Moon Children

Blindsided (2)

“We’ll be fine Dar, Ezra wouldn’t let anything happen to us.” Maria links me in reassurance. As my best friend, she’s extremely empathetic to my feelings.  

Finally, we reached flat land leading to a clearing. Making our way through the last of the tall, winding trees, an adorable little waterfall pours into a tiny lake, which runs into a babbling brook. The water is breathtaking. It’s incredibly clear and dark, something I could only describe as ebony colored glass flowing gracefully for miles.  On either side of the waterfall, vines hung down the entire length, adorned with  red and white blossoms.  

“Whoa..” Clara whispers, mouth agape. 

“When the hell did this get here? This place is gorgeous!” Maria chimes in. 

I stare absolutely speechless. There’s a small patch of grass aside the shore, as the waterfall flows from the cliff’s edge to pool on the left side of the clearing. The tall redwood trees proudly surround every area around the lake for miles beyond. 

Ezra speaks, snapping me out of my dream state. 

“It’s not within our territory. That’s why we’ve never seen it. Which is weird, considering I’m pretty sure this has to be the source of Black Brook.” 

“That’s strange, it should have been included with our pack lands during the treaty. I thought we owned all of the area surrounding Black Brook. We’ll have to ask Dad when we get back.” Clara adds. 

Ezra shrugs his shoulders, walking past us towards the clearing by the lake. As the 3 of us look on in confusion, he grins, sending a jolt through my body. Without breaking eye contact, he pulls out a blanket and packed lunch for 4 from his bookbag. Maria smiles widely at her brother before breaking the silence. 

“You sap! This is seriously adorable. Why are Clara and I here? This should totally be a you-two-only type of thing.  It’s the cutest little date ever!” 

“It’s just lunch with 3 of my most favorite women on the earth.” Ezra adds cheekily. 

“It’s amazing here.” I finally manage to choke out, still in awe of my surroundings. 

  “I think so too.” Ezra stares directly at me as he responds. 

Maria pulls me by the arm to where Clara and Ezra have already set up our picnic and drags me down onto a corner of the blanket. We sit together, enjoying our meal facing the gentle waterfall. 

While we were discussing whether or not to go for a swim after our meal, I felt a shiver run through my spine, causing every hair on my body to stand on end. Something wasn’t right, and I felt suddenly uneasy. Almost immediately after, all 3 Alpha children stilled as their ears perked up. Ezra linked us to not move a muscle as he silently whirled around to face the forest in which we came from. A few twigs snapped, followed by very light footsteps. Directly from where we just came, Stella walks through the clearing to where we’re seated, mouth open in shock. 

“Stella, what in the world are you doing here?! This is off territory!” I snapped, instantaneously standing up and marching towards my little sister. Stella refocuses and realizes I am pissed, and her tiny eyes widen in terror. 

“I’m sorry Dar-dar, I don’t know where Mom and Dad went, and Harvey is supposed to be watching me and Eve, but he disappeared too. I got nervous so I followed your scent from the front gate and after walking for forever, I found you.” She concludes. 

“Of course Harvey would be irresponsible and leave a 9 and 4 year-old home alone. Ugh! Wait – If you’re here, where’s Eve?” Panic flooding me instantly. 

“Don’t worry sissy, I left her in the pack kitchen with Mrs.  Martha. You know Eve loves her, and Mrs. Martha said it was totally okay and they would bake muffins!” She explains proudly. 

I sigh in instant relief, thank the goddess someone in this family has some sense.  

“Let’s get you back home.” I huff, rolling my eyes. I love my little sister, but every once in awhile, it’d be nice to be a normal teenager; one that can hang out with her friends without being called for babysitting duty. 

“Sorry guys.” I mutter. 

“It’s no big, we can totally come out here again. I think it’s about time we head back anyway.” Clara responds, Maria and Ezra nodding their heads in unison. 

We reached the edge of the woods, the sprawling lawn around the packhouse spread out before us.  Leisurely making our way back to the main door, Clara and Maria parted ways to head around the back towards the pool since we didn’t get the opportunity to embrace the waterfall.  Ezra looked back at me, smiling lightly. I shuddered at the way my entire being reacted to his gaze, like a magnet pulling in its’ target.  I didn’t want to  feel this way towards him, after everything I’d discovered last week.. But I was slowly realizing it isn’t much use. The pull is too strong to fight most of the time. I looked down at Stella, who was gazing at me admirably. 

“I’m sorry about today, maybe we can reschedule? I’m going to kill Harvey when I get my hands on him.” I said to Ezra, who was still smirking in my direction. 

“Seriously, don’t sweat it. I have little siblings too and I know the life of being the responsible one.” He responded sincerely, but I could tell it was laced with a hint of sadness. 

“Well, maybe we could.. Babysit together?” I asked hesitantly. 

“If you’re not busy of course.” I added in rather quickly. He chuckled softly, eyes never leaving mine.  

“I’m not busy at all! And you know, I think I’d like that.” He beamed. 

We made our way towards the pack kitchen to grab Eve before locating my little brother so I could rip him a new one for leaving the girls home alone. The aroma of blueberries trickled into my senses as we approached the door.  

“Good afternoon Mrs. Martha!” I spoke cheerfully. 

The pack cook spun around on her heels, realizing for the first time that someone had walked through the door. She bowed deeply to show her respect to Ezra and myself. 

“Hello! What can I do for you three on this beautiful evening?” She spoke quickly, sounding very surprised to see us here.  

“I came to collect my sister, Eve. Stella here said she left her in your care while she came to find me. I apologize deeply for the inconvenience. Harvey was supposed to be watching them. Believe me, when I find him he’s a dead ma-” 

“Oh nonsense dear, Eve is a delight! I enjoy having little ones to keep me company in the kitchen, ever since all of the older children grew up I’ve been quite lonely in here.” Mrs. Martha chuckled in response, referring to the leading families’ older generation of kids - us. 

I fondly remember patting around the kitchen as a child, assisting Mrs. Martha with cooking for the entire pack.  Us kids were never very good at it though. 

“Thank you, seriously. I owe you a huge one! We better get going.”  I smiled back at her. 

Her face fell slightly as she furrowed her eyebrows. 

“Oh, I’m sorry dear. Eve isn’t here anymore. She went out to the side yard of to play near your garden Miss Darci.” She responded apprehensively. 

“That’s alright.. I just hope someone is outside keeping an eye on her.” I laughed as a slight nervousness crept through me. 

“Come on, let’s go find Eve.” I said to Stella and Ezra.  

Unknown POV 

We have been waiting many years for the day we would get confirmation of the sacred Moon Child’s birth. One of our informants had come to us just a few months ago, confirming a child with white hair had been born to the Black Brook Pack. Our master smiled devilishly at this news, once he’d been provided with a photograph for evidence. A small child could be seen playing near the edge of the woods, baring bright white, curly hair. Only a side profile of her face was showing. This informant had blended seamlessly into Black Brook some time ago, pretending to join them. They spied on each of the Moon children, in hopes the prophetic she-wolf would be born. Alas, our time had finally come to reign supreme against the established packs that polluted the territories that should belong to us. Master despised Black Brook the most of all, claiming it was his home for many years before it was stolen away. 

I was one of the very privileged members of our group who was recruited to gather intel on the child. While our informant was able to provide the photo, they could not provide any names. He complained there were too many Moon children to recall, but insisted she was the only one with color absent locks. While it upset Master that the informant was lousily performing their duties, he was very pleased with the photographic evidence. 

I had been watching her for months now, studying the family and their routines. It seemed they were protective over the young ones, to no surprise. Yet on this day, the little girl was entirely alone. Some older wolves could be seen in the distance mingling by the pool, but otherwise, she was unsupervised.  

Master, she is alone. I linked in my head. 

This may be our only opportunity. GET HER.  He responded nearly instantly. 

I had to move quickly, but silently. I could not alert the other members in the distance. I stayed far enough away to not be scented, and whispered carefully through the trees in the little girls direction. 

“Hello...” 

Her head snapped towards me, just as I’d hoped. No one else was near enough to pick it up. 

“Shhhh... I need your help.. Please. I’m scared.” I whimpered, sounding as youthful as possible. 

She stood up, facing the trees. She couldn’t see me from my position, but she was an intuitive little one. She took a few steps toward the wood line, and paused. 

“What’s wrong?” She whispered. 

“I... I’m lost. I was trying to find my Mommy and now I don’t know where I am.. An-and now I’m stuck.” I maintained my youthful façade. 

“Where are you silly? I can help you find your Mommy.” She chuckled back. 

“I’m right here, just a little ways into the trees. I’m scared, please help me.” I whimpered. 

The little girl dutifully followed my voice through the forest. 

“Just a little further, I can see you. I’m down here, down the hill.” I was trying to maintain my composure, never has a mission forced me to pretend I was a child.  

Yet, this was no ordinary task. Master depended on me to bring this child home. He has never been clear as to why, just that she is very important to the success of our pack. 

“I’m coming, what are you stuck on?” She asked in her mousy voice. 

“SHHHH. I’m here, my foot.. It’s under a log. I’m too little to shift.” I responded. 

“Okay. I’m coming down the hill.. But I don’t see you. I see a log. Where did you go?” She started padding around the fallen tree, looking under it for a child.  

It was time. 

I sprang into action, leaping from behind the redwood I was perched behind. The little girl had no time to react as I swiftly grabbed her from the side, covering her mouth as I injected her with the tiniest bit of wolfsbane. It instantly gave the intended affect, as she fell limp in my arms. I smiled victoriously. 

I captured her, Master. I am heading home.