: L

ps, all the rooms were filled with flowers and fresh polish. It was weird to be home a

g Ceremony tomorrow night--the night of the year when unmated wolves of the Blood Moon Pack

ing, at last, My son has come home, finished his education, and

. "He is just a day home, Hel

my love, this is not a pack tradition, this is the gift of fate.

ince breakfast you h

on goddess wills me still further, she will bring me a daughter-in-law of a strong

," I gr

ch--she was already arranging what she was goi

t tomorrow. The Luna's timing is perfect." Mother

fell asleep, they continued to whisper about the ceremony.

ans and a hoodie, and sneaked out through the side door. The guards di

he silent streets of the chief town of the pack. Nobody bowe

The neon blue sign above it flickered. I w

r troubles. The smell of liquor and sweat and perfume was in the

I saw

masked the greater part of her face, but I could see enough of it to observe her eye

oke to her, but she shook him off and

ted to go closer. Maybe it was worry. Maybe it was instinct. I w

glassy as she looked at

ticing,"

to herself, looki

down beside h

"Is there anybody who co

g. But the melancholy of her voi

ther people that be

k. "And what do I

omeone who's h

she would have liked to smile b

ce or twice. But I could feel her pain. What had happened I did no

ppear pale. I volunteered to take her home, but she shook her he

ust happened. She was leaning on me, and I did not push her off. I

up and the sun was shining th

ep beside

nner that it had not been long before. I was just going to slip quietly into a dre

te m

fr

e it certain that it was not there long

t me lik

dn't even know her name. However, whoever she was, she did no

ked at her once more, and w

ately headed to the mirror to cl

collarbone--

art s

te m

y, it died away, le

g amazed at m

happened?"