The Blood Moon
1186 Words
The Blood Moon Pack
The Blood Moon is the most powerful and largest pack in the world. They are so dangerous that no other pack dares to even utter a word against them—let alone stand against them.
Their Alpha, Xavier, is 24 years old and still unmated. Traditionally, Blood Moon Alphas choose their mates when they turn 21, but Xavier has refused to pick one. And they always choose within their own pack. No Luna has ever come from outside for almost 300 years.
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Xavier’s POV
I worked out for almost two hours and then went for some sparring with Sean, my beta. But even through all the sweat and punches, I couldn't shake her face from my mind—the girl I’ve been dreaming about for a week now.
“Gotcha!” Sean shouts, landing a punch on my jaw. The first one in years.
I blink, snapped out of my thoughts. But within moments, I regain my focus, and soon enough, Sean is flat on the floor, gasping for breath.
“Are you trying to kill me?” he groans. “I know I talk a lot and sometimes get on your nerves, but we’re childhood friends, for Goddess’ sake.”
“Stop wailing. You know I hate it,” I mutter, grabbing a towel.
“What’s wrong with you these days? I’ve never managed to land a punch before, and today, I actually got through. That’s not normal.”
“Nothing’s wrong,” I lie. “I just wanted to test how strong your punch was. And I’m thoroughly disappointed.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
“Did I miss it again?” says a voice from behind. Penelope walks in, one of our main warriors and my childhood friend. “I really wanted to join you guys today.”
“We’re done and just about to leave,” Sean says.
“No worries,” she beams. “We’ll have breakfast together. Your mother called, Xavier. She wants us to eat with her.”
“Okay,” we both reply.
---
Breakfast With the Queen
“You will be participating in the Claiming Ceremony,” my mother announces, her voice leaving no room for argument. “All the arrangements are done, and I don’t want to hear another word about it.”
“Mom,” I sigh, “we’ve talked about this. I don’t want a mate. Why can’t you understand that?”
“Because I don’t want to understand it!” she snaps, her voice quivering. “It’s foolish. You need a mate. There is no Alpha without a Luna. A mate makes you stronger. She will stand by your side, support you, be your strength. Life is too long and too hard to spend alone, Xavier. Loneliness... it eats you alive and leaves you hollow. Why can’t you see that I just want you to be happy and settled?”
Tears start forming in her eyes again.
Why can’t she see? Mates are a weakness. They can be used against you. I’ve seen it happen. I can’t afford to be weak. But my mother’s tears—those are my only weakness, and she knows it too well.
“If he doesn’t want to participate in the Ceremony, we shouldn’t force him,” Penelope steps in calmly. “He can choose someone from our pack.”
“No!” my mother cries. “I always wished he’d be blessed with a fated mate. But if he isn’t, I want him to at least choose a proper mate during the Ceremony. Someone he connects with—not just someone to fill the Luna position.”
She walks out of the room in tears.
She always knows how to manipulate me. I sigh and follow her to the lawn, where she’s sitting in silence, staring at her flower beds.
“Fine,” I say softly. “I’ll go. I’ll find myself a mate.”
Her eyes light up instantly. “I just want to see you happy.”
“I know,” I whisper. “And only your smile makes me happy. So please... keep smiling, and I’ll do what you want.” I kiss her forehead gently and walk away.
---
With Sean
On my way back inside, I run into Sean again. He’s been acting strangely lately. Distracted. Weirdly quiet. And sometimes, out of nowhere, he starts smiling to himself like an i***t. Just like now.
“What is it?” I ask, annoyed. “Why are you grinning like that?”
“Do you believe in the mate bond?” he asks quietly.
“Do I look like someone who believes in fairy tales?”
“Then you won’t understand.”
“If you actually explain it, maybe I will.”
He looks at me, his expression unexpectedly serious. “I’ve been dreaming about a girl for almost a month now. And it’s not just any dream. Even after I wake up, I still see her face. I can’t stop thinking about her. Every night, she’s there—so close, but so far away. It’s driving me insane. I have a feeling... I’ll meet her at the Ceremony. Please come with me. If you don’t like it, you can leave. But I need to go. Something is pulling me there, and I want you with me.”
He’s pleading now, and there’s such sincerity in his voice that I can't ignore it. I nod slowly.
---
Her face still haunts me. Every corner of my mind echoes with her laughter, her touch, her heartbeat. My dreams are getting too vivid—too real. I can feel her. I can smell her. I can hear her breathing. My wolf is getting restless, pacing inside me like a caged beast.
I don’t even remember what happened all day. The office meetings, the discussions—they’re a blur. All I can think about is her. The girl I don’t even know the name of is tearing apart my grip on reality. She feels so real, while everything else seems like a hazy backdrop behind her presence.
This Ceremony better happen soon—or I’ll go completely mad.
---
“So we’re going, right?” Sean asks a little nervously.
“What do you think I meant when I asked you to arrange our participation? If you have doubts, I can still change my mind.”
“Whoa, bro! Calm down. I was just making sure. And for the Moon Goddess’ sake, please don’t change your mind. I’m begging you. If we don’t go, I swear I’ll die. This feeling is already killing me. Just… have mercy.”
“Stop being so dramatic,” I mutter. “And make sure the arrangements are handled properly. You know we’re not on good terms with the Green Valley Pack, and they’re the hosts. I don’t want any issues. Make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“Roger that!” Sean salutes and jogs away, leaving me alone once more… trapped in the tormenting thoughts of a girl I’ve never met.
Or maybe… I’m about to.
- Writer
