As I finished getting ready, Vespera's voice echoed from downstairs, 'Ashira, let's go! The festival is waiting!'"
I took one last glance at my reflection, grabbed my mask, and headed downstairs to meet Vespera.
The sound of howling wolves outside signaled the start of the full moon festival. My heart raced with anticipation.
Vespera's enthusiasm was contagious. I felt my excitement build as we headed out the door together with a deep breath, I pushed aside my doubts and followed Vespera into the night, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
The place was crowded both inside and out, and we had to push through multitudes to get into the hall.
"Wow" I gasped amazed, the place was more magnificent than last year's festival, everywhere was gleaming in sparkles and every wolf was dressed beautifully.
I was glad Vespera made us get new dresses, I didn't feel too out of place when other wolves came to speak with me. At least we were all dressed formally so no one could taunt me, and the mask I wore on my face made me less recognizable.
I spotted Vespera talking to some good-looking male wolves, she seemed less interested in finding her mate and more interested in having fun. She wasn't even bothered if I get to find my mate before her, then again why would she be bothered? she's Vespera, and she's pretty.
I felt someone tap me on the shoulder, and I turned to find a cute wolf staring at me with a smile, he should be around my age or more. He had brown hair like mine and emerald green eyes. He was stunning.
"Hi" He greeted with a smile.
"Hey" I responded smiling.
"I'm Kelvin"
"I'm Ashira"
"Nice name"
"Thanks"
The conversation died, nothing else was said. I fidgeted my fingers nervously while Kelvin just scratched the back of his head. Awkward!
"So, um Kelvin, what brings you to the Hall of Crescent Valley?" I asked shyly, who knew engaging in a conversation could be so hard.
"Well, it's the full moon festival. Why shouldn't I be here?" He's reply was rather mocking. I had asked a very stupid question, who wouldn't attend the full moon festival?
"I'm sorry, that was a silly question" I apologized immediately, I didn't want to risk ending this conversation with Kelvin. He seemed nice and he didn't make me feel nervous or anxious.
He chuckled lightly "Chill Ashira, I get you're trying to keep the conversation lively. I can be pretty boring sometimes"
Hearing someone else that isn't Vespera say my name in such a friendly manner was a new experience.
"You're not boring Kelvin, we're just not familiar with each other" I stated.
"You're right, well I have to go now" Kelvin said and I felt a sudden melancholy.
"Really?" I asked, my voice hung low trying to hid my sadness.
"Yeah. Sorry, I'm watching over my younger sister. She's here too and she's a little rascal. Might end up getting into a fight with wolves her age" Kelvin explained staring at me.
I wanted to ask him to stay longer, but I couldn't. I bid him goodbye and watched him turn his back and leave.
I sighed sadly, my nervousness and anxiety began to kick in. Vespera walked over to me, with a sly smile on her face.
"Who was that guy you were talking to?" Vespera asked in a rather higher voice.
"We just met" I answered dryly.
"He looked good!" She shouted again; I think she'd had a little too much drinks. She was tipsy.
"I know"
"So, why would he leave?"
"He had to go check on his younger sister"
"Pity. Anyways, I've gone round the place and I must say, there are some handsome, manly wolves around. And standing at a corner isn't going to bring your mate to you" Vespera said and then chuckled after. She was definitely drunk yet she was right, standing around waiting for a miracle wasn't going to do me any good. So, I fixed my hair and my mask and walked into the crowd.
I've barely moved around for a few minutes, but I've bumped into countless mate less wolves who tried to force themselves on me saying it was the 'mate pull' even when it wasn't.
I've been dragged, pushed and pulled into bodies of different wives, each just wanting me to satisfy their urge to be with female conquest.
"Let go of me!" I yelled struggling to free myself from a stranger's grip.
"You're not getting away from me love" he says grinning widely as he pulled me even closer to his body. His breath smelled of alcohol and I almost puked.
"I'm not your love you disgusting being!" I was wiggling and fighting to break free, he had one hand firmly holding both of my arms behind me and the other wrapping my waist and belly.
My body was petite compared to his, my back was pressed against his chest, caging my arms even more. His other arm moved up and rested upon my cleavage.
I wanted to scream, but I didn't want to cause a scene. The wolves who looked at us just smiled and wink, thinking we were engage in some romance.
Even my wolf seemed irritated by his lustful act, I could hear her howling inside me but she couldn't take over. His hands moved upwards to my face and he traced my lips.
He'd taken my mask off.
"So fierce yet so sexy" He spoke while playing with my lip, I took that as an opportunity and sank my teeth into his flesh. He groaned in pain, much to my relief. I turned on reflex and kicked him with my knee, sending waves of pain to his body as he cried out.
I fled from his sight, from the hall, running through passages. My heart was racing and I needed fresh air. I came to the stairs that led to the balcony; I didn't hesitate to climb it.
I walked to the railings of the balcony, staring downwards at the movement of various wolves, somewhere making out while others were sinking their fangs into their mates' neck.
I heard footsteps approaching from behind me and just as I turned to see who was there, I got hit by a sudden rush of sensation all over my body. It felt like a surge of adrenaline but it was sort of painful. When my eyes met with that of the stranger, hell went loose, my wolf started trying to take control at all cost.
I had never experienced this before, at first it was weird but now it's painful. My fangs shot out and my eyes became sharper, the stranger seemed a bit affected too as he began to take slow steps towards me.
"Please, don't come any closer" I begged at the verge of tears, with ever step he took, I felt an even sharper pain than the last.
My abdomen was hurting, my head spinning and my vision getting blurry.
"Why shouldn't I?" He asked in a baritone voice.
"It hurts" I cried out but what he said next took the breath out of me.
"Mate" He called, his eyes getting darker and his fangs sprouting out.
Was this...was I feeling the, the mate pulls!?
My questions were cut short when he claimed his lips in mine.