"You look beautiful," Valerio murmured as he watched me straighten out my dress in the mirror. A smile stretched across my face and I slid my lip stick across my lips. Puckering them together, I looked over at Valerio to see him in a suit.
"You don't look too bad yourself," I teased. I linked my arm with him and he lead me out of the cabin and down the dirt path that lead to the pack house.
Nervousness bubbled inside of me. Everyone that was going to be at the party had watched me ascend, but I was going to actually talk and interact with people. I didn't know what to feel or what I was going to say.
"I informed the Alphas that there will be a private meeting later on this week when they could talk to you about business. Don't worry about talking about anything like that. We celebrate the rise of a new Goddess tonight."
I nodded my head as we approached the pack house. A few of Damon's pack members bustled busily in the kitchen, trying to cook the food and send it to the dining hall for the party. I waved to them as we passed, and they bowed their heads.
Valerio unhooked his arms from mine and pulled the large steel door open that lead to the dining hall. My eyes widened at how large it was and how many people were here. People laughed and cheered as we passed. Valerio led me to a table in the front of the room where only him, I, and a few other Protectors would sit.
After we sat, I glanced at Valerio. For the first time tonight, I noticed a bruise on his neck. I brushed my finger over it and he winced lightly.
"The Night God," I whispered to myself. I needed to figure out why he choked Valerio. I wonder when I was going to see him again. As if on cue, he appeared on the empty dance floor and smirked at me. He wore a black suit with a black shirt and tie.
"My Radiance. Come dance with me."
I looked around the room to see if anyone had heard him, but everyone continued talking like he wasn't there. A strange pull to him made me rise from my seat and shuffle to the dance floor with him. As soon as my heels clicked on the hardwood, everyone fell silent.
I placed my hand on his shoulder and he snaked a hand around my waist, pressing himself closer to me. A smile twitched on his lips as everyone furrowed their eyebrows in my direction.
We swayed slowly to the music and I breathed in his scent and smiled.
"You name is Aeron?" I asked, remembering what my mother told me about him.
He nodded his head. "It is." His eyes flickered down my body for a moment. "You have turned into a beautiful young woman and a strong Moon Goddess. You're stronger than your mother ever was."
I raised my eyebrows at him and he continued. "Your mother only lasted one hour in the heat. Last night, you lasted for seven."
My eyes widened. "Seven?"
"Yes," he breathed out. He pushed a stray piece of hair away from my face. "You're incredibly strong. Strong enough to finally take down the Challengers with me."
"You helped my mom with the Challengers?" I asked.
"Oh, yes. We've been fighting them for years. We've killed some of them together, but they weakened her a great deal. But, you...you will be there downfall. I can feel it."
I smiled and nodded, getting lost in my own thoughts. I didn't want to think about the Challengers right now. I wanted to have fun. Aeron spun me around in his arms and we continued dancing.
"So, why am I the only one who can see you?" I questioned.
He chuckled. "They can see me, but I don't want them to. If you haven't noticed I like to keep people in the dark about me," he joked, gesturing down to his dark dress attire and the play on his name.
"You also must like making me make a fool out of myself. It looks as if I have been talking to thin air and dancing with myself."
"If you wish for me to be seen, I will be seen," he smiled. Suddenly, gasps erupted throughout the crowd and everyone's eyes widened at the sight of another divine among them. Although there were plenty of other people in the room that the Night God could look at, he kept his eyes trained on me. His dark features imprisoned me, and I felt a strong connection with him.
"Any other requests?" he asked.
"Just a question... Why did you choke Valerio?"
He took a deep breath and gazed at me for a few moments. "I see you as mine. You are My Radiance. I need you to light up my darkness just as you need me to be seen. We are connected and, to be quiet honest, I could be quite possessive and jealous at times. You wanted Valerio to take away your heat, and I got jealous over it."
I inhaled sharply. Another man in my life who's possessive. Great. I forced myself to smile and nodded my head.
"I have much more control usually than that. I know I do not own you and that you are not mine, but we need each other. You may bed whomever you like," he began as his eyes drifted to Damon and then to Luca, "But, you will always need me like I will need you."
I nodded my head in understanding. His calm voice soothed me. He didn't seem as jealous or possessive as Damon or Luca.
"I shall leave you now to celebrate. If you ever need me, all you have to do is look up into the night sky and I'll find you as soon as I can."
He squeezed my shoulders lightly and walked away, disappearing into thin air. As he departed, whispers erupted throughout the crowd. I shuffled back to my seat, feeling awkward standing alone in the middle of the floor. Looking around the room, I noticed Richard sitting in the corner, but Aaisha not with him. I furrowed my eyebrows together and motioned for him to come to me once we locked eyes.
His shoulders slumped as he dragged his body over to our table. Dark circles laid under his eyes and his hair stuck up in too many different directions. "Richard, where's Aaisha?" I asked.
He grimaced. "Back at the cabin. She wasn't feeling up to coming." He looked down at his hands and rubbed them together. Taking a shaky breathe he looked back up to me. His eyes glistened with tears.
I stood and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. "I'm so sorry, Richard."
"Are you?" he asked, not returning the hug.
I pulled away and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Yes, why would you even ask that?"
He shook his head and brushed past me, going to sit back down. My heart broke as I watched his lips tremble. He blamed me for the death of their child. I didn't even know how I could've stopped it.
A warm hand wrapped around my shoulders and I looked up to see Luca. He gave me a forced smile as he noticed me staring at Richard. "Luca, I-I... I don't know what I could've done to help her." A tear slid down my cheek. "What was I supposed to do?"
He tugged me closer to him, resting my head against his chest. His heart thumped loudly against it. "There was nothing you could do, Mae," he spoke. "I saw her this morning. She was broken, but she will heal."
"Is she mad at me?" I asked, looking up into his brown eyes.
"No, she's just upset... Richard on the other hand might be."
I sighed. I parted my lips to speak, but his phone buzzed from his suit pocket. He took it out and sighed, letting his hands fall to his sides. "I have to go," he stated. "But, I will see you soon. I'm so proud of everything that you have become. I love you."
He planted a kiss on my cheek and ran off, slipping out of the hall. I took a deep breath, walking back over to the table.
"So, any news of Luca?" I asked Valerio.
"No. He's been acting pretty normal to me and the people I have watching him said there is nothing out of the ordinary going on." I nodded my head and brushed the thought away. I was probably just over reacting.
Before turning my attention back to my food, I glanced at him. "Valerio, I'm sorry for trying to get you to mark me last night. It was totally uncalled for on my part."
He smiled at me. "It's okay, Mae. I know you only did it because you were in pain and wanted it to go away."
For the rest of the night, Alphas and Lunas introduced themselves to me and we talked quietly with each other. I got to know many of them personally, but I didn't think I'd be able to memorize everyone's name. There were way too many people here, I could barely even keep count.
As the end of the night approached and everyone slowly began to exit the hall, I stayed behind. The room that was once full of laughter and happiness was now a peaceful type of quiet.
"Mae, I'll be heading off to the cabin, would you like to come with me?" Valerio called from the door way.
I shook my head at him, wanting to stay here for a few moments. He slipped outside, leaving me to a quiet open hall. Soft music still played, and I closed my eyes, taking in the events of the past few days.
"Would you like to dance?" a voice asked.
I jumped up, startled. I thought I was the only one here. My eyes glanced over to the doorway and my heart warmed. He walked closer to me and held out his hand. His green eyes pierced through mine.
I placed my hand in his and rested my other hand on his shoulder. Staring up into Damon's eyes, a feeling of excitement washed through me.
"You look beautiful," he murmured. I smiled softly at him and rested my head on his chest as we lightly swayed to the music. It felt like eternity had gone by since we had an intimate moment together and I craved more.
His gentle fingers rubbed circles on my hips and I leaned into his touch. His warm breath fanned my neck and he sniffed my scent. We stayed in each other's arms for a long while, just soaking in each other's emotions. All I wanted to do was to hold onto him and to never let him go, but my love for Luca still persisted.
"So, what did you think about the Night God?" he asked, breaking the silence. "That was him you were dancing with, wasn't it?"
I nodded and looked up into his eyes. "Yes. He seems very nice."
"Too nice..." Damon continued.
I furrowed my eyebrows at him as jealousy seeped into his eyes. "What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"I thought he was a little too touchy with you." His eyes grew gold.
I rolled my eyes. "Damon, he was fine. Please don't get jealous over him."
He clenched his jaw and his grip on my waist tightened, but he nodded. After a few moments of silence, he continued. "I think my wolf is coming back."
My eyes widened. I laced my fingers in his hair, lightly gripping its thickness. "Really?"
He smiled widely. "Yes," he breathed out.
My heart raced at the thought of seeing his wolf. I craved him. "I miss him," I admitted.
"We miss you too."
I shut my eyes, trying to stop myself from saying my next words, but I couldn't handle the attraction between us anymore. "Damon, let him out. I want to see him."
Damon stared at me with his eyebrows raised. "Mae, he hasn't been fully out in a long time. I don't know how he'll react to seeing you."
"Let him out," I demanded.
A smile twitched at his lips and his eyes flickered to gold for a moment. He shut his eyes and they twitched back and forth under his eyelids. Suddenly, they snapped opened and I looked into his golden orbs. His canines lengthened over his lips and my heart raced at the sight of them.
His wolf made me crave him more.
I pulled him closer to me and his eyes immediately gazed at my bare neck. As he buried his face in my neck, I breathed in his scent. My heart tightened as his canines brushed against my flesh.
A/N
Next newsletter should be on Monday! Going to write Luca's POV. Which scene should I write?
I'm thinking about doing a contest on Instagram...maybe...so stay tuned for details on here and there!
So...
7 hours in heat?! x7 more powerful than her mother, but with more power comes more risks. *inserts evil face*
Is the Night God everything you expected him to be? I picture him incredibly attractive and wish he existed in real life...
Luca acting fishy still...
Damon's wolf is back! Mae asked to see it! Will he mark her!?
Hope you're having a great day!
Warmly, Destiny <3