The Luna's Contract

4. Wine Glass

( CAMILLA )

" I couldn't miss the family reunion." Marcel looked away from me, looking back at his sister Hazel.

" It's about time. I’ll catch up with you later" Hazel smiled, took my hand, and walked up the steps.

A few steps forward, my gaze paused on Conan whose cold eyes looked straight over my shoulder at the person standing behind me. Ahead of us, a large white archway led inside, the view all around was simply incomparable. Somewhere in the front of the room, a large white stage decorated with white roses, and a little to the left a wide glass staircase leading to the second floor. At the very back of the hall, large tables are piled high with all kinds of food and drink. Of course, the small dance floor and the slow romantic music provided a cozy atmosphere.

"Are you all right? You look pale." Hazel's gaze shifted to me as our feet led us closer to the main stage where the action and the first announcement would soon begin.

"Hazel, it's all a mistake. Conan and Marcel, they both give off a very strong smell, is my wolf unhealthy?" The silent words slipped past my lips, and a disturbed glance went towards Hazel.

"Are you sure of that?" A few lines etched themselves into Hazel's forehead, and there was a note of doubt in her voice.

I nodded my head strongly. Steady footsteps coming from the front caught my attention, and Snow Pack Alpha Conan took the stage. My heart was restless, confirming my doubts. Hazel held my hand to show her support. It doesn't help that a million questions swirling around in my head. Do they smell it? Marcel is older, why doesn't he have his mate yet? It's, just a mistake, Camilla, everything will be fine.

"Welcome to the annual White Banquet this wonderful afternoon. It's great to see you all glowing, dressed up and in good spirits. I encourage everyone to remain friendly, kind and open during the celebration. If you want to talk, please feel free to come up and ask whatever your heart desires. Today, we are all equal, our hearts are beating because we are together, unwavering, strong and firm. I hope that in the years that lie ahead, we will remain as one cluster. To conclude my brief speech, I would like to remind you that I invite everyone to join me in the pack hunt at exactly twelve o'clock at the base gates. Have fun, dear friends, dance, sing, this day is for us." Conan's calm voice rang out in the quiet hall, where everyone listened attentively to the Alpha's words.

Applause and cheers rang out all around, the music grew louder, and everyone began to disperse. My gaze stopped on two people standing at the back of the stage, behind Conan. A tall man with slightly greying hair and a dark beard. He was wearing a fine suit and a cold mask over his face. It was Jordan, Hazel's dad, the former Alpha of this pack. Next to him stood a woman in a silver dress, her long curls reaching her waist, bright red lipstick accentuating her plump lips, and sparkling green eyes looking down at everyone.

"Let's go somewhere secluded, we need to talk." Hazel's voice drew my attention away from her parents.

Our hands joined for the same reason as before since we don't want to get lost in all this confusion. Step by step we waded forward past the individuals, finally escaping to a more open area. The stairs crunched under my high heels and my thoughts became heavier than usual. On the second floor there was only one other person lurking and looking down on everything. I stopped at a low fence, looking at the whole Snow Pack gathered to celebrate. Drinks were flowing freely, feet were tapping to the beat of the music, and others stood in groups chatting. Every year, this sight is a blessing to the eyes. Everyone gathered to have a good time, socialize and be their true selves.

Hazel put her hand on my shoulder to demand attention. I glanced at my worried best friend's face; this really doesn't bode well. Maybe the wolf in my chest is lost, still today is the first transformation. Things will probably change when her four strong paws reach the ground.

"Are you one hundred per cent sure that both my brothers smell different and cause strange feelings in your chest?" Hazel's gaze ran over my face, as if searching for the lying muscle in it.

"Hazel, do you think I deliberately want to have both your brothers? I thought my mate would be a simple-minded doctor, but you can see exactly how things have turned out. Tell me that's not true. The wolf in my chest is just doing tricks, right?" I shook my head, sighing.

The feeling inside me was like little waves of electricity traveling from my fingertips all the way to my feet. A fresh scent touched my nose, my thoughts became clearer. Why do I feel like this?

"I'm sorry to disturb you, sister, but will you introduce me to your charming friend?" Marcel's low, calm timbre sounded behind me.

"Marcel, shouldn't you be having fun downstairs somewhere?" Hazel's eyebrow rose as she looked at her brother.

I shook my head, barely visible, letting Hazel know I didn't want all this. This day is supposed to be a celebration, not a competition to see which brother gets to meet me first. If they both feel it, this day will turn into a nightmare.

"Now dear sister, don't be like this. I'll make time for you a little later." Marcel growled softly, showing his displeasure.

I turned on my heel, extended my hand towards Marcel, his gaze flicked towards me. Those green eyes made a lump form in my throat, the surroundings seemed to take hold, I hoped was just my imagination.

"Camilla Heins." I smiled broadly, introducing myself by my full name.

" Marcel Grey." Marcel extended his hand to mine.

As Marcel's hand touched mine, my heart stopped in my chest for a moment. With a light movement, my hand went to his lips. Marcel kissed the top of my hand with his plump lips. Warm exhaled air landed on my skin, the corner of his lips lifted, and his green eyes never left mine.

"Nice to meet you, Camilla." Marcel let go of my hand, then ran a hand through his long black hair.

The way my name slipped from his lips, I'd never heard anything sexier or more appealing - like a sin. I can't give in to all this attraction, this intoxicating atmosphere. I do not know this person, there are only rumors and legends about him. Although the connection in my chest wants to get to know him now, my brain is taking over, demanding that I act rationally, sensibly.

I take a step back to take my place next to Hazel. A phone rang, which Marcel pulled out of his pocket with a swift movement, as he fixed his green eyes on me one last time before increasing the distance.

"Let's go somewhere else. I don't want this evening to turn into hell. It's time for a drink, it's your eighteenth birthday." Hazel's soft voice made me tear my eyes away from Marcel's broad back.

"Good idea." I walked towards the glass staircase leading to the first floor.

"If what you're feeling is true, we're going to have a serious family reunion after tonight." Hazel sighed as she glanced at the people having fun on the dance floor.

"You're joking, right? I don't belong in your family. I'm just a warrior serving in the Snow Pack, nothing more." A few wrinkles creased my forehead, and the she-wolf inside me wagged her tail impatiently.

"If my parents find out you're Conan's mate, there will be a dinner party. My father has been worried for two years because my brother hasn't found his mate to run this whole pack together." Hazel's words were so quiet on her lips, almost a whisper.

Rarely did Hazel speak so openly about her family's intrigues, secrets and conversations. It is forbidden, by law, for her to spread gossip and talk about her family members behind their backs. All these laws are indeed quite vicious, but it keeps us all strong and not scattered.

" He probably couldn't find me because I was still a minor. Only today the she-wolf inside me is showing signs of being highly active to her surroundings and emitting a specific scent to attract a mate. But Conan is not the only one. How is your other brother, Marcel?" As we walked side by side, I made my way to the table at the very end of the hall.

"Marcel doesn't belong to the Snow Pack, which is why my father doesn't care much for his wishes or his broken heart. If word gets out that you smell both my brothers, there will be a terrible commotion." The corner of Hazel's lips turned up and she stared into the alcohol-laden table.

"I can't be forced to go before the whole pack tomorrow and announce my feelings for Conan, can I?" My fingers curled around the red wine glass and the tug went towards Hazel's serious face.

"Of course, no one can force you or decide your future for you. You always have a choice, you can leave them both, you can stay with one, it's your decision." Hazel smiled broadly, the depressed mood she had been in a few moments ago gone.

"Great. Let's raise a glass to my eighteenth birthday and our friendship." I held out my glass to Hazel, waiting for her to raise hers.

"But there is one thing... The fact that my parents will find out about you. Even though they're not in power, you may come under pressure from them. I would advise you to listen to your heart and take the time to understand what you want." Hazel put the glass of red wine to her lips, her green eyes fixed on me for a moment.

"No one will tell me how to love. Besides, why doesn't Marcel have a mate? I noticed that he was accompanied by a man, not a charming girl. From the looks of it, he seems much older." I glanced towards the stage, where several girls were gathered.

"Marcel can only find his mate within the confines of the pack he was born into. Ever since he left for the Silver Mountain Pack, his heart has stayed somewhere here. I shouldn't have to tell you this, I could be banned from society for a month for saying these words. Right now, I don't care. You have to know a grain of truth about the circle of people you will fall into." Hazel's tone of voice became a little quieter, as if she didn't want anyone else's ears to hear these words.

" Sounds complicated. On the other hand, he's already found it." I shook my head, and the corner of my lips rose.

My foot moved in time to the music as Hazel and I chatted about the army and old adventures. With the end of the song, the smell of grass cuttings touched my nose, and my gaze drifted towards the crypts from which it came. Looking at the person who came through the crowd straight towards me, I momentarily drowned in his eyes. Brown, yellow autumn leaves falling in a circle in the warm autumn wind. The corner of my lips turned up at this pleasant memory.

"Miss Heins, would you allow me the honor of dancing with you?" Conan's soft voice brightened my thoughts, and he extended his hand towards me, keeping eye contact.