Marked By The Moon

Chapter 2

“Aurora, Aurora”

I heard my name being called, but I was sleepy to respond. I hummed and turned to the side, then I heard the person call again.

“Aurora” but this time the person shook me

“What?” I groaned.

“They are here, Aurora. The princes"

My eyes snapped open, and I flew out of my bed. Today was supposed to be the day the Princes of the Crimson Red Clan would be coming back after so many months in the human kingdom.

Mabel, who was my right hand and my best friend, stared at me wide-eyed. I raised my brows and with her eyes, she told me to look at myself, which I did and rushed to the bed, grabbed my blanket and wrapped it around my body.

“You slept naked again?” she asked

“Never mind that, are they here yet?”

“No, just came to wake you up before they do”

“Thanks" I dashed into the bathroom but the next minute I poked my head out the door “Is everything ready?"

She nodded. “Keep everyone occupied before I get down” I instructed and dashed back into the bathroom to have my bath before she could even nod or give a reply

Either way, I knew she would do as I asked. Like every other day, I had my bath in a few minutes and got into my white fitted dress that stands out from the other maids in the house with a red scarf around my neck.

As the head maid of the Crimson Red clan of River Ash pack, Aurora Hales. I dashed out of the room, combing my hair into a ponytail before transforming it into a bun in the next minute.

I applied a little makeup before heading out the door to oversee everything. There was nothing much to do, though. I and the other servants had worked until late the previous night making sure everything was set for today.

No one liked a terrible set-up and it never ended well for the servants. First, the kitchen. The maids who were handling a few more dishes turned to the door and gave a slight bow. “Good morning” they greeted simultaneously

“How is it coming along?” I asked, and they nodded before replying “It will be ready in a few minutes”

“Good, be fast with that and go change” that was the last I said before heading out the door to the halls that were beautifully decorated

I had to recheck to ensure nothing was against the instruction of the mistress of the house, the hostess of the event. Finally, I dashed into the grand hall. As expected, the seats were scattered all around, leaving a space in the middle for the dance.

A stage stands in front with six chairs standing on it for the lords and alpha. At a side, below the stage, five chairs stood beautifully decorated for the lady consorts. Once I was sure everything was to standard, I clapped twice and every maid in the room gathered behind me facing the large door as the announcer came in.

“Lord Everett of the Crimson Red Clan” he said and the large doors opened prompting the servants in the room, including me, to give a bow as Lord Everett and his wife walked into the room to their seats

“Lord Beau of the Mauve Clan” just like the hosts, he walked in with his wife by his side

“Lord George of the Sage Clan”

“Lord Baxton of the Sable Black Clan”

Once the Lords and Lady consorts were seated, the trumpeter did what he knew how to do best and the announcer, finally introduced, “Alpha Ryder”

Everyone in the room stood to their feet and gave a bow as a man in his late twenties stepped into the room alone, putting on a black cape that rolled on the floor as he walked to his assigned seat with a straight face.

Once he was seated, we all raised our heads, but the servants bowed occasionally as more people stepped into the room and in no time the entire place was filled and the door shut.

“Attend to them” I instructed subtly and the maids behind me dispersed taking trays from the table behind us with glasses filled with wine

They bowed and served everyone and in no time the guests had their drinks except the lords and the alpha. I grabbed the last tray on the table and walked to them slowly.

Once at the stage, I lowered my upper body in a bow, raising the tray at the side before ascending the stairs and headed for the alpha first. Without looking at me or the drink, he waved his hand, dismissing me.

I glanced at Lord Everett, who signalled me to leave. Everyone on noticing the Alpha's action placed down their wines. While going down the stairs, I heard one of the ladies whisper, “Is that not the half-breed?”

“Yes, she is” another replied

I descended the stairs, spun around and gave another bow before walking off. It was a tradition that before anyone could drink or eat anything in a gathering as big as this, the alpha was to have it after his taster, but since he came alone, that would be impossible.

The announcer rushed to the stage and whispered in the ears of Lord Everett, who later whispered in the ears of Alpha Ryder, and he gave a nod which Lord Everett gave to the announcer, who ran down the stairs and stood by the door.

“Princes of Crimson Red Clan. Prince Mateo. Prince Ian"

Two young men in their late twenties' stepped into the room with a smile on their faces and the servants gave a bow as they walked to the stage.

“Lords. Alpha" they greeted simultaneously with a bow to receive a firm nod from the alpha before the Lords.

Despite the princes arrival, the air was still thick after the alphas action and instinctively, I turned to his direction and our eyes locked.