Desires of the Moon

2. Ready, set, go!

50 HOURS BEFORE THE RUN

Lena sat at the side of Cody’s bed. She had just finished reading him a story. He had picked it out himself, a fantastic tale of knights and dragons, warlocks and princesses. Lena actually sort of enjoyed it, or at least she enjoyed it so much that she hadn’t noticed him falling asleep. He looked so peaceful sleeping. She gave him a small kiss on the forehead before she got up and left the room. It was dark and most of the Bloodwood Pack had already turned in for the night. 

Lena walked down the narrow path leading to the creek. The air was crisp as it it ususally was at this time in most of Wyoming. She passed a lot of houses. The pack’s terrain was vast and almost every family had their own house. Their Alpha, Luna and some of the more important generals, including the Beta, lived in the main house on top of the valley. Their current Alpha didn’t have a Luna yet, so at the moment it was inhabited by impulsive, power hungry males. It wasn’t a friendly environment to say the least.

Lena heard a c***k and quickly hid behind a house. She looked around but didn’t see anything. Come on girl, get yourself together! She looked closer and realized she was at the training house. All the youngs learning to control their wolves lived in that house. They started living there when they were able to shift by themselves and left when they had gained full control of their emotions, thus were able to not shift if their emotions got strong and took control. Lena had only lived there for around 3 months, but most young wolves lived there for 6 -12 months. Right now her second brother, Lucas, lived at that house instead of their small house. With the exception of Saturdays, where the youngs went home for a day, she barely saw him. He had been there for around a month, but he was almost able to control his wolf already. However, he still lacked some abilities like mind linking. Lena wanted to run in there, pull out her brother, and get far away with him. But she knew that they would have no chance right now, and she found some solace in the fact that the youngs were overlooked by Carl, an older wolf with a tough love approach, but still full of care for the youngs. He had been there since before the pack was called the Bloodwood Pack and still was called the Ashwood Pack, so she knew he would protect Lucas. 

She stepped down the stone stairs and jumped on to the ground by the creek. There, by a big stone twenty feet away, sat Anders. Though she couldn’t see his face, his shoulder long hair and relaxed posture gave him away. The man was in his fifties, nearing sixty, yet he still stood with a rankness that many fighting wolves had lost in their thirties. He wasn’t tall, but he was tough looking with scars so deep that even his wolf's healing ability couldn’t mend them. But his eyes were mild. You can always trust a person by the flicker in their eyes her mom had said. 

    “I was beginning to fear you wouldn’t come.” 

Anders stepped forward and helped Lena cross a small stream. She smiled.

    “Cody didn’t want to go to sleep today. Apparently he’s getting too old to sleep at a reasonable hour.”

Anders laughed. 

    “How old is he? Seven, eight?”

    “Nine actually, he’s just small, but so was Lucas until he turned twelve and he started growing like crazy. No, this is about Cody’s coming of age. Apparently, when you turn into a wolf because Aaron White bullied Kendra Turner, then you must be treated like a man.”

They both chuckled. 

    “I can’t be mad though. I mean, I’m quite pleased his first change was provoked out of injustice rather than anger.”

    “Yes, definitely. It’s not like turning for the first time because Sandra Morris took the last Pop Tart.” 

He gave Lena a mild puff, smiling. 

    “Wh… It was Kelly Rune, a Twinkie, and she had done it hella many times by then, so the b***h had it coming. Justice was served that day my good man.”

They both laughed for a while, but then they stopped and the mood got more serious.

    “I have made sure that a boat is available where this creek meets the river. All you have to do is get there. Are you ready?”

Anders looked at Lena with concern in his eyes. She nodded lightly and took a deep breath. 

    “As ready as one can get I guess. I really hoped Cody would have been more trained, but fortunately Lucas is stronger than any thirteen year old that I have met. We should be good as long as no one discovers that we have left before dawn.”

Anders nodded, but Lena still sensed some concern in his eyes. 

    “And what about you, Lena? You’re going to have to leave stuff behind that used to give you joy. Are you prepared to do that?”

Lena looked at Anders, and for the first time she felt totally cool and in control.

    “Used to. He is going to kill my brothers if I don’t get them away from here, Anders. The joy that used to be doesn’t exist anymore.” 

They both stood up and Anders held Lena’s shoulders while looking into her eyes. 

    “Then get them the hell away from here.”

32 HOURS BEFORE THE RUN

Every wolf in the Bloodwood Pack had mandatory training at least three times a week, but the hunters and fighters had to train five times a week, and their training was longer and way more intense. Lena had been a part of the hunters for three years now, although she initially wanted to be a fighter. However, the council had agreed that she was more suited to be a hunter given her remarkable speed and agility. She knew that was a load of crap; they just didn’t want her to be a fighter, or rather, he didn't want her to be a fighter. 

They had just come back from their final run when one of the main house guards, Fenton, came running towards Lena. Fenton, what a stupid name…

    “Lena, you’re requested at the Alpha’s office in thirty minutes.”

    “Thirty minutes? But I’m…”

Before she could answer, Fenton had left. Annoyed, she rushed to her house to have a quick shower and change of clothes. Luckily, Cody was still at the school and he normally hung out at the school’s club house afterward. She assembled her hair in a messy bun and put on some clean yoga pants and an oversize sweater before leaving for the main house. No way I’m entering that house of horndogs in anything too sexy.

When she arrived she knocked. The door opened and on the other side a weasel looking face met her. Ugh, Ivan. Great… 

    “Well well well, what a lovely surprise. What brings you here, babe? Looking for some comfort?” 

Lena frowned. He really did have a lot of nerve, she thought, but just pushed through. 

    “Marcello requested me, so I would back the f**k off if I were you. You know how he gets when people get in his way.” 

Ivan looked like he wanted to challenge Lena, but he chose to keep his mouth shut and looked gloomy instead. 

Lena passed the kitchen and living room before reaching the stairs. Some gave a short whistle, but most of them contained themselves. They knew where she was going, and they didn’t dare to anger him. She walked up the stairs. The house was big and had seven floors on which there were bedrooms for the wolves who lived there. One floor could easily contain three families. The seventh floor, however, was only the Alpha’s floor. It seemed like a waste of space, but that was how it was and always had been. 

Lena had reached the seventh floor and made her way to the office. She knocked. 

    “Come in” a deep voice from the other side said.

Lena opened the door and entered. In his chair looking at some papers, sat the Alpha of the Bloodwood Pack, Marcello. He was a very muscular man, tall and tan. He had black, short hair and serious, brown eyes. He was quite handsome but very somber and stern to look at. Lena walked in and closed the door. 

“You asked for me?”

Marcello looked up from his papers and leaned back looking at her. 

    “Where have you been this last week? I haven’t seen you.” he said. 

    “I’ve been busy. Cody got sick and I had to take care of him when I wasn’t working.” 

It wasn’t all a lie. Cody had been sick, but her brother probably could have managed himself for the biggest part. Marcello got up and approached her. He gave a short “hm”. 

    “Well alright. I haven’t been here that much the last couple of weeks either, so I guess we’re even.”

He now stood right in front of her and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. He lightly brushed her cheek before moving away. 

    “Is everything ready for the next full moon? Do you need any help?” 

She looked at Marcello and smiled. It would be almost a month before the next full moon, and if the Goddess was kind, then she and her brothers would be long gone by then. 

    “No I have it under control, don’t you worry about that. All you have to worry about is maintaining the strength of the pack and yourself of course.” 

They locked eyes. His eyes softened and he gave her a small smile. 

    “You are good.” He then sat down in his chair again. “I have to go north for some days, as you might know…” 

She knew. He and a lot of commanding officers. It was essential to her plan, because they could more easily flee. 

    “... but when I get back, I would love to hear about your plans. What do you say about dinner on Wednesday?” 

Lena smiled and nodded before responding. 

    “Great, can’t wait.” 

They smiled at each other. 

    “Me either. Now go, I have a lot of work, and you’re a distraction.”

He then gestured to show her that she was allowed to leave. She gave a last smile and nod before stepping outside.

12 HOURS BEFORE THE RUN

Lena sat in the grass, looking at her youngest brother playing. It was Saturday and the school was closed for the weekend. Lucas was home as well, but he sat inside. 

It was uncanny how much her youngest brother looked like their mother. The big, brown almond shaped eyes with their long and thick lashes; the plump lips and shining smile with dimples; the high cheekbones, small nose, dark blond hair and naturally tan skin. Just as their mother had been a beautiful woman, Cody would be a beautiful young man soon. Lucas resembled his father more. The hair was a light brown, his eyes were grey and his nose and jaw were more defined. But the smile was the same as their mother’s. In fact they all had inherited that smile. 

As for Lena, people had always said that she and her mother had come from two different sets of the same coloring book. Every line and feature was the same, but their colors were totally different. Lena had brown hair, milky skin and green eyes. However, Lena had also become taller and leaner than her mother. 

    “Lena, look!” 

Cody put up his hands and made a cartwheel. Lena laughed and clapped. 

    “Very impressive, Teddy. You’re getting really good.” 

    “I’ve practiced a lot. You always say that practice makes perfect.” 

He sat down next to her and rested his head on her arm. She tucked him into her, closing her arms around him. 

    “Well if you take your training seriously, then, some day, you’re going to be a strong, young man who will probably outrun and outfight me. But for now…” 

She started tickling him and he kicked and laughed saying “no, no, stop” but still with a lot of joy in his voice. She stopped and hugged him when she heard a sound behind her. 

    “Lena, we need to talk. Alone.”

Lena turned around and saw Carl. He looked upset and the laughing stopped immediately. Carl looked at Cody to signal that he shouldn’t hear this. Lena stood up and pulled Cody with her. 

    “Hey Teddy, can you be a sweet boy and go inside and help Luke for a bit?” 

Cody nodded and walked back to the house. When he had gone into the house, Carl pulled Lena in the direction of some trees. When he had made sure they were hidden and no one else was there, he looked at Lena.

    “Have you seen Anders lately?” 

Lena looked at him, confused. 

    “Not since yesterday evening, no. Why?”

Carl’s brows got even more serious. 

    “No one has seen him since yesterday, at least no one we can trust. I’m afraid something has happened to him.” 

Lena shook her head lightly, but before she could answer, Carl spoke again. 

    “Listen, I fear that someone is on to you. I know it’s dangerous for you to stay, but I really think you should postpone this for another time. You may have eyes on you right now that you don’t even know about.”

Lena shook her head intensely. 

    “No Carl, we have to go, now! If we don’t then I fear what might happen when Marcello gets back. Please, you have to understand!”

The older wolf looked at her and sighed. 

    “Alright… I have a plan then. Meet me at the training house after midnight. Go through the forest path from the back of your house, and please make sure you’re not followed!” 

Lena nodded and Carl walked away. 

10 MINUTES BEFORE THE RUN

They had been walking down the narrow forest path for some time now, and Lena could see the training house. 

    "Stay here, I’ll look to see if anyone is keeping guard."

Lena used her mind link with her oldest brother. Lucas nodded and squeezed Cody’s hand. Lena moved to the edge of the trees and scouted to see if anyone was out.  No one. She waved at Lucas and Cody and they got down to her. 

    “I need you two to go down to the training house while I keep a lookout, okay?” She whispered.

Both boys nodded. 

“Go!” 

The boys ran and got inside just as a silhouette came out of the dark. Another shape appeared. Patrols she thought. Though their job was making sure no outsiders trespassed, she didn’t think they would help insiders escape either. 

She looked around. I just need to distract them for a few seconds until I reach the house. She looked around and found a stone. She threw it at a bush in the opposite direction of the field and the bush stirred. Both patrols looked at the bush and walked towards it. Lena got up and ran as fast as she could. She reached the door just in time and got in. 

Her brothers and Carl were standing by a hatch in the floor. Lena approached them and looked at it. 

    “This hatch takes you down into an underground tunnel. Follow the tunnel and you’ll get out just outside of our territory. From there you can run towards the river. This will make sure that you at least have passed the secured grounds. But it’s still a long run, so go fast and don’t look back!” 

Carl looked at them all. Lucas and Cody nodded, trying to look brave. They are brave! she thought to herself. 

    “Now go for the sake of the Goddess!”

All three got down in the hatch and it closed. This is it. This is our escape. They got down to the ground and started running.