Chapter 7 Full Moon Festival 

"Very intriguing," Lucian chuckled as he ran a finger across my bottom lip.

"This is Sasha's room," he growled low and opened the door to a lovely feminine decorated bedroom suite. He pointed toward a walk-in closet and told me to wear anything I liked. Walking into the huge room my eyes widened at the sheer number of immaculate gowns and clothing. Sorting through them I found a simple lace dress with shimmering gems sewn into the fabric. It was perfect and holding it up against myself I grinned. After removing Noah's borrowed clothes I slipped the dress over my head and shimmied it down myself.

"Can you help me with the fasteners on the back?" I yelled out not thinking that it was an odd request to ask another male because I asked Galen all the time in the past. Lucian stood looking at me with shining eyes and asked me to turn. I watched in the mirror as he closed each button in stern concentration. He moved my long hair to the side as he continued up the back of the sleeveless dress.

"I want to lick your neck and taste your blood," he growled roughly and I glanced up at his face in the reflection of the full-length mirror. I swallowed nervously, seeing him eyeing my visible neck. I felt his warm breath against the skin as he moved closer to the exposed flesh. His mouth opened and I turned quickly, moving my hair to cover his interest.

"Ah, a cat and mouse game…," he growled in a breathy voice. I looked hard at him and sighed.

"I don't know you well enough, sir. Can we please leave so I do not miss the celebration," I mumbled sternly and he nodded briskly and offered his upturned hand for me.

"You look stunning, Nia," he said softly and I grinned slightly and thanked him.

"He was going to mark you, sweetie. Watch yourself," my wolf whined in my subconscious and told her that I wasn't a harlot. Eva chortled within my mind as I grabbed the clothes I had worn. I was going to return them to Noah but Lucian grabbed them and laid them back down on the shelf.

"Those can be returned later," he mumbled and opened his arms telling me he would carry me. I allowed Lucian to embrace me as he shifted into his vampire beast and flew me back into the Lycan Realm. He took us to the outskirts of the village where pack members were already celebrating. I brushed my hair back as Lucian adjusted his clothing and started to head to where I saw Jaxon sitting alone. Alek, Lucian's associate, went running past me glad to see his friend returned. I tapped on Jaxon's shoulder and he glanced up at me.

"Sexy time is over and my mate left me again, come sit with me and I will pour you a mug of my special apple drink,'' he winked.

"Have you seen Galen?" I asked curiously as I took the mug from him. Jaxon nodded and told me that Galen was drinking and currently dancing with some she-wolf that was a daughter of an Alpha from another pack.

"Really," I growled roughly, feeling a bout of jealousy. I drained the alcohol in the mug and asked for a refill.

"You can't be upset Nia, you were taken by the bat dude and I'm sure Galen assumed that you were going to mate with him," Jaxon mumbled softly. I glared at him as Lucian came up behind me and placed his hands on my bare shoulders.

"Don't drink too much princess. I doubt your father would appreciate it," he said firmly and I rolled my eyes.

"I'm an adult, Lucian, and don't need a babysitter," I growled roughly and he lifted his hands off me and whistled. Jaxon was glancing between us both and snickering as he refilled my mug.

"He does have a point, I recall last year, dear," he chuckled and I covered my quickly reddening face. Lucian stuck his hand in Jaxon's direction and told him his name in greeting. They both shook each other's hands and Lucian sat next to him and asked about last year. Jaxon chuckled and offered him a full mug of his homemade hard apple cider. I stood up and told them I was going to mingle. Jaxon waved me off but Lucian waved to Alek and instructed him to follow me. I glared down at him and he blew me a kiss. I grunted and drained the contents once again. I slammed the empty mug to the table and stormed away from them in search of Galen. Squeezing myself through the throngs of pack members I stumbled my way toward the dance area.

"You are intoxicated Nia," Eva whined in my mind and I growled a yep in response. I spotted my best friend with his arms around the waist of some bimbo. I headed toward the oblivious couple and smacked Galen on the back of his head.

"You bastard," I growled bitterly and they both separated. I was starting to sob as I stood there wobbling and Galen glared at me.

"What is going on Nia? Are you intoxicated already?" He questioned sourly. I pointed at him and the other female.

"Is she your mate?" I muttered through sobs. Galen grabbed me from falling over and helped me to a table to sit.

"You are hammered, but you look stunning," he said softly and I grunted.

"You are avoiding my question, asshole," I said sourly.

"No, she's not my mate. I was just dancing. You know that you're the only one for me," he said sweetly and wiped the tears from under my eyes with his thumbs. I shook my head and scented the cashmere and musk. I glanced up at Galen to see him scowling at someone behind me.

"Why do you smell yummy when Lucian is around me?" I questioned him and his yellow eyes landed on me.

"Because you are mine, Nia and I have spent nineteen years suppressing it because it was wrong when I thought you were my blood sister…but you're not and it gives me hope that you feel the same towards me, I love you, Nia," he said solemnly and I grinned slightly.

"I love you too, Galen," I mumbled softly and felt a firm hand on my shoulder. I knew it was Lucian.

"Time to head back, princess," he growled roughly and Galen looked wide-eyed at him than me.

"You are an actual princess?" He questioned and I nodded. Lucian took the opportunity to tell him it all.

"She is the daughter of Nikolai Petrova, the King of the entire Vampire Realm. You sir, like I mentioned before, are unworthy of her."

"Bullshit, I love her and believe she is my mate," he stated forcefully and I reached out for him but was pulled back by Lucian. Tears streamed down my cheeks as Lucian lifted me over his shoulder and carried me away from Galen.

"He will not have you dearheart, you are mine," he growled roughly and jumped into the air shifting instantly into his winged creature and flying away with me into the night sky. I kicked him and growled roughly for him to release me but he just tightened his hold and ignored me.

"I will never love you, Lucian!" I cried as my heart hammered in my chest and he chuckled.

"We shall see, princess. I can be very persistent," he replied. I huffed and shook my head.

"You are an old horrible bloodsucking bastard," I growled bitterly and he nodded.

"You described me eloquently," he said nonchalantly and swooped into the portal. I could see my father's home through my tears and tried to get him to release me once again. We landed hard on the stone balcony and Lucian released me and strode through the room as I chased after him. He opened the door and shut it in my face. I heard a lock turn and panicked. Pounding on the wood I yelled out at him to release me.

"You will remain in my room until you understand your position," he growled firmly and I sank to the floor with my back against the door.

"Got any ideas, Eva?" I muttered sadly.

"If you turn into your Lycan and break through the door you will end up being restrained by Lucian's vampire and he is much more powerful than anyone you have come across," she whined.

"Is Galen my mate?" I asked bluntly and Eva whimpered before answering.

"It appears that both Lucian and Galen are and it will be up to you to choose whom you will join," she growled softly. I shuddered over her words as I thought about Lucian. He was an old, overbearing, bossy bitch. Galen could be one as well but he knew everything about me and knew what brought me joy. I buried my face into my hands and felt the buzz in my brain as I realized that I was in the old vampire rooms.

"Let's search Lucian's belongings to figure the bastard out," I snarled as I stood glancing about. I stumbled to the wall in search of a light switch. Finally feeling it I flicked it on and turned.

"Holy shit," I mumbled in amazement. The rooms were shockingly gorgeous and oozed wealth.

"You would be wealthy too if you lived as long as he has," Eva snorted as I lifted a leather-bound book. I flipped through the vellum pages and skimmed the calligraphy. The furniture was museum quality. I wandered into the bedroom and smelled the rich scent of the forest and flowers. I inhaled deeply and smiled but soon frowned seeing a photo of Lucian looking devastatingly handsome. I lifted the gold frame to look closer.

"He is a very handsome vampire," I growled and Eva told me they all were. I rolled my eyes and sat the picture down. Yawning I found the bathroom to do my business then searched through his clothes to find suitable items to sleep in. I chuckled internally, finding silk boxers and a plain white t-shirt. I frowned once I realized that I couldn't reach the fasteners on the back of the dress I wore. I rushed back into the sitting room and crawled up onto the leather couch to reach the sword hanging on the wall. I checked the sharpness and grinned as I cut the shoulder straps and started cutting the fabric off myself. Once completely nude I dropped the sword on the shredded fabric and headed back to the bedroom. I slipped on the t-shirt and silky boxers.

"Better than nothing," I grunted and crawled into the huge four-post bed. Fluffing the pillow I laid my head down on the feather pillow and melted into the mattress.

Sometime during the night, I woke to arms wrapped around my waist and being spooned by the chilly vampire. He was actually asleep. I rolled over and looked at him. His dark eyelashes were fanned out on his cheekbones and his mouth was slightly open showing his long fangs. I grinned slightly at him looking so vulnerable. He didn't try anything but still, I felt weird sleeping next to him. I grabbed a pillow, and a throw and went to his living room to continue sleeping on his couch.