Chapter 2 - Luna Eclipse

Lunaya.

The weather turned in a blink of an eye, catching us unprepared in the middle of a snowstorm. We definitely picked a bad time of year to go hiking in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. It’s the middle of winter here and this part of the mountain takes a beating. I knew we wouldn’t cross paths with anybody, the tourist trails don’t go up this mountain. And besides, the storm would cover over any of our tracks anyway.

We huddled together and continued to stomp through the freezing snow. The storm has been raging for maybe an hour now, the snow was already knee deep and getting deeper the further we went up the mountain. My boots were soaked through and I could feel the icy moisture in my socks. I hope we find them soon or else my toes may fall off. The wind howled past my ears, biting at my cheeks. The sound of Alyse’s teeth chattering together was almost louder than the wind.

“How f-f-far did you s-s-say?" she stuttered,

“It should be here” I told her, squinting into the distance. I looked around at the trees poking out of the snow, searching for the marker. I forced my eyes to open in the cutting wind and tried hard to focus. I followed the old directions perfectly. We are near the top of the mountain, on the southern side. It has to be here. I zoned in on a peculiarly shaped tree ahead of us. After a few quick blinks I could see clearer. That's not a tree. That’s it, the stone marker, we’ve made it.

“There it...” I was cut off by the unmistakable sound a wolfs howl. I turned towards the sound but couldn’t see the source through the blizzard. Another howl came from behind us and then another and another, until we were surrounded. I saw movement come from behind the large stone, capturing my attention, a white wolf slowly came into view as it stalked towards us. The wolf bared its teeth and growled, closing the distance between us. The wolf stood tall and proud before us, the power emanating off it was dizzying. The wolf snarled and barked loudly, Alyse and I bowed our heads in respect.

“We mean you no harm, we only ask for shelter from the storm” I called to the wolf. It was silent for a moment but I didn’t dare raise my head to look into its eyes. It finally huffed and growled and Alyse and I stood up again. The wolf glared down on us before tossing its head and growling again. More wolves begun to appear all around us. The white wolf turned and walked back the way it came. A nudge from behind me indicated we were meant to follow. Keeping Alyse under my arm, we held each other tight and stomped through the snow behind the white wolf.

After what felt like hours, which was probably only fifteen minutes, dark structures came into view. We followed the wolf into the largest structure that sat in the middle of the others. Warmth immediately embraced my frozen cheeks as we stepped through the door. I spotted a large fire pit in the middle of the circular building and started for it, pausing to eye the white wolf. It nodded its head and I dragged Alyse to the edge of the fire. We both groaned holding our hands out towards the flames, slowly turning like rotisserie chickens to feel the heat all over our freezing bodies.

I glanced quickly around the room as I turned. It looks like a main hall or something. There are a few long picnic like tables and benches and a raised platform. On the platform is a large throne, maybe, or just the Alphas chair. I’m not sure, but it’s a huge chair carved out of white stone with furs draped over it. Eight giant wooden columns ran up to the roof, holding it up. There were three more smaller fires in the room as well. We were surrounded by roughly thirty other wolves and women, all eyeing us closely and some brandishing weapons.

The snapping of bones alerted me that the wolves surrounding us were changing form. I turned around with my back to the fire to see a tall and muscular darkhaired woman, wrapped in furs. Her black hair was in long dreadlocks tied up at the back of her head. She had red tribal paint on her right cheek and over her eyes. On her bottom lip, chin and forehead are beautiful tribal tattoos, making her look all the more intimidating.

“Why have you come?” she demanded. Her voice dripping with authority.

“Alpha” I said bowing my head, Alyse mimicked my movements beside me.

“We have come seeking shelter. I am Lunaya, formerly of the Moon Light pack” I said, still in my bowed position. The woman in front of me growled and huffed.

“Lies” she snapped,

“Moon Light was wiped out years ago”

“You’re right, I am the last one. I was gravely wounded in the assault on my pack and barely survived. My companion, Alyse, saved my life” I informed her as I stood up straight, pulling Alyse up with me.

“Why do you travel with this human?” she hissed, sniffing at Alyse’s scent. I paused looking quickly at Alyse before I continued. I swallowed and looked back at the Alpha,

“She is not human, but a half-breed" I said cautiously. The women around us all growled at the news. I wrapped my arm around Alyse and held my other hand out to stop their approach.

“Please, she’s not dangerous. She has no wolf and can’t change form” I rushed out.

“Explain” the Alpha demanded of Alyse. She held up her hand and the others halted.

“My mother was a Were, my father a human. They were both killed by my mother's pack when they found out about me. An elder woman, a healer, took pity on me. She stole me away and gave me to a human family to raise me. Though I didn’t change form, and I don’t have a wolf. At the age of sixteen my body did change. I became stronger, faster and my senses were heightened. The family that raised me threw me out and I lived alone on the streets, until I found Lunaya three years later. I stumbled upon her slaughtered pack while roaming for a new place to stay” Alyse gripped my hand as she spoke and I gazed at her adoringly. She has become so strong and confident over the years and I couldn’t be prouder.

The Alpha stalked towards us, and then circled around us slowly.

“A half-breed with no wolf” she muttered as she traced her finger slowly over Alyse’s cheek. I bit back the growl on my lips, knowing that if I show any aggression, we’d be toast. The Alpha’s eyes flicked to me quickly and she dropped her hand, taking in my strained expression.

“You are mated” she said firmly, not asking but stating the fact.

“We are” I confirmed, squeezing Alyse’s hand.

“You are Omega wolves?”

“Yes”

“Interesting” she hummed quietly. She stopped and stared at us for a moment, raking her eyes over both our bodies. Her blank face was unwavering, giving no indication to her thoughts or feelings towards us. She eventually took a deep breath and turned away from us.

“You may stay until the storm breaks, we will meet and re-evaluate your positions here again then” she called, waving her hand over her shoulder. All the other women backed away and two younger looking women stepped forward, handing us dry clothes and blankets.

“This way” one of them spoke softly. She was young, just a teenager, but very beautiful. The other was just as young and just as gorgeous. They must be related. They led us out of the large round structure and scurried through the snow to a small hut directly opposite. We hurried behind them and into the smaller building. There were two single beds, a small round table with two chairs and a big fireplace that was already alight. The floor was covered in a woven mat and the walls were covered in furs. Very rustic and yet cosy and warm.

“You will sleep here, if you leave the hut before dawn you will be killed” the first girl spoke.

“I am Maya, this is my sister Trinny. One of us will be by in the morning to take you to breakfast. You are not invited guests and not yet trusted, so don’t get too comfortable. Until stated otherwise by the Alpha, you are to be escorted at all times” she paused switching her gaze from me to Alyse and back again.

“Understood?” she demanded.

“Yes, of course” I answered quickly.

“Good, there are fresh towels to bathe and extra blankets” she said pointing behind me.

“Okay, thank you”.

Maya nodded her head and ushered her sister out the door.

“The bathroom?” I called after her, but she didn’t respond.