The First tmtwoco
+25 BONUS
The First Embrace
Third–person’s POV)
The night before the Wolf Moon Festival transformed Silvercrest City into a dazzling spectacle. Moon–shaped lanterns hung from every storefront, their soft glow illuminating the streets. Colorful lights twined with traditional wolf fur decorations, celebrating the moon goddess’s birthday in spectacular fashion.
Yet beneath the festive atmosphere, the city’s inhabitants experienced the holiday with vastly different emotions.
In the Blackwood mansion, Ethan paced his room like a caged animal. His marriage to Melissa had brought him nothing but misery. His mother, Olivia, hadn’t looked at him in days, not even during their traditional family dinners.
“Mother, please,” he had begged earlier that evening. “Can’t we talk about this?”
Olivia had simply risen from the table and left without a word, her silence more cutting than any rebuke.
To make matters worse, Amber’s public courtship of Dominic continued to play on the downtown LED screens, visible to everyone in Silvercrest. Pack forums buzzed with videos of her declarations, while his own marriage announcement had been all but forgotten.
“Damn her,” Ethan muttered, grabbing his car keys. The mansion walls felt like they were closing in on him.
He needed air. He needed alcohol. He needed to escape.
Without a backward glance, he stormed out, heading for the Moonlight Club where he could lose himself in the drunken revelry.
Across town in a modest apartment, Melissa James admired her reflection in the mirror. Unlike previous years when she had dreaded the Wolf Moon Festival, feeling insignificant among Silvercrest’s elite, this year was different.
“You look radiant, dear,” her mother gushed, adjusting Melissa’s hair. “The future Mrs. Blackwood!”
Her phone chimed with yet another congratulatory message. Everyone who had once ignored her now sought her favor, knowing she would soon join the most prestigious pack in the Northern Territory.
“I never thought I’d see the day,” her cousin whispered, eyes wide with admiration. “You marrying into the Blackwood family!”
Melissa smiled, savoring the attention. It was indeed the best Night Before the Wolf Moon Festival she had ever experienced.
Miles away in the Sugar Pack territory, Paige Sullivan twirled gracefully to the rhythm of traditional music, her family clapping
around her.
“Beautiful dancing, Paige!” her mother called out.
But Paige’s mind was elsewhere, mentally reviewing strategies to win back Ryan Quinn’s heart in the coming year. Perhaps a more independent approach? Or should she be more assertive about her feelings?
Meanwhile, Ryan Quinn slammed his bedroom door, drowning out his parents‘ voices.
“When are you going to set a date for the marking ceremony with Paige?” his mother had demanded over dinner.
“She’s perfect for you,” his father added. “The Sugar Pack alliance would be invaluable.”
Ryan grabbed his passport from the dresser drawer. He’d had enough of their pressure. A few weeks abroad would give him the space he needed–freedom from family obligations and time to figure out what he truly wanted.
In the Chase Pack house, Henry excused himself from the family’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
“Something’s wrong with the Lunar Heights project,” he explained, avoiding Victoria’s gaze. “I need to check the reports.”
Once alone in his office, he slumped into his chair. The lie had come easily, but the weight of his relationship with Victoria pressed heavily on his conscience. Their inappropriate bond had already cost him his marriage to Sophia and their unborn pup.
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The First Embrace
+25 BONUS
“What am I doing?” he whispered to the empty room.
He wondered if Victoria truly desired Dominic Blackwood. If so, should he step aside? The thought of losing her twisted his stonlach into knots, but continuing their secret relationship was destroying him from within.
Victoria sat stiffly beside Melanie on the sofa, pretending to watch he television special. The food at dinner had turned to ash in her mouth, and now she couldn’t focus on the performances flickering across the screen.
“Are you feeling alright?” Melanie asked, studying her with concem.
“Just tired,” Victoria lied.
Her mind raced with plans. Dominic Blackwood represented her path to power–marriage to him would make her part of the most influential family in the Northern Territory. As for Henry, she couldn’t let him go until she secured her future, even if their intimate encounters left her feeling hollow and slightly nauseated
At the Moonlight Club, Lucas Blackwood and his friends were deep into a card game when shouting erupted outside their private
box.
“What now?” Lucas sighed, rolling up his sleeves as he went to investigate.
He found his cousin Ethan swaying drunkenly, fists raised against another patron.
“He insulted Melissa!” Ethan slurred, lunging forward.
Lucas caught him mid–swing. “Enough, cousin. You’re making a scene.”
After smoothing things over with the other werewolf, Lucas dragged Ethan to a booth, signaling for lemonade to help sober him
- up.
“Amber,” Ethan mumbled suddenly, his head lolling. “You’re the one who changed…”
Lucas’s sympathy evaporated instantly. How dare Ethan blame Amber when he was the one who had betrayed her?
Checking the time–forty minutes to midnight–Lucas pulled out his phone and called Amber.
“Hey, it’s Lucas,” he said when she answered. “Want me to pick you up for the countdown?”
Amber’s voice was warm but firm. “Thanks, but I’m only going if Dominic invites me.”
Lucas frowned. “About that… those LED displays are a bit much, don’t you think? You’re embarrassing yourself—and me, by association.”
“I’m not stopping,” Amber replied, unwavering.
Lucas let out an exasperated laugh. “If you actually manage to become my uncle’s mate, I’ll give you my head to kick like a soccer ball.”
In her riverside apartment, Amber hung up with a smile. The night had been surprisingly pleasant. Her trip to the Chase Pack had yielded the territorial rights agreement she wanted, and even the family dinner had been tolerable.
She had extended her stay just to irritate Victoria, and the look on her sister’s face had been worth every minute. After her shower, she had challenged Harrison to a game of chess, her amber eyes glowing with the secret victory of their earlier bet.
Now, scrolling through New Year’s wishes on her phone, she noticed a message from Dominic sent at 10:30 PM: “Would you like to spend the countdown together?”
Despite the delay in seeing it, she replied immediately, and his response came seconds later: “Meet me at the center square fountain.”
The square was packed with celebrating werewolves when Amber arrived. Some had partially shifted, running through the crowds with playful howls. A massive wishing tree stood decorated with thousands of paper notes, each containing someone’s hopes for the coming year.
The First Embrace
+25 BONUS
“Maybe I should have suggested somewhere quieter,” Amber muttered, weaving through the throng
As the countdown began, she hurried toward the fountain. “Ten! Nine! Eight!”
A passerby bumped her shoulder, sending her off–balance. “Seven Six!”
Before she could fall, strong arms caught her, “Five! Four!”
A familiar scent enveloped her as Dominic pulled her closer against his chest. “Three! Two!”
“One!” The crowd roared as fireworks exploded overhead, painting the sky in brilliant colors.
“Happy New Year, Amber,” Dominic whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
The fireworks reflected in his blue eyes as he gazed down at her. “May the coming year bring you happiness and success in all your endeavors.”
Still nestled in his arms, Amber smiled up at him. “Happy New Year to you too, Dominic.”
Long after the crowd began to disperse, they remained standing together, his hand resting gently on her waist. The closeness left Amber breathless, her wolf howling with delight at his touch.
“Please,” she finally said, “you can let go now.”
He released her immediately, ensuring she was steady on her feet. ‘Shall we take a walk?”
Amber nodded, adjusting her burgundy beret and face mask to avoid recognition.
They strolled down a cobblestone path, the night air crisp around them.
“Why aren’t you with your family tonight?” Amber asked. “I thought the Blackwoods had strict traditions about returning for major celebrations.”
Dominic’s expression softened slightly. “My father has taken early retirement for health reasons. The younger generation are each busy with their own activities.”
Noticing the late hour, they headed toward the parking lot. Dominic insisted on driving her home, instructing Felix to arrange for someone to take his car.
At her apartment building, he presented her with a small jewelry box. Inside lay a pair of exquisite diamond earrings, sparkling even in the dim light.
“A New Year’s gift,” he explained.
Amber gasped. “They’re beautiful! But I left your gift upstairs. Let me go get it.”
Dominic stopped her with a gentle touch, his blue eyes intense. “There will be time for that. What I want most is a new beginning for us.”
He pulled her into a gentle embrace. “After Ethan and Melissa’s wedding, we should move into our home and discuss our future.
“1
It was their first real hug, and Amber found herself speechless in his arms. All she could feel was her wolf howling for more, a reaction that both thrilled and confused her.
Time flew by, and soon Valentine’s Day approached–along with Ethan and Melissa’s wedding day. Despite the weather forecast promising clear skies, a light rain fell, casting a somber mood over the ceremony.
Many guests whispered that it was an ominous sign. For a werewolf of Ethan’s standing in the Blackwood Pack, the wedding was surprisingly subdued. Few family elders attended, and Olivia Blackwood’s absence was particularly noted.
“She’s ill,” Benjamin explained weakly when asked, though few believed the excuse.
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The First Embrace
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Throughout the ceremony, Ethan appeared distracted, his responses delayed. The atmosphere was undeniably tense, with neither family showing much enthusiasm for the union.
Where do you think Amber is?” guests whispered among themselves. “How is she taking this?”
Some mentioned spotting her at an international fashion event in Paris, others at an upscale salon in Silvercrest. What they didn’t know was that Amber was meticulously preparing for the Blackwood Pack’s post–wedding dinner, when Ethan would officially introduce Melissa to pack members.
She had traveled to Paris specifically to shop for clothes and jewelry, determined that her appearance at the dinner would be the culmination of her elaborate plans.
