His Warrior Luna

7 Bloom & Doom

But when he neared me, there was a dark look in his usually bright eyes when he looked into mine.

His hand shot forward so fast, I thought he was going to strike me, and I flinched, exposing my neck and closing my eyes. Instead, his fist roughly grabbed at my new fur around my throat, his fingers digging in mercilessly as they sought what he was looking for.

When he found it, he gave a viscous yank. I whined as I felt bits of fur rip from my skin. Then came the unmistakable click as the beautiful necklace he had given me just that morning broke. When he pulled away, I saw the silver chain’s ends dangling helplessly between his fingers.

I watched them, mesmerized at their fluid, but seemingly lost movement, finding it ironic that their helpless dangling perfectly mirrored my life in that moment.

As if his action were a cue, the people renewed their outbursts and roused me from my shock. An Alpha from another pack rushed at me, but my father blocked his way, tossing him back towards the crowd in anger. The growl coming from him told everyone his wolf was close.

All I could hear were their angry cries, and I wished I could disappear.

In the midst of their angry cries, I wished I could just disappear. Devon, as if hearing my silent plea, posted up beside me. I saw pity in his eyes. His job was to protect me, and even though everyone else had lost their minds, he, at least, stayed true.

I immediately moved behind him, using his large form as cover, and he stood his ground, an imposing wall between me and the hate-filled crowd.

Amid the chaos, a crystal clear howl sounded from the woodline; the howl of a strange wolf carrying the promise of power. Everyone stopped, suddenly quiet, and began looking in that direction.

A blur of silver streaked through the night, coming from the forest and the across the open field, reflecting the light of the moon on her silvery coat. She slowed down as she approached the arena and trotted toward us with her head held high.

She carried the grace and poise of a Luna, and as she passed the people, they whispered in curiosity and awe at her beauty. She spared me a glance as she passed me. I saw the icy hatred in her steely, cobalt blue eyes before she stopped in front of my father.

She dipped her front end and head as she bowed in reverence to him, acknowledging his superiority over her, appeasing his wolf for the intrusion of a strange wolf in the midst of the chaos. She came back up and sat down on her haunches, and kept her head lowered, but her eyes up at him.

My father looked down at her, and I could see his jaw tense as he examined her. He nodded once, as if some unspoken conversation between them concluded. His eyes shifted to my mother before he turned to the crowd with his hands up, demanding their attention.

“There will be no run tonight,” he announced. “Please, everyone, go back to your packs and homes and give my wife and me time to sort out what has happened here tonight.”

“The Council will stay,” an older wolf proclaimed. “Some dangerous trickery has transpired. Rest assured, we will get to the bottom of it!”

“What about the Moon Goddess and her blessing?” A woman’s voice called back. “And the flowers? What does this mean?”

Everyone turned to look at the vine-covered columns that should have still been covered in open blossoms, and only dark green leaves and elliptical pods could be seen.

“The Council will give you the answers as soon as we have them,” the older wolf said in a tired voice. “For now, listen to the Alpha and just go home.”

The strange silver she-wolf remained seated close to my father. My mother kneeled and looked in her face, and the wolf stared calmly back at her. Everyone avoided looking at me as they left, and I had never felt more miserable or alone in my entire life.

“Raina, why do they hate me?” I asked, reaching out to my wolf.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. I could feel her fear and confusion, separate, but just as strong as my own.

Some of my girlfriends were the last to leave. I saw them huddled in a group, casting unreadable glances my way, until they finally turned and left as well.

I didn’t see Joffrey. He disappeared in the commotion, but my heart ached at his actions. He had just sworn love and protect me. In front of my parents, the pack and the Moon Goddess herself. His abandonment now was bitter and harsh in the back of my throat.

I would have cried if I could.