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If only she will accept me.
She pulls a dagger from her belt, holding it out before her. “Show yourself.”
Silent and still, I crouch low in the brush, observing as she finally turns back and starts on her path.
It takes everything inside me not to run toward her. To wrap her in my arms and claim her here in the woods, giving her my mark so that every male would know she is mine. But I know I cannot. Not like this. Luna is human. Their courtship and mating rituals are very different from those of my kind. Her letter said she would participate in the mating chase with me if she could, but I must know for sure that she wants me. I will not just assume.
Luna makes her way to a home that sits in the center of a grand estate. It is her family’s country home. The setting sun casts a warm glow over the gray and white stone facade. The house is enormous, with towering columns and a sweeping stairway leading up to the main entrance.
I observe as Luna walks up the steps. One of the servants bows low before her and then opens the door for her to enter. I have been here once before, when I was fifteen. Luna spoke so often of this place that I wanted to see it. I slipped away from the castle and surprised her. We spent the day together wandering the woods. Because it is only a few hours outside of the capital, I returned home before my parents even knew I was gone.
Golden light spills out through the windows, and gray smoke rises from several of the chimneys along the roof. It is quite a walk from here back to the bustling town square of Westry, if one were to take the main road behind the house. That is probably why she cut through the woods.
Luna has a love of the outdoors and nature that rivals even that of my own kind. If she were a Wolf Shifter, I suspect she would spend most of her time in the forests if she could.
Carefully, I step from the shadows of the trees and make my way to the country manor. Slipping behind the garden wall, I slink through the finely manicured hedges until I reach the large windows in the center of the structure that overlooks the gardens.
I peer inside, and notice a sitting room with several large, plush green velvet sofas and oversized chairs spread out before a massive fireplace with a roaring fire burning on the hearth.
Luna’s mother—Melara—is seated on one of the chairs. Luna walks over to her. I’m always struck by how much they resemble each other, except for their hair. Her mother’s is dark brown, whereas Luna’s is red, like her father’s.
I train my ears toward them, hoping to hear as they speak. Luna hands her the basket, pulling out the two loaves of bread.
“We could have sent the servants for those, Luna,” Melara says.
“I know. I just… wanted to get some fresh air.”
Her mother takes her hand. “Are you still upset, my angel?”
Luna swallows hard and then nods. “I don’t understand why Father was so upset,” she says.
Melara shakes her head softly. “Your father is merely trying to protect you, Luna.”
“From what?”
“From any vicious gossip that could ruin your prospects of finding a good husband,” she explains, and I bite back a growl. “Your father has had several offers for your hand. If word were to circulate that you were seen sneaking off into the night with Prince Malak, it could ruin you.”
“We did nothing wrong,” Luna states firmly.
“Good,” her father says. “When we return to the capital, you must distance yourself from the prince.”
“Why?” she counters. “Malak has been my friend since we were ten years old.”
“I forbid you to ever see him again.”
“You cannot do that,” she protests.
“I can and I will.” He turns to her mother. “In fact, I think it might be best if you and your mother simply return to Avalor before winter, and I will follow after the new year.”
Anger burns in my chest. Her father brought her here, hoping that I would not follow. That I’d stay behind and participate in the chase ritual and find someone else. He never intended to tell Luna about my proposal. Of that, I am certain.
“I will not go,” Luna refuses. “I’m nineteen. You cannot force me to leave. Besides, Winterhold is where I grew up. It’s more my home than Avalor ever could be.”
Falen’s eyes widen briefly in shock before anger overtakes his features. “If you think to stay for Prince Malak, he is a Wolf-Shifter. His father would never allow him to marry a human. I am certain of it.”
Rage twists deep inside me as his words resonate within. It seems the ambassador knows my father even better than I do, and despite their contentious relationship, they seem to have more in common than they both think. Neither of them can abide the thought of their children choosing someone outside of their species.
“Besides,” he continues. “The mating chase is tonight. With any luck, Prince Malak and his brother will each find a mate and that will be that.”
