The Wicked Alpha's Star-Crossed Luna

5 | DARK MOON

Carina POV

With a gasp, I immediately let go of my mother and moved to push past her, but she took hold of my arms to stop my progress. “Cari! Where are you going?”

“To find my sister!” I insisted. “She might be able to hold her own against a few measly rogues, but against Dark Moon? She needs me!”

“That’s enough Carina!” Mom commanded, her luna tone slipping through. “Trust your sister to come home to us. In the meantime, go get ready. Your father and I need you in his office.”

I frowned at that. “You mean in his parlor downstairs?”

She shook her head. “No, in his office right here. We’re meeting with the delegates.”

I rolled my eyes, making it her turn to frown. “What’s with that face? You were going to meet them eventually at dinner.”

“Exactly!” I whined. “I don’t want to deal with some pompous fools from the capital city any more than I have to. I’m surprised they can even speak over the king’s boots.”

Mom pursed her lips to convey disappointment, but she couldn’t fool me; I could see the amused glint in her eyes. “Enough with that, young lady. Go make yourself presentable.”

“Yes, Mom.”

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Even after a much needed shower and some assurances from Desdemona, I barely felt better. My sister was running around in the woods where wolves from Dark Moon, the ruthless rogue pack led by a tyrant, were sighted. She wasn’t receiving any of our mindlinks, and she left naked so texting her was pointless. As her twin, I usually have the ability to break through her mental barrier, but even I couldn’t get through to her, which only added to my worry.

Then there was the appearance of my mate--a mate I shouldn’t have even been able to sense for another ten moon cycles. Why was I able to sense them so early? Who were they?

As if there wasn’t enough on my plate, the delegates from Red Eclipse--the pack of royal wolves and the most powerful people in the entire kingdom--were sitting in my father’s personal office on that very floor, waiting for my missing sister and I to present ourselves.

But why? I thought, giving myself one last once over. I kept my outfit sensible; a simple, deep green dress with a boat neckline and a skirt that fell just past the knee, a thin gold belt around my midsection and paired with a cropped black blazer and matching pumps. The heels also included tiny gold bows on the toes, matching my stud earrings. The shoes were comfortable enough for what I hoped would be a short meeting, while the dress hugged my chest and mostly flat tummy like a glove.

I undid my braided buns and washed my hair during my shower, so I had to run a blow dryer over my curls to dry them a little bit quicker. Unfortunately, that meant my hair was too unruly for a braided hairstyle that could be considered business casual, at least within the timeframe my mother gave me, so I just moisturized those thirsty curls with a special curl cream my mother was gifted by the luna of the Shining Crescent Pack. Its magickal properties and coconut scent made it my favorite hair product; if I took a whiff and closed my eyes, I actually felt like I was on a tropical vacation!

Once hydrated, my curly hair was a little more cooperative, so I pulled it up in a top bun and left a couple strands loose to frame my heart-shaped face. I opted to keep my makeup light, just a light blush on my cheeks, some gold eyeshadow and brown liner to make my green eyes pop, and nude matte lipstick with a peach tint.

I gave myself a little spin in my mirror, pleased with my reflection. This was more than just an outfit for a boring meeting--I was going to continue wearing the outfit afterward while on the hunt for my mate. They were somewhere downstairs, and I needed to find them ASAP.

I’m probably going to take off the blazer when I go looking for him, though, I sighed aloud as I mindlinked my sister, before turning to her side of the closet. What do you think--?

I tensed up, taking in the empty closet. I had been so lost in my own head that I forgot that she wasn’t there yet. My stomach twisted in knots--she was out there, probably facing off against rogues, and I was here worrying about some guy I haven’t even met yet. I felt disgusted with myself. We were twins--we were always supposed to have each other’s backs. I should have ignored Mom--I should have gone out and looked for Rena.

I made up my mind; my mate and the delegates could wait. My sister came first. With that, I plopped down onto the pouf situated before my mirror and began to remove my heels.

Cari?

I froze. Was I imagining things? Rena, is that you?

Of course it’s me, she huffed, sounding annoyed. What were you saying about a blazer?

I let out a chuckle and slipped my heels back on, shaking my head. Don’t worry about it. We’ll talk when you get here--just hurry up and get ready. The delegates are in Dad’s office and they’re all waiting for us.

I could hear her grumble through our connection. I don’t like the sound of that. I’ve crossed our border now, if you can have an omega meet me downstairs with clothes then that’d be a big help.

No need, big sis. I already had an outfit picked out for her and was just looking through her heels. Shower in one of the guest rooms on the third floor, I’ll bring everything you need so you can come up looking fresh.

Thanks! You’re the best, Cari.

You know it. I cut the connection and busied myself with picking up some last minute products. Knowing Serena would try to debate me on whether or not she should wash her hair, I thought it best to circumvent the argument altogether and picked up a can of dry shampoo and some pomade. She preferred to keep her makeup either totally natural or leaning toward dark tones, so I scooped the appropriate items from her vanity and dumped everything in an oversized tote bag. It was big enough to hold it all, and its leather exterior made it look more professional than its current use. With that, I bolted out of our room and headed for the stairs.

Cari! My mom’s mindlink came through as I hit the fourth floor. What’s taking you so long?

I’m ready, I’m just bringing Rena clothes and products, I assured her. She’s gonna get ready in a guest room before we come up… She’s kind of naked.

I heard her sigh. Of course she is. I swear, I don’t know how my quiet girl became a wild child. Thank you for being my well-behaved little star.

My cheeks burned at her praise. Mom! I’m already twenty. Please don’t infantilize me, it’s embarrassing!

Sorry, sorry.

I cut the link as I hit the third floor, my eyes staring straight ahead as I ran down the hall. I didn’t need to ask Rena which room she was in--whenever we wanted to hangout as kids and teenagers, we would always hide out in the last guest room of the third floor. Zeta Nessa liked to assign guests their rooms closer to the stairs, so the few at the end of the corridor were seldom used. Sure enough, as soon as I entered the chill room, I could hear the shower running even with the bathroom door closed.

Serena was very efficient in everything she did, so I didn’t bother linking her to let her know I was there. I just began pulling her things out of my tote and laying them on the bed and night stand. The bag was nearly empty when I heard the water shut off.

“I’m here!” I called out, arranging the products on the side table. “Listen, I know you probably didn’t wash your hair, so I brought you some stuff to put in it that will keep it smelling good without causing too much breakage--”

Something across the room caught my eye--something I knew neither my sister nor my friends would have left behind. Something that made my heart drop.

A suitcase.

“Oh, shit.” Someone was staying in our chill room, and I just barged in as if I owned the place.

… Well, I kind of did, but that’s beside the point. I need to get out of here before--

The bathroom door opened, and I felt stuck in place. My legs refused to move, and my hands were clammy and shaking. Too late now… Might as well face the music.

I spun around and faced our guest just as the smell of fresh-baked cookies invaded my senses. My eyes widened in time with his, and I was struck by a single word: gold.

He was jaw-droppingly delicious. He was the tallest man I had ever seen, with broad shoulders, impressive pecs, and abs I wanted to run my tongue over. His hair, still wet from his shower, was golden blond with earthy roots. The medium-length strands fell to his cheekbones, framing the most captivating pair of golden eyes. They seemed to swirl with every imaginable color of the rainbow, all blended together.

He was gorgeous. He was perfect. He was mine!

Desdemona ran circles around my mind, making me dizzy. Mate! Mate, mate, mate, mate--

I clamped my mouth shut and gulped, ignoring my wolf and focusing on the man before me. There was no way he was a member of our pack--not only had I never seen him before, but he was also staying in one of our guest rooms. Pack members live outside of the packhouse with their families until they turn twenty-one, in which case they can move in until they meet their mate. And something told me this mate of mine was over twenty-one.

“Um…” He began, gesturing to his body. He had a white towel wrapped around his waist, but it fell just past the knee and beyond that he was stark naked.

“Oh!” I blushed and spun around. “I-I’m so sorry. Please, don’t mind me.”

His scent became stronger, and a peek over my shoulder confirmed that he was standing directly behind me. The air between us was electric, and I wanted nothing more than to lean back into his chest and let him have his way with me.

My mate gulped. “I, uh, need to get past you, miss.”

His eyes darted pointedly at the night stand beside me. I jumped and scurried out of the way, embarrassed. “Of course. I’m sorry, I’m not normally like this, I just--”

“Wasn’t expecting to meet your mate like this?” he teased, easing some of the tension. He moved to the spot I vacated, opening one of the drawers to pull out briefs and a pair of socks. “That makes two of us.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “So you feel it, too.”

He frowned and turned, his eyes full of questions, but before he could ask I received a mindlink from the person I came here for.

Hey, Nessa told me that the chill room was given to one of the delegates, so I’m in 303. Do you have everything?

Yup, be right there! “I’m sorry for barging in on you,” I cleared my throat as I began packing everything back in my tote, suddenly uneasy. My mate was one of the delegates that I was insulting not thirty minutes prior, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. “Wrong room. I’ll be out of your hair in just a moment.”

The delegate nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Can I have your name?”

“Carina,” I simpered, my stomach doing somersaults. He wants to know about me! “Everyone calls me Cari, though.”

“Carina,” he repeated, his eyes shining with an emotion I couldn’t place. The corner of his lips turned up as he tasted the name, as if it were a blessing. It sounded so different when said with his soothing baritone voice. “Beloved.”

I blinked. “S-Sorry?”

“Your name,” he explained with a half-smile. “It means beloved in Latin. A fitting name for my beautiful mate.”

I’m sure my face was beet red. “Thank you… And you are?”

His eyes seemed to lose some of their luster as he hesitated. “Lucien.”

Desdemona was purring in my mind. Lucien--it means light. Our mate does seem to brighten the room.

I ignored her and finished packing away Serena’s things. She was most likely done with her shower. “It’s nice to meet you, Lucien--regardless of the circumstances. I have to go now, but I’ll see you at the formal dinner tonight.”

Lucien seemed intrigued, but instead of asking anything he simply stated, “I can’t wait.”

Then I waltzed out of the room, throwing him a shy smile as I shut the door on my way out. Once in the hallway, I took in a deep breath, hoping the fresh air will clear the fog created by my mate’s scrumptious scent. Holy s**t! That’s our mate, Dez!

He’s amazing, my wolf gushed. Tall, tan, sexy, and he obviously has a good job. Thank you, moon goddess!

While she danced in my mind, I made my way over to room 303, the image of my golden mate burned into my memories. For the first time in a long while, I was looking forward to a formal dinner.

I can’t wait to tell Rena!

Serena was stepping out of the shower just as I entered the room. She had left the bathroom door open, so steam was pouring out. Sis? You in there?

Duh, this is the room I told you to meet me in, she chortled out loud and exited the bathroom. As expected, she managed to stuff all of her hair into a shower cap, braid and all. She was still drying herself as she walked out, her eyes on my bag. “You got the stuff?”

I snickered. “I brought you clothes and makeup, not drugs.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

As I pulled out the products, she shot me a weird look. “Why are you humming?”

I shrugged. “I’m happy.”

“What’s the occasion?” she asked as she applied deodorant to her underarms. “I thought you were dreading having dinner with a bunch of ‘uppity wolves from the capital’?”

I cringed. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

“You did,” she confirmed, her eyes narrowing in my direction. “Cari, did something happen?”

Unable to hold it in anymore, I blurted out, “I found my mate!”

Serena dropped her stick of deodorant. “What?!”

“I know, it sounds crazy!” I rambled. “But when I got back from training, I smelled fresh chocolate chip cookies in the main hall--”

She gasped. “Your favorite comfort treat.”

“I know! And I was going to look for him but I was still all gross from training, so I ran upstairs to get ready when Mom told me that Dark Moon rogues were spotted in the area--” I noticed Serena tense up at that bit of news, her eyes wide with worry. “Yeah, now you know why I was rushing you. I spent half an hour trying to link you, by the way! Anyway, after I got ready and you linked me, I came down here with all this stuff--but you weren’t here yet, so I thought you were in the chill room.”

Serena grinned. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“Someone was in the shower when I walked in, and I thought it was you!” I remarked, ignoring the way she shook her head and smirked at my antics. “And while I was unloading all your stuff onto the bed in there, the person in the shower came out--”

Serena shut her eyes. “Carina Iliana Vespera, please tell me you didn’t embarrass our pack to a royal delegate.”

“No--I mean, kinda, yeah. But listen to me, Rena--that delegate is my mate!”

My twin’s jaw dropped. “No fuckin’ way.”

“It’s true!” I shouted, hopping up and down. “He’s amazing, Rena--his name is Lucien, and he’s blond and tall and sexy as all hell and--”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” My rant was cut off as Serena raised her hands in a halting motion. “Chill, sis. Have you told Mom or Dad?”

I shook my head. “I just came from his room, and before I even left the first floor I had no clue who my mate was. I didn’t want to say anything to them until I had him in front of me.”

“I wonder how they’ll feel about you being mated to a delegate…” she mused, her words trailing off. She dressed in silence, and I took that time to really look at my sister. Her skin tone was a shade or two lighter than my own, but her cheeks looked flushed for some reason. When she went to pull the shower cap off her head, I draped the towel over her shoulders and removed the cap myself. She sat at the corner of the bed, allowing me to undo her braid and brush her hair.

It wasn’t until I pulled her pearlescent waves back into a ponytail that I asked, “Did something happen while you were out?”

Serena took a deep breath. “... Aren’t you wondering why I haven’t asked how you’re able to sense your mate?”

I mulled over her words as I pulled a few strands loose to frame her thin face. Her blue eyes were glued to the floor, and she wrung her hands together on her lap. “No, actually. I was too focused on my own excitement to really think about that… But I guess if you aren’t questioning the fact that I’m under twenty-one, that could only mean that you somehow knew I could sense my mate before then.”

I put my hands on my hips, my work complete. She nodded, pulling her makeup bag toward her but not opening it.

“And I guess if you knew that…” My eyes were like saucers. “Rena, did you meet your mate, too?”

My twin nodded again. “Literally less than an hour ago.”

I frowned. “But you were in the woods…”

We stared at one another for a too-long pause. “... Serena, who is your mate?”

She gulped. “I-I don’t know…”