His Huntress Mate

Engagement Party

Walking toward the guests – the people from the Blood Moon pack – Oliver and his family welcomed them with a warm smile of amiableness. In return, the leader of the pack followed by the rest of the Williams family members shook their hands one by one attentively.

Their mouths greeted each other in the exchange of conversation. In that moment of their interaction, Andrew's eyes crossed the gazes of the girl in a striking red gown who mentioned her name as Scarlet Williams, the Luna to whom he would engage.

Scarlet with strong confidence and a sweet smile most of the women could be envious about, extended her hand toward Andrew who in fridgidness took the palm of hers into a shaking hand.

"Andrew Douglass," said he in a cold tone of voice to the woman in front of him whose admiring eyes only diverted when Andrew tugged his hands off hers.

"It's such an honor to meet you in person, Mr. Douglass." She responded to him in a soft tone of voice.

Despite receiving such an unfriendly manner from the man whom she would marry, Scarlet behaved nicely with a cheerful expression, not bothered by his disagreeable attitude. His lips always stretched into a smile whenever their eyes met.

On the contrary, only pout colored Andrew's face with her near him; he sometimes looked away to another direction in awkwardness. His finger tapped the glass in his grip to reduce the inconvenience he himself had created.

As Clara noticed the distress Andrew demonstrated through his sullen expression, she intervened with them as a response to Scarlet's cordiality which Andrew ignored.

"It's such an honor to have your visit to our mansion, Ms. Williams. You look so stunning tonight with that gown that fits you so much." Her compliment drew a smile on Scarlet's lips.

Andrew let his silence mute his mouth during his mother's interaction with Scarlet. In contrast, that girl talked a lot, expressing whatever was in her mind.

"My beauty is not even comparable to yours Mrs. Douglass. It's me who feels honored to meet you here."

Clara's visage radiated in flatter at the praise Scarlet uttered and in return, she did the same thing to please her.

"I heard of your kindness and care toward others. You established a nonprofit organization to aid those in need. What an angelic heart you have."

At the compliment she gained from her mother in law, Scarlet's cheeks blushed in timidness for, according to her, it was too exaggerated.

"It's not me alone who did it. Without the assistance of my father, I would not get to this phase."

"Your parents must be wonderful influential people in your community." For all the compliments she heard repetitively from Clara, she could only display her wide smile on her face. "I wish I could meet your mother in person one day." Her eyes turned faint in sorrow, listening to Clara's words.

"I'm sorry for disappointing you, Mrs. Douglas but my mother has passed away." She revealed in a husky tone which switched the mimicry of Clara's. Clara, in her effort of showing her sympathy, held her palms and gave it a caring squeeze.

"I am sorry to hear that." The condolence escaped out of her mouth, her cerulean eyes overcast in sadness.

Still showering the girl with her empathy, Clara's eyes travelled around to spot where Andrew was with the aim of persuading him to give Scarlet company. Her eyes glistened with relief finding his son in a chat with his brother across from her.

She knew her son had no interest in Scarlet, it was not good to force him to like her. But at least, he should have had an initiative to ask her to dance in this situation despite a form of formality.

Through her stare, she signaled him to approach her which Andrew fathommed. He walked closer to his mother but only discomfort shadowed his face.

"Andrew, why don't you ask Scarlet for a dance?"

Even though his heart throbbed in dislike, he could not reject her mother's request. In a bow with a fake smile he wore, he took her hand in his; they walked to the dance floor.

Scarlet's heart fluttered in ecstasy when she put her palms on his shoulder and her feet followed the rhythm of the music. Before the man who conquered her with his charisma, she dared not to hold her chin up to meet his blue eyes.

Andrew let the music talk to Scarlet on his behalf for he did not enjoy their togetherness. It was only the thought of getting the party done in a short time that filled each corner of his heart.

Scarlet's head moved nearer to Nadrew's cheek. "I want tonight to never end." Her whisper sounded like an eerie voice in his ear which he merely disregarded. "It goes the same for you, doesn't it?" she added with more vanity.

Andrew's body, in an instant, bounced backward in its refusal to her arms wrapping around his waist. "The music has ended," he reasoned for his uneasiness.

***

Jane never tolerated the failure in her attempt to finish the lives of those who were cruel to her father. Thus, victory over the werewolves was her ultimate goal.

In her apartment, she had prepared for her next hunt and raid against the largest pack in the city. Not even once she took the advice of her friend, Nick, to give up on her mission.

"Jane….Look! Will you live with resentment in your heart forever?" With his reddened face of annoyance and sharp gaze at her, Nick was trying to stop his friend from going anywhere.

"Leave!" Jane, pausing her preparation for her attack, snarled at her friend which jolted him back in shock. Her teeth gritted and her hands formed fists.

"What do you think the revenge you keep will result in? It is only the pain you will gain from the loathe you should have crushed for so long." In a lower level of voice tone, Nick reminded her of the risk she might bear.

"Haven't I told you to leave for your existence here will help me with nothing?" While grumbling, Jane resumed her packing.

"Jane! How can you be this stubborn?" His tone increased but it gained none of her concerns. But, she eventually ceased doing her activity and faced him.

"Have you ever seen your father being slain in front of your eyes?" That heartbreaking query forced Nick to mute his mouth.

Nick threw the revolver at her. "Bring this with you. Make sure that you won't get killed."

Luna captured the object flying over toward her. When she had obtained it, that girl emphasized her gratitude to him with her smile.

"I will come back alive." She swore; her smoldering eyes stared at his friend who looked at her in worry.

***

At the center of the ballroom, Oliver declared his son's engagement to the daughter of William's family, Scarlet Williams. It succeeded in grabbing the attention of the guests in the room to focus on a couple of Andrew and Scarlet making their way toward their parents.

The people's mouths murmured with praises at the beauty of the woman and the gallantry of the man. Their eyes lit up with admiration at the perfection of their appearance. Their palms clapped as an affirmation of their pride and merriment for the unity of the two strong packs in the city. This event brought joy to all people except Andrew which Aeron could sense.

"On this occasion, I openly and officially announce to you the betrothal of my son to the luna of the Blood Moon pack, Ms. Scarlet Williams."

The applause and the frenzy of euphoria boomed throughout the room to confirm everyone's bliss.

Andrew could not deny that the statements of his father followed by the uproarious happiness of his people pierced his heart instead of loading his chest with relief or beatitude. Despite his uncomfortable feelings, he forced a smile to rise on his lips to defeat his pale expression he hoped none noticed.

"Andrew…Andrew, " behind him, Aeron tapped him and in a whisper, he conveyed an important message which dilated his eyes incredulously. "There are some intruders among the crowds; they have killed five bodyguards outside."

With a heavy heart, he asked his father's permission to go out in search of those unwanted visitors. His father's nodding head allowed him to leave his place with an excuse that he needed to go to the restroom. As Andrew could hide his panic, none of the Williams family got suspicious of his sudden disappearance.

It was not the restroom where Andrew headed to, he snuck out of the crowds, striding through a long corridor. In his turning to the next hallway, hands gripped his neck, yet he possessed more power than the one whose hands now have moved to his mouth.

With his might, he could easily vanquish the person who was apparently a woman. In spite of the veil covering her mouth and nose, the green eyes of the intruder reminded him of Jane, the girl he once arrested but managed to run away. Was it possible that they were the same person?

Jane was on the verge of her death for the man's palm had strangled her neck in a brief time. Another hand of his knotted her wrists; she wished nothing but the man would let her die easily.

For Andrew, he would not use this chance to end the girl's life. It would give him a way to run from the marriage he never wanted. He released the girl from his ambush.

"Abduct me." He said with conviction that painted all over his face.