Blue Moon Eclipse

Chapter 4

Antonio POV~~

Greeting everyone who comes into the party was exhausting. I still haven't seen my sisters come in with Lotus. I just need five minutes alone with her so I can explain everything.

"And if she doesn't believe us?" Kai, always the skeptic. I choose to ignore him as I see a door open across the large hall. Just as I am about to make my way over to where I assume they just walked in, I'm cut off.

"Antonio. So good to see you." The current Lycan king stands before me. Kai already wants to rip his throat out, but that would be a scene. Out of respect, I bow my head.

"King Thompson. A pleasure, as always. Please enjoy the party. Excuse me." My attempt to quickly dodge him isn't ignored, however.

"That's all? You do realize you should be getting into my good graces. I am after all your King. And someday soon you'll answer to only me." The cockyness in his voice agitates Kai. I barely manage to keep him in check.

"Of course, my King. It's just that I'm trying to find my Mate tonight. You must understand. My wolf is becoming restless." He laughs. In my face. As though the thought is humorous to him.

"Yes, yes. I understand. Please. Do find her soon." With that, he grabs my arm in a squeeze and leans close. "Just don't forget who's in charge here." he remarks in a quiet, almost menacing tone. I nod and bow again in respect.

"Ha! We could easily take that old man," Kai is irritable, to say the least. Ignoring the remark, I begin dipping through the crowd. Countless women are trying to stop me, batting their eyelashes while swaying their hips. I can almost see the disappointment as I look through each and every one of them. None of them have her baby blue eyes, nor her chocolate brown waves. Breaking through the other side of the large crowd I almsot run right into her, and it stops me in my tracks. My breath catches as I get hit with a face full of her lovely scent.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" Her sweet voice fills my ears and I smile down at her. It's damn near impossible to not snatch her up and carry her off. I can see men eyeing her and women as well. The men seem to want to rip her clothes off, the women want to rip her eyes out. I quickly take her in. She has tasteful makeup on that makes her eyes sparkle. The dress she's wearing looks phenomenal on her. A deep midnight blue with sparkles that make it look like she's wearing the night sky. Her hair is curled and pulled back with a few wispy strands falling down to frame her face. I'll have to thank my sisters for that later.

"No problem. I ran into you. It's my fault entirely." Smoothly, I grasp her hand and bring it to my lips. Planting a gentle kiss and never breaking eye contact.

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Lotus POV~~

"No problem. I ran into you. It's my fault entirely." His smile makes me want to melt and his voice sounds like velvet. As a proper gentleman he grasps my hand and gently plants a kiss on it. My hand feels like electricity is flying from his. I feel my cheeks begin to burn a bright red. He's wearing simple black slacks and a baby blue button down shirt. Simple yet dignified.

"I could rip that shirt off him in a heartbeat." The thought crosses my mind and my face burns a brighter red. "What is wrong with me?"

"Care to dance?" He asks as music begins. I look around and see several couples dancing and even more people staring at the two of us.

"It's my birthday damnit."

"I would love to." I smile up at him. In an instant, he is leading me across the dance floor elegantly. Like we're floating on clouds. Where his hands touch me feel warm and tingly. As we're dancing I become so lost in his eyes, his scent, that it seems like no one else is there. It's only when I hear the music stop that I remember we're in a crowd of people. We pull apart as I realize exactly how close we were moments before. Clapping begins before the next song and he leans close to my ear sending shivers down my body.

"I would like a moment of your time to speak with you privately. Please follow me." He pulls away swiftly and it feels almsot cold as he does. It seems I'm unnaturally drawn to this man. Unsure as to why, I do as he asks and follow him out of the large main hall into a dimly lit corridor. The music continues distantly. Even as I think that we are just going to stop in the corridor, he continues down the hall to a beautiful wooden door. Opening it, he steps aside to let me walk out first, holding the door open like a true gentleman. We walk into a beautiful greenhouse. There are trees and flowers that shouldn't be in bloom shining in their full glory.

"Alright. You've gotten me alone. Now why on Earth can you not stop staring at me?" I'm not sure if I sound harsh or not but this has been bothering me all evening. I just don't understand. He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. Doing so makes his muscles flex, tightening the shirt across them. He looks so yummy.

"That's part of why I wanted to speak with you in private. It's kind of a long story. There is a very special kind of people. We live in hidden societies throughout the world. We like to call ourselves shape-shifters. Some people call us werewolves. And-" this is too much.

"Wait. So you're saying you're... A werewolf?" I ask incredulously. There is no way.

"Kind of. If you'd like I can show you. But first, please let me finish explaining everything." He waits a moment to see if I will object. Walking to a bench I see nearby, I sit down and nod for him to continue.

"There are two classifications of Shapeshifter. Wolves and Lycans. Lycans are rare and they're considered to have royal blood. Keeping up so far?" He's pacing back and forth in front of me but stops to look at me when he asks.

"I think so? But I don't understand, why are you telling me all of this?"

"I'm getting there, just please bare with me." There is a desperation in his eyes, so I nod to motion for him to continue. "Each wolf and Lycan alike, are given a gift by our goddess. The Moon Goddess. She grants all of us a destined mate. Kind of like a soul mate. When you find that mate you are instantly drawn to them. Mesmerized by their eyes, their body, even their smell. Once you've been brought together you share a very deep connection. And so far, if I'm right, you're mine." With the final word he stops again facing me and waiting for my response. We sit in silence for a few moments before I can speak again.

"That would explain why some who wanted to adopt me were afraid of me." I state. It makes sense. Something deep down told them to be afraid of me.

"Yes. Because you're not an average wolf. You're a Lycan." I nod slowly. Taking in all of the information I was just given. He let's me sit there in silence, probably hoping I don't think he's crazy. But what he's saying makes sense. The dreams with me running as a wolf. The bad things that never made sense.

"Where are my parents then? Why was I put in a group home?" I stand now, looking him in the eye.

"I'm not sure, but we can ask my father. He's the Alpha of this pack. The Blue Moon Pack. He may have answers for you. There's just one thing we have to do first." He extends his hand out for me to take. Without hesitating I place mine into his.

"Whats that?" I ask as he starts walking back towards the party, pulling me in tow.

"Tell everyone that the party was a success. It was thrown to see if I could find my Mate." He smiles at me over he shoulder and I can tell he's thrilled. I, however, am terrified.

"Everyone?" I squeak. He pulls me by my hand ever so gently and holds the door for me again. Only this time, he places his hand at the small of my back. Tingles go up my spine and I shiver. He moves quickly. I can tell he's excited. The music comes into focus again as we enter the hall. Without stopping, we push through the crowd to where the band is playing. Everything is moving in a blur around me and I feel a bit dizzy. He motions for the band to stop and they do immediately. Grabbing a microphone, the entire rooms attention turns to us.

"Everyone. I would like you to meet my Mate, Lotus Marigold." he announces and the entire room erupts into clapping and cheers. I smile at him and look out at all of these people who are happy to have me here.

Scanning the crowd is when I finally see him. The man from my dreams. His black eyes bear into me from across the room and there is anger in them. He is less than thrilled. My grip tightens around Antonio's hand and I take a step back. His head snaps to look at me, and out of the corner of my eye I see the concern written on his face. He follows my line of sight and wraps a protective arm around my waist. The man glares one final time, turns, and stalks out of the room.

"Who is he? And why does he seem to hate me?"