Embraced By the Blood Moon

Chapter Twenty One

Greyson’s POV

“At the Biennial Autumn Ball last year, I came across my mate's scent; however, I could not locate her then, and I have been looking for her ever since that day. I was caught off guard when you came in here because I was not expecting to smell her scent. Koal couldn’t bear to lose the only lead we had received connected to our mate. At least that is what I am hoping, but to be honest, half of the time, I don't even fully understand why he does what he does,” I said, fighting the urge to apologize again. I half expected Koal to speak up but only felt a slight embarrassment radiating off of his consciousness.

Elder Reiner nodded and then ran his hand over his chin in compilation, “That must mean that I came into contact with your mate recently. So do you think she could be someone I met briefly or maybe walked past?” He asked as he looked at me with a thoughtful expression.

I shook my head, “No, her scent is too strong on you; that is why we were so caught off guard. I would say that it had to be someone you recently hugged or were in very close proximity with recently.”

A smile spread over his face, “Then I believe I know who your mate might be,” Reiner stated as he pulled his phone from his pocket. “Of course, Ren would have the future Alpha King as her mate. She is a very remarkable girl.”

‘Ren, where have we heard that name before?’ I mentally asked Koal.

‘That is the name of the girl that Rick-a caused to be in a coma for an entire month,’ I could feel the anger beginning to build within Koal at the thought of the same Rick-a that had prevented us from meeting our mate that day had possibly also caused harm to befall our true mate.

‘Let’s not jump to conclusions, Koal. We need to hear Elder Reiner out,’ I stated as I pushed aside my anger and frustration with the possibility of our mate having been bullied by the person who had already come between us once.

“This is the woman I think your mate might be,” Reiner said as he turned his phone to face me.

I awkwardly glanced at him, “Um, the screen is black.”

“Oh poo, I know that technology makes some things easier, but it is not something that I am accustomed to,” he stated as he turned his phone back around to face him.

I could feel Koal’s irritation with Elder Reiner as he continued to fiddle with his phone. ‘Seriously, what is taking... ' Koal began as I promptly cut him off.

‘You best stop right there with those thoughts, Koal, 'cause after the way you manhandled Elder Reiner, you have no right,’ Embarrassment washed over Koal as he remembered his previous reaction.

‘You’re right,’ Koal whispered as he decided to try to exercise patience.

A triumphant “There” escaped Reiner’s lips as he motioned for me to look at his phone and turned it again towards me.

I stared unmoving at the picture of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen as Koal whispered, "That’s her.”

I nodded as I, unthinking, pulled Reiner’s phone from his hand to stare at the incredible woman on the screen. “It’s her,” I said in a hushed tone as I quickly glanced at Elder Reiner before returning my attention to the picture of our mate, Ren.

“I thought as much,” Reiner said as he pulled his phone from me. “Here, let me send you her picture,” he said.

I nodded and, as patiently as I could, waited for the picture of our mate that had been promised. When my phone vibrated to life, I quickly saved her photo as my background. “So what can you tell me about my mate?” I asked as my phone vibrated to life once again.

“There are a few more photos of her," Reiner said as he looked up at me and continued, “She is kind, sweet, and gentle and always thinks of others. I am happy you could at least sense Ren at the ball because she wasn’t there very long.”

“Why, did something happen to her?” I asked, not taking my eyes off the silver-haired, pinkish-purple-eyed beauty on my phone.

“Because she got ill that night and had to leave.” I began to ask if something had happened when Reiner continued, “To be honest, when I heard that she had shown up to the ball, I was surprised because it hadn’t been that long since she awoke from a coma.”

I tightly clenched my teeth at the realization that Rick-a had harmed my mate. I could feel the anger swelling within me when it hit me. “Is Ren still here,” I excitedly questioned, interrupting Elder Reiner as he had been explaining what had caused her to be in a coma.

Reiner’s expression saddened, “I’m afraid not; she and the others left about an hour before our meeting was to start.”

I nodded and decided at that moment that I was going to book a trip to the Silver Moon Pack immediately when my intercom buzzed, “Your Majesty, it is time for your meeting with His High Majesty and the council of elders.”

‘Let’s skip it and go to our mate,’ Koal said as I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. ‘It’s not like those crusty old farts have anything important to say anyhow.’

‘This meeting is to discuss our upcoming coronation, Koal. So it is important,’ I told my wolf as Eleder Reiner nodded.

“I’ll be seeing you later then,” Reiner said, wrapping his arms around me. “And congratulations on finding your mate.” He said while patting me on the back.

***

Upon entering the grand conference room, I kneeled before the High Alpha King, my father. “Greetings to the High Moon of all Packs and the great council of Ancient Ones,” I said with my head humbly bowed.

“You may rise, Little Moon of all Packs,” My father stated as I nodded and confidently stood before them.

Serenity’s POV

The trip home went by in a flash as we discussed the information we had found. “I am so happy to find out that the Mermaids should be able to help strengthen and awaken Raven,” Quinn said as he patted Willow on the shoulder.

“Me too. I just wish we would have found a clue as to where the remaining Mermaids might be,” Willow’s head became downcast as she bit her bottom lip.

“Don’t worry; when we get back, we will speak with Alpha Derrick, and I am sure he will set up another request to research more at the Imperial Library. We could even see if Elder Reiner could speed up the waiting process because he seems to be on good terms with the Little Moon of all Packs.” Jace said as we pulled into the pack house parking lot.

“Thank you, everyone; I appreciate everything you have done to help me find a way to help Raven,” Willow said as her cheeks flushed a soft pink.

When we entered the pack house, a crowd was gathered in the main rec room, and the tension seemed to billow off of them in great waves.

Jace spotted James and motioned for him to come over, “What’s going on?” Jace questioned as Luna Emily walked over to me with a look of disdain on her face.

“You and Jace report to Alpha Derricks's office immediately,” Emily said, irritation thick in her tone.

Jace and I nodded and respectfully bowed to Luna Emily as she rolled her eyes and walked off.

Once at Alpha Derrick’s office, Jace knocked on the door, and we waited for permission to enter, “You may enter.” Derrick’s voice rang out clearly through the shut door, and we entered his office to find a woman seated in one of the oversized brown leather lounge chairs. Alpha Derrick nodded for us to take a seat, “Sorry to have summoned you here upon your arrival home. I know that you must be tired.”

We shook our heads, “Not at all; what do you need to discuss with us?” Jace asked as he glanced at the beautiful golden-blond-haired, sapphire-blue-eyed woman beside me. She had gorgeous tanned skin that seemed to glow as the light hit it, and she had a tiny freckle located just below her left eye and full pink lips. She had an athletic build and looked as if she couldn’t be more than her mid-twenties in age.

“This is Ondine, and I believe that she is the person your birth mother told you was coming,” Alpha Derrick said as he directed our attention toward the beautiful woman seated there.

“Hello, Serenity, I am Ondine. I was your mother’s best friend, and I am the last remaining mermaid of the southern clan.” The beautiful woman stated in a musical tone as she stood up and bowed her head to me.