The Blood of the Moon

Waxing Quarter

“Just call me Aine then”

They were having such a good time. Cirino had told her of funny casino stories such as a patron running buck naked across the establishment for winning at the slot machines.

“I knew having a casino for a business would be a challenge but that’s next level crazy!” Aine exclaimed. It was so easy to talk to this client. Aine felt like she has know him for a lifetime. Everytime Cirino would lean to talk to her, she could see him close his eyes briefly as if remembering something. She just thought it was a tick or maybe a habit so she thought nothing of it.

Cirino had been smelling Aine while he talked to her. Her scent was so intoxicating for him that he wanted more of it. He wanted to hold her and touch her. Bite and her drink her blood.

“Cirino, I have to leave. I didn’t realize it was almost 9pm and I have an early meeting tomorrow.” Aine had cut his thoughts again. He looked at her and listened to her mind if she was lying but she did tell him the truth. There is a client meeting tomorrow at 10am and she can hear her thoughts on what time she’ll wake up and prepare for that.

“Thank you for your time Aine, my assistant Albert will drop you off so you can go home safe” Cirino smiled and stood up to escort Aine to the exit.

“Oh, there’s no need. We have a company driver who waits for us for outside meetings. Thank you, Cirino.” She shook Cirino’s hand and walked away. The scent she left almost made Cirino lose his self-control, it was a good thing Albert was beside him to stop him or else he would’ve

sunk his fangs on her neck.

“I don’t think it would be a good thing to offer her a ride home from any of us, master. If you can’t control it then we cannot either. Just look at what happened to Carla.” Albert had whispered to Cirino

“You’re right, her scent is too delicious for us. We have to get used to it first. Make sure none of the vampires touches her.” Cirino walked back to the restaurant. “I am hungry, bring me my dinner Albert.”

“I have a new human for you master and she is a willing one” Albert replied while walking behind his master. There were humans who knew vampires existed and they were willing to be fed on, not all drugs had to be a manufactured pill. Vampire bites were as addicting, but humans never knew that the bite would also cause them to die early. A vampire bite gives a human just one more year to live. After every bite, they forget that they were fed on. It was very convenient for vampires, they just feed and they are forgotten.

Aine was so happy, a client who didn’t even bother to nag her about details.

The perfect client! She told her driver to drop her off at the park near her place. It was where she relaxed, debriefed and unwired her brain. It had the perfect view of the moon in all its phases. She loved looking at it and she felt rejuvenated by its light. She always had a weird relationship with the moon or herself. She needed the light but she never believed it has powers or the astrology behind it.

She was walking by the sidewalk and about to cross when she bumped into someone, “Oof! Goodness, I’m sor-.“ She stopped talking. She looked into the beautiful light brown eyes of a very handsome man. This man had his hands on her arms, preventing her from falling over when she bumped into him. He looked familiar and smelled like Vanilla with a hint of Cinnamon. He was like those famous cinnamon buns that made you feel warm and fuzzy inside. She looked at his lips and wanted to kiss him. She had to close her eyes so she can stop fantasizing about this man.

It took just a few moments, but it felt like forever, it sounded like the man had a low growl before he finally spoke, “Are you okay? I’m sorry I was looking for something and I didn’t see you.”

The truth was, he felt like he was out of his mind when he caught the scent. He never forgot about it, not even after a thousand years of waiting. He has finally found his mate and she looked like she wanted to eat him.

“Right, shoot, uhm, yes, I wasn’t looking either. I’m sorry” Aine had snapped back to reality. This man was holding her and she was melting into him. What an embarrassing thing. 

The man smiled at her and introduced himself. “My name is Sebastian, nice bumping into you” he half laughed half grinned.

“I’m Aine and thank you for catching me” came a giggling response.

Internal monologue right now, “oh my f*****g god he is so hot. What the hell am I thinking?!”

Sebastian smiled at her “Can I invite you out for some coffee? Just to make up for the bump.” He smiled sheepishly at Aine.

“He is so cute and adorable.” Aine thought to herself. “Of course! I’d love that.” She immediately answered. Honestly, she can’t be bothered if she was being such a flirt or even easy. This man had such an effect on her that she just wanted to be with him, and she can’t even stop it. She can’t say no.

Silvano kept mind linking Sebastian, he felt what his Alpha had felt when he suddenly took off. He had her scent, a scent so different only one woman would have it. He knew his Alpha had found his mate, he was hoping it was a new mate and not his cursed mate. He doesn’t want his Alpha to go through so much pain again. Not for another thousand years. Wolves were only meant to live up to a hundred and fifty. But because of this curse, the Alpha’s family and those closely connected to them had lived a thousand years and counting. They watched as most members of their packs had mates, given birth and died. While they on the other hand, suffered losses because of immortality. Wolves are very passionate beings; their mates are their sources of strength. When the curse happened, the Alpha prince had to bear the pain of losing his mate. But not just any mate, this woman was the one who was meant for him and his brood. Losing his mate had derailed destiny and this had angered the moon goddess. This is what started the war and Silvano knew that they need to be ready when vampires have decided to attack.

This night was no different, they were planning pack guidelines. More wolves were getting mates and Alpha Sebastian wanted to know how every pack was doing. He also had business in the city that he needed to pay attention to. Wolves are carefree and sometimes cannot control their feelings, so Alpha Sebastian had made a lot of businesses to cater to wolves. Hospitals, schools and communities were built that integrated wolves in the human world. But the elders and the Alpha’s family are still in Helene Kingdom. The main pack travels there from time to time with the Alpha. Some wolves want to go to the modern world while some want to go back to the kingdom. Those who stayed were educated by those who went back. The system put in place by Alpha Sebastian is perfect. He only needed his mate and his life will be complete.

Every wolf with Silvano felt their Alpha. He was happy. Like a burdened has been lifted. He has found his mate and their Queen.

Sebastian couldn’t talk. He can’t believe his eyes. She was standing right in front of him.

Her scent was the same as he had first laid eyes on her. His wolf wanted out and he was fighting to control Koa. When he first met his mate, he had wanted to mark her. But it was short-lived and he never had the chance to have her as his mate. How can he let her go now? He had to take it slow. He didn’t want to scare her.

“I’m not really familiar here so you would have to suggest a coffee place for us to stay in.” he smiled at Aine. She was quiet but she kept looking at him like she was trying to remember where she saw him before.

“Well there’s a place near my building that brews the best coffee, we just need to walk around the corner.” She broke eye contact and stared down.

“You don’t have to feel shy around me, I just want to make it up to you. I was very careless.” Sebastian replied. He couldn’t read her mind. Why is it like that. He used to mind link Amaris and now he can’t even read Aine’s mind. It was like something was blocking him. He could feel the sparks and the pull but he doesn’t know if she feels the same about him.

“No really, you don’t have to feel guilty about it. I’m fine.” Aine quietly replied.

“So he just feels guilty that’s why he’s asking me out. Uh I’m so stupid, why do I even feel this way around him. It’s like puberty season all over again.” Aine’s internal monologue continuing.

“Why is she quiet, does she feel scared around me?” Sebastian thinking to himself.

“We’re here” Aine whispered

Sebastian’s wolf hearing can hear every breath, murmur, whisper and sigh Aine had made. But he didn’t even notice that she was still holding his hand since they bumped into each other. Sebastian cupped Aine’s chin and lifted her face to his, he couldn’t help it. He kissed her full on the mouth and savored her taste. Her scent of honey, lavender and vanilla filled his senses and- vampire. He got pulled out of his trance. She had a faint scent of vampire. He looked at Aine’s face, her eyes wide and surprised with the kiss he just did.

“Why did you stop?” Aine said out loud and regretted it. Her self-control was basically s**t at this moment. She was being kissed by a stranger and she wanted it to continue.

“I wanted to taste that coffee you had recommended” was all Sebastian could reply

His mind was racing. How could she smell of vampire. It was faint but it was there. There was only one distinct vampire with that smell, Cirino.