~Celine~
Today is a special day. It’s the Wolf Moon and here in Beacon City, according to Xavier, it is often celebrated by a masked Moonlight party.
Everything here is just so different compared to New Orleans where my father rules. Today in New Orleans, some people never step out of their houses because of how messy it can be at night.
My father would even order some killings on this day. It is the greatest alabi he’s always had.
Initially, I wanted to stay home tonight, but then Xavier invited me to this party. At first, I wanted to refuse because I have a f**king bounty on me.
But later I agreed to go with him. It’s a masked party. Nothing can go wrong.
I stood in front of my mirror, faced with my reflection as I began to apply my makeup for the day.
There are so many things I’d love to put in place before stepping out of my house and into a party filled with wolves of heightened abilities.
I put on my grudge eye makeup, fixed my wine bob wig, and put on lots of body spray all over me. The last thing I wanted was to be recognized by my smell.
After I was done preparing, I picked up my phone to check if Xavier messaged me already, and I wasn’t wrong. His message came in about seven minutes ago, telling me that he’d be in my house in ten minutes.
‘I have three minutes to wrap up.’
Hastily, I slid into my black strapless dress with a slit up to my right thighs. I wore three inch heels, just in case a running situation came up.
I picked up a portable silver purse and put on a silver earring and necklace. I reached for my black Colombina mask and wore it carefully so it wouldn’t ruin my makeup.
Standing in front of my full mirror again, a smirk formed up my face. I looked so different from the me I’d always known.
“Jessica f**king Hale.” I muttered.
Just then, I heard my doorbell ring. In excitement, I headed for the door and as soon as I opened, he raised a flower bouquet up to my face.
“Happy Wolf Moon.” He uttered, revealing his face which lit up handsomely with an excited grin.
“Happy Wolf Moon to you too.” I answered, collecting the rose flowers from him. “Thank you.”
“You look…” his eyes ran up and down my body real quick. “… stunning.” He uttered, causing me to chuckle.
“You don’t look bad either.” I answered, admiring his old money fashion outfit.
“C’mon now beautiful. The streets are filled with excited people already. The night is young. We should enjoy every bit of it.” Xavier uttered, giving me his arm.
I grinned as I went in, locking my arms with his. Stepping down the perron, we both began to walk down the street that was beautifully lit up with moon-like lanterns and bulbs.
We kept stealing glances at each other. It felt like the perfect couple evening. No complications. Just two simple people, wanting to have fun.
This is what I’ve always wanted.
“So… why don’t you have your mask on?” I asked, finally starting a conversation.
“Well, I do have a mask, but I’m yet to put it on. Like I said, the night is still young.” He retorted, raising his gold Phantom mask.
“Wow. That looks so cool.”
“Thank you, Jessica. Yours is amazing too! Suits your face so well. I just wish you hadn’t put it on yet. I’m dying to see your real face.” He muttered, looking into my eyes through the mask.
“Are you getting tired of the suspense?” I teased, and he chuckled.
“Not tired. Just… you know, super curious.” He answered, smiling widely.
Soon we got to a main junction where there were so many people outside. Some had their masks on, while others had none.
It was the place where the main event was being held. Far from where we were was a stage set up at the middle of the tarred road.
There were instrumentalists, dancers, magicians and so many other amazing sets of people. I could feel Kiara jumping in excitement inside me. I couldn’t wait to unleash.
At one corner were some boys growling and howling at each other for fun, and at another corner, some were busy hitting on the women.
“This is nothing like the Wolf Moon festival in New Orleans.” I thought out loud.
“New Orleans? Have you been there?” Xavier furrowed his brows as he looked at me.
“Oh…” I raised my brows as I realized what I said. “No… no, not really. I have just heard stories about their Wolf Moon festivals. They are always very gruesome and deadly. People hardly come out to celebrate it.” I explained, and he nodded.
“Yeah. It’s no news. I hate the Alpha that rules in that state. Gosh, he’s so powerful and heartless. I hope he meets his doom one day.” Xavier muttered, shaking his head.
“I hope so too.” I answered, knowing fully well the Alpha he talked about was my father.
“Okay. Enough about New Orleans and the evil Alpha. We need to dance! The moon will be full in the sky in no time, and the goddess knows what will happen next.”
“What?” I furrowed my brows. “What happens when the moon is full?”
“What else other than letting our wolves take over? Anything can happen. But trust me, it’s not dangerous. Around here, some just run into the woods, feast on any lower animal. Others tend to have high sex appeals, while some just want to manifest in their homes or closets. Nothing serious.
“There are very strict rules here. If any wolf kills another or gets into a fight when it’s not a competition or for entertainment purposes, he or she shall be severely punished.” Xavier explained, and I nodded slowly, understanding every word that came out of his mouth.
We drew closer to where the dancers were performing, and Xavier let go of my arm, moving forward and stretching his hands to me.
“Mi lady.” He uttered, lowering his head. I chuckled as I gave him my hand and we both hit the dance floor.
A solemn unfamiliar music began to play, and Xavier slowly moved his hand to my waist, he held my left hand up with his right hand, and we slowly began to move to the music.
“Hmmm… you’re not bad at all.” He commended me and I chuckled. If only he knew how much of a party animal I used to be.
“Thank you. You are not bad either.” I retorted.
We kept mute as we stared into each other’s eyes, enjoying the calmness of the music.
“Jessica.” He called softly, and I slightly raised my brows.
“Yes?”
“I… I have something to tell you.” He muttered, and I creased my brows, nodding.
Deep down, I hoped and prayed it wasn’t what I thought it was. I wasn’t ready for it.
“Okay?”
“I like you, Jessica.” He uttered, his hands slightly tightening around my waist.
‘I knew it!’ I yelled in my head.
“I have been wanting to tell you this for some time now, but I thought this would be the perfect time to tell you how I feel about you. You’re so beautiful and kind, Jessica. I’d love that you be my girlfriend.” He further uttered boldly.
He took a pause, waiting for me to respond. And just when I was about to, my eyes widened all of a sudden.
I took a deep breath as that familiar musk oil smell filled my nostrils, making it almost impossible for me to breathe. My heart began to race in my chest, making me let go of Xavier to grab my chest.
‘Alpha Kilhan.’ Kiara whispered, and I raised my head, totally ignoring Xavier who stood in front of me.
I began to scan the area with my widened eyes, trying to find him.
“Jessica? Are you alright?” Xavier asked worriedly, as he noticed I wasn’t myself anymore.
“Sorry. I’m so sorry.” I mumbled, turning to walk away briskly. After taking a few steps, I began to run as fast as I could, away from wherever that scent was coming from.
“Jessica!” I heard Xavier yell from behind me, but I didn’t stop.
‘You should be looking for him, not running away from him! He’s our mate!’ Kiara yelled, causing me to take an abrupt stop.
“He’s an Alpha. I can’t do this. It doesn’t always end well. What is he even doing here?” I muttered, breathing hard. I shut my eyes as I tried to focus, but I couldn’t.
My heart couldn’t stop racing and soon, the scent grew stronger and I began to feel electric waves running through my veins, causing me to shiver.
“Why isn’t it stopping?!” I grumbled in frustration.
“Jessica?” His manly voice filled my ears like pleasant music, causing my knees to wobble.
“Your name is Jessica, isn’t it?” He asked again.
I slowly opened my eyes and lifted my head to see Alpha Kilhan standing right in front of me. He was dressed in all-black tailored suits and pants. His eyes pierced through my mask, staring right into my soul.
I could hardly compose the words I wanted to say. His stare and aura made me blank in a way I disliked.
“It’s really you.” He muttered with a wide smile, cupping my face in his hands, without breaking eye contact. With his hands on me, I felt butterflies in my belly, making me gulp hard.
“How… how do you know my name?” I finally found some words to say.
“The man back there couldn’t stop calling your name. I missed you so much.” He added, hastily wrapping his arms around me.
“I could feel you from afar. My heart kept drawing me closer to you just like it did the first time I set my eyes on you. I could feel it in my bones.” He disengaged from me, looking into my eyes again.
“Your eyes. These eyes.” He grinned, caressing my cheek with his thumb.
I hate to admit it but goddess I missed him so much too. A smile slowly curled up my lips as he embraced me again.
“I now know your name. Jessica. Such a beautiful name.” He uttered, burying his head in my shoulder.
I lifted my hands and wrapped them around him too, sniffing him very hard.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, eventually melting into his arms.
“I came here for business. But business can wait. Come with me, Jessica. I cannot lose you again. I must not lose you again.” He muttered, planting a kiss on my forehead.
“I can’t. My friend is…”
“The guy back there? To hell with him.” He retorted, and his smile suddenly disappeared.
“I don’t care about him. You’re mine, Jessica. Please come home with me.”