Chapter 24: Under the Blood Moon (1)

Author's note: This is from Seraphina's point of view

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We were getting ready for the ceremony, and I was not happy that Sergio said how I can't put any measuring devices around the altar.

He was talking about the possibility of disrupting the energy from the Blood Moon and the oath failing, but I still think he was exaggerating.

However, he is the boss (aka the shaman), so I had to listen.

I looked at myself in the mirror and eyed the outfit that Sergio prepared for me. It's a leather two-piece outfit; a top that ends above my belly button and a skirt that reaches about half of my thighs. He said that it's ceremonial and that even though it's not necessary, it's preferred, so Duke and I agreed.

Kids and Calista also got designated leather outfits in similar styles.

"Ready?", Duke asked when he entered the closet and he paused while his eyes scanned my form.

I could see his gaze clouding with lust by the second.

Duke wore leather shorts that were loose and made of several overlapping layers, and his perfectly sculpted torso was bare. Delicious.

If this is how werewolves dress normally, I have no idea how they get any work done.

I blinked and Duke was already in front of me, pulling me into his embrace and his sly smile told me that he wants much more than hugs and kisses.

"We will be late for the ceremony.", I reminded him, and Duke's brows furrowed as he contemplated options.

"I will be over quickly.", he pressed himself against me harder, making me feel his bulge on my stomach.

I fought against my arousal while responding, "There is nothing quick about you, my Alpha."

"Fine…", he grumbled, but the way his eyes sparkled told me that he enjoyed the compliment.

"Do you know how long the ceremony will last?", I asked, my voice a bit breathy.

Duke licked his lips slowly before responding, "Too long."

I giggled while squirming out of his hold. "Let's get over with it because I want to see how difficult is to remove those warps that are covering your precious area."

"There is only one string.", Duke said with a smirk. "It's convenient for removing."

I understood that was probably convenient for werewolves so that they don't rip their clothes when they shift. That would explain why my two pieces are also held with one string each.

"Serge said that we should also wear these…", Duke said while getting two necklaces, each made of large whitish beads.

Beads of the necklace Duke put around my neck were cold, and I observed that they were of irregular shapes, like someone polished rough edges of stones and made a hole to pull the leather string through it. But they were too light for rocks.

We walked down while holding hands.

Calista waited for us in the living room. She was also wearing a two-piece outfit, similar to mine.

"Oh, good. I'm not the only one dressed ridiculously.", Calista said when she saw me. "I was thinking that you are pranking me, and I was considering going back to change."

I could see Calista's eyes moving over Duke's body in appreciation and I frowned.

"That impressive physique confirms that he has the blood of a werewolf.", Calista said with a smirk when she noticed my reaction.

"You are lucky that I like you.", I said grimly to Calista. "But your luck will run out quickly if you continue eyeing my man."

Calista made a face. "Possessive. If I don't know better, I would assume that you have the blood of a werewolf and not him. But don't worry, Rina. I would not try to seduce a man who is taken. The fact that he is your man, only makes him more off-limits."

I let out a long breath and chided myself internally. "I'm sorry, Cali. I don't know what came over me."

"Don't apologize. It's normal to be protective of things that are dear to you, and I know that you care about him, but you should tone it down, or you will never go to a beach together."

I felt Duke's hold on me tighten. "Why are you two ladies talking like I'm not here? I'm not an object for someone to claim against my will." He spoke to me. "Women can look as much as they want, but that's as far as they go. I am yours only."

Duke's words melted the last pieces of my dejection. I love how he doesn't shy of openly expressing his love for me, and he didn't care that Calista rolled her eyes dramatically.

I smiled. "Alright. I hope you remember this when we go to the beach."

Duke's face fell and I could see that he was imagining guys staring at me.

"Let's go…", I pulled Duke to move, and Calista joined us.

The altar was in the back, in the clearing beyond the garden. Several torches were arranged in the clearing with the altar in the center. Dancing flames created shadows, making the whole place mystical even from afar. But the most impressive thing was the half-moon that hung low above the forest canopy, it was getting thinner while disappearing into the shadow of the Earth by the second.

From the scientific point of view, I know that the Blood Moon happens when the Moon is completely eclipsed by the Earth, with the Earth blocking all direct sunlight from illuminating the Moon's surface. As the Sun's rays pass through the Earth's atmosphere, some colors are filtered out, leaving the reddish hues to hit the Moon, causing the fully eclipsed Moon to take on a red color.

This same phenomenon causes colorful sunrises and sunsets, so it's nothing rare or unusual, but seeing it in this setting, it became nearly magical and I couldn't wait for the Moon to completely disappear so that it can reappear in its red glory.

Zoe, Luca, and Ash were already there.

Luca and Ash wore shorts-like garments similar to Duke's and Zoe had a two-piece. I noticed that teens had necklaces, but their beads were dark gray in color.

When we reached our destination, I observed the altar that was made out of several rocks, arranged like a table with a flat top rock holding several candles, pinecones, apples, grapes, and some other things that looked like sticks and dry plants. There was also a knife, a chalice, a small cauldron, and when I came closer, I saw that the rocks which made the altar had etchings of various symbols in them.

Sergio emerged from the trees, wearing similar revealing clothes like all the guys, and he had around his neck several necklaces made out of various beads and feathers.

I glanced at Calista, and I saw her eyeing Sergio with an unreadable expression. Did she notice that he lost weight in the last few months? Did she worry about him? Did she feel anything about him?

Because of the specific relationship between me and Duke, I read ancient texts about werewolves and mates, and I found information that if the couple is mixed (one of the two is not a werewolf), the non-werewolf will not feel the bond but will feel the attraction, like a crush, and the more time the couple spends together, that feeling will intensify. After the mating ceremony, the non-werewolf will also be able to feel the mate bond to some extent.

At least that's what the texts say, but seeing that Calista didn't show any visible reaction, I started doubting it.

Well, I can guess that Sergio didn't put his mark on Calista, so she doesn't feel the bond, but I'm quite confident that they spend at least one night together, so… Calista should have feelings for him. At least a little bit. Right?

But knowing Calista, even if she is head over heels for Sergio, she will be able to suppress it.

I really felt sorry for Sergio.

If Duke was indifferent toward me or pretending that nothing happened after we spent the night together, I would be devastated, and I'm not even a werewolf.

"Any questions, before we begin?", Sergio asked. "This is the last chance for you to change your mind."

I knew that this was for the kids, but I raised my hand. I had a question.

"You said that they will pledge their loyalty to me and Drago.", I reminded Sergio. "Does it matter what names they use?"

I am not really Seraphina. I mean, I am Seraphina, but I'm not born as such, and maybe I'm not Sanya either. In a similar way, my Duke is not Drago. Yes, we could use his birth name, Mateo, but what about me?

Sergio waved his hand, indicating that it's not important. "Intention is what matters; the name will only help them focus on you. As long as that name represents you for them, it will be fine."

"OK. Then… no more questions from me.", I said.

I was ready. Let's do this.

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