FREE *Blood Moon Cursed; Book 1

Vision of days past, Visitor of days past.

I woke, I was in the dreamscape, No I was watching a vision through the dreamscape.

I shouldn’t have read that book so late because below me, I could see two figures beside a pool in a clearing.

Sure enough as I got closer, there was the goddess, she was exactly as described flowing white gown shimmering under the moonlight, her waist length white hair wavy tucked behind her ear, in her arms she held a cloth bound bundle.

The other figure must have been Broc, he was built solid, his hair black and messy but he faced away from her towards the goddess.

The goddess dismissed him, she looked to where Ivy stood pulling back the cloth, the bundle was a child her mop of brown hair against the white fabric.

The child opens its eyes to reveal my own eyes, looking back at me.

The they both disappear, I look to Broc as he turns towards me, I see…my fathers face.

Am the promise child?

I woke up in the morning, confused at my feelings, what did my vision mean?

I showered, dressed and headed to work.

I beat Mr Walsh as usual, he didn’t ask me about the book, and I was glad I had a lot to think about.

By 10 o’clock I’d finished the second section, all the books in order, globes replaced, the dried lavender hanging between newly polished shelves.

I started on the new section, DIY and hobbies, it was one of the more trafficked areas, but still in much disrepair.

I pulled all the books off the shelves, sorting them first into hobbies alphabetical, then by authors within the hobbie or DIY project type.

There was some many books, I was struggling to find space around me, when my thoughts were interrupted, I heard the door chime.

“Hey Ivy, I’m back with lunch!” Mr Walsh called out.

This shook me from my thoughts, I hadn’t heard him leave but wasn’t about to let him know that.

I got up heading down to the office, he sat behind his old wooden desk in his padded chair, he gestured to the lowset padded chair he’d pulled up across from him, I sat down, breathing in the smell of food.

Mr Walsh had placed a coffee and take away container in front of my chair, it smells so good, I sit down sipping my coffee, opening the container I pause, Caesar salad I loved it, but hadn’t eaten it since my first date with Garrett.

Mr Walsh stopped eating, not wanting him to ask, I started eating mine, thanking him, it was exactly what I felt like, complaining only that there was not enough anchovies.

After lunch I headed back up to continue working, I heard customers come and go, non were looking for DIY or hobbie books, which was great because I could barely remember what piles, contained what.

I kept an eye on the time and 10 minutes before five I heard someone come in, talk to Mr Walsh and leave just as quickly.

I heard footsteps up the stairs and Mr Walsh stood there catching his breath, I stood bringing a chair over to him, he sat gratefully.

He offered me an envelope and I opened it, pulling out a folded piece of expensive paper, it opened to reveal it was an invitation, It read.

“Dear Mr & Mrs Walsh,

We send you this invitation in hope you might attend this years Dark Moon Ball.

We would appreciate you attendance as we encourage wolves young and old to meet for the event once a year to mingle, find mates, re-connect with old friends or just let loose a bit and have a good time.

Hopefully broadening each packs normal social circle as well as acknowledge some of the years events or tragedies.

Remember you can bring up to 3 plus 1’s, Dress up worthy of the red carpet and bring your dancing shoes for a formal night out.

Kind Regards WWSC”

I finish reading, looking up at Mr Walsh that had now caught his breath.

“Ivy I would like you to go in place of us.” He informs bluntly but not impolitely.

“Excuse me?” I asked. I’m very surprised, as well as confused as to why he’d ask.

“Mrs Walsh and I, we are older and our bodies struggle with the daily task of getting up and going about our day.” He gestures to the stairs.

“But we wouldn’t be able to physically attend the ball for such a big night, but if one of us do not go, it would be considered disrespectful, in recent years passed I’ve gone alone, But this year if its not too much, would you go in representation of both of us.” He finishes, looking at me.

I pounder this, I’d never been to a ball or had to dress formally, I’m about to decline.

“Please Ivy I am happy to pay for a dress and shoes for the night, Mrs Walsh will show what sort to buy, I’ll tell you who to talk to when you arrive, all you need to do is show up, address a few people and then leave if you like.” He sounds pleading, and I after keeping me on and treating me more like a daughter then a worker, I nod.

“Thank you Ivy, You don’t know how much I appreciate this, it is very important someone uses the invitation each year, otherwise it could cause me some unwanted trouble, despite the polite way they word it.” He face is serious when he says this.

But I smile in response.

“I’ve never been to a ball, and I would be honoured to go in your place.” I bow to Mr Walsh.

He grins grabbing my hand he squeezes it.

“I wish we’d been blessed with such a child as you, but I supposed we have since you are here.” His eyes crinkle from his smiling.

We speak a little longer about what to expect when the office phone rings, I offer to go to answer it so Mr Walsh can take his time down the steps.

“Hello, Heaven on Earth bookshop, Ivy speaking.” I answer.

“Oh Ivy! It’s Mrs Walsh, Is George with you?” She asks.

“Yes he is, Are you ok Mrs Walsh?” I whisper not wanting Mr Walsh to rush himself.

“Yes I am fine, I was checking he was its well after 6.” I look at the time and she’s right.

“We got caught talking, but he’ll be on his way immediately.” I reply

She thanks me and hangs up.

I waved goodbye as Mr Walsh drove away.

I was standing outside the store, It was very dark as I turned towards the motel, I suddenly regretted not asking for a ride.

My vision had came true, I was walking back to the motel in the dark, the street lights were all on, I look across the street, there was the woman from my vision finishing her smoke before stomping it under foot and heading back inside the bar.

It was freezing, I adjusted my coat, pulling my scarf from my bag wrapping it around my neck.

I walked quicker listening to my own footsteps, I saw an alley but avoided it, walking straight.

 I hear a car slow behind me, without raising suspicion, I pulled out my out my compact watching the car with it, that hadn’t been in my vision.

The car passed me pulling up about 50 meters in front, I was being sheparded, I stopped watching the 2 men get out looking back at me, at least I knew only one man would be in the alley, so I took the chance.

I walked slowly, not wanting to alert the waiting person that I knew they were there, sure enough about halfway down, there was the figure leaning against the wall.

I held my head high not making eye contact.

I heard the scrap of a shoe pushing off the wall.

Feeling their breath on my neck, before they could speak.

I spun, swinging with close right fist, it connected hard with the person's jaw with a loud crunch.

“Arg f**k Ivy!” The person clutched their jaw.

I paused they knew my name, though still held a defensive stance.

“I would of thought you’d be happier to see me?” the person grumbled.

“Garrett?” I stopped, grabbing his sleeve, I lead him into the light.

It was Garrett, the smell emanating from him spoke heavily of alcohol, he cradled his face.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my heart sinking and fluttering at the same time.

“I’m looking for you, I missed you, I was hoping you just needed to see me and you’d change you mind.” Garrett replied, tears spilled over his cheeks, from angry drunk to emotional.

I pulled him to me, in a gentle hug, holding him tightly until he began hugging me back.

When he regained his composure, we continued to the motel, I stopped when I saw the car I’d see earlier parked next to my room.

He saw me looking.

“Mitch and Lucus are here with me, as their Alpha they have to be, being my Beta and Gamma. They apologise for being d***s btw.” Garrett slurs a bit.

I nod not entirely convinced, he pointed to the room next to mine with the car outside.

“That’s where I’m staying in that room, How’d you know where to go?” Garrett eyes me, wobbling as he struggles to stand next to me.

“Well that’s my room, where I live at the moment.” I confess pointing to my room.

“Lets go check it out.” He winks, slurring his words.

“I think we’ll get you to bed for now and talk in the morning.” I reply.

Garrett nods, and I push the door open, leading him to the bed.

He sat as I pulled his shoes and socks off, then his pants, jumper and shirt.

He was left only in his boxers, he smirked though his eyes were closed.

“Wow you know how to undress a man.” He commented.

I shook my head, still an i***t, he stood so I could pull back the covers, then I help him into bed.

I pulled the covers over him, as he snuggled down into the pillows, this was an Alpha? Hahah not exactly in leading form.

I was about to turn to leave when Garrett reached out grabbing my hand he pulled me back to him, I leaned down.

“Whats wrong?” I ask.

“I missed you.” He grabbed the back of my head, and kissed me.

I pulled back, surprised, but Garrett had already passed out again.

I left the room shutting the door quietly, then unlock the door to mine and walking inside my mind race, Garrett was here.

I headed for the shower, scrubbing myself, then dressing in my undies and nightie.

I made myself a sandwich with cheese and salami, and sat on my bed, turning the telly on, I started watching an episode of the Simpsons.

Suddenly feeling tired, I looked at the time, it was 10 o’clock already? I had left the shop later than usual and had taken some time to get back with a drunk Garrett in tow.

I put my plate on the bench, than I switched of the Tv and the light, with just the bathroom light left on, I climbed under the covers and went to sleep.

Goodnight Garrett I thought to myself.