Chapter 8: Blood Moon Rising
1355 Words
Isabella's release from the cells was met with mixed reactions.
Some wolves celebrated. She was popular, respected, and her imprisonment had upset the pack hierarchy. Others muttered about preferential treatment, about how she'd still killed Giovanni even if it was self-defense.
But Giuliana noticed something else: the way wolves looked at her now. Not with contempt or dismissal.
With cautious respect.
"You freed me," Isabella said that evening. They were in the training room, Isabella testing her shoulder's range of motion after the bullet wound. "You didn't have to. You could have let me rot in that cell."
"You took a bullet for me. We're even."
"No." Isabella's smile was wry. "We're not even close to even. But... thank you. For believing me. For fighting for me." She paused. "For being a better wolf than most actual wolves I know."
"I'm not a wolf."
"Aren't you?" Isabella resumed her stretches. "You fight like one. Protect pack like one. Challenge authority like one. Seems pretty wolf to me, regardless of what shape you wear."
"Your wolf is showing," Giuliana teased. "Almost sounded like a compliment."
"Don't let it go to your head." But Isabella was smiling.
The door opened. Marco entered, his expression grim.
"We have a problem."
Of course they did, because one peaceful moment was apparently too much to ask for.
"The Russos know Giovanni is dead," Marco continued. "They're demanding a meeting. Tonight. Full moon."
"That's significant?" Giuliana asked.
"Full moon is when wolves are strongest. Most connected to their wolf side. Emotions run higher. Violence more likely." Isabella's jaw tightened. "They're trying to provoke us. Start a war on ground that favors combat."
"Or," Marco said, "they're trying to negotiate. Giovanni was their inside man. With him dead, they've lost their advantage. They might want to end hostilities before more blood is spilled."
"You don't really believe that," Giuliana said.
"No. But I have to consider all possibilities." Marco looked at her. "My father is bringing you."
"What? Why?"
"Because the Russos demanded it. Specifically. They want to see the human mate who's caused so much chaos." His expression was tight with anger. "It's a power play. They want to evaluate you. See if you're worth taking as leverage."
"Absolutely not," Isabella said immediately. "That's a trap. They'll kill her."
"They'll try," Marco agreed. "Which is why half the pack will be there. Guards, warriors, the Don's personal security. Anyone makes a move toward her, we end them."
"This is insane," Giuliana said.
But even as she protested, part of her understood. This was pack politics. Supernatural mafia games. Refusing to show would make her, and by extension Marco, look weak.
"When?" she asked.
"Two hours. At the neutral ground in Central Park. The old Bethesda Terrace." Marco moved closer, his hand cupping her face. "I won't let them hurt you."
"I know."
And surprisingly, she meant it. Somehow, in the past two weeks, she'd started to trust this werewolf mobster with her life.
"There's something else," Marco said. "My father wants to accelerate things."
"Accelerate what?"
"The bonding." His thumb traced her jaw. "He wants me to mark you. Before the meeting. So the Russos see you're claimed. Fully pack."
Giuliana's breath caught. "That's..."
"A lot. I know. And I won't force you. But the protection it would give you..."
"Would also mean I'm no longer fully human." She pulled back, needing space to think. "You're asking me to make a permanent decision in two hours."
"I'm asking you to survive," Marco said quietly. "Please, Giuliana. Let me protect you properly."
Isabella, who had been silent, spoke up.
"He's right. Marked mates carry their Alpha's scent. His strength. Any wolf who attacks you would be directly challenging Marco. Most wouldn't dare."
"And those who would?"
"Would die," Marco said simply.
Giuliana looked between them: the werewolf who'd kidnapped her and the one who'd tried to kill her but was now offering support. Her life had become so surreal she couldn't even process it properly.
"If I do this," she said slowly, "I need to know what it means. All of it."
Marco nodded. "The marking is a bite. Here." He touched her neck, where shoulder met throat. "It will hurt. Your body will fight the change at first. But then..." His eyes glowed amber. "Then you'll be mine. And I'll be yours. Truly. Permanently. You'll be faster, stronger, heal quicker. Live as long as I do. And you'll be able to feel the pack bonds. Feel me, always, through our connection."
"I'll feel you?"
"My emotions. My location. My wolf." His voice dropped. "And in return, I'll feel you. Your fears, your joy, your pain. We'll be bound, Giuliana. Soul to soul."
"That's..." Terrifying. Overwhelming. "Intimate."
"Yes. Which is why I'm not going to pressure you. This has to be your choice. Freely made." He stepped back, giving her space. "But make it soon. We leave in ninety minutes."
After he left, Isabella moved to Giuliana's side.
"For what it's worth, I hated you when you first arrived. Thought you were weak, unworthy, just a burden Marco would have to carry." She met Giuliana's eyes. "I was wrong. You're stronger than half the wolves in this pack. Braver than most. And if you let him mark you..." She smiled slightly. "You'll make a hell of a Luna."
"I don't know how to be a Luna."
"Neither did I when I thought I might be chosen. None of us know until we are." Isabella touched her shoulder gently. "But I think you'll figure it out. You usually do."
Alone in her room, Giuliana stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Two weeks ago, she'd been a barista. Normal. Human. Safe in her boring, predictable life.
Now she was considering letting a werewolf bite her. Permanently altering her humanity. Tying herself to a world of violence, blood, and supernatural politics.
It was insane.
But then, everything about the past two weeks had been insane.
She thought about Marco: his protection, his surprising gentleness, the way he looked at her like she was precious and dangerous all at once. The mate bond pulling between them, growing stronger each day.
She thought about the pack: Isabella's grudging friendship, Rosa's wisdom, even Luca's kindness. They'd started to feel like family. Something she hadn't had since she was seven years old.
She thought about the alternative: remaining human, vulnerable, a target for everyone who wanted to hurt Marco. Always needing protection, never truly belonging.
The knock on her door startled her.
"It's me," Marco's voice.
She opened the door to find him standing there, nervous in a way she'd never seen.
"Have you decided?"
"Yes." Giuliana took a deep breath. "Do it. Mark me."
His eyes widened. "Are you sure? Because once it's done..."
"I know. I'm sure."
She wasn't sure of anything, actually. But she was sure she wanted to survive. Sure she wanted to be stronger. Sure that being tied to Marco Valentino didn't seem like the worst fate in the world.
"Okay." He entered, closing the door behind him. "This will hurt. A lot. But I'll be as gentle as I can."
"Just get it over with."
He moved behind her, and she felt his warmth, his presence. His hand brushed her hair aside, exposing her neck.
"Giuliana?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad it's you." His lips brushed her ear. "Of all the people the Moon Goddess could have chosen, I'm glad it's you."
Then he bit down.
Pain exploded through her. White-hot, consuming, like fire in her veins. She gasped, legs buckling, but Marco's arms caught her, holding her steady.
"I've got you," he murmured. "I've got you, cara. Just breathe."
The pain intensified. Her vision swam. She felt like she was being torn apart and remade all at once.
Then, just as suddenly, the pain shifted.
Warmth flooded through her. Power. Strength. And something else—a presence in her mind that wasn't her own.
Marco.
She could feel him. His wolf, his emotions, his absolute determination to protect her.
"Oh," she breathed.
"Yeah." His arms tightened around her. "Welcome to the pack, Luna."
- Writer
