CHAPTER 299: _BLOOD OATHS

"Thanks, Car," I whispered to Caroline when she handed me a cup of Aunt Althea’s tea while the festival began.

She stood behind my throne patiently and even though I couldn’t see her, I knew she had her eyes around.

"How does it feel sitting side by side with the most powerful members of werewolf society?" She finally asked with a whisper.

I glanced to my left where Kaelos’ throne was placed. He was silent, not bothering himself with interacting with the other Alpha Kings and Luna Queens.

Janelle sat to my right, her right hand supporting her jaw as she watched the opening event: Dancing under the blood moon.

I could hear her husband speaking to the others beside him.

"Honestly..." I glanced back at Caroline, shrugging before I whispered. "It’s not all that."

I noticed Janelle glance at me with a small smile, causing my cheeks to heat up with an embarrassed blush.

Crap, she heard me.

’She’s literally less than two meters beside you, what did you expect?’ Sirena asked.

I let out a small breath, pretending to focus on the dance happening on the dancefloor. I took a sip from the tea before drinking all of it in one gulp, handing it over to Caroline.

"Hey..." Kaelos suddenly grabbed my hand, causing me to blink before turning my head to him.

At that moment, Caroline cleared her throat and I felt her step back, probably pretending like she couldn’t hear anything.

The drum beats hit a melodic crescendo as the ladies twirled their luxurious gowns, laughing and smiling broadly while others clapped in sync with the beats of the drum.

"Hey," I responded softly to Kaelos, leaning close. "I low-key already feel like sneaking out for some alone time."

He chuckled and I did the same, smiling warmly.

"Would that alone time involve me by chance? Because I’ll be all up for it." He asked with a suggestive wink.

My mouth fell as if I hadn’t instigated it in the first place. "You have to be present for the festival, dear Alpha King."

He tilted his head. "And so do you, Luna Queen. If I have to be here, you do too."

I pouted my lips, placing my right hand on my stomach. "But I’m with child. Surely, the festival must have rules in place to favour helpless pregnant women like my..."

I paused the banter when a sudden pain hit my head. It was brief, like a flash that made my eyes spin, but then disappeared as quickly as it had shown up.

My nostrils flared as I tried to recover myself.

Even though it lasted a couple of seconds, Kaelos noticed my pause and tightened his grip on my hand, calling my attention.

"Is something wrong?"

I shook my head, smiling reassuringly. "Just a light headache. I’m probably just... Anxious. Exhausted."

The last part wouldn’t make sense because my aunt’s tea was supposed to make my head clear of stress.

’Maybe pregnancy symptoms?’ Sirena pointed out.

Suddenly, the drums stopped beating yet again and the music ceased. The couples on the large dance floor stood in front of each other and bowed while everyone cheered.

I withdrew my hand from Kaelos’ grip and clapped as well, forcing a smile on my face.

Something felt wrong and I didn’t know what...

"Alright, we’ll be moving on to the next segment of our glorious blood moon festival!" Layla was the one who stepped forward and spoke with a loud voice this time.

She stood just below the steps leading to the platform where our thrones were. I stretched my neck, glancing at the lines of Alpha Kings and Luna Queens seated.

All of them slowly rose to their feet as Layla continued.

"The Alpha kings shall now step forward and begin the Blood Oath ceremony."

Blood oath?

I glanced at Kaelos, watching as he stood and stepped forward. I stood as well when I realised I was the only one sitting, drawing in a deep breath.

The other Alpha kings left their wives, walking to the edge of the other end of the platform. There, a rock altar slowly emerged from the platform, glowing with faint blood-red carvings.

My eyes widened when I saw it.

"That... Wasn’t magic." I muttered, glancing at my fellow Luna Queens who stood silently as our husbands stood around the rectangular altar.

Elder Yune climbed up the steps of the dais just then, holding a dagger in her hands. I squinted my eyes as she handed the dagger over to Alpha King Thorian who had his back facing me and the Luna Queens.

He raised the dagger, showing it to the audience who were eerily silent.

You could hear a pin drop, and it was as if the hall itself had held its breath.

"I’m guessing you haven’t been properly introduced to the rituals involved in the Blood Moon festival." Luna Queen Janelle whispered beside me just then.

I swerved my head to her, watching the scrutinising glint in her eyes.

I nodded slowly in response, bringing my gaze back to the Alpha Kings just in time to witness Thorian slitting his palm with the dagger before pouring his blood on the altar.

The dagger was passed to Kaelos next and I flinched slightly when he did the same.

"The Bloodlines of the Alpha Kings have the strongest connection to the moon goddess," Janelle explained calmly. "The blood oath ceremony during each Blood moon festival is said to... strengthen that connection. And if she deems their hearts true... she not only strengthens the bond but also offers her favor."

Oh wow...

I nodded as the last Alpha King, Soren, slit his palm.

"May the blood of the Alpha Kings past speak for us tonight." Elder Yune’s voice echoed a few meters away from the altar, her tone solemn. "And may you all and your generations continue to rule our race with grace and levity."

My right hand caressed my stomach at the word "generations".

My baby... Apollo.

He’s going to be a ruler someday as well, sitting on the same throne and with the same responsibilities as his father has now.

"I promise to guide you..." I muttered as the people clapped when the Alpha Kings finished the blood oath.

A blood-red mist rose from the altar, rising into the air and getting illuminated by the red moonlight shining through the glass dome at the centre of the event hall.

As the Alpha Kings walked back to their seats, I smiled at Kaelos who gave me a smug smirk in return.

But then I felt a shift that caused my eyebrows to furrow. My gaze instinctively travelled past the sea of people, past the meticulously decorated tables and past the banners hanging on the walls.

When my gaze finally landed on the entrance of the event hall... My fists curled when I saw who had walked in.