The Alpha's princess mate

9-the blood moon celebration

-Seth-

Seth studied his reflection in the mirror one last time. He was in no mood for a party, especially a black-tie kind of party. But he was the leader of the pack and today it was the annual blood moon celebration. It ment everything to his people, it was the second bigest event after the new year celebration. So he had to be there and he had to wear a suit and he had to force a smile and pretend that he had fun for everyone's sake.

But the truth was that he wouldn't. He never had fun during the blood moon, everything about this celebration always reminded him of his parents. Anya was so lucky that had no memories of them, neither their lives nor their death. He envied that about her the most. Because he remembered. Everything. And that was another reason why he didn't want a mate. He didn't think he could handle another loss like that.

He sighed and walked towards the door. He had tried so hard to forget Naysha during the past two days. But it was pointless, she would always find a way to pop up in his mind and challenge his sanity. He had tried everything he could to avoid her, he had missed breakfast with his pack, pretending to be busy with Callen, his beta and best friend. He had stayed away from the castle for as long as he could, trying to avoid bumping into her. But as soon as he would step back in, there was her amazing smell covering everything, filling almost every single room, making him weak in the knees.

He knew that keeping her in the castle was a mistake. But he had no choice. First of all, that was the only way that he could be sure about both hers and his sister's safety. Anya had zero to none sense of danger, only the moon-goddess knew what stupid idea she would run after if left unattended. Lucas might follow her around, but he couldn't prevent her mistakes. At least Naysha's presence in their house encouraged her to spend more time in the castle and within the pack's territory. And apart from that, he was worried about his mate. She was an ignorant human, unable to protect herself from any danger, especially with all these blood-thirsty werewolves everywhere around Luzano. His sleep and sanity were a small price to be paid in order to make sure that she would return in her country in one piece when her vacation would be over.

He walked towards the garden, picking up her smell. She was definitely going to be at the celebration, there was no doubt about that. However, her presence there would be a problem. After midnight, when the blood moon would apear in the sky, everyone in his pack would shift and howl at the moon. It was part of the celebration, it was during the first night of the blood moon when his pack had formed for the first time, almost four hunded years ago. So, every year they had to shift into their wolf forms and celebrate their ancestors.

But thanks to Anya, Naysha had no idea about any of these, so she had to be somehow kept away from that part of the celebration. Also, his wolf couldn't care less about his doubts and concerns about her, all he wanted to do was be close to his luna. Even if she knew the truth about him, it would be impossible for him to stay away from her after he shifted. He had asked Callen to bring him some sleeping pills for that reason. He would make sure to spike her drink later, so that she would be asleep during the celebration. And he would probably have a very long night passing outside of her window, howling like a wounded dog. Great, he thought as he steped outside.

He sensed her presence before he had a chance to see her. She was further in the garden, probably with Anya. His wolf growled, he wanted to go closer to her. But there was no way he would, so he just walked towards Lucas, that was standing close to the entrance to the garden, looking like he was waiting for him to arrive at the party.

"What's up, Lucas?" He could tell by her smell that she was in no danger, so he had nothing to worry about.

"Everything is ok, Alpha. I am following your orders. The girls have been pretty well-behaved during the past two days, thanks to princess Naysha. She seems to have a good impact on your sister."

Seth noded. As much as he hated to admit it, he was impressed. Anya hadn't been good at trusting people and opening up. And she was definitely never well-behaved. But she seemed to trust Naysha, otherwise she wouldn't have brought her to Luzano in the first place. And she was also acting out way less at her presence. If only she wasn't his mate, or a human, or both, he would make sure to keep her there for his sister's sake. Liar, his wolf whispered.

"I am pleased to hear that. Is that all?"

"Yes Alpha. The princess has been very nice to everyone. The pack likes her, that's why they all follow your orders. They have all been extremely careful, she hasn't suspected anything." Lucas said with an unsual smile on his face. It probably was the first time he had ever seen this man smile. Apparently Naysha had a huge impact not only on him and his sister, but his pack as well.

"Good." he said, maintaining his serious tone. "And it shall remain like this, until the human decides to leave the island."

Lucas got back to his usual serious self and noded. "Yes, Alpha!"

Seth noded again and the man disappeared from his sight. He headed to the bar that had been set up in the centre of the garden, drinking was the only way he could make it through this party. But as soon as he reached the bar and got his drink, there she was, standing under a willow tree, surrounded by a few men from his pack, chatting and laughing. His wolf stirred, he didn't like her talking to any other men but him. But then the crowd separated a bit and he got the chance to see what she was wearing. And he saw red.