I snort. A little is enough; it will at least allow me to get out of bed without vomiting. My headache eases to a tolerable level, and I groan, untangling myself from the mishmash of limbs surrounding me.
Some of the men are snoring, but all of them are fast asleep. I worry for a brief moment about how my mother will react. It’s the day of the ceremony, so they shouldn’t be here. But she hardly has a leg to stand on, which is probably why she’s not up here right now yelling at them to get out. I stumble to the shower, and my mouth feels like death. I mixed all the liquor last night, and then I started on the wine. I honestly don’t remember everything that happened at our impromptu party. I smile. It’s actually pretty fun to remember that even if I made an ass of myself, my men have my back.
For the rest of the day, I ignore my parents. I will find another time to deal with the bomb they dropped on me, but today is not that day. I am going to enjoy my Blood Moon ceremony with my men, and deal with the bullshit tomorrow. I decide to spend the day drinking champagne and celebrating instead.
A Blood Moon ceremony is a lot like a wedding, and we celebrate in style. I don’t get to see my men again until tonight, but I plan to keep in contact with them all day, chatting and filling them in on our shenanigans. After much cajoling, I agree to let Chey loose on my hair, and I must admit she does it justice. Using a curling wand, she works magic with my combination of waves and curls, and by the time it’s done, I have a head of stunning curls worthy of a photo shoot.
“Okay, you look gorgeous, but let’s do your makeup now,” Cara says, with way too much enthusiasm for my liking.
“Cara, put that eyelash curler down. I am not interested in any glitter or crazy eyeshadow.”
“But—”
“Cara, I see you over there with that makeup bag, and I know you like bright colors, but today is not the day to be trying out electric orange or lemon yellow.”
She pouts, her fuchsia eyeshadow looking perfectly stunning against her blond hair and creamy complexion. She has a way with a makeup brush, so after she swears to keep mine to more neutral colors, I let her work her magic.
“Fine, no crazy colors, just boring beige and brown,” she mimics me.
I close my eyes as she goes to work on my face. Rhianna’s ‘Cockiness’ comes on the station we’re streaming, and a chorus of “ohhhs” begin echoing around the room. It’s getting a little hyped in here between the champagne and the overall feeling of excitement. Most of these women have already had sex with their men, but that doesn’t change the anticipation for tonight. There’s a buzz in the air. Tonight is all about sex, blood, and magic.
A knock sounds on the door, and my mother pokes her head in the room.
The champagne in my stomach sours as I look at her face. It’s pinched and drawn, and there’s a wariness in her eyes I’m not used to. Shame rushes in. It is my fault that she’s so scared to be here; to be around me. I did this to her. My first instinct is to jump up and apologize, but I can’t. Cara has a mascara wand right next to my eye. But honestly, I’m not ready to let go of my anger. This isn’t just a simple fight, but a massive, life-shattering argument. She looks at me for confirmation, and I nod once. It’s time for the blessing.
She comes to each of us in turn, embracing us and anointing our heads with a special oil and herb mixture meant to open our senses to the magic of the ceremony. When she comes to me, she hesitates, so I step forward. I hug her and kiss her as my alpha, but ignore any attempts at further conversation. I see the flash of hurt in her eyes, but I ignore it and paste a brave smile on my face instead.
“Thank you, Alpha Megan, for this blessing. May we serve the goddess and bless the Elders with our offering tonight.”
She goes to leave the room, and I can’t stop myself from adding, “I’ll see you tonight Mother, and thank you.” With one final glance at me, she nods and leaves the room. I catch the small smile on her face when she exits. Yeah, things are fucked up, but we can fix this.
But that’s for tomorrow. I’ll worry about patching things up tomorrow after I make it through the ceremony alive. I only have a few hours until the ceremony, and I need to prepare. I am not going to die tonight.
While partying with my girls and preparing for the ceremony, I also spend the afternoon in telepathic conversations with my guys. If I needed another reason to screw over the Elders, my father gave that to me. Justin has the supplies we need, so tonight instead of giving my life and my magic to the Elders, I’ll be taking it upon myself.
I will not give up these five men, or my pack, for the power-hungry beings who are supposed to protect us. I just hope that I can handle this magic we’re about to generate. Justin has assured me that I can do this, and I have to trust him. His research indicates my chances of surviving taking on this power are much better than transferring it. But it doesn’t stop the tremor of fear that overtakes me.
“Abby,” Cheyenne calls bringing my attention back to the room.
“Please tell me you and those guys have cooked up some sort of scheme or a way to make sure you’re not going to …”
She trails off, as tears fall down her cheeks ruining her pristine makeup. I pull her close to me and hug her as I whisper. “You know me, girl, and I don’t take shit lying down. So it goes without saying there’s a plan.”
I lean back and look at her. “We’ll have plenty of time to discuss how fucked up everything is tomorrow.”
“You promise?” she asks, a slight quiver in her voice.
“Absolutely, we’ve got this handled.”
“Well, in that case, let me go back to Cara. She’s going to kill me for ruining her makeup job.”
“She totally is,” I chuckle and steer her towards a peeved looking Cara. She gives us a withering glare before rolling her eyes.
“Sit, Chey, and let’s fix your face.”
The rapid thudding of my heart competes with my breath for dominance as I walk, each step bringing the crunch of fallen leaves and broken sticks to my ears. The massive booms from the drums vibrate through my chest.
You’re okay, you can do this. You know these guys, and they’re your guys. You’ve been waiting for this moment for months.
Pulling my shoulders back as I walk taller, the swish of my red cape sweeps the ground as I finally enter the clearing. Comforting heat wafts over my body, warm and inviting like cocoa on a cold day. In front of me are five stunning dragons that I will soon finally get to devour, inch by delicious inch. My heartbeat slows to its regular, steady cadence as I take in my surroundings. The comfort and love of my men cover me and soothe my ragged breaths.
Shaun approaches me.
“Abby, step this way please.” His rich timbre rolls over me, and I follow him, walking up to the dais. I take my place along with my mother, Shaun’s father, and Shaun. My remaining mates line the front of the dais clothed in capes that match their elemental magic powers. The twins flank the groups in bright orange cloaks like the heat of a warm fire, while Justin stuns, appearing almost regal in one as blue as the Bahamian waters. Marcus’s cloak reminds me of the lush green hills of Ireland, and Shaun, next to me, wears white as pure as the clouds.
My mom stands before our combined pack of wolves and dragons, ready to begin. Seamus looks nonplussed, staring at my mother at the helm like he’s annoyed he’s not the one leading the ceremony. The smug look on my father’s face has me wondering if he had a say in who won that power struggle. He is back in his Elder robes. They’re all black with red accents on the cuffs of his sleeves and the hem at the bottom.
The blood red cape I’m wearing makes me feel a bit like a sacrificial lamb. I wonder if I’m wearing this color because that’s what I am meant to be? Well, I’m not playing that game. I watch as my mother prepares and then calls the quarters one for each of the elements. With the help of my dragon mates, the power we’re about to generate is going to be epic. I just hope I can handle all of it.
“Powers of Air, I call upon thee. Lend me your gen
tle breeze, may it surround me. I invite you in Love and Truth. As I speak, so mote it be,” My mother’s voice calls out, infused with alpha power, as Shaun lifts his hands to the sky. The wind responds to their call and whips around as a current of magic zips through me.
The twins are next, and I watch gleefully as balls of fire dance in the air to my mother’s words, “Powers of Fire, I call upon thee. Send your flames and warmth, may they surround me. I invite you in Love and Truth. As I speak, so mote it be.”
“Powers of Water, I call upon thee. Surround me with your life, your elixir, let it fill me. I invite you in Love and Truth. As I speak, so mote it be.” A gentle rain falls upon us, kissing our skin, and it’s warm. Startled, I glance at Justin, and he winks at me, “I know how you hate to be cold, princess.” My heart squeezes—I love this man. I move my gaze past him to the others. Goddess, I love all of these men so much.
“Powers of Earth, I call upon thee. May your sweet earth and loam surround me. I invite you in Love and Truth. As I speak, so mote it be.” Finally, it’s my copper-haired dragon’s turn. He scoops up some old leaves and revives them. Then, he throws them into the air where they swirl around in the wind Shaun created.
“Elders, we beseech you.” She calls out, her alpha voice growing louder as the power increases. “Watchtowers of the East, we invoke you. Eagle of Dawn, we invite you. May the Rising Sun shine down on us.”
The wind whips around, lifting her hair, as her alpha power peeks. “I offer my blood.”
The knife slices through her palm, but she doesn’t flinch as she drips the blood across the altar and then tips her head back to the sky. “Elders take my blood as a tribute.”
She opens the eyes she had clenched shut and pierces us with her gaze, her eyes that of her wolf as the power flows through her. “The Blood Circle is open. Eat, drink, and bless the Elders with your sexual energy. Gentleman, release the quarters, our first offering to the Elders who give us life. As I speak, so mote it be.”
A silence descends for a brief second before the drums begin again, and then the bacchanal starts. Capes hit the ground as couples start making out. Soon, the melody of sex fills the air, moans and grunts accompanied by the sounds of skin against skin.
“You know, Princess. I have to admit we have been doing this ceremony all wrong,” Kaleb says laughingly, as we watch two people dance—if you can call it that. They’re twisted around each other and kissing passionately. I can tell they drank some of the potion we make just for this evening, reveling in the freeing feeling of no inhibitions. When you need sexual energy to feed your pack for an entire year, you come up with ways to make sure you get the most you can.
“They’re experiencing the effects of Light of the Moon. It’s that glowing white bottle on the table. It takes away one’s inhibitions and allows them the freedom to explore all of their desires. We always have some available during the ceremony for those of us who are shy, or those who enjoy how it makes them feel. And you can stop looking at me like that. We’re not taking any.”
“It seems like it could be fun,” he remarks, looking at the couple with fascination.
“Not gonna happen. I don’t want to fuck you guys out here in the open, and I will if I drink that. I want to fuck you guys in that open-air tent right over there. It’s the first time we’re all going to Bond, and I want to enjoy it, free of mind altering substances,” I scold teasingly. He nods pointedly at the wine in my hand.
“Keep it up, and you’re not gonna be allowed in the tent. Speaking of which, where is everyone? I’d thought you’d all be itching to get naked by now. In fact, I’m a tad insulted.”
“Princess, the circle has been open all of five minutes,” he laughs. “I’m sorry we’re not all naked and sweaty yet, but we thought you would want to enjoy a bit of the ceremony before we steal you away. For hours.” He draws the last two words out slowly, and heat blooms on my cheeks and further below.
“Oh.” There’s no response I can give him that doesn’t sound stupid, so I just take a large sip of my wine.
“In answer to your question, Marcus is probably by the food table, Shaun is kissing his father’s ass, Justin is quizzing your mother about the history of the ceremony, and my twin is probably trying to set something on fire … I’ll be back.” He runs off, and I burst out laughing. I search for Chey but don’t see her anywhere. I’m not entirely surprised. She was really there for me last night, but in all honesty, she hasn’t been the same since we escaped that dungeon. My Aunt Sacha assures me that in time she will heal, and we’ll get something close to the old Chey back.
I lose my train of thought when Marcus stalks toward me, and the primal look on his face makes my heart pound. He catches me around my waist and melds his mouth to mine, the ferocity of his kiss taking the breath from my lungs.
“So, I hear you’re eager to get started? That’s great news,” he growls and pulls me towards the tent. I follow, already feeling the fires of desire. He opens the flap of the tent pulling me inside. “I won’t have long before everyone else comes in, so I just wanted to take this moment to tell you that I love you. I never wanted something like this, but I love those other men like my brothers, and I love you more than I knew possible. Thank you for being you, for being all of the things I never knew I needed.” He kisses me again, this time sweeter, and I wrap my arms behind his neck locking him there.
I pull back and stare at him, then take in the details of our tent. My pack has outdone themselves. The tent has swatches of fabric draped over six poles set equidistant around the space. The draping allows the sky to peak though, but the walls of the tent are opaque. Candles bathe the room, and a table is off to one corner laden with mouthwatering assortments of food, wine, and other drinks. I even note a glowing bottle of Light of the Moon. In the middle of the room is an enormous bed with a mountain of pillows and blankets. The bed is set in the center of the sacred circle. On another table closer to the bed is an assortment of lubes and oils, as well as a few sex toys. I chuckle, knowing the only one who would put a sex potion and sex toys in our tent is Chey. It’s nice to see that she still has some of the old her in there.
Marcus tugs me back to him, stopping my perusal of the tent, and devours my mouth again.
“I told you he’d get started without us,” the twins mutter in unison as they enter the tent.
“Well, I’m still clothed, but one of you can rectify that situation,” I step away from Marcus and saunter over to them.
Kaden unties the bow at my throat, and my cape falls to the floor right as Justin and Shaun enter. I watch hungrily, as the men begin to undress immediately.
“Perfect timing,” I whisper, my throat clogged with desire. With a groan, Kaden twines his fingers into my long strands and tugs, bringing my face up to his as he plunders my mouth. My nipples tighten to hard points as he continues to claim my mouth, and my knees go weak.
A hard body presses me from behind, and a cock nestles between my ass cheeks as a pair of teeth sink into the sensitive junction between my shoulder and neck. I don’t know who is where; I just close my eyes and let it happen. It’s a dominance move, and usually, my wolf would never allow it. But tonight, I am theirs. Kaden releases my mouth, but it’s soon recaptured, and I laugh to myself. Never have I felt so decadent.
A muttering fills the air as Justin waves a stick of sage around and whispers the words of some spell. It would be a more serious occasion if he weren’t currently naked and hard, but the fact that he is has me bubbling with laughter yet again. I step away from Kaden to watch Justin more intently.
“Abby, I’m only trying to bless our union,” he says with his back turned to me. He holds a book in one hand and continues to wave the sage.
“Well then, by all means. Please, do continue.”
I wait, not so patiently, as Justin creates our circle. But, as the magic fills our tent, I can’t help but close my eyes and bask in it. It’s a beautiful thing to witness. And Justin is so fucking hot when he
casts spells.
“Oh Abby, I found a spell I think you’ll appreciate.”
“What’s that, sexy?”
“It will muffle the sounds of what goes on in here.”
“I don’t care if anyone hears, to be honest. Right now, all I care about is getting you all inside of me, but I do appreciate the sentiment. Will it affect the magic at all?”
“No, absolutely not. I just thought you might like a little privacy. Also, this way no one else will know what’s going on in here.”
“Um, I’m pretty sure everyone knows we’re fucking,” Kaleb says with a laugh.
“We’re not just going to be fucking, I’m afraid.”
“Right! Now I remember—the transfer spell. I know we’re doing the right thing, but it’s still making me nervous.”
“Let me just finish this casting, and then we can get started on the ritual.”
“Yeah, do that, but I’m going to get this party started,“ Kaleb declares and whisks me out of his brother’s hands and into his arms. He tosses me onto the bed, and his body covers mine. He attacks my mouth like a savage beast, and I writhe against him. He sucks and licks at my nipples teasing them to stiff peaks while pumping his fingers in and out of my already dripping pussy. The talented tongue works each nipple in turn, and I squirm against him, panting heavily. I arch my back, pressing my breast deeper into his mouth. I need more, but he ignores my hint and continues to fuck me with his fingers slowly. An orgasm begins building in me, and just when I’m about to cum, he stops.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t wait any longer,” he breathes against my mouth and slides home, filling me with his cock in one hard motion.
“Oh my, fuck yes! Finally.” Tears fill my eyes at the beauty of the moment, and he begins moving in me slowly. His dimple winks at me as he smiles, dragging his cock back and forth against that spot that makes me scream.
“Kaleb, shit. You’re going to make me cum.”
“That’s the point, she-wolf. There are two goals for tonight. Generate enough magic to make the Elders think the ceremony went as promised, and fuck you so hard you pass out. Since part two is guaranteed by part one, both of those should be very easy.”
Blood Moon Magic Page 33
