Chapter 5

5

The moon festival was in full swing. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes hung from every tree and post. Tea candles and fairy lights flickered and glowed as the community danced. Colorful stalls lined the streets, each offering unique crafts, games, and treats, while performers in elaborate costumes entertained the crowd with dances, acrobatics, and magic tricks. Laughter and music filled the air, along with the occasional howl from an enthusiastic shifter.

Gideon's stomach rumbled, but not for the savory pastries and roasted meats all around. His ears were perked, nostrils flaring, hoping to catch a whiff of the only flesh he wanted under his tongue. So far, Maize was a no-show.

And then it hit him. The hairs inside his nose itched as it caught her scent on the breeze. Her husky voice carried over the music and pricked his ear. And then his gaze found her.

Maize was with her sister. She'd changed from her sensible suit jacket to a colorful sundress. Even though the moon was high in the sky, the colors of her dress and the golden hue of her skin were like sunshine to his eyes.

The sisters were engrossed in creating a lunar lantern at a nearby booth. Maize's brow was furrowed in concentration, her hands deftly working with the delicate paper and bamboo. Liza, on the other hand, worked with a relaxed ease, her lantern already taking on a beautiful, intricate design. Despite her best efforts, Maize's creation came out lopsided and a bit squashed, the light within casting odd shadows through the uneven paper.

Liza pointed and laughed at her sister's debacle of a lantern. Maize looked up, scowling. But the moment she saw her sister's smile, all frustration melted away, replaced by a smile that made Gideon's heart skip a beat.

He wanted to protect them, to prove to Maize that he was worthy of her trust and affection. But a deep-seated fear gnawed at him—the belief that he wasn't worthy of love. After years of coming to each moon festival every month and walking away without a mate on his arm, Gideon had come to the belief that he'd be one of the unlucky. But now, years after he'd given up hope, here she was. And he was not letting her slip through his fingers.

As the sisters moved away from the lantern station, Gideon slipped out of hiding and approached Maize's discarded lantern. Gingerly, he picked it up, carefully tucking it away inside his jacket. He wanted to keep a piece of her creativity close, a reminder of this night and the connection he hoped to build.

He continued to follow them at a distance, his eyes never leaving Maize. The festival was a whirlwind of sights and sounds—children running around with glowing wands, couples dancing to the lively music, and all moonkind mingling with humans in a rare show of unity. Rare for other towns, maybe. In Moonridge, everyone got along. Mostly.

Maize and Liza next stopped at a stall selling moon-shaped pastries. Maize's face lit up as she took a bite, her eyes closing in delight. Gideon had to excuse himself when he bumped into an elderly couple. Luckily, by the time he apologized and righted his steps, Maize's gaze was still closed, her lips still pressed together, savoring the taste. Gideon wanted to be the one to make her moan like that.

Just as he was about to step forward and make that desire a reality, a hand clapped down on his shoulder. He spun around to see Elijah and Caleb, their faces split into identical grins.

"What are you doing, big bro?" Elijah asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. That perpetual smirk was there on his lips, along with a twinkle in his amber eyes. The middle Blackwood brother had a knack for getting into trouble, but his charm and quick wit usually got him out of it just as fast. His dark hair was tousled, as if he'd just rolled out of bed or finished some mischief—both of which were likely scenarios.

Before Gideon could answer, Caleb spotted the sisters. "Ah, I see. That must be our big brother's fated mate."

With a jaw set in a permanent state of resolve and eyes that missed nothing, Caleb was the embodiment of duty and responsibility. His hair was always neatly combed, his clothes practical and utilitarian, a stark contrast to Elijah's casual disarray. He was the youngest of their family, but anyone meeting him would never guess it. His no-nonsense demeanor and serious, almost stoic nature often led people to assume he was the eldest of the three.

"I never said anything about her being my fated mate."

"You've also never chased after a woman before," said Caleb.

"Which one is she?" asked Elijah. "The shortstop or the curvy one?"

Both of his younger brothers' brows raised at Gideon's low growl, but neither of them took the warning seriously.

"Curvy one." Elijah nodded. "I think I'll go ask shortstop for a dance to get all the deets about my new sister. You're welcome, bro." Without waiting for a response, Elijah strode toward the dance floor, his movements confident and smooth.

Gideon took a step forward but halted. He had no clue what he was going to say to Maize. Maybe he should let Elijah go in and smooth the way by playing spy. That is, if he could coax Liza away?—

And there was Liza, taking Elijah's hand. Maize, hovering protectively on the edge of the dance floor, watched as Liza was swept away by Elijah's charm. Could it really be that easy?

Caleb nudged him forward. "Go on, Gideon. At least one of the Blackwood brothers should get their happily ever after. Elijah's never planning to mate, and we both know my situation."

Gideon took a deep breath, steeling himself. Caleb's words echoed in his mind, and he forced himself to take a step forward. Then another, until he was standing beside Maize.

She noticed him and scoffed, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Let me guess, you're going to ask me to dance?"

Gideon shook his head, his voice rough with nerves. "I don't dance."

They stood side by side, watching Elijah and Liza twirl around the dance floor. Gideon's mind raced, trying to find the right words to say. He wanted to court Maize, to show her that he was a good candidate for a mate, but he felt rusty, unsure of how to woo a woman who didn't believe in the notion of fated mates.

"You're very protective of your sister," he said finally. "I admire that."

Maize glanced at him, her expression softening just a fraction. "Liza means everything to me. We've been through a lot together."

"I can see that. Family is important." He glanced at Maize, her profile illuminated by the lantern's glow. By the moon, she was breathtaking. "You should know, I'm quite well off. I own the house you're staying in."

Maize turned to him, a puzzled expression crossing her face. "I beg your pardon?"

"Financially. I have the means to provide for a family. Large. Or small."

Maybe she didn't want cubs? Which would be fine with him. He'd had tons of responsibility in raising his two hellion brothers. But the thought of Maize's belly swollen with his baby had him shifting his stance.

"I'm also in charge of building the new houses in our community. It's a big responsibility, which shows I'm stable and reliable."

Maize continued to stare at him, her brow furrowing.

What else would a woman want to know? "I was in the military before this, and now I'm a pack enforcer. It's my job to protect everyone in the pack."

As he spoke, a woman walked by and cast him a sultry look. Gideon initially ignored her, but then decided to address it, thinking it might help his case. "That woman," he said, nodding toward her, "we were in an intimate relationship once. She clearly wants me back, but I'm no longer interested."

Maize's eyes widened, and she tilted her head, confusion etched on her features. "So you're not interested in women anymore? Is that what you're trying to tell me? That you're into guys?"

Gideon balked, realizing he had completely missed the mark. "No, that's not what I meant. I'm still interested in women. I'm interested in…"

Maize raised her eyebrow. Behind him, Gideon heard Caleb whistle low, like a missile dropping from high up in the sky just waiting for impact. Yeah, he was really blowing this.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "I'm trying to show you that I'm capable and dependable."

"Why do I feel like I'm on a job interview, but you're the one who's being interviewed with questions I'm not even asking?"

"Do you have any questions for me?"

"Actually, yeah, I do. Is this whole fated mates thing a scam?"