Selene

Elation doesn’t even come close to how I feel as Kyran carries me through the ecstatic crowd. To be openly accepted the way these people have shown me and to hear Kyran’s declaration of his love for me has my heart ready to explode. I can’t stop the tears from falling as joy overflows me and Ria pops her head around Kyran’s shoulder with a wide grin.

“This has been the best night in a long time, and it’s barely even started!” she shrills over the rising cheers around us.

I laugh at her excitement and waggle my eyebrows at her. “Yeah? And why’s that? I saw where you were standing,” I insinuate and she smacks my shoulder in return.

I feel the rumble in Kyran’s chest and laugh because I know he’d never actually act upon it. “Careful, or I’ll sic my mate on you,” I narrow my eyes at Ria and she glances earnestly up at Kyran before rolling her eyes at me.

“Ha-ha. He doesn’t have anything to worry about, after your little display, I’m sure everyone here is far more terrified of you than him,” she sticks her tongue out at me and I snort a laugh.

“Damn right,” Kyran mutters with a chuckle as we approach a freshly lit bonfire. “She’s fucking badass. Is it weird that kind of turned me on?” he grins lopsided at me, making both Ria and I bark a laugh.

“Nope,” I hear Treyvar’s voice respond as he claps his hand to Kyran’s shoulder. “Not weird at all, and you’re definitely not the only one to think that,” he jokes with a grin.

We all laugh and Kyran’s gaze narrows on Trey, his eyes flashing hotly at his brother with a growl and Trey puts his palms up. “Whoa, kidding, kidding! Totally just messing with you,” he turns over his shoulder and dramatically winks at me.

Ria stifles her laugh and I pull my legs out of Kyran’s hold as he shoves at Trey. I roll my eyes at them and glance at Asteria, watching her watch them and I give her a sly smile. Before I get the chance to poke fun at her, Kyrre arrives with an armful of full glasses and a wide, bright smile.

“Hey, love-pups! I come bearing gifts,” she bends forward for Ria and I to take a couple drinks before whistling at her brothers. “Boys! Take these before I drop them,” she demands and they obey her immediately, taking the glasses from her.

I grin at their dynamic and Kyrre tosses her light blonde hair over her shoulder, a move scarily similar to Ria and I stifle a snort as I take a sip of my drink. The bright pink and orange liquid is both sweet and sour as it coats my tongue and almost fizzles with an electric feeling as I swallow it. Furrowing my brow at it, I hold it up to the moonlight and peer at the glass. “Is this infused with magic?” I ask, noticing the swirling movement of the drink.

“Yep! Ria’s very own brew,” Kyrre chirps as she winks at my sister and I smile at them, glad they’ve formed a connection.

“I made it strong enough to withstand the wolves’ healing ability, at least for a short while so people could let extra loose tonight,” she grins at me and I smile back at her widely.

“So, that means I probably shouldn’t have downed it, I’m guessing?” Trey says sheepishly, holding up his empty glass and Kyrre gawks at him.

“Trey!” she breathes, “I let Ria test it out on me to get it right and let me tell you, after a few sips you’ll feel its effects, let alone the entire glass—”

Treyvar’s laughter bubbles out of him uncontrollably and all of us join him as he careens to the left a couple steps and Kyran reaches out to steady him. “Well, shhhit,” he drawls with another loose laugh and Kyrre rubs at her forehead with a groan.

Ria chuckles and ducks under his shoulder, wrapping her arm around his waist. “I’ll keep watch over him, you guys have a good night. I’ll let him ride this out for a little while and I’ll give him something to clear it away in a bit. I need a good laugh,” she grins wickedly as Trey sways on the spot and pets her hair with a hooded gaze.

She vanishes on the wind with him and Kyrre blinks at where they stood, glancing down at her drink for a moment before shrugging and taking a swig. She turns and places a kiss to my cheek and says softly, “I’m really glad for you to enter our lives. You’ve no idea the impact you’ve already made,” her eyes glisten as they flicker to her brother and she smiles warmly at the both of us. “Enjoy your night! I’ve got a mate to find,” she grins at Kyran’s mock sound of disgust and saunters away into the dense crowd.

“Kyrre!” Kyran calls out to her, trotting to catch up to where she turns around. “Your bracelet, where is it?” he asks tightly with worry etched onto his face.

Kyrre rolls her eyes as she holds her hand out, a thin, pretty leather bracelet dangling between her fingers. “I was just getting it on, relax. It’s not like I need it tonight,” she sticks her tongue out at him before disappearing between groups of people dancing wildly.

“Fuck,” Kyran growls, running a hand over his face, “I forgot yours in my study,” he grumbles as he makes his way back over to where I stand.

I turn to Kyran and take a small sip of my drink, watching him over the rim of my glass. Someone catches my gaze behind him in the crowd and my stomach clenches for a moment as I lower the cup, narrowing my eyes to peer around his arm. No, it couldn’t be, I deny as I search the small groups of people clustered nearby. Kyran’s warm hand grasps my bare shoulder and I pull my attention back to him, his eyes are hard as he stares at me.

“What is it? What did you see?” he asks immediately, rubbing his hand gently along my skin.

I just shake my head with a small wince and say quietly, “I just thought I saw—”

“Selene, it’s been quite some time,” an old, worn and familiar voice greets me from my left.

I quickly turn with a wide smile as I find Eirene and Chrestotes waiting with soft smiles on their weathered faces. “Oh my stars!” I breathe with a laugh as I throw my arms around Eirene in a warm embrace. “How are you? I am so glad to see you both! I hope things have been well since we last met,” I smile broadly at them and they both chuckle as they nod their heads.

“We are well, thanks to you. It was difficult not to speak of you to Kyran, though I’d wanted to so badly,” Eirene says as she wipes a tear away. “It is because of you we were able to escape that wretched place and live long, happy lives together here, and both of us have been eternally grateful for you, my dear,” she places a soft hand against my cheek and I sniffle as I nod.

“I love love,” I say with a shrug, “and I’d do anything to help it along,” we both laugh at the brushed off weight of the situation.

I’ll never forget aiding in their escape from their warring imprisonment camps and by the looks in their eyes, they have not either. Kyran slides his arm around my shoulder and squeezes me lightly, giving me a small smile. “Elder Eirene was the one to push me to trust my instinct on following my pull to you,” he murmurs and I smile widely at her.

She just winks at me in response as her mate takes her hand in his and kisses her knuckles. They lower their heads in respect and I follow suit as they take their leave and I rest my head against Kyran’s chest as I watch them make their way leisurely through the crowd. My heart is content as I glance up at Kyran with a smirk and ask, “Wanna go find Ria and Trey?”

Kyran laughs with a nod, taking a swig of his drink and I focus on Asteria’s power signature for a moment. Locating roughly where she is, I murmur, “Hold on,” to Kyran as I summon my shadows around us. The cool ether swirls around us for a heartbeat, gently depositing us in a small grassy clearing near another bonfire and a few people holler out in excitement at the sudden sight of us. Kyran’s grip on my shoulder eases as our feet solidly press into the earth and he glances sideways at me.

“So you can be easy with it,” he mumbles and I let out a laugh, knowing how disgruntled he gets with the shadow-walking.

“You’ll get used to it,” I tease, pecking a kiss to his stubbly cheek and Ria lets out a whoop of joy.

“Look who’s joined the fun!” she grins with rosy cheeks and throws her arms up into the air. “Let’s really get this party started!” she yells as loud club music booms across the fields from her magic and cheers echo hers as people start to dance wildly.

I laugh and sway along to the beat as Ria twirls around Trey who watches her intently with a wide grin. Kyran chuckles with a shake of his head but his eyes are light and carefree. Just as I’m about to pull him over to dance with us, I find Kyrre approaching behind him with a wary look on her face.

I scrunch my brow and mindlink her, easily finding her connection through my bond with Kyran. Kyrre, what is it? You look troubled.

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Her light green eyes find mine immediately and she looks a bit relieved as she blows out a sigh. I, um, found my mate, she hedges and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. I watch her eyes scrunch with a smile then pinch as she winces when she continues, I feel like Kyran should know now rather than later. I have a strong feeling he is not going to like hearing this.

I’m about to ask why that is when I notice the man who slides his hand over her shoulder and smiles down at her adoringly. Oh my goddess, I breathe as I immediately understand her trepidation.

Kyran’s gaze whips to mine from hearing my thought and instantly turns to follow my line of sight, landing on his sister and Daine standing a few steps away. A rumbling growl rolls from his chest as he notices where Daine’s hand is and Kyran stalks toward him. Kyrre jumps between the two of them, placing her palms against her brother’s chest and if it was anyone else, I would have had my own growl tearing free at the sight.

“Kyran, stop, stop,” she pushes, getting his attention. “He’s my mate,” she blurts without preamble and Kyran’s head snaps down to glare at her.

“What? Him?” he groans loudly, tipping his head back at the sky and mumbling, “why?” as he drags his hand over his face.

I press my hand to my mouth to stifle the laugh that wants to escape and Kyrre cracks a smile as her brother lets out a heavy sigh and glares at Daine. “If you ever hurt her, in any way, I’ll—”

“I would never,” Daine replies solemnly and stops Kyran short.

They hold each other’s gazes for a long moment before Kyran nods, and I’m sure something has transpired between the two of them from the way Kyran lets it go so easily. He turns to Kyrre again with a small smile and pulls her in for a one-armed hug. “I’m happy for you, though I’m sorry you’re fated to bond with such a sack of shit,” he grumbles and Daine growls lowly at the comment.

I step into his line of sight and glare at him, cutting off his growl immediately as my instinct to protect my mate overrides my common sense and I smile coolly at him. Asteria calls Kyrre over in a singsong voice and I follow as she passes by. “Congratulations!” I chirp and she squeaks in response, bouncing on her toes a little and I laugh at her elation.

“It totally happened by chance, I was just passing by his group of packmates when someone accidentally bumped into me and he caught my elbow to keep me from falling. I didn’t realize who it was until I could focus after the bond magic settled over me and I was in disbelief for a few moments. I haven’t officially accepted him yet, obviously,” she rolls her eyes and we laugh as we come to a stop near Ria and Trey bouncing along to the music.

“Do you think you will?” I ask as I start to sway to the rhythm beating around us again.

Kyrre takes a sip of her drink and sways as well, peering back over to where Kyran and Daine stand talking a few paces away from each other. “I don’t know yet. I want to give him an honest chance before I decide,” she murmurs and I nod my head.

“I think that’s a great idea. You never truly know who someone is unless you give them the opportunity to show you themselves without biased opinions clouding your judgment,” I respond and she nods as well as she pulls her gaze away.

“You’re absolutely right, sis,” she says with a wink and we giggle as Ria takes both our free hands in hers.

I do as Ria had said and let loose, finally allowing myself to let go of the restraint on myself and let my happiness take me over. The heady feeling that’s filled me since I accepted Kyran bubbles over and my laughter trickles out into the night sky as we dance freely, letting our conjoined joy mingle with the stars. Asteria catches me around the waist as we bump and spin to the music of her magic, her fingers glittering as they wiggle around me and she transforms my gown into a sleek, silky sheath that hugs me only to my mid-thigh. Kyrre lets out a whistle of approval and I laugh at the both of them as Ria grins widely and twirls me around.

Through a spin, I catch Kyran’s heated gaze as he watches me over the rim of his glass and I beckon him to join us. He shakes his head at first and I pout, making him tilt his head to the side with a smirk and he makes his way toward me. I grin widely and reach out to pull him closely when he is only a few steps away. Kyran slides his hand over my waist and down to my lower back as he draws me in for a kiss. Just as his lips graze mine, he tilts me back into a low dip and kisses me passionately, stealing the breath from my lungs.

The girls holler around us and I laugh against his smile as he straightens and sends me in a twirl, pulling my hand lightly and spinning me so my back lands against his chest. He slides his hands over my waist and rests his head on my shoulder, kissing the crook of my neck. My heart swells at his touch and I lean back into him as he sways us to the music. Daine, Felagi, and the other alphas appear as Trey lets out a raucous shout that turns into a howl, triggering a domino effect throughout the surrounding crowd. I laugh loudly and feel Kyran’s chest shaking from his laughter at his brother’s antics.

A willowy, stunning red-head appears and offers me a small wave in greeting and I squeal at the sight of my very old friend. Kyran’s grip releases me as soon as I pull against it as I launch myself at Eir with elation. “Eir! I was hoping I’d see you tonight!” I trill as I push her shoulders back to look into her golden eyes.

She laughs melodically and nods her head, “So did I. It is good to see you, ithildin,” she grins widely.

Kyran sighs as he steps up beside me, eyeing the both of us. “I take it you two know each other?” he says flatly and we laugh in response.

“Oh, yes. I met Eir quite a long time ago. Have you lived here since?” I turn to her, raising a brow at her.

“Mhm. After our little…trade, I sought these mountains as my home and have remained here ever since. The pack formed a while after and had accepted my previous residence without qualms since I offered healing services in exchange for my privacy,” she smiles at Kyran knowingly and he squints at her before turning his narrowed gaze on me.

“Trade?” he asks hesitantly.

I laugh as Eir nods her head toward me. “Do you still have it? I didn’t get the chance to check when I healed you,” she murmurs and my brow furrows.

“I’m not sure, I hope so,” I say as I look down at my bare hand.

Kyran glances between us with an odd look on his face. “What are you two talking about?”

Eir just grabs my left hand in hers and waves her fingers over the back of it, a silver-glowing rune appearing for a moment on my skin before fading away and she nods her head with a grin. “Yup, still there. Good. I would’ve replaced it anyhow if it’d somehow disappeared,” she says matter-of-factly.

“Selene,” Kyran grumbles as his eyes dart from my hand to Eir and to me in the same breath, “what was that? Will one of you please explain?”

She and I laugh again as I rub my palm against his thick chest, soothing his tension. “It is an elvish rune of protection. It prevents an elf from glamouring me or deceiving me with their magic. Eir traded it with me for the ability to shift into a wolf,” I inform him as I roll my lips between my teeth, biting back the giggles that threaten to escape me at his bewildered expression.

Treyvar stutters a few curses before pushing over to stagger into our little group with rounded eyes as he overhears what I’d just said. He opens his mouth and Kyran slaps his palm against it, wheeling his gaze from me to Eir. “So you’re not a werewolf,” he narrows his eyes at her and she shakes her head with a playful smile. “Or a witch,” he says flatly, clearly having his own curiosity about her finally being answered.

Eir’s golden eyes brighten as her smile spreads wider when she shakes her head again and Kyran lets out a small sigh. “You really are fae. How did I not know? That’s where father got…” he trails off, shaking his head.

Trey slaps Kyran’s hand away with a squeaky inhale and whirls around to face Eir. “You’re a fucking faerie?” he breathes incredulously, his eyes nearly bugging out and I burst out laughing at the flat look on Eir’s face as she crosses her arms.

Many heads have turned at his outburst and wide, curious eyes glance our way. I nod my head as I laugh and wipe my eye, answering, “Yes, though she—and the rest of her people—would prefer if you’d call them elves.”

Stunned silence hovers for a few moments before Treyvar throws his head back and bellows a laugh, holding his abdomen. “That’s fucking awesome! Do you have the ears, like in the stories? Please tell me it’s true,” he grins like an idiot and Eir glares at him as if she’s contemplating turning him into a toadstool.

Kyran and I snort at the imagery when she just rolls her eyes and brushes back her coppery hair. Her ears appear normal like anyone else’s until she waves a hand over one and the air shimmers for a moment, revealing the elongated pointed tip. Trey whoops with a laugh and Eir smirks at his antics, letting her hair fall back into place and smiling warmly at me.

“I am very happy for you, Selene. May you both live long, joyous lives, and I look forward to ushering your babies into this world one day,” she adds with a wink and a grin before vanishing on a shimmery cloud of dust.

Asteria laughs and throws a fistful of magical glitter into the air. It explodes around us like a firework, inciting hollers and cheers from the crowd. She sends more higher into the sky and I grin up at Kyran as I wind my arm around his waist. He presses a kiss to my head and I snuggle into his embrace.

I couldn’t be happier as the night goes on, surrounded by my new family and we party for hours, mingling with strangers who quickly become friends until the full moon peaks in the center of the sky. Many of the party goers have drunk their fill with plenty of people running wildly through the fields and woods both naked and in their wolf forms, masses of groups dancing endlessly with everyone seeming to be in the highest of spirits.

It is as I am on my way back from a bathroom break when I pass by a tightly clustered group of people at the outskirts of the fields and a sickeningly familiar scent burns my nose. A mixture of tobacco and cheap cologne, with a new hint of rusted metal hits me hard and my stomach clenches as I whip my head around to lock eyes with the scarlet glare of Bolvi’s. My mind wasn’t deceiving me earlier, I had seen him. I tear my gaze from his for a fleeting moment to scour the massive group he stepped away from, noticing that all of their eyes are blood red, the mass of bodies a mixture of berserk wolves and… No, no. It can’t be, I exhale harshly in astonishment.

Vampires.