Mated by Midnight (Moonlight Mates #3)

Chapter 1

1

T he Moon Festival gathering pulsed with energy. Flames from the bonfire flickered against the backdrop of the night, casting long shadows that danced over the clearing. The moon hung heavy above the treetops, a reminder of the power that thrummed through every shifter, fae, and even the humans in attendance. Wolves prowled through the crowd, subtle shifts in their movements betraying the predatory nature hidden beneath their human skin.

Elijah Blackwood was one such wolf on the prowl. He leaned back against a tree, the rough bark pressing into his shoulders as he took in the scene. Laughter echoed in the air, and the hum of conversation rose and fell like clouds shifting around the moon. His sharp senses picked up snippets of flirtation and anticipation, but none of it interested him.

He had always thrived in this atmosphere—the casual flirtation, the rush of excitement as pack members sniffed out the possibility of finding their fated mates. For many, the Moon Festival was a time of hope and desire, of finding the one they were destined to be with. But Elijah? He preferred the thrill of the chase, the freedom of being unattached to any one woman. Just as the moon rose and fell each night, he had no interest in settling down.

His gaze swept over the crowd. Instead of finding the soft curves of a woman to sink into this night, his gaze landed on his oldest brother. Gideon stood stiffly by the bonfire, his usually stern face softened by an awkward grin as he attempted to flirt with a woman. Not just any woman—a human. Gideon, the most serious and reserved of them all, was completely captivated by her. It looked like Gideon might have found his mate.

Elijah's gaze swung to a younger version of Gideon's mate standing off to the side of the couple. The young woman fidgeted with the hem of her dress, looking out of place among the shifters. But there was something about her that caught Elijah’s attention. Unlike the others vying for a match, she didn’t seem desperate or overly flirtatious. There was a quietness about her that piqued his curiosity. Even better than that, she didn't smell like she was his. Which made her safe to flirt with.

"I'm Liza," she said when he approached her.

“Mind if I steal you for a dance?” Elijah’s voice was smooth, low, as he extended his hand to her. His lips curled into an easy grin, the kind that usually had pack females falling at his feet.

He led her toward the fire, weaving through the crowd until they were near enough for the heat to lick at their skin. The music was softer here. As they moved together, Elijah felt the familiar stir of attraction, but nothing more. This girl would soon be his sister. That is, if Gideon didn't mess up the mating dance.

“You're not having any fun, are you?" Elijah asked.

"I've been to a festival like this before."

"Didn't find your fated mate?"

Liza winced. There was a story there. Elijah didn't pry. They'd be family soon. Plenty of time to get into all of her business after their siblings bonded.

"You know, my sister and I just landed the contract with your pack for the new development. Maize is the architectural designer while I do the interior designs."

Elijah nodded, though his mind wasn’t fully on the words. There was something in the air. Something that made his nose twitch. “My Alpha was very impressed with your work. It's why he hired you to work on the expansion.”

Liza smiled, but there was something more behind her eyes. Pride, yes, but also the spark of ambition that mirrored something deep within him. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but I think we’re finally making a name for ourselves. People are starting to notice. It feels like we’re just… on the edge, you know? Like one more push, and we’ll be where we’ve always wanted.”

Liza spoke with certainty, with confidence. Elijah had the same ambitions—to advance in the pack, to finally be taken seriously—but every time he tried, it felt like there was something just out of his reach. He knew what that something was; most of the elder pack members didn't give second looks to bachelors.

"Sounds like you're right where you need to be," Elijah said, keeping his voice light, though his thoughts churned with frustration. He knew the feeling of wanting more, of craving something just beyond his grasp. He'd been in the same position for years now, itching to take on more responsibility in the pack, but no one seemed to think he was ready.

Because he wasn’t serious enough. That’s what they said, wasn't it? Elijah, the playboy, too focused on having a good time to be trusted with anything important. The thought made his chest tighten. He swallowed the bitterness rising in his throat.

The final notes of the song hung in the air like smoke, slowly dissipating as the music's beats faded into the night. The heat from the bonfire crackled behind them. Elijah and Liza stopped moving. Her hand slipped from his as they both glanced toward the center of the gathering.

Gideon, ever the awkward one when it came to women, stood a few feet away, fumbling through another attempt at flirting with Maize. The exchange was actually painful to watch. Gideon was a capable wolf in every other respect, but when it came to matters of the heart, the man could barely string a sentence together. Maize, graceful and poised, seemed oblivious to his brother’s nervous energy. Her gaze remained on her little sister, watching Elijah like a hawk about to steal into her nest.

“Looks like they’ll be at this for a while.” Elijah motioned to their siblings.

Liza followed his gaze, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “I think you’re right. Poor Gideon. He’s trying, though.”

Elijah scratched the back of his neck. He felt something in the air, something hot. But it wasn't coming from the bonfire. His muscles tensed slightly, an instinctual need to protect his back, though from what, he wasn’t sure. His gaze shifted away from Liza, trying to shake off the feeling.

And then it hit him. A scent. Not just any scent, but one so intoxicating it made him stop mid-thought. His senses sharpened, his body stiffening as the smell of something rich and wild filled his lungs. Earthy, like the forest after rain, but with a sweetness that made his mouth go dry.

What the hell?

His pulse quickened as his eyes darted around the clearing. It couldn’t be. There was no one new here, no unfamiliar faces except for Maize and Liza. It certainly wasn't Maize who was driving his brother wild. It couldn't be Liza. Not when he'd twirled her in his arms and he hadn't lost it.

It was likely some new dish. In fact, he heard his stomach grumbling. He tugged Liza in the direction of the food tents.

He tried to focus, tried to push away the sensation crawling through his body, but it was impossible. The scent was still there, faint but persistent, curling around him like a ghost. His wolf growled in his chest, restless, unsatisfied. It wanted to go on the prowl, but not for fun. Whatever prey the wolf snared, it was going to keep.

But it couldn’t be her . Elijah didn’t want a mate.

He clenched his fists, trying to keep control as the primal urge to search for her warred with his rational mind. His entire life had been built on freedom—freedom from commitments, from responsibilities that went beyond the pack. Finding a mate would complicate everything, would pin him down to a life he wasn’t sure he wanted.

Settling down might make him seem more serious, sure. The pack elders were always on his case about that—telling him he needed to prove he was more than just a playboy if he wanted to take on real responsibilities. Having a mate would solidify his place, give him an edge in advancing through the ranks.

But he’d never use a woman like that. Not just for ambition. He couldn’t.

Another breeze blew through the clearing, carrying that intoxicating scent with it, stronger now, sharper. It was calling to him, beckoning him to follow. His wolf growled again, the pull becoming almost unbearable.

He looked over his shoulder as though something were chasing him. And that's when he bumped into someone in front of him. Of course, that's how it would happen. So busy watching his back, Elijah hadn't seen her coming straight for him.

His hands reached out immediately to right the woman he’d nearly knocked over. And then he couldn't let her go.