Page 20 of Mine to Claim

“They either leave or find someone to enjoy the evening with. I know you’d prefer to call it a night, and I want you to be comfortable, but please at least give it a chance.” She looked at me pleadingly as if she was begging me to change my dinner plans, not sit with people while they started having sex. There was no way I was sleeping with a stranger, but I nodded.

“Wow,” I breathed as we stepped outside. The moon was the first thing I noticed. The last time I remembered seeing it was when we arrived at the packhouse the first time and it was a bright white. Now, it was almost completely red. My gaze dropped to a trail of blush rose petals at my feet that lined a path past rows of white, oversize lounge chairs fit for the activities planned tonight. Two trees, one on the left and right of the pack house, reached high into the sky and arched together. Tables for drinks and food were set up, but no one was eating yet. Friends and couples claimed seats and it was quickly filling up.

Grayson stood at the front with arms at his sides and his head held high. The muscle in his jaw twitched as his gaze locked on mine. Nerves screamed that my presence wasn’t expected and I took a shaky breath. Blatantly, I checked him out. He was shirtless, his body almost completely covered in scars. I wanted to kiss each one, trace every muscle, and lick every ridge. My mouth dried at the happy trail that disappeared beneath black cargo slacks.

Behind him sat a chair that had to be custom made because it was twice the size as the ones meant for the guests. With my best friend at my side, the guilt was overwhelming, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I didn’t want his attention on anyone but me.

Movement dragged my eyes to the man I hadn’t even seen at his side. He had black hair and silver glowing eyes. Almost close in size, he wore tanned cargo shorts and I wondered who he was. There was a chair behind him, and when I looked at him again, our eyes met for a second when Dani turned to me.

“We’re going to get a spot. Have fun,” she squealed. Then she was heading down the aisle, Jace’s hand on her waist possessively. She dropped onto a chair and Jace bowed to Grayson before taking a seat. This whole situation was odd, but when in Rome… I could feel the weight of his gaze on me as I made my way down the flora path, claiming a seat a row behind Dani.

I loved her, but didn’t want to be next to her when she got down to it. The seats filled and I spotted Evander with someone on the far right. I hadn’t seen him since Grayson dismissed him, but I was glad he wasn’t alone on this night, though I was disappointed because I would be spending this night without a friend. My phone vibrated and my face scrunched—Parker was calling me. I shook my head, powering it off.

“Brothers. Sisters—welcome. Tonight, the Blood Moon rises, and we’re joined by the Midnight pack. Since the dawn of time, our kind has celebrated a night where bonds were forged and blessed under the Goddess’ will. Look upon the red moon and give yourself to your desires. I pray she has mercy. May your heart follow the path written in the stars. Tonight, the moon watches. Let the Blood Moon Ceremony begin.” His voice boomed over the crowd. All heads dipped back as the moon was completely shadowed by a brilliant shade of red.

Then it happened.

Chaos.

Scanning those around me, I watched as men and women jumped from their seats. Their nose in the air, scenting before opening their eyes. Glowing yellow, a man ran to a woman who sat in the front row. Others pounded. One woman ran, a wicked smile on her face as she threw one last glance over her shoulder at a man standing in the middle of the aisle. His skin melted away, only to be replaced by fur as bones cracked until a brown wolf stood in his place.

Holy shit.

Reading about shifters and seeing them in real life was a completely different experience. A blur passed in front of me and I pulled my knees to my chest as a man grabbed the woman seated beside me by the throat. She wore a red dress that stopped mid-thigh and he tore it down the middle. I’d laugh if I wasn’t utterly shocked. He ran his nose up the side of her neck and inhaled. The act was a reminder of when Grayson had done that to me. As if summoned, my gaze rolled to where he still remained standing. His head hung and his hair covered his eyes as his shoulders rose and fell with each slow breath.

My heart celebrated that he was still alone. As if hearing my thoughts, a woman in a red lace outfit that covered nothing approached him. One look and I recognized her as the woman he’d been with when I first saw him. I curled my hands into fists as my heart had the audacity to start breaking. Yesterday, I’d been so focused on the guilt I felt for keeping what happened between me and Dani’s dad from her that I hadn’t prepared for this. The realization that I didn’t want him to claim her hit me like a slap to the face.

I didn’t know when it happened, but I was on my feet. There was no way I’d make it to them in time. It shouldn’t be possible, but I felt something stretching from me and reaching for him. I’d just been in a committed relationship a few days ago, and now I wanted this man to claim me.

It was at this moment I knew I fucked up. I’d chosen wrong and wished I could do three things differently. I’d tell Dani the night I saw the handsome stranger in the kitchen, I wouldn’t have attended this ceremony because I would have told him a taste wasn’t enough, and finally, I would have gone to him first. She dropped to her knees in front of him, her head bowed, and my breathing became erratic.

No, no, no.

He’s mine.

Lewd noises reached my ears as the male beside me claimed his mate. The smell of sex permeated the air as bonds were made, but I kept my eyes on Grayson. He stood over her for what felt like an eternity. I waited for him to scent the air like the others had, but he didn’t. Completely ignoring her presence, he lifted his head for the first time since red completely wrapped the moon, and a shudder ran through me as glowing red eyes locked on mine. She stood, head bowed, and slowly backed away. I took my first step forward and it was as if his eyes flared with approval. And then it hit me:he was waiting for me to go to him.

My throat was dry and my hands clammy as they trembled. I took another step and his chest rose as he inhaled sharply. I should have been worried about Dani, but I wasn’t. He had my full attention. One foot after the other until I was only feet away. What he did next was my undoing. He lifted his nose, his hair falling back, eyes closed as he scented the air. I clenched my thighs together because he wanted to smell me.That shouldn’t be as hot as it is, but here I am—crying down my thighs.Lust burned through me and a low, warning growl only made me gush more. And then he was in front of me.

Barely contained need pulsed between us.I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I want to cling to him, drop to my knees, and run at the same time.Memories of his head buried between my thighs kept me right where I was. Then a ghost of a caress danced up my arm and had every hair standing. A clawed hand wrapped around my arm and in the next breath I was being lifted, tossed over his shoulder as he did a 180.

Oh.

As he carried me away, I glimpsed the crowd, most of them were fucking. Women riding men, men rutting men, and a woman being taken on the ground. This was insane, but there was no time for me to adjust. Flying through the air, something soft cushioned my back, and I bounced as he remained standing.

“What—” My eyes widened as a low growl rumbled before he hooked a finger beneath his shorts and yanked them down. My mouth watered as every delicious inch of him was exposed. From the sheer girth, I knew I couldn’t wrap my hand around him.

There’s no way that’s fitting.

My gaze trailed lower because there was more. Smooth, velvety skin met a bulge. It looked harmless, but that was supposed to go inside me. I wanted to reach out and touch him. Looking up at him, his eyes never strayed from mine. He hadn’t budged. His hands clenched into fists as he fought against his very essence—his instincts. He stood there, waiting… forme.Dani’s words came to mind.“Every man and woman here will be stripped down to their base instincts—their desires. We’ll be ruled by them.”

Knowing that he was holding himself back, even now, did something to me. My heart squeezed. Sitting up, I scooted to the edge of the chair. Standing up, I stood before a man I had a connection to that I couldn’t quite explain.A love that was written in the stars. Could this be mine?With the moon at my back and him to my front, no one could see me, and I made up my mind. Bunching the material of my dress in my palms, I slowly lifted it. His breathing hollowed out as I dropped it to the floor. And finally, his eyes left mine, dipping as he took in my neck, my breasts, the loose skin of my stomach to where my thighs rubbed.

“Grayson,” I whispered. Then he was on me. He caged me in, his hands cradled my head as we landed. His body pressed against every soft curve of mine. Smoky cedar comforted me, but didn’t wipe my memory of the soda-can thick third limb that now poked my breast. Now on my back, I stared into the eyes of both the wolf and the man.

“I crave you,” he gritted, voice low and strained. I wrapped my arms around his neck. The hunger in his eyes mirrored my own and barely contained lust surged through me as muscles rippled beneath my fingers.

“You have me.”

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