The Moonlit Desires: Bound by Blood

Well, It was already more than five minutes, and I was ready for the party. I sat on the bed all alone waiting for my parents, at least Ava had done her part by bringing out the perfect dress for me to wear. That clothes has been the best gift that I have ever received from her and is worth a staggering amount of dollars. Yeks!……… quite expensive.

And I am more than glad that I am wearing it today, being my birthday, …….. Oops!!! She has always wanted me to wear these clothes on a special day. Especially on her special day but wait, today isn’t her birthday, or is it because of Vincenzo’s birthday? Nope, she said something about having a huge surprise for me this evening after she left my room not that quite long, and not to forget she has been acting oddly strange for a few weeks now.

I signed and relaxed back to my bed. I don’t think it is something bad though I hate being kept at the edge. “But one thing Ava couldn’t do anything to hurt me, I believe whatever she has to say will be worth the wait,” I tried to sound so convincing but it seemed like my heart wasn’t in full support of me this time around.

“Hey, Emma,” my mom walked in, “Are you ready?” She asked, earning a quick nod from me. She stared around the room for a while before refocusing her attention back on me. “It seems like Ava has left,” I nodded at her again without saying any words.

“Well, so sorry, kid but……..” She turned to look at me, “We won’t be going to the party with you tonight,” she announced. A huge grin suddenly appeared on my face, “Wh….. Why?” I managed to ask.

“My attention is been needed at the pack kitchen and your father needs to help in the ceremonial hall,” she said before rolling her eyes at me, “Behave yourself tonight because Ava will be a bit busy today to look after you,”

I felt a sudden pang in my heart at her word but I managed to speak up, hiding the pain in my eyes. “Ugh…… come on, Mom, I am a big grown-ass woman,” I pouted, rolling my eyes playfully at her.

“Yeah but right now, you are still my kid, so better behave,” she said scornfully, a hint of warning in her voice. She leaned forward and pecked my cheeks before strolling out of my room. Standing in front of the door, she waved at me before walking away.

Hearing the main house door locked, I signed and flipped myself on the bed. Ugh…… my parents can be too obsessive and overprotective of me, in as much that I feel bad for the loads of work on their shoulders due to their rank in this pack but tonight I feel like the happiest. Finally some freedom!!!

Grinning from ear to ear, I slide into my shoes and quickly walk out of the house.

*********

I have walked past the ceremonial ground heading toward the woods since the party hasn’t started yet. I fantasize about the special moment that I could finally find my true love and end this thing I have for Vincenzo Salvatore.

As I walked, I was drawn to the soothing sound of the ocean. And just then the blurry image of Ava and Vincenzo flashed through my mind. Yep!!…… I think it’s easy to feel insecure when comparing ourselves to others, especially someone like Ava who seems to have it all. Well, another reason why Vincenzo Salvatore won’t even look my way.

Feeling annoyed, I sighed and murmured to myself, “Today should be about me, not them.” I walked towards the ocean, seeking a moment of relaxation before the ceremony. I let out a deep sigh with my hands resting beside me as I stared straight in the direction that I was walking; If I’m meant to find my mate today, I pray for it to be here, surrounded by the beauty of the ocean.

There was this peaceful sensation that evolved in my mind as I neared the ocean, and suddenly a tantalizing scent filled the air, causing my senses to heighten. My inner wolf suddenly seemed to dance with excitement, howling in my head and wagging its tail. Yeah, before I forget…… lolz, I found my wolf this morning though we haven’t had enough time to communicate. But that’s by the way because right now, I guess that something extraordinary is about to happen.

I think I just found my mate!!!…….. I knew what it was and instantly traced the scent right away. I quickly stopped in front of the ocean. But then, my excitement turned to disbelief at the person sitting beside the water. “This is ridiculous…. I can’t possibly be mated to Ava, my best friend,” my voice hung wide as I stared at her in shock and disbelief.

It seemed like everything stopped working as she slowly turned around, “Emma,” she called out, clearly surprised to see me by the ocean. “What are you doing here?” She asked, sounding startled. I noticed the nervous look that suddenly flashed in her eyes but I ignored it.

“You should be at the party with your parents…. I told you to wait for me that I am coming. So why are you looking for me?” She asked, her voice filled with confusion, anger, and a hint of desperation.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

And that’s when I opened my mouth to talk but as usual, no word was coming out, I tried again but nothing……. I was lost in my thoughts when I saw Vincenzo Salvatore swimming towards me from the water, and my eyes widened in shock as I realized that the intoxicating scent was coming from him. And when he noticed my presence, confusion filled his gaze, and his eyes wrinkled in irritation as I whispered that one word, “Mate!”

“Mate!!!”……… In shock, Ava’s gaze widened too, and I was left feeling both confused and excited. Didn’t he know that we were mates? He turned eighteen last year, so it was definitely possible that he knew I was his mate. But he had told everyone that Ava was his mate… and now this! It seems like he knew all along.

Realization dawned on me as I continued to look at him in shock. How could he have known all this while and still choose to mess around with my best friend? What was he even thinking? Looking at him, a surge of anger coursed through me, causing me to grit my teeth and glare harder at him. How could he do such a thing? The pain cut deep, leaving me with a mix of emotions that ranged from hurt to confusion. I couldn’t help but question his motives and intentions. Why did he do that? Was he not proud of me or was he also confused about why we were mated since I am his girl’s best friend?

The weight of these questions hung heavy in the air, fueling my anger and making it difficult to find any resemblance of understanding. I needed him to say a word. But deep down, I feared what his response might be. Would he reject me right away? The ambiguity chewed at me, increasing the chaos within. As I stared at him, my eyes continued to burn with a mix of disarray and distress.

Suddenly, there was an eerie silence in the atmosphere, I stood there still waiting for him to say a word when unexpectedly Ava’s cold dreadful laugh pierced through the silence drawing my attention. I know how she is feeling right now but…… I think I am wrong once again because her sudden change in demeanor seems suspicious.

Looking at her, I noticed a dirty grin appeared at the corner of her lips with her hands folded close to her chest as she took conscious strides forward. “Well, it is disheartening that I have to tell you this right here,” she chuckled, making me nervous.

I could sense the confusion on my face and the fast beating of my heart in my chest as I looked up to her, what is she trying to say? “What…… what is that all about?” Despite the heavy drumming of my heart, I managed to say a few words.

And instantly her face turned cold but quickly switched to a blank expression before she smirked, sending a dreadful look my way. I couldn’t help but almost flinch in response. “I have always known about your cheap slut crush on my boyfriend,” she announced, widening my gaze but my wolf was quick enough to let out a warning growl at her. She staggered a bit unexpectedly before her face was filled with anger and disgust confusing me.

What has come over Ava? Is this my best friend?

“You can never be mated to him, that’s what I wanted to tell you today,” Her desperate announcement dilated my gaze once again, capturing my attention and piquing my curiosity. “Reject him…… that’s the least you could do for me as a friend,” Her voice, devoid of any emotions, sent a shocking chill down my spine.

“What……!!!” I gasped, has she lost it? She wanted to tell me to reject him; my mate!…. Yeah, I understand that they are close but he is now my mate! And besides it is not as if Ava has ever wanted him.

“What….. What are you trying to say?” I stammered, unsure of how to react at that moment. My mind feels like a pile of trash. “He told me everything……” She blurted, shrugging nonchalantly as if her words meant no harm.

With pain, I turned to look at him, Vincenzo Salvatore, who had been standing there since without saying any word but my suspicion was confirmed when he scowled at me with disgust written all over his face. “Let’s reject each other,” He said, and that was the first time he had ever spoken to me in years since I knew him despite my friendship with Ava.

“I, Vincenzo Salvatore, the son of Alpha Matteo Salvatore, and the future Alpha of the moonlight pack reject you Emma Giovanni, the filthy omega as my mate…..”

He had barely finished his words when unexpectedly, I staggered, feeling his words hit me hard like a thunderbolt. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I shook my head in denial. “I will never……. I, Emma Giovanni, reject your rejection,” I screamed painfully when tightly clasping the hem of my gown. My outburst took both of them unaware. This is my only mate and I am not going to take chances….. Never!!!

You can’t do this to me, Ava!! It is a rare thing to find a second mate, this second chance mate happens once in a blue moon and she knew how much I have always wanted to find my mate. She knew how much I wanted to experience mate bonds and their undying love!

She knew all this so tell me why she should do this. Not like she even had a thing for Vincenzo Salvatore. Or is it about the title and fame?

I was still in my thoughts when Vincenzo suddenly grabbed my neck with force, slamming my back into the huge tree close by. I writhe in sharp pain as I struggle to breathe. He dug his sharp nails into my shoulder, eliciting a whimper from me. I struggled to breathe as I stared straight into his cold fearful eyes.

“Look, it seems like you want it the hard way….. Huh,” He smirked, a devilish grin making its way onto his face. His mischievous expression added to the intensity of the situation, scaring me to the bone.

“Since you wanted this, I won’t regret one bit seeing you rot in severe pain then,” Ava smirked, shaking her head in disgust. I was so tempted to snarl at her and tell her how much of a betrayal she is but the pain shooting through my body was too severe to spare her a glance.

“Listen…..” He snarled at me using his Alpha tone, and I could feel dominance riding waves off him. “You can never be my mate, I don’t want a weak, ugly, horrible, and dirty thing as my mate,” His grip tightened, choking me deeper against the tree.

Breathing heavily, I stammered, my voice barely audible.”Please…..” I cried out, holding his grip. “Okay….. Okay enough of the drama,” Ava suddenly spoke up once again, sounding bored.

“Since you want this, you’re invited to our marking ceremony tonight during the moonlight festival,” she smiled but I could only look up to stare at her. The heaviness in my heart brought tears to my eyes seeing the unwavering smirk on her lips. To have thought that she was once my friend, hurts deeply.

“You have no choice but to be there, to witness my canine pierced into that delicate neck of my chosen mate under the watchful eyes of the moon goddess,” Vincenzo’s voice was dreadful, venom dripping from them. The words he spoke were filled with malice and poison as he pointed at Ava as his chosen mate, my best friend!

So sad, I couldn’t do anything but watch them storm out of the place after he pushed me hard against the ground. I have never seen Ava so pissed off before, she was a jovial, sweet, and innocent girl but right now….. She seems more deadly than the devil himself all because Vincenzo Salvatore was my mate! I thought that she was supposed to be happy for me, after all, she never loved him but Colton.

Tears roll down my eyes as I stare down at the deep blue ocean in front of me. I don’t understand but my parents have always told me that a mate is the person that will want you for who you are and will never resist the urge to be with you but……. Vincenzo had known since last year he turned eighteen and still lived without me. Did they lie to me? Or think that everyone will have the same love fairytale story as theirs?

I clutched my heart tightly, weeping very hard. How could Ava do this to me? I thought that she never loved Vincenzo Salvatore, so why want to bear his mark knowing fully well that I was his? Has she even ever acknowledged me as a friend all this while? Is not as if I chose him as my mate but the moon goddess did so why the sudden hatred? But why the moon goddess? Why? Why mate me to him knowing fully well that he wouldn’t want me but Ava?

Why make me the object of mockery? The humiliation, irritation, and rejection were hard to bear and now my chances of finding another mate is impossible. Why, Selena, why?! The question hung in the air as my emotions poured down heavily breaking me into pieces.