Chapter 1

Clenching my ruby amulet in my right and an empty cup in my left, I stood with an agitated look. Chelsea and her rat squad squirmed in the overly sweet red wine I had just thrown at them. Staining their matching white designer bodycon dresses.

“Ugh, Fugly *****!” Chelsea screeched

Her makeup dripped down her face due to it not being waterproof. Which was surprising considering she was big money. Daddy must not have given her her weekly allowance.

“I'm sorry, I slipped” I spoke, not an ounce of sympathy in my voice.

“Slipped! You practically launched your drink at us, you ****!” Angelina, rat squad member 1 growled.

Her acrylics got at least two inches longer. Something that shows the verge of transformation. Personally, I hadn't launched my drink at them. I had merely tilted my cup a little too far.

“Yeah you… Um…” Daisy, rat squad member 2 began before looking at her wrist where she had conveniently written insults.

“You, Ditz!” she yelped, finishing with quite the blow.

Chelsea groaned as she aggressively reached for my throat, in which I dodged flawlessly. For the alpha's daughter she was quite bad at everything. Everything but sleeping in between other peoples sheets. I really wish I hadn't taken Debra’s offer for this catering job.

\~\~50 minutes earlier\~\~

“Please Syrah!” Debra exclaimed in a panic, rocking her newborn gently in her arms. “I just need someone to fill in for me while I take care of little maxine. And I know you'll be responsible” She pleaded, resting her free hand on my shoulder.

“Debbie, you know I can't do this” I protested, shaking her friendly hand off. It's not that I didn't want to help Debra, hell I've helped her plenty in the past. But tonight was different, tonight wasn't just some night I could go cater for a party. Tonight was The night. The night before my whole world shifted. The night that I had lost it all. I gripped the ruby amulet my mother had gifted me. The night I was orphaned. The night of the Red Moon. It had always managed to shock me how often Agust, our alpha, managed to throw a lavish party for higher ranks on such a gruesome and depressing night. While the nobles are drinking their expensive wine, mothers and daughters are being sacrificed to the parasites of the night. The vampiric council. All due to an old treaty made by the dictators of our pasts. Sol-pack was promised territory and peace, as long as we provided a supple supply of young women to feed the Lune-Clot’s disgusting hunger. Rage began to boil in my mind just at the thought alone, and I let it. Debra looked at her feet in worry, immediately regretting her decision on asking. I sighed, giving her a small smile.

“Maybe another time?” I suggested, trying to ease Debra’s worried look.

“Maybe… It's just that… I don't know how long I have with her until I'm next…” Debra’s amber eyes began to swell with tears as she cuddled her newborn caringly. Pity swelled, causing an irreversible ache in my heart. I had understood her worry. I understood the fear of not knowing when you will be the next sacrifice running through the lush altar. I had felt it all too well after my mother was sacrificed. I released a tense sigh as I reached for a loose strand in Debra’s brown curls. Fixing it I spoke.

“Fine. It's not like they would sacrifice a person catering for their party” I reassured, for Debra. But mostly for the fear that surfaced at the base of my navel. I hadn't enjoyed the thought of being so close to the people who practically chose the next Red Moon Hera, as they called the women at the slaughtering line up. But Debra’s bright expression eased those nerves immediately.

“You will! Thank you so Much Syrah!” She exclaimed, immediately regretting it as Maxine squirmed in her baby carrier.

“You wont regret it” she spoke, relief sounding through her voice.

After 15 different thank you’s and the instructions for the gig. I stood in my cottage staring at the worn mirror mother had in her bedroom. The work attire was bland to say the least. Debra had clarified that we were instructed to wear white or else we would be forced into a months training ground cleanup. Due to not wanting to spend a month picking up dried condoms and broken wooden dummies, I stood in the mirror dressed in the only white clothing I owned. It was a loose fitting maxi dress I had sworn I threw away years after not liking it. It reminded me of a generational wedding dress. Its skin tight lace sleeves ending just about my wrists, and frilly skirt hanging just above my ankles. The only piece I could stand about it was its low hanging neckline, hanging low enough to be considered sexy but not showing enough cleavage to be considered promiscuous. I sighed looking at my complexion. This was the first time I had felt dolled up since My mother had applied play make-up to me as a little girl. My light blonde hair curling perfectly at its edges. Complimented by a soft red application of eyeshadow, black mascara, blush, and lipstick. It was formal and sophisticated, yet wasn't enough to catch the unwanted attention of others. How it also brightened my deep aquamarine eyes as well. I almost looked like my mother, and if it weren't for my small yet curvy physique I would look just like her. Sighing, I grabbed my satchel that had been resting on my mothers bed behind me as I gave my reflection one last approving glance.

Exiting my cottage I was greeted by a subtle afternoon breeze, catching my hair in a slight sway. I quickly gripped it, holding it firmly as I approached the town hall in which the party was being held. Due to my part of town, the town hall hadn't been far. Crossing the courtyard I froze to look at the memorial statue marking the center of the village. It was caringly carved to depict Fergus, the former creator of Sol-Pack, shaking hands with Apollo, the former Creator of Lune-Clot. Frowning, I glanced at the base of the statue, where words were etched into the stone base. “Peace, in love of war” That was a saying that marked the treaty of the Red Moon. What a joke. I continued my not so satisfactory walk to the town hall as the sound of classical music began to blare from the open windows of the building.

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