When I stepped out of the building with Keelin, I couldn't believe my eyes. The moon was so big, that it took up half of the space in the sky. It loomed directly over our heads. The light it emitted was a deep crimson. Everything looked and felt different under it. 

It completely differed from my expectations. I had never seen something like this before. Dragons always took shelter during a blood moon. It had something to do with the moon amplifying our energy to monstrous levels. Fortunately, I didn't have to worry about that now as I was nothing more than a human with my energy sealed.

"Feels amazing, doesn't it?" Keelin said, her voice hoarse and seductive.

I understood what she meant. My skin was electric, my heart felt like I had just run a marathon and my core throbbed with need. I had never felt so stimulated before. The red light of the moon caressed my skin and every part of my body that was exposed felt like a million kisses landed on it. I was so glad that I had decided to wear my thick black cardigan.

I hugged myself tightly and tried to get rid of the dazed feeling that was taking over my brain. 'Well, at least it feels good,' I thought when I suddenly remembered where I was headed.

"We should go," I said, swallowing the lump that was forming in my throat.

"Ye...ah. We should," she said shaking her head and taking a deep breath.

We followed the trail within the woods. Other girls, all in red dresses were walking in the same path. Some even turned to stare at me and whispered amongst themselves. My heart felt too heavy to care about them. I focused on the clicking of the beetles instead.

We walked silently for almost twenty minutes before reaching a large clearing with a stone platform in the middle. At the far end, stone stairs ran like the seats in a theatre. Seated on the top-most level were Ryne, Arlan and Gyrod.

"I thought this was only for the werewolves?" I asked Keelin, surprised by their presence.

"They aren't here to participate. They are going to watch the competition between the boys and leave," she said as she began walking towards them.

I didn't know anyone else here, so I followed her. Ryne stared at me and never the one to lose, I stared back. I waited for him to look away but he didn't. I could hear the pounding of my heart in my ears. 

My already flushed skin felt even more sensitive and my throat felt so very dry. Unable to bear his heated gaze any longer, I admitted loss and looked away from him, directing my attention to the ongoing fight on the platform.

It seemed to be a one-on-one combat between a dark-haired wolf and one with long blonde hair. Their muscles rippled as they swung their arms, threw punches, blocked and rolled on the rough stone floor. Both of them shirtless, had various bruises that decorated their skin. When looking at them began to suffocate me, I turned away.

We reached the seating area and and I followed Keelin up the stairs. Arlan got up to greet me and when our eyes met, both of us paused in our steps. He was still wearing the uniform but he had lost the tie. His light brown hair appeared auburn under the crimson light and his high cheekbones were highlighted. 

It must have been the moon's effect, but facing him made me breathless. I wondered if the crimson light messed with the air and made it thicker. He, in turn looked stunned as if he were seeing me for the very first time. He let out a breath and slowly smiled at me.

"You look amazing," he said huskily.

"Not for you, though," I heard a silky voice and looked up to see Gyrod. The already ethereal looking fae, seemed even more so under the ghostly light of the moon. His amethyst eyes glowed unnaturally. I would have been charmed by his appearance if I hadn't heard what he said. However, he wasn't wrong in the least so I could only look away.

"Ditty, you don't have to do this," Arlan said as he strode forward and held my shoulders.

Even with the cardigan on, sparks flew from where he touched me right down to my core. I grit my teeth and glanced up at the moon unable to understand how it could be so powerful.

"Meredith, listen to me," he said, almost urgently, "I can't let you do this. I-"

"She's made up her mind, Arlan. I have known her for three days now and I believe that she's the most stubborn creature I've ever met. Shouldn't you already know this about the girl you claim to be your fiancé?" Ryne said as he leaned back and continued to watch the fight.