Johnson glared back at Liam.“He was invited,” I told Liam. “By Hazel as my guest.”Liam shook his head and scoffed. “He’s an outsider,” Liam said. “These are OUR people. Are you sure you really want to bring an outsider into our community?”“No, he’s also…” I started to say. But then I stopped. I didn’t want to tell Liam that Johnson was a Lycan.“He’s what?” Liam asked, raising his eyebrows. But something about his expression told me he knew something about Johnson. Did he already know the truth?“He’s also…excited to be here,” I finished vaguely. Good one, Trista, I chastised myself. I’d never really been a good liar.“I bet he is!” Liam snapped. Then he fixed his eyes on Johnson. “I know ALL about you,” he said, his voice low. “You’re a liar. Pretending to be all clean and innocent. Fooling Trista with your dirty tricks.”“Liam,” I gasped. This was hardly the place or time! This was a wedding and I wasn’t about to let Liam make a scene. “Stop it.”Liam glared at Johnson. He cli
Trista’s POVThe party at the grassy area was only one part of the afternoon party.Apparently,half the guests were down at the beach.The Red Moon pack was a little famous on the east coast in the werewolf world for having their very own beachfront.Most of the packs on the east coast were in the forest or the mountains.Red Moon Pack was unique because the pack was right beside the ocean.I pulled on Johnson’s hand.“Can we go down the beach?”I asked him,excited.“Of course,”he smiled.He followed me down the trail that led to the waterfront.I gasped as we crested a small hill.The sight was breathtaking.The beach stretched on in both directions for miles.The azure water lapped gently at the white,sandy shores.There was a big bonfire,with flames blazing,surrounded by tables and tables of food.Everyone was barefoot,happily taking in the sun and the peaceful seaside vibes.As we approached,a couple puppies ran in front of us.They squealed with laughter as they chased one another across th
Trista’s POVThe elder glared at us.The elders sitting on their perched chairs glared at us.The front row turned around and glared at us.I blushed….deeply.Hazel didn’t make eye contact with me.She pressed her lips together and stared at the ground.Was she upset?I couldn’t tell.But everyone else she the hell was.“Do you have something you’d like to say?”the elder holding the dagger asked.Johnson’s face was also beet red.He stammered and wrung his hands.“I…um…well…no…Sorry.”“Shsh,”I snapped at him.“I apologize,”I said,addressing the elder.“My friend,here,has never bore witness to a wedding ceremony before.He was just…a little…surprised by some of our customs.It WON’T happen again.”The elder stared at me for a moment.I didn’t think it was possible to get any redder in the cheeks,but then he said:“Perhaps you and your FRIEND should leave.”I was mortified!Was I being kicked out of a wedding?My best friend’s wedding?In front of all these people?There were few things so shameful.T
I couldn’t accept our pack being a laughing stock.I wanted our pack to be respected.So I used all my savings to start a business for our pack.I was smart and I rallied.I was determined to make our pack rich,so that all our little pups could have a better life.Liam also had an affinity for business affairs.He had a talent for it,so I handed over the business I had built to him.That way,I could focus on being a good wife and Luna for him and the pack.And he thrived.He really did.He excelled.But he became very,very busy.And the busier he got with the business,the worst things got between us.Everything just sort of…changed.He withdrew from me.In fact,come to think of it,I don’t know if I ever heard him say‘I love you’.I craved his love.I wanted him to love me.But I don’t know if he ever did.And then…He broke our mate bond and divorced me...“Is it over?”Johnson asked,as people clapped happily, which made me suddenly wake up from my memories.“No,”I said,his voice snapping me back
Trista’s POVThe bonfire blazed, the flames licking the sky. People dumped more wood onto it, even though it was almost out of control. The moon was high in the sky. A lot of people had let their wolves out, and they were running and rolling around. Some were even fighting – a playful sort of fight that males wolves tend to do.The serious part of the day was over. The vows had been said and the new Luna and Alpha had been crowned. It was time now for the werewolves to let loose.And letting loose they were.If you’ve never seen a werewolf bonfire, it can be a bit hard to explain. It’s sort of chaotic. We have a primal urge in us and when we let loose, well, it’s a bit of a raucous, rampant, wild mess.It’s all in good fun, though. And no one really gets hurt.Not usually.“This is madness!” Johnson said, his eyes wide as he took it all in.“This is a typical pack wedding,” I replied.It felt good. It felt good to be back with a pack. I felt…at home. Even though it wasn’t my pack. The
Trista’s POVCrap! Liam was right. It was a treasured wedding tradition, but I hadn’t even thought about it since I hadn’t been Luna in so long.“Come with me,” Liam said, motioning for me to follow. Johnson glanced at us from over his shoulder. I knew he didn’t want me talking alone to Liam. But werewolves really value their traditions, and this was important. So…I followed Liam over to a secluded corner of the lawn.The party was in full swing now. It was noisy and chaotic as wolves danced and rolled around on the sand. The bonfire was blazing high and the scent of cooked meat and burnt logs wafted through the air.Despite the massive fire, the night was cool. I wrapped my arms across my chest to keep myself warm.“Are you cold?” Liam asked. “Here, take my coat.”Before I could respond, he took it off and wrapped it around my shoulders. “Thank you,” I said. “But as for Hazel’s gift, I’m not sure what we can give her,” I told Liam. “When I left the pack, I didn’t really bring anyth
Trista’s POVI was speechless. I held the ruby ring in my hands and stared at it.It was my wedding ring. The ring I’d sold. “How?” was all I managed to say.I NEVER thought I’d ever see my precious wedding ring again. I didn’t understand. The other ring had been passed down in Liam’s family. But this ring? Where had Liam found it?“It was a coincidence,” Liam shrugged. “I was at a jewelry auction one day, and there it was! I recognized it immediately. You know, I was a little hurt when I saw it. You sold your wedding ring? That stung, Trista.”“I had no choice, Liam. I was broke. You and Lucy had just got me fired. I had no money.”“I assumed that was the case,” Liam said sympathetically. “I’m really sorry, Trista. I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been for you.”I closed the lid to the ring. He’d apologized enough. It didn’t matter. ‘Sorry’ didn’t change anything. I didn’t want to have this discussion again. “You’re right. You can’t imagine,” I said dryly.Just then, a w
Trista’s POV“Monsieur Alpha Liam,” the man said, reaching for Liam’s hand. He took Liam’s hands in his and shook them. Then he leaned in and air kissed Liam on either cheek. “Tres wonderful! I am Alpha Lemone, of the Dove Song Pack in France. We are so honored to be here.”“Ahem,” the girl beside him said, batting her eyelashes at Liam.“Of course,” Alpha Lemone said. “Allow me to introduce Claudette. My daughter. Claudette, this is Alpha Liam of the Blue Moon Crescent Pack. And this is…” his voice trailed off as he turned to me. “I apologize, madame. I do not know your name.”“Eden,” I told him, feeling uncomfortable. I suddenly remembered the pen name I used for my jewelry design drafts, so I blurted out the name. These were clearly VERY high status people. The way they socialized with people was like wearing a gentleman's mask, which made them seem polite but hypocritical. So it didn't seem like there's anything wrong with me wearing my ‘mask’.Liam raised one eyebrow a