talk out their ass.” I reply looking down my nose at the man beside, me despite my height, I didn’t like him.

“Well now, I was only here to ask a pretty woman for the first dance of the night if she might accept.” He inclines his drink towards the stage, I look over my shoulder to the band about to start.

“I apologise, but I have already organised myself a partner for the first dance and the second.” I reply, the man places his drink on the table, stepping forward he reaches for my hand, only catching my arm, firmly.

I feel Garrett anger rise, but I tell him ‘no’ through the mind-link again he obeys.

My own anger rises, I feel fire spread through my veins, as I look down at the grip the man has on my arm, I raise my eyes to lock with his.

“Let go.” I say, my words come out cold and commanding, his body shudders but he doesn’t lose grip.

“Let go now.” My voice hasn’t raise, but is coming out icy and people are starting to turn. 

The man drops his grip, he shudders, suddenly falling to one knee, I’m disgusted by the man; I hated bullies or pushy people.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t of grabbed you.” He apologises, cradling his hand to his chest, he doesn’t rise as I turn away, grabbing Garrett and Florain’s hands as I go, we head for the dance floor.

Florain POV

The whole day had been a s**t storm of craziness.

I arrived in this town of Freestone through the night, catching a ride with a trucker, he’d dropped me off here, as he would be heading south from here, towards home.

He hadn’t charged but I was running low on money, down to my last $30 I knew I couldn’t afford to buy breakfast, I came in to sit in the café of the truck stop as soon as it opened at 6am, it had been a cold night.

After sitting a bit over an hour the waitress explained I couldn’t stay unless I purchased something, I had enough for a can of coke so ordered that, telling her I wasn’t hungry yet.

Today was a waiting game, 5pm I would head to the ball, and hopefully find my mate.

Around 8.30 the door chimed, a beautiful girl enter, her hair was long swinging as she walked, she grabbed a drink and ordering some food, she found a place to sit with it.

She caught me staring, one thing I hated being a werewolf, I could smell everything including her meal, I looked away but not quick enough.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw her get up, talking to the staff she placed some money of the counter, then walked towards me.

She placed the food in front of me, she was speaking but I could barely hear her over my attention on the food, she slid it towards me, I looked at her as she nodded, I nodded back in answer, to whatever question she’d asked, digging in.

When I finally am starting to feel better, I address her.

“My name is Florain, I am travelling through, thank you for feeding me, I am running low of money.” I’m blushes admitting the last part.

She smiles the replies.

“Its nice to meet you Florain, my name is Ivy, it was my pleasure, us ‘girls’” she drawls “need to look after one another.”

After we’d both finished eating, I contently rub my belly, sipping my coke.

“When did you eat last?” The girl asks.

“Ummm..maybe 3-4 days ago.” I reply, I ducked my head in shame.

“3-4 days?” The girl sounds shocked shocked.

 “Yeah I’ve been running low on money for a while on using it to travel across the country to get to here.” I gesture to where we sit.

“What for? where are you going?” She asks.

“I’m going to the dark moon ball, my pack was cruel to me, I was often beaten or staved, so as soon as I turned 18, I left in search of my mate, I suspected this would be the best place to start.” I shrug, as the truth in my own words sting me.

The girls expression was neutral, I found no pity which I appreciated.

“Thank you Ivy, you have no idea how much I appreciate your kindness, I was feeling unwell after not eating and was worried I wouldn’t have the energy for tonight but couldn’t spare any money for food.” I smiled down at the now empty containers.

 “I’ve got to go start getting ready” Ivy says as looked up sad, she had to go so soon.

“But I suspect you haven’t got anywhere to do the same of stay the night?” She offers with a raised an eyebrow.

She reaches across grabbing my hand and squeezing, I looked up, tears well in my eyes from my feelings of embarrassment.

“I’d love for you to come back with me to the motel, you can have a shower, get ready there and if you don’t mind sleeping on the couch, you’re welcome to stay a few nights.” She smiles kindly.

“I could really go for a shower, that’s been a few days too.” I whisper, though I’m sure she can smell it, I could smell she was a werewolf too, her words aside.

We arrived at the motel, we stop at the office so Ivy can get me some towels and soap.

I wait about 15 mins, then I see the man behind the counter waving money, I could definitely use that.

Ivy argues with the man and finally comes out, looking annoyed.

She explains that we are going to clean the rooms, $20 a room each, I’m almost jumping with joy, that had to be at least $200 worth!

We drop or things in her room, and then head  to start.

We’ve been cleaning a while, when Ivy finds a room with a broken fridge, we follow the old man to a shed out the back, and soon we are renovating instead of cleaning.

Some other boys arrive, they are also werewolves, I’m introduced to them but the Alpha Garrett only has eyes for Ivy.

We work hard and when we are finally done we are left with only an hour or 2 to get ready.

I shower first and it feels like heaven on earth, days of grim wash away like a second layer of skin down the drain, I sigh deeply enjoying the feeling.

When I get out and dry myself, stepping into the bedroom area so Ivy can go for a shower.

 I braid my hair either side, into a low bun at the back, then start on my make up that Ivy had said I was welcome to use.

She stepped back out as I slipped on my heels, standing in my gown, she looks surprised.

I blush at her compliments, offering to braid her wet hair in an up style, I felt a crown would suit her; she was the queen of kindness to me.

I watch as she applies her make, then help her into her dress and shoes, finally I pull out her crown, it was amazing and suited her perfectly, I pin it to my braid.

She pulls a mask out, placing it over her face, I tie the back when she turns to me, I gasp.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, it amazing both enticing and terrifying, your eyes they are glowing, blue and gold. I’ve met with a terrifying queen Alpha.” I say, bows deeply.

“I’m no Queen Alpha, but I am out to be terrifying tonight.” She smiles but theres no warmth in it, I don’t lift from my bow.

“Florain, please stand.” She continues.

When I say out loud, my own realization.

“When the mask falls into place, under a crown of stars, the blood moon glows golden again, the goddess will cry her name, the Queen will ascended her throne, the enemies knees will quake, the Mate will gasp in awe and our future she will shape.” As I finishes my eyes meet hers. “She is the promised child.”

 Ivy laughs me off, but I’m not laughing, I know I’m right in my heart.

Garrett interrupts us, we talk briefly they leave to meet them at the car.

When we open the door, I feel like every dream I’ve ever had’s come true in 1 day, I met someone kind to me, I’m going to the ball, I’ve met a powerful werewolf and now I get to travel in a limousine, I know it may seem childish but I’d always wanted to since I was a kid.

We hope in Ivy first, I wonder what was or is between her and the Alpha his eyes never leave her when she’s in his presence, and he gives off a protective aura.

We ride in the limo, chatting away, his eyes never leaving Ivy, I watch his body when she speaks to him he relaxs full of love, she’s his weak point love or protection his life is hers.

I feel my heart swell, one day I hope to have a mate with even a pinch of that devotion, she didn’t mention he was her mate, but what am I saying I’ve only known her a few hours.

We arrive at the ball, pulling up Garrett gets out first holding the door as everyone files out, I get out then turn to offer my hand, to help Ivy out she smiles at me and then Garrett, my heart skips a beat.

If this woman can conjure such devotion from this man who I’m sure is not her mate, and myself after a few hours, ‘Promised’ or not, I’d like to be beside her every step of the way.

Ivy speaks with the man at the door, She here in place of some people called the Walsh’s, the doorman’s eyes don’t leave her, even after she passes inside Garrett and I go unnoticed.

She commands the room as she walks, the crowds part, people stop and stare whispering, I can hear them; “Who is she?” “Can you feel that aura?” “Is she Royal wolf?” “Is that Mavis Walsh’s Mask? Is she ok?”

Ivy walking towards the stage, Garrett beside me stiffens as Ivy approach’s a group of men.

He mind-links me; “Florain do not speak unless spoken to by Ivy, and stand back a step from her, this is a personal part of the night.” He cuts the link again.

I’m curious but nod.

Ivy steps ahead, first talking to an older man,he stands 6ft solid, and his jet black hair matches his black eyes, my heart tells me to run.

He makes me shudder, but Ivy barely acknowledges he’s there, though his eyes don’t leave her, like a snake waiting to strike.

She speaks to the other men present then excuses herself, we wait till she’s passed up before following, seems Garrett likes the black haired man less then me, the man raises a glass to us, as we turn away.

We follow to the drinks table she orders a whiskey, about to offer us a drink when a man sidles up beside her, Ivy tenses as do Garrett and I.

They talk with it ending with him, cradling his arm, on one knee, apologising.

Ivy turns dragging us to the dance floor, yep she’s my sought of queen.