The Moonlit Desires: Bound by Blood

The presence.

EMMA

Chirp chirp!

The melodious song of the birds can be heard from outside as the early morning sun stones inside my room. Its rays reflect directly to my face, signaling that it is time to wake up.

I yawned and stretched out my arms tiredly, after the intense war and bloodthirsty battle that happened years ago, the Moonlight Festival is finally here! We are celebrating it in remembrance of our freedom from slavery and lucky me it was also my birthday. And today being the day I will turn eighteen makes the possibility of finding my mate 100% because that is the average age where werewolves do find their mates……. I giggled and slipped out of my bed. I stride forward and stop in front of my closet, a wave of excitement washing over me.

Oh! My gosh…….

“What should I wear? What should I wear?” I pondered, eagerly going through my wardrobe in search of a perfect outfit when suddenly I heard my room door forcefully pushed open, causing my heart to flip out in fear. I instantly turned around to see Ava burst into my room, exclaiming, “Happy birthday, Emma!” I couldn’t help but scowl, caught off guard by her sudden presence. This is a goddamn morning!!! A mix of surprise and annoyance washed over me at the same time.

“Ava,” I frowned, concealing my excitement.

“Happy birthday, best friend,” she said, ignoring the playful glare I was sending her way. Staring at the wide grin spread across her face, I couldn’t help but feel a warmth in my heart, appreciating her little effort.

“Who knocked down people’s doors early in the morning for birthday wishes?” I teased, smiling back at her, finally revealing my emotions.

“Lolz,” she laughed, “Count me as the first person to do that and I hope it enters the history of our pack, haha,” she said the last word in a sing-song tone, earning a chuckle from me.

Ava has been my best friend since childhood despite her father being the gamma of our pack. We never hide anything from each other but there’s this one secret that I am scared to let out of the bag – she’s dating someone who happens to be my crush in this pack. It’s a complicated situation, especially since neither of them knows about my feelings.

His name is Vincenzo Salvatore, the son of the Alpha of our pack, Matteo Salvatore, and next in line to be Alpha. He is the kind of guy every girl in this pack wants for themselves and still runs over even after he has dumped them before. It’s been really tough for me to see my best friend Ava having Vincenzo, the guy I have a crush on, wrapped around her finger. It’s like she can’t decide if she loves him or his best friend, Colton. Every time she breaks Vincenzo’s heart and runs to Colton, I feel his pain

“You’re still not dressed,” Ava’s sweet voice pulled me back to reality.

“Looking for what to wear?” She asked, and I nodded at her since I was at a loss for words. “Let me help you out,” she stepped forward and started going through my wardrobe, searching for the perfect outfit for me to wear.

However, I stepped back and stood behind while looking at her. It shouldn’t be that hard for her to choose one person instead of leaving them wondering who she’s going to run to next. They all believed that she was their mate but I don’t think so because there is no way an Alpha and a Beta can share the same mate, it has never been done or heard of. I think what she is doing is wrong, playing with the two hearts of grown-ass men.

But sadly, I couldn’t help the fact that Ava is my best friend. I have loved her since our childhood and she is obviously the closest friend that I have ever had. So I think I should be supporting her in all she does even in this, though I have been in love since the first day that I did set my eyes on Vincenzo.

Tick. Tick.

I remembered that day like it was yesterday. Being the lowest rank in the pack, the Omega. It was our duty to clean and tidy the pack premises and do some small errands because we were actually viewed as the weakest rank in the pack. So having finished with my duties, I decided to help my mom clean the hallway that led to the Alpha’s chamber that fateful morning. It was just an ordinary day, I went with my best friend Ava. The cleaning was going quite well until I clumsily bumped into him……. Vincenzo Salvatore and I found myself sprawled on the cold tiles. But to my surprise, he squatted down and extended a helping hand. It was a small moment, but it made my heart race and left my heart throbbing very fast.

And as our skins touched when he was helping me up, I couldn’t ignore the electrifying sparks that coursed through me. My legs trembled, and for a moment, I thought he felt the same way. But then to my disbelief, I noticed his gaze wasn’t on me, but on Ava, my best friend who was standing quite not that long away from us. It was a bittersweet realization that left my heart conflicted. I felt a pang of disappointment as he didn’t even spare a glance at me, the person who had bumped into him. It became clear that my chances of making him mine were low.

(End of flashback)

Tick……. That’s it, I had thought that it was okay that what I had for him was just a normal crush that would eventually fade away but as time went on I noticed that I was wrong. I was in love with him, my heart tears into pieces anytime I see him in pain. I’ve tried so hard for him to notice me, even if it’s just once. Since the first time we met in the hallway, I’ve wanted to tell Ava how much I love Vincenzo, But, you know, Ava is his girlfriend and I didn’t want anything to jeopardize our friendship. So, I ended up burying my feelings deep inside me. It’s the toughest decision I have ever made but anything to save our friendship.

And besides, not like Vincenzo could have chosen me if he had known about my feelings, he would have turned me down in the blink of an eye. After all, I am just a low-life omega and Ava is the daughter of a gamma. Enough reason I didn’t want to lose our friendship because her presence has scared away bullies from my way.

“Ta.. da,” Ava suddenly twirled around, grinning, holding a red short gown in her hands. “I think this one will be perfect for you!” She said and handed the cloth over to me.

I smiled and picked up the gown. It’s the same one she had bought for me on my last birthday. I haven’t had a chance to wear it yet since I don’t go out much. I smiled and was trying to slide off my house clothes when my mom barged inside my room tearing down the house with her voice, “Emma,” she stopped on her track. “Why are you still not dressed? You know that we have to attend Vincenzo’s party,”

Vincenzo Salvatore, that’s such a cool coincidence! Sharing the same birthday with someone you can’t stop thinking about definitely adds a special touch to the day. It’s like the universe giving you a little nudge and to crown it all today is my eighteenth birthday. Can’t wait to find my mate though it is sad that it won’t be him!!!!!

“Alpha Matteo Salvatore is throwing a lavish birthday party for his son today and you’re aware so apparently we are celebrating two things today; the festival and his son’s birthday and he has made it mandatory that everybody must be present on time,” My mom gave me a disapproving look for not being dressed yet.

I sighed and changed into the dress, getting ready for the party. “Mom,” I said, looking down at how the gown hugged my body perfectly, giving me that Cinderella vibe. “I’m already dressed, so can you please stop yelling?” I roll my eyes at her.

But being so dramatic, She folds her arms against her chest, her nose creased in a frown before she asks. “Why did you stress Ava all the way here, knowing that she will need to be by Vincenzo’s side today?”

My heart suddenly twisted at her words but before I could react Ava jumped in, “He isn’t complaining,” she flashed her megawatt smile and it felt like my heart had been ripped a million times at that very moment. Sometimes I do wonder if Vincenzo is under a spell or what because it is obvious that Ava is playing the two best friends. What does she intend to achieve with all this?

“Fine, be ready we will be leaving in the next five minutes from now,” my mom said and walked out of the room.

I sighed and looked back at Ava, another day to witness her lovey-dovey situationship with Vincenzo Salvatore, and Colton.