Chapter 2 Moonrite Festival

I wiped at my face, it was still damp with tears.

Every time I slept, even just for a moment, I saw the same things; a dying world, a bloodied throne. And him.

I didn't know who he was, or why it felt like I knew him.

But I remembered him. Always.

And the worst part? It never felt like a dream.

I stared around my room blankly, It was still dark, one of those hours just before morning.

I didn't know how long I sat by the window, but the pale orange glow stretching across the sky told me it had been hours.

I went to my bed to see if I could get a little more sleep, just as I let my eyes close, the door slammed open.

"Get up. Today is the Moonrite festival, We don't want to be late now,?" Douglass's voice was flat, the same dull tone he always used with me.

"Why do we even have to go? It's not like the king will be there or anything." I murmured to myself.

"All the packs gather every year for this festival, you won't be the first to break it." Douglass spat, looking at me with no emotion.

I thought something would have changed in the way he talked to me, after seeing me trying to take my own life last night. But apparently, I was wrong.

I dragged myself out of bed without a word. I washed the dirt from yesterday off my skin.

I pulled on a brown wool skirt and a tucked blouse, I didn't expect much from the day. Honestly, I just wanted it to be over so I could be back in my room, away from everyone.

When I got downstairs, Douglass was already standing by the door, waiting like he couldn't bear to waste another second near me.

I didn't greet him. I just walked past and stepped outside.

The pack grounds were nearly empty. I figured most of the others had already left for the common gathering.

I kept my eyes fixed on the woods as we walked. arms crossed tightly, trying to ignore the heavy silence stretching between us. Then, Douglass spoke.

"You still have that look."

I didn't turn. "What look?"

"The one that says you're already gone, even though you're right here."

His voice wasn't cold this time. It was low, it felt like he didn't want to say the words but needed to.

"You weren't supposed to come in last night," I said, barely above a whisper.

"I didn't plan to. Something told me to check on you."

He was quiet for a moment, then he added, "You scared the hell out of me."

I finally looked at him. His face was unreadable, his eyes held a little bit of guilt in them.

"You didn't show it," I said.

"Didn't think I was allowed to."

We walked in silence a bit longer, "You shouldn't have to stop me," I muttered.

He turned his head then, just slightly. "Yes, I should."

"There are things you don't understand Alina, things that you probably wouldn't for-" he paused before continuing "just don't try that again."

I studied his expression and I knew that there was something he wasn't saying.

I kept quiet, not knowing what to say anymore. We didn't talk again the rest of the way, but for the first time in a long while, the silence didn't feel so cruel.

When we got there, the place was already crowded. Packs from neighboring regions had gathered.

I could see the colors they wore, each group standing together. At the center of it all was the empty black stone throne.

I stood off to the side while Douglass joined the others from our pack. I kept my distance, there was no need to go close to them.

Then the ceremony started. The Alpha of the Frost Pack stepped forward, carrying his gift wrapped in dark fur.

He bowed in front of the throne and was about to speak- But then, the sound of hooves interrupted him.

Everyone went still.

A man rode in on a black horse. His clothes were all black, from head to toe, and his face was hidden by a hood.

He rode into the middle of the circle and stopped, then he pulled his hood back.

The man was striking, his face was too sharp to be real. His skin was pale like moonlight, his features carved and flawless.

His hair fell to his jaw in loose windblown waves, his eyes silver and cold cut through the crowd like a blade.

Scanning the crowd like he was looking for something, then-he looked right at me.

I froze, it was him.

He was the guy.

That face, although covered in blood in my dreams, was the same. I'd recognize it anywhere. The sharpness in his jaw, the way his eyes seemed to see through everything. It was him, the man I kept saving. But what was he doing here?

And why did he look at me like he knew exactly who I was?

LUCAN'S POV

I always believed there was no need for me to attend gatherings like this, but something pulled me here.

I didn't pay attention to anyone, although I felt the tension emanating from the crowd. Just then, I suddenly felt a ripple in my chest, a pull perhaps, something ancient that I didn't understand.

My wolf groaned in frustration, he too felt it. Probably even worse than I did.

My eyes scanned the crowd, wanting to know where it was coming from.

Then my eyes caught a familiar pair of eyes, she was exactly as I remembered her... no, not remembered... dreamed.

She was the girl from my dreams, the one who kept appearing in the middle of battle, always saving my life just before the end came.

She froze, her eyes went wide, she recognized me too.

She didn't look regal or composed, her hair was slightly disheveled with modest clothes, still her face held me captivated. She looked much better in flesh and blood.

The crowd was starting to move their gaze from me, trying to find out who I was staring at.

I tapped my horse forward, straight through the center of the stunned crowd.

When I reached the ceremonial platform, I dismounted and walked to the throne.

"My name is Lucan," I said, with my eyes still fixed on Alina.

The moment I sat on the throme, the royal guards dropped to one knee. Then one by one, they all bowed.

So they finally saw their king.