My Luna is a vampire

Chapter One

Desmond

I swung open the grand ballroom doors and exhaled before stepping inside. Immediately, all eyes turned to me. As I straightened the lapels of my custom-made tux, I felt the weight of approving stares, some admiring, others envious.

I was used to attention. I nodded at a few ladies who blushed prettily while their dates tried not to glare. One man scowled openly, and I had half a mind to take a step in his direction when a heavy slap landed on my back.

"Des boy! How have you been, son?"

That boisterous laugh was unmistakable. I turned and saw a familiar face hidden beneath a thick beard—Uncle Remy. He wasn’t related by blood, but he’d been a fixture in my life, one of the pack’s strongest enforcers. He was one of the few people who could sneak up on me.

"Uncle Remy! Good to see you. When did you get back?"

"Not too long ago," he said, hugging me, his pinewood scent filling my senses.

"I haven't even rested properly yet, but who would miss such a spectacular event?" He gestured around the room, eyes gleaming with admiration.

I turned to take in the sight through his eyes. The ballroom, usually untouched, was now alive with chatter and an explosion of color. Guests mingled, dressed in their finest, each trying to outdo the next.

Cream ribbons and elegant gold accents adorned the space, and a massive banquet table was set up, complete with folded napkins, polished cutlery, and overturned wine glasses.

A mural of the couple of the hour—a proud centrepiece—left no doubt about who we were celebrating.

"Everything looks amazing, kiddo. I can’t believe one of my boys is getting married."

Uncle Remy faked a dramatic sob and dabbed at his eyes with a linen handkerchief.

I smirked, amused, until he straightened up and shook his head. "Honestly, I thought it’d never happen, with the way you boys were going."

I shoved my hands in my pockets, knowing exactly what he meant. I had been wilder than Evan back in the day.

"We were just boys being boys," I said, though it sounded weak.

Uncle Remy slapped my back again and pointed toward someone in the crowd before strolling off.

Ever the social butterfly. He grabbed a champagne flute, winked at me, and disappeared into the sea of guests, his laughter echoing across the room.

I took my place at the head of the banquet table, ensuring everything was running smoothly. When the time came, I clapped twice, silencing the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let’s welcome the couple of the hour!"

Right on cue, the velvet curtains parted, and Evan and his fiancée, Gemma, stepped out. The crowd erupted into cheers.

Evan, always a showman, gave a deep, exaggerated bow. The guests laughed, charmed by his theatrics. Gemma curtsied beside him, her soft pink ballgown shimmering under the chandeliers. Even her blonde hair seemed to glow with a new radiance.

I barely restrained my eye-roll as Evan whispered something into her ear. She giggled, looking up at him with so much love it was almost sickening.

I stepped back, allowing the moment to be theirs.

Evan turned to the crowd, lifting his glass. "Good evening, beautiful ladies and dapper gentlemen. Thank you all for being here. And to those who didn’t RSVP—" He paused, mock-glaring at a section of the room, drawing laughter.

His expression softened as he turned back to Gemma. "In a few weeks, I’ll be marrying the love of my life, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. Gemma, you’ve brightened even the darkest parts of my soul. You've taught me more about love in a few years than I could’ve learned in a lifetime."

Gemma's eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Around the room, several women dabbed at their faces, moved by his words.

I barely held back a scoff. Pregnancy hormones?

Or was I just the only one immune to this lovesick

nonsense?

Evan cleared his throat, visibly emotional. Then, his gaze landed on me.

For a second, I braced myself for some heartfelt, poetic tribute to our friendship.

Instead, he just said, "Thanks for everything, man."

That was it?

I barely contained my disappointment, but I clinked my glass against his.

The room erupted into applause, and guests moved toward the buffet. The live band started playing soft, romantic music as plates filled and conversations resumed.

I picked at my food, watching Evan and Gemma feed each other like love-struck teenagers. He placed a bite of chicken in her mouth; she giggled and returned the gesture.

I sighed, stabbing at my plate. It wasn’t the food’s fault, I just wasn’t hungry.

I had spent years enjoying the bachelor life, but now it felt empty. Watching my best friend enter this new chapter made me realize I was still stuck in the old one.

My mind drifted to Emma.

It had been years, and I hadn’t seen her since that first day. Sometimes I wondered if she was really my mate or if I had just imagined the connection.

Evan had once suggested we go to the oracle for clarity, but I had refused, stubborn in my belief.

Now, I wasn’t so sure.

What if I had been wrong?

What if I had missed my chance?

A voice broke through my thoughts.

"Hey, man."

I looked up to find Evan and Gemma watching me, concern in their eyes.

"Is the food okay?" Evan asked.

I clenched my jaw. Of course, he’d notice my lack of appetite.

"It's fine." My tone was sharper than I intended.

Evan frowned, clearly taken aback.

I sighed, forcing a bite into my mouth. "It's really good," I muttered, chewing like I was proving a point.

Evan held my gaze for a second, then nodded, dropping it. But Gemma’s eyes lingered on me as if she saw something I didn’t.

I pushed my food around my plate, but my thoughts weren’t on the meal anymore.

They were on a dark-haired girl with no last name.

And for the first time in years, my wolf stirred, curling his tail and growling one word.

"Mate."