Chapter One

Sephora's POV

I stood on the ledge of the cliff and watched the pack. The night sky was an inky black and moon was a crescent. In a few days, it would be a full moon. A new lunar month and a new child to be born in to the pack.

"The land is beautiful, Suprema Sephora."

I was startled and looked behind me. A lady walked up behind me, half hidden by the dark but soon the light of the moon revealed her face. It was Kali. I relaxed and resumed my gazing. It was getting lonely and I would really appreciate her company.

We stood silently side by side and took in the magnificent view was as the light of the crescent moon bathed the lands below.

"Your heart is heavy."

I looked at her. How did she know? Was it that obvious?

"Yes Kali," said I with a sigh. I couldn't lie to her. It would never work anyway.

"Your reign as Suprema might soon end in a few days. But then again, your successor might been born on another full moon."

I looked at the shining crescent moon. The winds did not lie.

"No Kali. I can feel it in my blood. She is coming in a few days. I hear her name in the wind."

I watched her smile. He face was beautiful and youthful. Hiding her age. I didn't know when she was born but she had seen countless Suprema's before me.

"The instincts of the Suprema have never been wrong. In that case, you must prepare. You know what you must do."

"Yes I do."

We stood there on the cliff edge and continued looking at the idyllic pack from below. The female wolves played with each other under the moon light. Some had gone on the hunt and others tended to the young ones. It was all peaceful, as an all-female pack should be. No strife, no war, no corruption. Soon I would be apart of this world no more.

The night grew darker and it was time to leave. Kali walked me back to the Suprema's palace.

"Rest Sephora. You need it."

She walked away as she always did. Enshrouded in mystery. Mystery that only the pack shaman could have.

I headed to my room and lay in bed. I was restless. The winds howled and on every howl, I could hear them telling me of my end. The world I had been born into, the pack I had led for so long would soon be gone. I finally closed my eyes to sleep and in my dreams I could see the name of my successor. It was etched in my head. There was no clearer sign than this.

Early the next morning, the sun rose over the horizon and it birthed a bright day. I stepped out of the pack house and admired the glorious wolf empire. It's existence was not known to ordinary folk and it had preserved through the ages. The stone walls were elegantly carved and the designs were intricate. I stepped out and the wolves in standing in line waiting for my orders.

I walked among my beautiful and powerful warriors. They stood tall and strong and fearless. My voice was loud but laced with grief.

"Sisters! The Moon-Goddess has blessed us. We are a tribe of powerful women. Our empire has lasted centuries and it has been peaceful. Today I stand before you to tell you that I shall soon, no longer lead you. A new Suprema is coming. I hear her name in the winds, when I walk beside the Lunaria, the rushing waters say her name. I just wanted to let you all know that it has been an honor serving you all."

I could see their faces fill with despair. I had served them long and well. I could not lead forever. I looked among the ranks and saw a wolf walk towards me. It was Kali. The wolves bowed slightly as she walked in with mysterious grace.

"Mistress Kali, what news do you bring us from the Goddess?"

She walked infront of Sephora and delivered a deep bow.

"Suprema Sephora, your instincts are right. The new Suprema is coming soon."

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. The Goddess had sketched my fate. I could only accept it.

"It is settled then. Preparations shall be made for her reception and training. Sisters, you all may leave."

The other wolves left and I was alone with my second-in-command, Luna Artemisia, and Kali.

Kali looked at me and smiled.

"Why did I have the feeling that you are happy giving away the mantle of leadership?"

Sephora smiled back.

"What leader would I be without a successor?"

"Wisely said. You shall be the one to train her. She must not know who you really are."

I had been preparing for this day for a while. I was well aware of the codes. I looked at Artemisia and she looked miserable. I could see her holding back tears. I could tell she wanted to talk to me but Kali had beat her too it.

"Dear Artemisia, could you please leave us alone?"

"Yes Mistress Kali."

I watched her she hurried away and disappeared around a corner. I looked at Kali and she guided me back into the ancient stone pack house. It was quiet and we were all alone.

"Does the coming of the new moon scare you Sephora?"

My heart skipped beats.

"Why should it?"

Kali sighed sadly.

"Her birth will mark your death."

My heart sank a little and I was solemn. Who was mad enough not to fear death?

"I'm aware Kali but who am I to refuse my destiny. I came and I shall leave, as all living things do. Who am I to think otherwise?"

Kali exhaled sadly. Her countenance was unmistakable.

"You have always been a wise and noble leader."

Kali turned away from me and I saw that she was quite upset.

"Does my departure upset you mistress?"

"Yes but that isn't what bothers we. I sat at the Lunaria and spoke to it's waters. Your successor might be... unconventional."

Unconventional? I was even more intrigued. My fear turned to curiousity. I wanted to meet this successor of mine.

"And that bothers you? We all come from the Lunaria with a different purpose."

Kali sighed deeply.

"Well spoken Suprema. But we have been a hidden and prosperous empire for years. Peace has lasted and has been kept. I fear it might change. One can only feel that happiness is not meant to last."

"Change is constant Mistress Kali. We change as it does and so does the waters of the Lunaria. But happiness shall remain as long as we have our hearts set on it."

Kali smiled and looked up at me. Her beautiful and powerful features were like no other. He hair was a jet black and it reached far past her lower back. He famous black silk always flowed behind her with even the slightest breeze.

"You are right you are. The full moon is in four days. You must prepare. Talk to the sisters and Artemisia. I fear she will miss you the most. I saw her face as she left and I could read her heart. She has always looked up to you."

I watched as Kali left with a smile. She was a mysterious woman. I had met Kali when I was little but she never seemed to age. She could be decades old or older but she looked just as young as I did. Her wolf was an elegant black and the only black one in the pack.

I watched as she disappeared around the corner and I was alone. She exhaled and looked at the stone walls. This history of my pack, Mystic Shadow, was painted on them. I stroked the picture of my precessor and sighed. I missed her so much and sadly what I did to her would happen to me eventually.

She stepped back from the painting and admired the wall one final time. It was time to prepare. I had only four days to get everything in place. I had to give my final instructions to the pack. Everything had to be perfect else the transition would be hitched. I needed Artemisia but where was she?