Wolfish: Moonborne: A Fated Mates Paranormal Romance

by G. K. DeRosa

  “As tradition states, at least one member from each of the Lunar Packs will represent their clan in the trials. Other lesser packs are certainly welcome to participate in the month-long event. I know it’s been a while since the last trial so I will reiterate the process for the young. There will be four rounds, each whittling away the competition. We will allow for a few days rest between the rounds, and the exact time period will be determined by the condition of the contestants. It could be anywhere from three days to a week. Given the nature of the games, injuries are unavoidable. None of these trials are designed to be death matches, but unfortunate accidents have occurred in the past. The exact nature of each trial will remain secret until the day of competition. I will call forward the competitors now: Aristaeus Silverstalker, Dragos Pack.”

  I sucked in a sharp breath as Hunter rose and joined his father. His expression was carved in stone, the hard planes of his handsome face barely recognizable.

  “Ransom and Castor De La Sangue, Royal Pack,” Tyrien continued.

  Ransom released my hand and unease roiled through my gut. “Wish me luck, girls.” He winked, and I shoved down the nervous sensations as he sauntered toward his brother who waited at the foot of the stage. It’s just a party tonight. He wasn’t actually going into battle with these guys. Yet.

  Tyrien went on, “Viceroy Sarcum and Vix Langid, Demon Pack; Triton Octopian and Aquor Krill, Atlantic Pack; Canyon Birch and North Lazuli, Court of Wolves; Zuriel Morael and Araton Turiel, Celestial Pack.”

  The men filled the stage, each a perfect burly specimen of male wolf power. I recognized Viceroy from our ride back into Moon Valley. Hunter and Ransom needed to watch out for that guy. He seemed shady AF.

  Tyrien continued naming more competitors, moving on to the lesser packs. Not a single female was called. “Why aren’t there any girls competing?” I hissed at Cass.

  “Because females aren’t stupid.”

  I chuckled, despite the annoyance flaring. As the last remaining survivor of the Mystic Pack, I belonged up there. But I didn’t want to battle against a bunch of arrogant alpha males for a throne… right?

  My she-wolf stirred, and her big head bumped against my ribs. A low growl vibrated my core. Yup, she was definitely no submissive, but she couldn’t really want to be alpha could she? Could I?

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The line of males approaching the stage finally lessened to a trickle, and I scanned the dozens of wolves filling the space. There had to be nearly fifty competitors. Hunter stood at the front, his hands tucked behind him and chest puffed out, but his eyes… they were glazed over, his expression vacant. Like he wanted to be anywhere but here.

  Tyrien strode across the stage, eyeing the participants with pride glimmering from his slate irises. “The goddess Luna must be pleased with this fine representation.” A slow smile pulled at his lips. He moved toward Hunter and gripped his shoulder. Hunter winced. It was barely perceptible, but somehow, through the bond I’d felt it. The utter disgust at his father’s touch. “My son, Aristaeus, as supreme beta, will now say a few words.”

  Hunter’s cold eyes skimmed the crowd, the usual fire markedly absent. “As my father said, it appears we have a fine group of wolves contending for the role of high alpha. I am privileged to be one of them.” His lips pressed into a tight line, and he cracked his knuckles. “On Monday, we will meet in the field of battle, but tonight, we celebrate as one pack, united under the great Tyrien Silverstalker, our supreme alpha.”

  A thunderous roar of applause echoed through the valley. I clapped, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Hunter. Vander had told me the alpha had forced his son to compete ten years ago, and it had been brutal. Was he reliving those memories right now?

  The males gathered on stage began to file off the platform until only Tyrien, Hunter and their guards remained. My eyes were still glued to Hunter. My heart constricted as his misery bled through the mate bond. I’d never felt him so clearly before.

  Ransom barreled through the crowd and appeared between two burly shifters. “There you are, ladies. I thought I’d lost you.”

  “Nope. Just trying to escape the overpowering testosterone filling the air,” I quipped.

  Cass giggled and slung her arm across my shoulders. “Man, did I miss you, girl.”

  “Me too.”

  “Now, it’s time to celebrate,” said Ransom. He took each of us by the arm and swung us toward the platform.

  “Where exactly is this party going to be?” I asked. “There’s no way thousands of people are going to fit in Silverstalker Lair, right?”

  He chuckled. “Of course not. Only the Lunar Packs and the participants in the trials are invited to the main gala within the alpha’s lair. The rest of the packs are relegated to the party in the woods.”

  “That’s so not fair.”

  “Oh, Violet, don’t you worry. I’ve gotten you both into the gala of course, as my guests.”

  That wasn’t what I was upset about it. “So all the other lesser packs are consigned to the forest?”

  He nodded. “It’s simply a matter of logistics, Violet. And besides, the real party is the one out there. Once the formal one in the lair concludes, we all head out to the woods to celebrate till dawn.”

  I still felt affronted on behalf of the minor packs. What if I’d been born into one of those instead of the mighty Lunar Packs? Of course, Ransom had no idea who I really was, so he was completely misunderstanding my annoyance.

  Ransom’s arm came around my shoulder and steered me toward the entrance. “Stick with me, Violet, and you’ll spend all the major events at the supreme alpha’s home instead of out there.” He ticked his head toward the dark tree line where the majority of the wolves were headed.

  Cass threw me an eyeroll as she sauntered beside me. “If he only knew,” she whispered.

  I pressed my finger to my lips and prayed the Royal beta hadn’t heard her. Cass was going to have to learn there were no such thing as secrets among shifters with highly sensitive hearing.

  We neared the entrance of the lair and the two guards in wolf form were flanked by another half-dozen in human form, wearing the same navy uniforms as the ones on stage. This must’ve been their formal attire. The sentinels scanned us from head to toe as Ransom offered one of the males an invitation. The broad-shouldered guard scrutinized the cream parchment before finally stepping to the side. “Enjoy your evening, Mr. De La Sangue.”

  Our escort nodded and guided us into the narrow tunnel. Torches lit up the tight space, shadows dancing along the earthen walls as guests filed in. When the passageway finally opened up into the main foyer, Cass gasped.

  “Not what you expected, huh?” I murmured.

  “Not at all.” Her head tipped back to take in the soaring ceilings.

  Unlike the first time I’d come, the vast hall was now decorated to the nines. Seven long banquet tables were set up around the room with an eighth one slightly raised on a platform at the front. In the middle of the chamber a parquet dance floor had been placed atop the earthen ground. Glittering chandeliers had been hung from sprawling rafters stretching across the ceiling and fresh flowers scented the air. Each table was adorned with gilded plate settings, candelabras and colorful bouquets. It was nothing like the dreary space I’d encountered on my first visit.

  My thoughts flitted back to the masquerade ball, to the one-time Hunter and I had danced. For that short time, everything had been perfect. In his arms, I’d felt home. Shaking my head, I dislodged the painful memories, submerging them to the dark corners of my mind.

  Music began to play, and my head turned to the full orchestra assembled in the corner, just beyond the head table. The sweet melody filled the chamber, and my keyed-up nerves settled.

  Ransom escorted us to a table along the edge of the dancefloor. The table marker read Royal Pack in a glittery gold swirling penmanship. “You ladies will sit here with my family. Unfortunately, Castor and I will be relegated to that table”—he
pointed across the way—“with all the other competitors.” He motioned to the blonde girls seated beside us. “My cousins, Charity and Stacia. Hopefully, they’ll keep you from my father’s boring tales.” A striking male with hair as dark as Ransom’s sat at the head of the table beside a brunette female. Both had Ransom’s flawless porcelain skin, but while the woman smiled demurely, the Royal alpha’s dark expression was feral.

  “Those are your parents?” I whispered as I folded into my seat.

  “They are. Alpha of the Royal Pack, Lucien De La Sangue and my mother, Sonia.”

  The handsome pair looked only a decade or so older than their son. I cast a quick glance in the Royal alpha’s direction and regretted it immediately. His dark eyes bored into me, a swirl of crimson streaking through the pitch abyss. He may have only looked to be in his early forties, but the depth of power that radiated from those onyx orbs spoke of centuries of experience. No wonder Cass hadn’t said much about her new, if not slightly terrifying, boss.

  “Mother,” Ransom called out, “please keep an eye on my new friends.”

  She gave us a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Of course.”

  He nudged his cousins who were deep in conversation, and they both responded with a quick nod.

  “We’ll be fine,” I said. “Go mingle with the competition.”

  He smirked. “As if.”

  “Wow, you were right, Sierra. He is cocky.” Cass threw me a conspiratorial smile.

  My cheeks burned as Ransom puffed his chest out and strode across the dancefloor. He turned back before he got far. “Save me a dance, Violet. I’ll be back to collect after dinner.”

  Cass giggled and elbowed me in the gut. “Someone’s got a crush.”

  “Not interested,” I fired back.

  Charity or Stacia, I couldn’t quite tell them apart glanced in my direction, and I cursed my loose tongue.

  My bestie leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Sierra, I just want you to keep your heart open to the possibility of someone else. After everything you told me about Hunter, it seems like he’s pretty set on breaking the mate bond.”

  “I know. I know.”

  “Then why wouldn’t you consider Ransom? He’s from one of the sparkly unicorn packs just like you.”

  “Keep your voice down,” I whisper-hissed. “No one can know that. If anyone found out I was the last of the Mystic wolves my mom is convinced they’d come after me just like they did my dad.”

  “Only they already have come after you.”

  “I know.” I had thought of that too. Had someone known who I was before I did? “Anyway, now is not the time or place to talk about this.” I reached for my gilded goblet and clinked it against my best friend’s. “Let’s eat, drink and get out of here. I want to see how the rest of the wolves party it up in the woods.”

  “I’m with you one hundred percent, girl.” She lifted her wine and smiled. “Cheers to our new lives and hopefully new boys in Moon Valley!”

  From a few tables over, a pair of warm hazel eyes caught mine. Vander lifted his goblet and winked. I mirrored his gesture and gave him a smile in return.

  “Who’s that?” Cass asked, following my gaze.

  “That’s Vander. You don’t recognize him from the night we all went out?” And he pretended to be a warlock while he spied on me for Hunter.

  “That’s Vander? He looks way cuter now.” She threw him a flirtatious smile, waggling her fingers at him. “You must introduce.”

  “Sure thing.”

  The hair on the back of my neck stood on end, and I muttered a curse as my head automatically pivoted toward an arch. Hunter filled the entryway, his hands buried in his pants’ pockets. I could feel him pivot toward me as if he felt the same constant pull. I tried to look away but he caught me, those blazing irises trapping my own in their mesmerizing gaze.

  I sucked in a breath as a whirlwind of warring emotions pummeled me. Dropping my wine glass, I hunched over and was freed from his relentless scrutiny.

  “Are you okay?” Cass weaved her arm around my shoulders.

  I drew in a deep breath, and the raging battle simmered. “Yeah.”

  “What was that?”

  “I don’t know. Weird mate stuff, I think.” I took a long sip of the wine, and the alcohol numbed my roiling gut.

  Servers in white tuxes filtered in between the chairs, dropping platters of roasted meats and vegetables along the table. My mouth watered at the savory aroma of fragrant lamb, baked chicken and chargrilled steaks. Man, these wolves knew how to eat.

  I reached for the closest platter before I could stop myself, filling my dish with the mouthwatering delicacies.

  “You might want to slow down, girl.” Cass watched me wide-eyed as I shoveled food into my mouth.

  “Why? It’s not like I have to dance afterward.”

  My best friend cocked a light brow. “If you think you’re getting out of here without dancing with me, you’re out of your mind. And besides, you promised Ransom a dance.”

  “I did no such thing. He assumed I’d dance with him. And you, well, you of all people know I don’t have the best track record at balls. Why would I chance fate now?”

  “Because you need to make that man jealous.” Cass ticked her chin at the head table, and I made the mistake of following her gaze.

  Hunter’s eyes seared into mine, the gold completely eclipsing the green. Hissing through clenched teeth, I lowered my gaze as his beta power slammed into me. My lungs staggered, those invisible bands tightening around my heart.

  Dammit, Hunter. Stop it! I screamed in my head.

  His dark brows smashed together, and his eyes cast down to the platter of food in front of him. I’m sorry.

  Those damned cords tightened again, only this time it was pain that surged through the bond. Why are you doing this? You keep telling me we have to break the bond, but then you look at me like that… You’re driving me crazy. Is that what you want?

  No, of course not. His voice was deep and low, a growl rumbling in my mind. I’m trying, I just can’t…

  Then let me go.

  Our connection cut off. A cold, emptiness filled the void the moment he disappeared. I stared down at the food on my plate, and my stomach revolted.

  “Sierra? Hello?” Cass’s hand waved in front of my face, and by her look of confusion she must have been trying to get my attention for a while.

  I popped up out of my seat, eyeing the massive chamber and dozens of tunnels. “Sorry, I gotta run to the bathroom.”

  “You want me to come with?” she said around a mouthful, resting the fork on her full plate.

  “No, you eat up. I’ll be right back.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, Cass. I think I can handle a quick trip to the bathroom by myself.”

  She smirked and grabbed a flaky biscuit from the towering basket of bread. “Don’t leave me for too long or else you’ll have to roll me out of here.”

  I smirked at my friend before excusing myself with a tight smile. I roamed around the outskirts of the massive chamber for a few minutes, fully expecting to find a restroom sign like you would at a restaurant but no luck. Finally, I stopped a server who pointed me to the back of the hall.

  A steady chatter buzzed through the room, each table filled. How could everyone be so calm? Everything about the trials sounded ominous, and these people were sending their sons into battle. Pushing the dark thoughts away, I eyed the head table from across the room. Tyrien sat in his throne, his two wolf guards on either side, but the seat beside him was empty.

  It doesn’t matter where he is, I reminded myself.

  Yes, it does. My she-wolf responded. I was tired of her blind devotion to Hunter. Didn’t she see he was the one hurting us?

  I was really losing it now, having a full-on conversation with my wolf in my head. I turned the corner toward the bathroom and muffled voices filtered down the quiet hallway. I stopped in my tracks and plastered my back against the wa
ll, as the deep familiar tone stroked my insides.

  I held my breath and strained to listen.

  “I have to do it, Vander. It’s not fair to her. I’ll never be able to give her the happiness she deserves.” Hunter.

  “No, you don’t. If you keep up this alpha bullshit you’re going to lose her for good. Tell her the truth. She needs to understand exactly why you’ve been acting so hot and cold with her. You tried pushing her away and it’s not working. Be straight with her.”

  “I can’t,” he huffed out. “Because of the damned curse.”

  “Try harder. You never told me what it was in so many words, and yet I was still able to figure it out. She’s a smart girl, she will too.”

  “No. It’s better for her to think the worse of me.”

  My eyes nearly popped out of my head. Why would he want that?

  “Damn it, Hunter,” Vander growled. “She’s not the only one that deserves better. So do you. I’ve never seen you like this with anyone but her. Don’t give up on each other. If anyone can break the curse, it’s the two of you, together.”

  “I wish it were that easy.”

  The sound of approaching footsteps sent me spinning in the opposite direction. I raced back to the table, completely giving up on my bathroom mission. Their conversation played on a loop in my mind as I weaved my way through the crowded tables.

  Cass waved me down as I neared my seat and handed me a full goblet of wine, the dark liquid sloshing over the edges. “What took you so long?”

  I grabbed the glass and took a long pull. “Sorry, this place is a maze. It took me forever to find it.”

  My best friend eyed me. “You okay? You look worse than when you left.”

  “Yeah, fine. Just need another drink if I’m going to get through tonight.”

  “Uh oh.” Cass glanced over my shoulder, and the hair on my nape rose.

  I craned my head back and all the words got stuck in my throat. Hunter stood over me, leaning against the end of the table. How did he get here so quickly? I swallowed hard.