"Baby I'm too busy being yours to care for somebody new." -Arctic Monkeys

Manhattan is in a league of its own. I've been here with my papa a handful of times for business but this, this is different. The crisp air keeps my face cool as I take in the Oberoi Estate. It's not common for wolves to live in cities because there is never enough land to let your wolf free. However, as I look around it's visible that there is more than enough space for wolves to roam. In fact, I'm sure this much land could classify as its own state.

I watch Zane take in everything as we drive towards the mansion, but his face shows no emotion.

"We are a happily mated couple. Got it?" Zane whispers to me.

"Got it."

I know that the Oberois were cutthroat. They are part of the Moonlight Pack which stretched from New York state to New Jersey. The Oberoi family immigrated from India a couple of hundred years ago. Since then they've made it to the top becoming one of the richest families in America. An Oberoi is always featured in Forbes Magazine for their success in the business world and dazzling lifestyle.

Humans admired them and the supernatural world looked at them with a mixture of awe and confusion.

Why in the hell would werewolves want to mingle with humans? Looking around the giant estate I understood why.

It was amazing if you thought about it. The Oberois immersed themselves in a life full of lavish cars and houses. They weren't an alpha family but the money they acquired over the years made them an asset to the pack. Yet no one could have anticipated that this luxurious lifestyle would grow so large. So large that they surpassed the alpha family in terms of wealth and eventually in power.

I'm not sure if they knew it or not but as the Oberois wrapped the human world around their fingers they were doing the same to us wolves. Ever werewolf female drools over the Oberoi brothers while the males obsess over the Oberoi sister who was a well-known philanthropist and model. Every year, werewolves tune in to watch the Chandani Ball through wolf news channels.

"Wow, I can't believe I'm here," I whisper to myself.

Zane scoffs.

"Don't tell me you're one of those girls who is obsessed with the Oberois."

"Sorry to tell you but every girl is obsessed with the Oberois, werewolf and human alike."

"Why? They're just a family with too much money to spend."

I gawk at him.

"Wow, you really are clueless. Aradhya Oberoi is a fashion icon and an award-winning director. Her husband, Chandra is one of the biggest businessmen in history. Their kids are also amazing. Aashni Oberoi is a model and she is a part of so many charities. And the Oberoi brothers? Wow Taaran and Rivan Oberoi are the dream! Did you know they funded the search for those girls that were trafficked all those years ago? And they are so dreamy..."

Zane continues to look unimpressed throughout my entire speech but I couldn't care less. I'm internally fangirling. The Oberois are like royalty and I am not about to miss out on the chance to meet them.

You're literally here for the Chandani Ball, stop freaking out!

"We are going to stay in the Oberoi Estate and then we will leave the morning after tomorrow," Zane speaks.

"I know, all attendants of the ball get to stay with the Oberois," I reply. I've heard that their house, sorry estate, is better than most five-star hotels. Zane chuckles at my response as if it's funny that I already know everything about the event.

Our driver continues to drive towards the mansion until we are parked right outside the door. Zane gets out first and holds out his hand for me. My first instinct is to slap it away but starting now we are the perfect couple. I lay my hand in his and step down from the car. A spark zings through me and I flinch pulling my hand from his.

Maxwell places our luggage in front of us.

"This is as far as I can go into the estate, I will retrieve you both soon," he says.

"Thank you, you are excused," Zane says. Maxwell places his hand on his heart and bows for a short moment.

"Alphas," he says as a goodbye before driving away in the black town car.

A man in a suit comes running out as Maxwell departs.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I should have been out here sooner," he says.

"It's alright, sir," I say.

He smiles brightly before offering us his hand.

"I'm William, the butler, and you two must be the De Lucas."

I freeze and Zane senses it. It never occurred to me that I am now a part of the De Luca family. Zane wraps his arm around me to pull me out of my moment of shock.

"Yes that is us," I say before taking his hand to shake it. He turns to Zane and shakes his hand as well.

"It's a pleasure to meet the alphas of Blood Moon, I hope you enjoy the ball and do not hesitate to ask for anything you might need," William says.

"The pleasure is ours," Zane says with zero emotion.

He could at least act like he wants to be here.

William grabs our luggage and walks up the steps to the ginormous doors. Zane is a tall man but the door is easily 4 of him. William nods at the guards who have been watching our every move since we arrived and they press a button that opens the doors.

Walking into the mansion is like stepping into a fairytale. A large chandelier hangs from the ceiling. The crystals in it twinkle as the light hits them. On both sides of me are staircases that wrap around and meet at the top. While the chandelier caught my eye first, I take in the painting on the ceiling that would give the Sistine Chapel a run for its money.

I don't see anyone bustling about but I can hear that they are in a different part of the house.

"If you follow these stairs you will find your rooms, Luna De Luca you are staying in the west wing while Alpha De Luca will stay in the east wing," William tells us.

"What? Separate rooms?" Zane asks. Clearly, he didn't know about this tradition.

"Yes, mates must stay apart until tomorrow night," William informs him.

"But-"

I know he must be thinking about my heat but I feel fine and I doubt it will start anytime soon.

"That's ok," I tell William before offering him a warm smile.

"I'll be ok," I whisper to Zane. He doesn't look convinced, but he drops it.

"Some of the alphas have already arrived so feel free to mingle. I'll bring your luggage up to you," William says before disappearing.

I go to leave but Zane grabs my hand.

"If anything happens you text me immediately ok?"

I nod and go up the marble stairs while Zane takes the other stairs. I walk down the hallway that seems to go on and on. All of the doors have a nameplate with the name of the Luna on it. I finally see mine at the end of the hall.

ALESSANDRA DE LUCA

Blood Moon

The bold text stares at me. It's a strange thing to feel. I'll always be a Romano but I guess when titles are involved I'm a De Luca. The biggest shift of all is that I'm an alpha now. My wolf will now have the power to command everyone in my pack and I'm not sure how to handle it.

I guess there's only one way to handle it. Headfirst, like a Romano.

I twist the silver handle and enter. It's a beautiful room with an en-suite and a large stained glass window that overlooks the gardens.

A rush of excitement hits me and I run to open the closet. The best part of the Chandani ball is the dress. Nobody gets to choose their own dress. It's handpicked by the Oberois' designers who study who the alphas are before they get here. The goal is to give the guests a dress that is perfect for them.

I breathe in and walk away from the closet though the temptation has me nearly chewing my nails.

I walk over to the large window that leads to a balcony. I think this is what it would have been like to live in Versailles. There's beauty everywhere.

.

Seriously? Right now?

I leave my beautiful room behind and walk towards the doors that lead to the gardens. I know if I follow the path eventually I will find the woods and let my wolf free.

I'm about to signal for the guards to open the door when a hand latches itself to my wrist. My reflexes kick in and I grab the wrist that grabbed mine and drag the person in front of me.

"Woah there miss, I just wanted to know the name of such a beautiful lady," the man said.

I look into their eyes and realization dawns on me.

Oh my goodness it's Rivan Oberoi.

Compose yourself Alessandra you're a luna now, no time to fangirl. I put my hand forward.

"Alessandra Romano, Luna of Blood Moon," I state. I'm pretty proud of myself until he opens his mouth.

"Romano? I don't recall an Alpha with that surname," Rivan says in a smug voice like he knows something I don't.

"De Luca, it's actually De Luca. I'm newly mated so.." I trail off, hoping he will get the gist.

"Ah yes, it must be confusing. Such a shame though, I would have loved to get to know you," he says. His voice sounds kind but the look in his eyes suggests the opposite.

"Till we meet again," he says before laying a soft kiss on my hand. I offer a smile in response.

I make my way outside and shift into my wolf form. As I run around the grounds I swear I see familiar gold eyes watching me.