I have to pack thoughtfully. We are only taking a single carriage and the Luna’s elaborate wardrobe took up a lot of the space. What her belongings did not take had to be shared between myself and the two carriage drivers. Alpha Warriors accompanied us on horseback, packing their belongings on their own horse. Occasionally, one would request that the Luna haul a box or two on the carriage. “The Luna is not a terrible traveling companion.” Mari muses. “She prefers a quiet journey. When Horus travels along it can be difficult, he’s rambunctious.” She confides. “Rambunctious seems too kind of a word to describe him.” I snark. “You needn’t worry. He will not be traveling with you.” She says. “Oh? I just assumed he would be joining.” I say. I had assumed that Horus would be joining. I was pleasantly surprised to hear he would not. “He is needed to help prepare for the hunt with the Alpha.”“I had forgotten about the hunt.” I say more to myself than Mari. The hunt takes place in the d
“May Selene bless this journey. May the moon guide you on a safe and righteous path. May Selene gain favorable passage for you from her siblings.” The priestess recites her prayers over the carriage and horses. The sun has only just begun to peek from the horizon. The dew blankets the ground, sparkling like an iridescent web over the grass. A blanket so delicate I imagine only the garden fairies of my girlhood dreams could craft a gown from it. The fields are obscured by the morning mists. It’s as if I am looking through the end of a glass mug, the trees in the distance are blurred and dreamy. The horses are restless to begin the day’s journey, the sounds of their throaty breaths and stomping hooves punctuate each verse of the priestess’s prayer. “May Selene guide your path. Bless Luna Osiris on her righteous path. May Selene protect you.” The priestess’s robes are made of lush silver velvet. The dew clings to it in small glittering droplets like diamonds reflecting in the sun. A si
The carriage is built for comfort. The interior is lined with green silk and dark woods. The seats are plush, upholstered in supple chocolate brown calves leather. I settle into the cabin, focused on taking as little space as possible. “It’s a long ride, so best get comfortable.” The Luna says flatly. “Yes, ma’am.” I quietly mutter in return. I feel the jerk of the horses starting down the road. A guard on either side of the coach, one behind it, one immediately in front of it, and Captain Keegan leading the way. The Luna opens a book and begins to quietly read it. A bored expression on her face as she slowly flips the pages. A comfortable silence settles between us. I look out of the small carriage window at the passing landscape. The fields and gardens. The homes dotting the landscape. The children playing. The cows and sheep in the fields eating. Wildflowers and winter wheat waving in the wind. I feel a profound sadness wash over me. Smothering any joy I just felt at look
“For hundreds of years she ruled, her children sitting on the throne of every kingdom far and wide. Yet, Selene’s children were gaining more power in the realm as the strength of each pack grew.” The Luna took a drink of water. “Thirsty?” She asks. “Don’t you dare drink from someone while they tell a tale of witches!” Theia spits. “No, thank you.” I say blandly. “Suit yourself.” She says as she drinks another glass. “One day, she saw a young Malakai bathing in a pond within the Black Woods.” She takes a long drink for dramatic effect. “She was struck by his handsomeness and youth. She revealed herself as a young maiden. A deadly spider beckoning her prey into her web.” I stared wide-eyed at the Luna. I have never heard this story before. I thought I had heard every story of Malakai. “He did not spare her a glance. He had only just been mated. He had not even had the wedding or anointing of his mate as Luna. Yet, his eyes were for his mate only. His mate had his full devot
“Love is dangerous, it’s a weakness. Betrayal is inevitable.” The Luna muses. I wish I could say her coldness was surprising. Her bitterness, a confession. Her true nature is revealed by her cynicism. “Malakai was driven by a desire for power. Circe aided him in that. Helping him to build an army. Creating the ability for him to build his throne. All this so she could be his Queen beside him.” My body begins to feel tired. The soft leather of the seats begging me to rest my weary body upon them. “The Coven did not want to bow to a werewolf King. They viewed Circe’s actions to be a great betrayal. They had tolerated her affairs for centuries. They believed that even if the blood was diluted, having witch blood on the thrones throughout the realm ensured their continued dominance. That never meant bowing to a mutt King.” She sneers. Mutt King? What a strange term to use as a werewolf. “Seraphina, a young witch of high blood, plotted against Circe. She went to Malakai and told
"Three hundred years ago, the people of the lands were engaged in a Great War. There was famine and violence. The people suffered greatly as the noble houses of the realm fought for overall leadership.” The firelight danced in my father’s eyes as he began to weave his story. On Saturday nights we would BBQ and sit around the fire pit and tell stories. “The people of the realm struggled to feed their children as the fields of the realm burned with the bodies of fallen men. The alphas of each house had become corrupt and only cared about their own selfish needs. After centuries of the packs governing as a panel to fulfill the needs of the people, it had warped into padding the wealth of the alpha at the expense of all others. This of course led to a gridlock on the panel. Absolutely nothing could be agreed upon.” He leaned in closer to the fire and the flames danced in the center of us. “It became common place to kill alphas and their children and install new alphas in the hopes of ga
It’s hard to remember a time without hunger and hardship. Working my fingers to the bone and eating scraps. “Ceres!” My mother bellowed. “Ceres, come here this instant!”My body ached as I rose from the floor. It was Tuesday, which meant scrubbing the kitchen floors. My life was a series of chores, an endless routine both mundane and exhausting. Repetitive. I dried my hands on my apron and ran towards my mother’s impatient calls. “Yes, ma’am?” I quietly said with my eyes averted. I didn’t dare look her in the eyes. “We will have guests tonight. Keep Dmitry out of sight.” She says his name like she is spitting a curse. “Dinner is to be ready promptly at 7, service for 7.” It’s almost as if saying his name causes her physical discomfort. “Dinner must follow the menu I left in the dining room. I also left a menu for the next morning’s breakfast. Maristela is in charge of the table settings and will aid you in service this evening. All the footman will be prepared to serve. All the ma
Five years ago, mother married Osiris. He took my father’s title as Alpha of the Harvest Moon Pack. Tradition dictates that any children of a deceased alpha are to be exiled upon the eldest child's 18th birthday moon ceremony. The eldest child may challenge the current alpha for the title instead of accepting exile. To challenge an alpha is to fight to the death. So tradition says I choose exile for myself and Dmitry, or I probably die fighting Osiris. I never imagined that this would be my life. I have accepted that in two months my moon ceremony will happen. The moon ceremony is the first full moon after your 18th birthday. This is when your mate is most visible to your wolf. A kingdom wide ball is held and each person who recently turned 18 is introduced to the entire kingdom of wolves that are of age and without mates. This is really the only time you are able to see all the packs of the realm. Many find their mates at the ball. If I find my mate I can take my place in society.