Curse of the Luna (Wolves of Dralesa: Book 1)

Twelve Winters Ago The icy winter wind stabbed at my skin through the hides I had wrapped myself in. Most of my pack would think I was crazy if they knew what I was doing. The thought that I was, also flitted through my mind. I was only four foot eleven, twelve winters old, and was out in this storm looking for prey to feed my starving pack that even full-fledged warriors couldn't hunt in. There was no way I could go back empty handed. With many failed and scarce hunting attempts, my pack was facing its harshest winter yet. I had other reasons on top of that. Such as if I came back empty handed, my mother and current Alpha would use my skin to keep the young warm. A shiver ran its course through my body. Not due to the cold, but the thoughts of the punishment I had in store for stealing a bow and a quiver of arrows to go on a dangerous and basically futile hunt. Trudging through the deep snow, I wondered if my mother had even noticed my absence. I paused immediately when I heard crunching of the snow that wasn't made by my own feet. Barely breathing, my keen purple eyes scanned the surroundings. I nearly missed the giant stag due to the poor visibility caused by the white storm. Its thick winter coat was coated in snow, nearly blending it perfectly to the surrounding area. Slowly, I reached for my bow and an arrow. Calculation after calculation swarmed my mind as I tried to find the best angle and aim to take down the stag in one shot. The wind was like a whirlwind, never staying in one direction for more than five seconds. Plus, the distance was nearly out of my range. I dared not step closer, for if I could see him, he would also be able to see me as well. Inhaling long and slow, I pulled back the bow with ease. As I made my aim and before releasing the arrow, I sent a small prayer to the Goddess in my head. Let this arrow hit so I can feed my starving pack. I exhaled as I let the arrow go. The twang of my bow was drowned out by the wind, leaving the stag oblivious to the incoming lethal arrow. Even in this weather, my sharp nose was able to smell the stag's blood before being able to see or hear the arrow land. I ran to its body, the shot hit him straight in the heart, killing him instantly. He left this world painlessly and I thanked the Goddess for not allowing him to suffer. Reaching down, I yanked the arrow that was embedded in its chest. “Thank you for your sacrifice so that we may survive. Your life has saved many, and for that we are indebted.” I said another prayer this time to the stag's soul before heaving him up. He was nearly twice my size and most likely more than half of what I, myself, weighed. By the time I reached camp, I had worked up a sweat and my shoulders and arms burned. The thought of my fellow pack members noticing me and praising me for once made the pain even more worth it. As soon as my presence was known, my mother flew out from her tent. Her tall lean figure radiated beauty and power. Her long thick and semi-braided reddish blonde hair blew around her majestic like. Her strong jaw set, her sharp eyes proud and unwavering. She was the embodiment of a warrior Goddess. Her Beta, Rain, was by her side. Her sleek black hair was braided around her neck as a makeshift scarf. Her large blue eyes showing more worry than my own mother. Next to each other they looked so opposite, but somehow fit each other perfectly. A child was running after them. I recognized her as my sister Opal, even though she was covered nearly head to toe. Opal was still only a pup that had only seen five winters. Her curly sun-bleached blonde hair clung to her cherubic face. Her pinkish white eyes were now red and puffy, and her tear-stained cheeks told me she was highly upset over something. That something I had quickly guessed was because of my own disappearance. “Am Am I thought you died!” She ran past Emerald, who had halted before me, and latched on to my leg. “Alpha, I gift you and the pack with a stag that can keep us fed till the storm subsides.” I knelt as best I could with my clinging sister. I laid the stag before her, showing my mother and Alpha my utmost respect. I dared not look into her emerald eyes, the eyes that bore her namesake. “On behalf of the pack, we thank you Amethyst. Today you have made our ancestors proud.” Emerald's answer was forced. I knew her well. Once I looked up into those emerald eyes of hers, they spoke to me not as an Alpha but as a mother. She was furious. “Rain please takes the stag and prep it for tonight's meal. Do ration it sparingly though. Only the Goddess knows when our next meal will be.” She ordered her Beta before looking at me once again. “Tent, now.” She commanded under her breath, and I swore I felt my stomach flip. “Sissy can I have piggyback ride?” Opal exclaimed, blissfully ignorant of the situation I had dug myself in. I winced a little as I picked her up, the burning pain from carrying the stag still there. It's moments like this when I wished I could be of age already and make my first shift. Simple tasks such as this would be of no problem once I did. I carried Opal up to not our tent but the Beta's, before setting her down. “Mother and I have to have an important talk really quick, stay here and play with Misti till I come back.” I instructed her. I could see that Opal wished to stay by my side, but she still listened to me well. After she went in, I made haste to our own tent. It was the biggest tent in the whole pack that belonged to the reigning Alpha and her family, which was currently Emerald. Upon entering, I saw her standing with her arms crossed by the small fire pit in the middle of the common area. It was where she held her meetings and gatherings. Around the pit were several pallets to sit or lay on, covered by many of the softest fur pelts the pack had. It was where we currently slept as we needed the fire's warmth so we wouldn't freeze to death. The smoke traveled upwards to an opening to dispel it from the tent. It was designed so that the snow, wind, and majority of the rain wouldn't be able to penetrate. There were two others sectioned off entrances opposite of the tent's entrance. The one on the left led to the main sleeping area for Emerald, Opal, and I that we normally slept in. Then connected to that was a small storage area for the little clothes we had and our personal weapons. There was also a small exit flap in case of emergency or if we just needed to relieve ourselves in the middle of the night. The other area on the right was where we dined and cooked. A stone like stove sat in there with a low to the ground table. In there was a door in the ground that opened to the food and herb burrow. It was the biggest burrow in the pack, as most of the time it was the Alpha who stored extra food for the pack in case of food shortage during the winter. The second biggest belonged to the medic tent. “Amethyst what were you thinking?” Emerald growled loudly. I flinched back involuntarily, her anger rolling off her in waves. “You're still considered a pup and yet you dare venture out in the middle of this storm! On top of that, alone! Do you realize what could have happened to you? Did you not think of the consequences?” She was now towering over me. I stood my own ground, no longer fearing her wrath. What I did helped the pack, and I will stand by that. “I couldn't just sit back and watch my pack starve!” I retaliated. It was the first time I ever had, and I could see the shock flicker for a second on her face. “That is not your place to worry!” “I am the daughter of the current Alpha and descendant of many past Alphas! It is in my blood to protect them!” “Not when you have yet to shift! How can you protect them if you can't even protect yourself! You can't even harness the Earth's energy!” Her words stung just as hard as if I had jumped into the frozen lake. Even the weakest of us was able to feel and use the Earth's energy when we are pups. Even Opal shows great potential. If I can't use it, there's no hope in me being able to follow my mother's footsteps. “You're right; this useless daughter of yours will go reflect on her wrong doings.” I couldn't hide the venom in my words. I didn't even look at her to see the effect my words had on her. I turned on my heels and left without being excused. As soon as I left through the flaps, I made a mad dash to the forest surrounding the clearing our pack settled in. Though it felt like it wasn't that cold anymore, I could feel my tears nearly freezing right away as soon as they betrayed me and fell. I could hear Emerald call my name, but she must've felt guilty as she didn't order me to return in her Alpha voice. No matter how hard I try, I'll never be enough in her eyes. I rolled myself under the protection of a nearby pine tree that blocked the ground beneath it from most of the snow. It swayed only slightly in the harsh wind due to its massive size. The wind barely penetrated either, as the thick snow that clung between each branch and on each needle created a barrier nearly like that of the tents we had. I took a deep breath and rested my head on my knees. I used this silence and solitude to pray to the Goddess to help me. I wanted to be strong. I wanted to protect my pack. I wanted to use the Earth's energy and magic like my pack can. I asked why I was different and prayed to her to answer what she had planned for me if I were going to be so different from the rest. Was I destined to be an outcast amongst the strongest warriors our kind has ever known? I waited but nothing came. Did She really watch over us as our pack Elder told us She did? Fatigue was washing over me, and I was nodding off when I felt something nudge me. "They need you. Danger approaches." A ball of snow fell on my face, as if the tree was forcing me to move. "Fine, I'll go back you damned tree." I huffed as I rolled out. I didn't take the words I heard that had nudged me awake seriously, thinking it was my subconscious being ridiculous. But when I heard the screams I froze in my tracks. The scent of wolf blood hit me, and I see my vision turning red. I immediately dash back to camp, not caring what the situation was or how dangerous it was. I will prove them wrong. I will protect them! “Amethyst, no!” I heard Emerald scream as I burst into the clearing. I skidded to a halt, despair clawing at my chest as I saw a motionless Opal at the feet of what I could only guess to be a man. It was the first time I have seen one, and it wasn't just one but many. All their eyes were red, ones that only belonged to Rouges. Besides that one Rouge, the rest were holding children who couldn't shift. One of the children was my best friend, Misti, whom I had sent Opal to. No The man kicked Opal's body away from his feet as he turned towards me. “Oh look, it's the little huntress we witnessed earlier. Mind sharing some of your catch?” He smiled so cynically. It's my fault. I looked at Emerald. I could see her eyes flitting from hostage to hostage. I saw her devastation when her eyes landed on Opal. When she looked at me, I could see all her emotions. “It's not your fault.” She mind linked me, as if I were screaming out my own thoughts. I violently shook my head. I felt rage and grief filling my entire being, an icy chill that burned my insides as hot as sticking my hand straight into white flames. "It's our fault." A new voice said in my head, and I grabbed my short reddish blonde hair. “What the hell is going on?” I barely heard one of the Rouges yell as the storm picked up unnaturally. I let out a scream and the wind seemed to howl along with me. The world grew white, from both snow and from my own pain. It felt like my bones were being shattered and repaired repeatedly. My screams slowly turned into pitiful whines of pain. When the pain subsided, I opened my eyes. Through the snowstorm I could see clearer than I ever had before. I could see the panic of everyone, as if they couldn't see. I could see my mother standing protectively in front of those who couldn't fight as the warriors that flanked her took a battle stance. The Rouges held their hostages closer, frantically looking around them. How come they can't see? It was so clear to me. The snow wasn't blinding my sight at all. The snow turned red in my vision as I laid my eyes on the man who hurt Opal. It felt like I was flying over the snow, letting the wind carry me to my intended target. It was as if he didn't even see me coming. No longer did he seem huge as I latched teeth around his throat. He made no noise as the kill was instant. There was no stopping the smell of blood and everyone, who was able to, began shifting into their wolf form. I ignored the screams of my fellow pack members as I tore through the Rouges that still held them. They were dealt with quickly. Pride of my victory filled my core. I raised a long victorious howl, signaling their end. Was it really a victory though? I thought as I dashed to Opal, and when I was close enough, I could still hear her tiny heart beating, barely. The burning icy sensation evaporated instantly and suddenly the wind stopped and it was only a light snow fall now. I lay down next to Opal, keeping her chilled body warm. I looked down and saw paws instead of feet. They were huge white blood-stained paws, my paws. I covered her body with my head, nearly covering her whole body doing so. An almost cautious whine comes from behind me, and I saw Emerald's beautiful sandy blonde wolf. For some reason she didn't seem that large to me anymore. “Amethyst, let Ash take her.” Our medic who hadn't shifted knelt next to us and I couldn't stop the involuntary growl. Ash stayed calm as she placed her hand on not Opal but my own head. “You saved her, Amethyst, you saved all of us. Now let me heal her.” She said sweetly as she took the unconscious Opal from me. I whined pitifully and I expected Emerald to leave with Ash. Instead, she walked up to me and licked my forehead. “You were never a disappointment my dear daughter. I'm so glad you are safe.” She cooed as she nudged for me to stand. I heaved my giant body from the snow and heard many gasps from those who hadn't shifted. No longer was Emerald looking down at me but looking up at me with wide eyes. I was a lot bigger than everyone else imagined me to be, including myself. “Can you shift back sweet girl?” I could hear the worry in her voice. My shift was a forced and premature one. Most lose control, not being able to shift back on their own. “We are not on the level of those mindless beasts.” The voice I heard earlier basically hmphed out loud. I had lost control of my body now to which I guessed to be my very prideful wolf. “Only because you are the Alpha, I will dismiss such impudence.” We shook the snow from our coat before she gave control back to me. I thought of my human form and gritted through the excruciating pain of shifting back. It was weird. Though I was naked, the cold of the winter wasn't affecting me like it once was prior to shifting. My mother shifted back as well and immediately we were given fur cloaks to cover ourselves. She reached out and placed both her hands on my cheeks, forcing me to look up at her. “You're alright.” It wasn't a question but a very happy sigh of relief before embracing me. “I'm sorry mama.” I hugged her tightly, not remembering the last time we had done so. “Hush hush my sweet girl. All is well. You were magnificent.” I nod as I let go. There was silence around us as everyone stared at Emerald and me. “We have become too lax over the years my fellow sisters! I will not tolerate another breach, especially by Rouge men! Dawn, gather a few women and triple check our boarders.” A white and blonde wolf who was standing behind her gave a curt bark before mind linking a patrol together. “With any man who breaches our land, he poses a threat to our freedom from the curse laid upon us. Be prepared to move if it is to happen again, we will not risk being caught by it. Only a few here know how big the world has grown and how technology has evolved. We are no longer as safe as we once used to be. Be more wary when you are out hunting and be on your guard at all times.” “Come, let's go to Opal's side. She would want you to be there when she wakes.” My mother wrapped her arm around me protectively and lovingly as we walked to the medic's tent. We waited nearly an hour before Ash came out. In that time, Rain and Misti had brought us some spare clothes to change in. My friend gave me an encouraging hug and thanks before leaving with her mother. A few others had also stopped by, either to thank me or report to Emerald. “Emerald, Amethyst, how are you two feeling?” Ash asked us instantly. Her eyes mainly lingered on me. I could understand why, no one seems to be questioning why I was okay even after such a violent forced shift. “We are coping. Opal?” I've never seen Emerald look as helpless as she did now. Not knowing if her child is okay was obviously eating away at her. I wondered, even with the threat of the curse, would I be as brave as her to venture into the outside world so I could conceive a child of my own. Would I be any different at dealing with this kind situation? Would I be able to have a child knowing something could happen to her like what happened to Opal? “The gash on her face unfortunately damaged her left eye beyond repair. She will never be able to regain sight in that eye, and her face will always have the scar. Other than that, she should make a full recovery my friend.” I heard Emerald release a stuttered sigh of relief, but I could only feel guilt strong enough to make me feel like puking. My baby sister will have to carry the scar of my mistake for the rest of her life. Ash led us to the room where the unconscious Opal rested. Half of her face was bound by gauze. Her brows were crinkled in pain, a cold sweat formed on her forehead. I could feel the tears building, my fault. "No, not our fault." My wolf growled at me, no longer allowing us to bear this blame. "It was that bastard Rouge who hurt her." "She may never get to become the Warrior she was destined to become. She will never be able to protect herself." "We will protect her." She proclaimed and I didn't second guess the thought that popped up in my head right then. "Yes, we will protect her. I will not leave her side, even when my body becomes ready to bare children. She will be my responsibility." I sat in the stool that rested beside my dear sister. I took a nearby cloth and dabbed the sweat off her head. Silent tears fell down my resolved face. I will work harder; grow stronger, so that she may live a peaceful life. I felt Emerald's hand squeeze my shoulder as she joined my silent vigil.