15 - ANDREW CHADWICK

ROSA'S POV

Another shadow moon festival. Another night to lick my wounds over the fact that I was probably cursed to be alone forever. There I was, sitted in a secluded area from the main event. I could hear the cheers of the pack members celebrating with one of the newly selected shadow wolves, who had coincidentally found his mate a few minutes ago.

"Must feel good." I whispered to myself, releasing a scoff. Crying? No, I was past that. If the last 5 years had taught me a thing, then it was to never waste my tears over something I couldn't change.

"A fang for your thoughts?" I heard a familiar voice ask, and I looked up to see priestess Ivana. She had proven to be the only true friend I may ever be able to have.

"I have good fangs." I managed a small smile, regardless of how much my heart hurt. My heart always hurt, if I was being honest. I couldn't remember anytime I was truly happy in the last five years. "A good limb could be a better bargain." I sighed, and watched as her face fell.

"You have...."

"A good limb?" I cut her off, chuckling humourlessly. "We both know I don't. Atleast, my wolf doesn't."

"I would always say this to you, Rosaline. My Rosa." She gave a sad smile. "You're special. So special. You may not realize it now, and they may not...." She said, pointing towards the event ground, where the pack members were busy having their celebrations. "But eventually, you will understand my words."

"Thank you for always being so kind to me." I gave a lazy smile of gratitude.

"Now, enough with the sulking. It's time for the rites of the shadow moon." Rites of the shadow moon. That was a ritual recited during every shadow moon festival. Every year, different rituals were recited according to the inspiration from the moon goddess.

Not just anyone was allowed to recite the rites. Every year, the best student of the shadow moon academy was given the honors of doing the recital. Initially, I had been very happy to find out I emerged as the best student of the year. Hell! For 5 years I had worked so hard, trying to be good enough at something. To be recognized as the best.

"I thought you've always wanted this?" Priestess Ivana muttered. I could trace a bit of worry in her voice.

"I have." I gave a sad smile. "But I just realized there's no one to cheer me on. My step family would rather not see me achieving even the littlest things."

"That is why I am here. Am I not enough?" She asked, almost looking like she was about to tear up. It surprised me. For a moment, I went silent, trying to understand what I may have done right.

"What have I done to deserve you?" I found myself tearing up as well.

"You don't need to do anything to make you worthy. You have always been worthy of everything good, Rosaline. Soon, you would have your fair share of happiness."

I went tongue tied. I wasn't as if this was the first time I was hearing her say such heart warming things to me. It was just that.... It suddenly occurred to me that I haven't really appreciated her as much as I was supposed to.

All these years, I had been seeking the validation of others, when all that truly mattered was reciprocating the love this one person had for me.

"I...." I started, but paused halfway. The tears had slipped down my cheeks, and I suddenly felt so overwhelmed.

"I love you, Rosaline." She beat me to it. Before I knew what was happening next, I flung myself into her arms, hugging her so tightly. I couldn't explain this new feeling of fear that swirled around my mind. The feeling of losing her now that I had just come to the realization that she was my person.

"I love you too." I sniffed back more tears. "I love you." I repeated, before going silent and just enjoying the comfort of her arms around me. She smelled like roses and incense. She reminded me of my mom. I wanted to keep that smell saved in my memory.

After a while, she gently tapped my arm.

"Sweetie, it's really time for your recital. Let's go." She urged and I stood up, feeling emboldened. Hand in hand, we walked back to the festive ground and for a moment, I thought I perceived a very sweet scent. I diminished just as fast as it had come.

The moment I stepped out to the center of the event ground, and stood just beside the raging bonfire, the entire place fell silent.

I wasn't surprised by the look on their faces. Everyone was surprised that the 'shame of shadow moon' could be something more than a shame. In that moment, I realized I didn't care about what anyone thought. I was proud of myself, and that should be all that mattered. I looked towards the congregation, and bite my lips when I saw my father's displeased face. Seeing his countenance made the healed wounds on my back suddenly feel so sore again. For years, I had hoped for his love and acceptance, but all I got was torture and hatred. Even in a moment as good as this, he was still so bitter towards me.

My gaze drifted from his face and fell on that of our pack's Alpha. Theo.

'You've done great, Rosa'. His voice softly filtered through my mindlink, and I released a small sigh. This was the first time I was hearing his voice in years. All we had done in the last years was exchange glances whenever we came across each other, before going on our different ways. It was almost unbelievable how one person could be the only thing that mattered to you one minute, and suddenly become a stranger the next minute. So much for 'Always and Forever'.

Beside him was his mate, and I could tell she had an idea that Theo was mindlinking me. Not wanting any drama on a moment as special as this, I withdrew my gaze from them, letting a steely 'thank you', filter through our mindlink.

Ever since the episode with his sister 5 years ago, nothing had been the same. Especially after realizing he knew what Vera had done to me, but remained silent. I may be weak, but I was no coward. Theo was.

"Give me your hands." Priestess Ivana requested as she came to stand in front me.

"What about the tablets?" I asked in worry. I had been told I would recite the rites of the shadow moon from the wooden tablets priestess Ivana would bring along.

"Relax, love." She whispered, giving me a reassuring smile. "Just hold my hands." I did so, and she then asked me to close my eyes. After some seconds, I felt myself being transported else where. I opened my eyes to see such a marvelous sight.

"Haaa..." I released a low sigh, observing the beautiful and mindblowing lights in the beautiful dark skies. This place was just too beautiful to be real. Where was I?

'The moon realm. You accessed it!' Priestess Ivana's excited voice filtered through my mindlink. I knew you were so special. What was she talking about? I was in... the moon realm?! Like, the moon goddess' realm?! I looked around my surroundings once more, unable to see her beside me.

'Where are you?' I asked, a bit worried.

'Focus, Rosa. Focus'. Her voice drifted away and almost immediately, some words began to appear on the skies. At first, they seemed so complex, until I realized what they were. The rites.

Willing myself to speak, regardless of my shock and confusion, I started to recite the rites of the shadow moon, directly from the moon realm.

"Per deam lunam, gratissimam." By the moon goddess, most gracious? How did I know what to say?

"Per umbras, formamur." Through the shadows, we are formed.

"Per umbras, protegamur." By the shadows, we are protected.

"In umbris, prosperavimus." In the shadows, we have thrived.

"Luna et umbræ congruunt, unitae partes luminis et tenebrarum nostrae essentiae. Ex ea collisione nascitur gens magna simillima deae lunae." The moon and the shadows align, uniting light and dark parts of our being. From that collision is birthed a great race in the likeness of the moon goddess.

After reciting the last line, a blinding light shone over my eyes, making me squint them in discomfort. By the time I was opening my eyes again, I was back on the event ground. Priestess Ivana was right in front of me, beaming with so much pride in her eyes. For a split second, the sudden cheers coming from my pack members made my heart almost fly out of my chest.

"You did it." Priestess Ivana grinned. "Look around you." She urged, and I slowly turned around. A circle of fire had been formed around the bonfire, and we were inside the circle. I watched in awe as it burned for a while, slowly dying off and leaving the dark ashes which formed a perfect circle.

"I did that?" I found myself smiling. I'm sure those were the kinds of smiles where one's eyes twinkled with delight. I made the fire burn? How? I did feel quite different...

"You did all of that, my girl." She grinned, holding both my shoulders, looking so proud. To be very honest, in that moment, the cheers of my pack members wasn't what made me happy. The only person I could see was her, and..... and..... that strong scent I had perceived just a moment ago. It was extremely overwhelming this time. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach when a certain possibility crossed my mind. Could it be?

"Priestess Ivana..." I choked out in a low whisper, uncertainty filling my mind and probably showing in my eyes as well.

"What is it?"

"I.... I...." My fast beating heart made it difficult for me to make out a meaningful word.

"Are you fine?" She asked, worry etched on her face.

"My.... I think..."

"Hello." A warm masculine voice called out from behind me. Oh, goddess! I guess it was really happening! Even before I turned to see who it was, I had teared up. I didn't want to believe I could be so lucky.

"Hmmm..." Priestess Ivana smiled, giving me a knowing look. She had most probably seen who it was, and figured out what was happening. Due to my inability to do anything right at that point, she held my arms and turned me towards the man behind.

The moment I laid eyes on him, I felt my breath hitch for a moment. He was quite good looking. Was he really....?

"My mate." He affirmed, completing the thought in my head. He really was? He was?! "Finally." He grinned, sending shivers down my spine. Good ones.

*****

*****

THE NEXT DAY

As I packed the little belongings I had, a lot of thoughts ran through my mind. Was I making the right decision by deciding to leave with him immediately? I mean, it's not like it would be weird if I asked for a couple more days to spend with my family, before following him to his parent's pack. Wouldn't he think something was off about my relationship with my family? I didn't want him knowing so early, how messed up my life was. This was such a precious opportunity for me, and I didn't want to mess things up. I mean, he was the next in line to be Alpha of the blood moon pack!! He was the older brother to the famous Audrey Chadwick! I was mated to the future alpha of the blood moon pack, and a descendant of the Chadwick lineage!

I still couldn't believe this was happening to me. It was almost unreal to be mated to someone from such a powerful family and calibre. Andrew Chadwick.

I folded my last piece of clothing, wondering if he wasn't even going to feel offended by the kinds of torn and oversized clothes I had. Hopefully, he would be kind enough to get me some new outfits.

'He seems very kind'. My wolf said, feeling quite excited.

'Yeah, I think so too'. I nodded in agreement. I mean, judging by how happy he seemed about finding me yesterday, it was a good sign.

I thanked the moon goddess for finally bringing him to me. Who knew that the son of blood moon pack's alpha, who was just visiting to experience the shadow moon festival, was going to end up being my fated mate.

I looked around to see if I may have forgotten anything else. It wasn't like I had much to brag about though. Seeing as there was nothing more, I zipped up my old bag and was ready to go meet my mate at the living room, when I remembered something.

I quickly pulled out the third drawer connected to the vanity table in my room. In there was the particular object I had guarded judiciously for years.

I caressed the little transparent crystal ball, sighing when I remembered the only time my father had ever been truly kind to me. He had given me this crystal ball on the night I had my first shift. I had gone through so much excruciating pains, but he gave me this crystal that helped tone down the pains I felt. He had really cared for me that night, and it was a night I doubt I was willing to ever forget. He had asked me for the crystal ball the following day, but I lied that I hadn't seen it when I woke up. I didn't want to give it to him, because my silly little mind thought if I had it, then I would always have a part of my father that truly cared for me. I was crazy to still believe that. I guess losing the ball, would feel like the events of that night never took place.

Indecisively grinding my teeth against themselves, I eventually opened my bag again and threw the crystal ball in it, before closing it up. No matter how far I went, I would have a part of my father with me. A kind part.

"Hey." I jolted in shock the moment I heard his voice behind me. When did he get here? I turned to face him, plastering a smile on my face.

"Andrew." I called, finding it difficult to keep my gaze locked to his. He seemed to have observed me for a moment, before walking closer to me.

"Rosaline." He called me softly. "I only had to spend just a little while in the living room with your family, to understand that your life here has been hellish." My heart fell to the pit of my stomach, hearing him say the very thing I hoped he wouldn't find out so fast. I felt his index finger underneath my chin, pushing up my face to look at him. "I will never do anything to hurt you, Rosa. I promise to protect you and love you like you deserve. Your life with me at the blood moon pack, would be that of happiness." He gently caressed my face, making me feel a thousand tingles. "Do you trust me?" He asked, and I found myself nodding.

If only I could see my future from the present. If only.