'sigh'

"It's already the 3rd time, you're 28 already. I'm so worried, won't I be able to see you with someone before it's too late or something."

"Mom..."

"Fine, fine...no jinx. I hope this time you'll bring your mate along and not return alone."

"You have been saying the same dialogue every year" a muffled laugh left from her mouth as she spoke.

"How can you even be so carefree? You don't have all your life if it's without mate, you know right?"

"Mom" she softly spoke as she held her mother's hand gently. "It's alright, okay? This is not my last chance, we will try again and again till I meet someone."

'sigh'

"Mom?"

"Fine, I understand. It still worries me that's why..."

"Don't worry. I am lucky, I'll surely find someone before it's too late."

"I'll go now, okay? I need to be there ahead of time."

"Fine, take care." with a soft kiss on her forehead her mother let go of her.

"Good morning, Gloria!" there was simultaneous greets as she passed by the busy community towards the entrance made for the yearly event.

"Are we ready for this year?

"Yes, Gloria!"

She looked meaningfully at the entrance to MIST forest which opened only once a year on the day of the full red moon, which also had the name of the bloody moon.

"What are you looking at?" Julia, Gloria's eldest sister came by her side and asked as she glanced at the entrance.

"The preparation what else?" Gloria said curtly.

"Hmm, I'm thinking what if this time you find someone but it turns out she is a human hahahaha." Julia herself was quite amused at her thoughts but Gloria's face was covered with gloom.

"But I don't think it is possible. I was just kidding, don't get serious. Have we ever recorded humans since the appearance of the Mist Forest?" Julia tried to calm down Gloria noticing her tensing figure.

Both went silent as they both stared right ahead, but soon enough Gloria spoke again, "Hey"

"Hmm?"

"Tell me what's it like?"

"What?"

"How will you know someone's your mate?"

"Aww...I don't know how to describe it just I guess it will be instinct. Like your instinct will be so strong that you will know right away?"

"But how does this method work though?"

"How would I know? Maybe the myth of moon goddess choosing ones to match each other is true?"

"Bullshit.."Gloria murmured softly.

"Yeah don't believe then see those gathered lone wolves someone from there will definitely come out as mates, but right now they are definitely not recognizing each other as their halves."

"We'll see. It's about to start so, wish me the very best of luck."

"Of course. I hope this time you'll meet them." Julia softly patted Gloria's back as she encouraged her to move forward to the entrance where multiple lone wolves from different packs with the expectation of finding their mates whom they have failed to do so in the right time.

As Gloria stood by everyone's side, all eyes were on her like how it was in the previous year too and the murmurs began.

'Isn't she around 30 already?'

'She is one peculiar case, never seen a leader of any pack be without a mate this long.'

'Won't the pack's elders start to reject her if she can't have a mate soon?'

Numerous voices pointed at Gloria quieted down as she glanced at the noisy crowds.

"Before going inside all should remember that they need to be back before the red moon rise. The only exit from and entrance to Mist Forest is this one particular gate which will be closed before midnight so, all of you please make sure to return before that. If you don't find your mate by noon you all should walk back then only you won't lose your way out or else the safety of yours won't be ensured. That's it."

"Now the event starts."

"Please make sure to return safe."

"Good luck"

"Find your mate."

The cheers became loud as everyone stepped into the forest, their silhouette completely getting engulfed by the heavy mist.

IAME- If any confusions ask me...:))