Fall Harvest Moon

Pushing her feet further into the morning dew covered moss, Aurora enjoyed the soft cooling effect it had on her tired feet. She had a long night patrolling and was starting to feel tired. All the extra training classes she has been taking the past couple months, added with the extra patrol shifts this week were taking effect and she stood up to stretch as she thought how proud of her wolf she was. Zara was small, but quick. When she first shifted, she was surprised how small framed she was. Zara introduced herself and promised to be everything she needed her to be and vowed to protect her at all cost, and Aurora promised her in returned she will make her proud and her protection as well.They bonded immediately and Zara proved how fast she was and she loved to run, Aurora really enjoyed the ride as Zara took over and they both loved exploring all over the local mountains. But this place here was their favorite. She wanted to come here to this clearing with the perfect view of the everything below but noone could notice it by looking up. It was perfect place to watch the sunrise, and Aurora felt she didn't know how many sunrises she had here at home. Feeling heartache and the tears forming in her eyes. "I don't want to leave here, this is my home." Feeling her heart swell and eyes water, she quickly brushed off the tears before they could fall, and reminded herself why she came here. Taking a deep breath and returning her focus on the spectacular sunrise happening in front of her, the sky was transforming and this was her favorite moment, the stars were still visible and it was the most amazing blend of black/blue to violet pink she wished she could freeze time and stay here forever, before the final shades of sky blue rose with the sun. Overlooking her homelands, she saw the Eagle clan house in front of the courtyard, it was the biggest house in the whole village, the surrounding buildings were shops and businesses that had housing above them, every year it grew. The residents and many of the other villagers were already outside in the courtyard decorating and preparing for tonight's feast. It was the biggest gathering with all the surrounding tribes from villages and towns from near and far attending. She saw the Whale and the Otter clan & people on the beaches and docks working on their boats, nets and fishing gear, the fishing season was over but there was plenty of other seafood to be harvested. She saw some were preparing fresh seafood and gifts for tonight. The candied salmon was always her favorite snack. Looking towards the fields in the hillsides, she saw the Bear clan members already working as well. People would come from miles around just for their corn. Looking down from her spot in the woods, she saw groups of the Wolf clan getting ready for their day of patrols. The leader of the night patrol, Samuel, was meeting with the Joanne, leader of the day scouts informing them about any night events. Which for Aurora, was a quiet night. She ran all night along the northern border, watching out for any intruders who could try to steal from or threaten their home. Anyone, basically everyone, knew the Northern Star Tribe, was the most prosperous and fastest growing village that hosted the annual feast, which was well stocked with foods and gifts especially prepared for the event. So the Wolf clan and the Raven clan were responsible for increasing patrols and protection. This week she has been out every night, even when she didn't have to be. They usually ran in pairs with another wolf or raven as lookout. but last night she ran alone because her two friends whom she prefered to run with, were both busy preparing for tonight's dance. Most of the young shifters were allowed to take the night and day off to prepare but Aurora chose to run. The pack leader was proud of her dedication, Samuel didn't say much other than giving orders, he was a tough trainer but he has showed pride as Aurora got faster and stronger these past months, Zara beamed under his praise. Aurora praised Zara as well, she loved how fast Zara was, and Aurora has been doing extra training to add strength to her small wolf frame. Zara pushed her, and together trained hard to become the perfect pair. Aurora was nervous about tonight's upcoming festivities and Zara was amazing at helping her work though those emotions and running helped calm Zara, so Aurora let her take control as she ran through the forest, feeling the soft earth under her paws and adrenaline racing through her veins excited her and helped Zara relax and let Aurora have more thoughts to herself. Overthinking makes Zara restless and sometimes has more to say than Aurora wants to hear, but it's hard to shut out a voice that's basically your other half of your whole being. They were still learning to coexist as one. Zara was strong, outgoing and liked to take control which helped Aurora in training. Aurora was a obedient hard worker and a fast learner which together made them among top rank in their class. She wasn't prepared for the Fall Harvest Feast, she didn't want to meet her mate. She doesn't want to leave her home, or her parents. They weren't ready for her to leave either. Zara on the other hand was excited but understood Aurora's feeling and she helped as best she could by staying quiet about possibly meeting their mate tonight. Aurora tried to be excited for Zara, she thought Zara deserved everything good for all she has done to help Aurora, she had helped Aurora through the grief of losing her sister. Azelea, saying her name struck Aurora's heart like an arrow. The pain was almost to much to bear even now, especially now, Azelea should be here helping her get ready for tonight. Aurora felt Zara trying to calm her, she was here. Zara brought her peace and as hard as it was, Aurora wanted Zara to have peace too. When they first shifted Aurora felt Zara's heartache, as they realized her mate was nowhere near. Every month that went by Zara grew more anxious. It was hard for Aurora to watch because she herself didn't share those feelings. She wasn't ready to leave home and since her mate wasn't here that meant she would eventually have to leave when he did show up to take her away. What if her mate was like her sister Azalea's mate? He took her away from them forever. Her parents didn't say it, they didn't have to. She could see it in their eyes whenever they talked about the upcoming feast. She could tell they weren't happy when she didn't meet her mate within the tribe. They were worried, because, just like her sister, her mate was from another tribe. K*****g your mate is an instant way to receive a curse from the moon goddess. She can take your gifted spirit animal from you and make you completely human again, or she can remove the ability to shift back into human, allowing your spirit animal to take control. Her sister's mate was transformed into a wolf, and shunned from his pack. Now he roams as a rouge and has more animal instincts than humans. She recalls the stories of his survivors. Aurora shudders as she thinks about her sister Azalea's mate, Axel, or, as everyone used to call him, Axe, was the Alpha wolf from the Blood River tribe, and they were known as a ruthless and powerful pack always is disputes with other tribes. She had a bad feeling when her sister introduced him as her mate. He was instantly possessive and controlling of who was near her, and wanted her to leave with him right away. But Lea was instantly deeply bonded with him, she wanted to forget all the stories about his cruel and harsh reign as Alpha. Azalea was happy to leave home and join her mate. It didn't take long for her sweet gentle sister to tire of her new pack's way of life. She missed her home and left without telling Axe. She had enough of the fighting and tough way of life within the village and she wanted to come home, "Just to unwind and relax a while away from the stress of being a new Luna", she told Aurora. She never made it home. Axe thought Lea was leaving him, maybe for another man. He went into a rage and chased after her. When Axe saw Lea traveling with another man who was only escorting her through the woods, he didn't give Azalea time to explain herself. After her death, the moon goddess appeared and told him, since he allowed his animal to take over and kill his mate in a fit of jealousy and rage, he would stay a wolf and not be given a chance for a second mate. Now Axe was a rouge who roamed the land wild and no control, and the ability to take down anyone who crossed his path. Aurora stood up again, not bothering to put her shoes on, she enjoyed the cool earth under her tired feet. She suddenly felt more tired after thinking of Azalea's fate. Walking towards her home, she waved at a couple wolves that started their day patrols. With the upcoming feast, the patrols have doubled in size, prepared for any attacks against them for food, resources or even people. Rouge would sometimes steal members from their homes. That was probably the only reason her parents wanted a mate for her. Mates were supposed to protect and love their other half. The moon goddess made soulmates, two halves of a whole. Someone to strengthens to your weakness but also be your weakness. Ying and Yang, perfect balance to being a whole, together. Mated shifters had stronger abilities and their children were more likely to be born shifters too. Just like Aurora's parents with her & Azalea. Aurora's parents had the type of love story she hoped for, but with Azalea's sad story, she was now also afraid. Zara was excited for tonight and she was having a hard time to hide it from Aurora. A soulmate was a gift from the Moon Goddess. she wanted to be appreciative. so she did her best to push her feelings aside and let Zara feel the excitement for both of them. Aurora reached up to the pendant hanging around her neck, thinking of her last gift from the moon goddess. She didn't want to seem ungrateful or disrespect the goddess anyway. So she kept her worries and thoughts to herself, and Zara was good at keeping silent about it all. Still holding the pendant, Aurora remembered her first full moon ceremony. Every child when they reach of age attends their first full moon ceremony of their birth month, where the moon goddess will gift each individual an animal spirit or divine beauty and strength. A person never knew what they were receiving until the goddess decided herself. Aurora held the pendant which connected her to her wolf Zara, hoping to calm herself before going inside her house and facing her parents. She didn't want to cause them to worry any more than they already were. The Fall Harvest Moon Festival is a huge event every year during the Autumn Equinox where all the neighboring tribes and clans gather to feast and celebrate the Moon Goddess with songs and dances, trade foods and gifts with each other to keep peace and solidarity amongst the tribes. And it was also used as a mating ceremony to allow unmatched individuals to possibly find their mates. It doesn't always happen but you can meet your mate during this time. Something Aurora didn't want to happen. She was happy here with her parents and she didn't want them to feel the loss of another daughter. If she met her mate at the feast, she would most likely leave with him to his home. Who knows when or if she'll see her parents again. Walking into the house, Aurora was greeted with the delicious aroma of her mother's cooking. She walked into the kitchen as her mom, Brooke, was setting a plate of food on the table. "Just in time, little wolf", with that tone she used when she wasn't happy. "I was about to send your father looking for you, the rest of the pack already ate and is resting for tonight's feast" Aurora saw the worry in her mom's eyes. Her mother was a strong woman who hid her emotions with a serious expression that lit up for Aurora. "Hurry on, and wash up! Your food is getting cold" Aurora eyed the huge plate of her favorite foods; bacon, eggs, pancakes and hash browns were still steaming hot, meaning her mom just either reheated it or was made fresh. Mouthwatering, Aurora quickly nodded her head and left to wash up. Zara was pacing and eager to turn back for the food. Freshly washed, and Zara salivating in her mind, Aurora sat down with the huge plate her mom gave her, she could barely stop feeding herself long enough to reply to her mother's protests "Aurora! Please slow down and chew your food, taste it don't destroy it!!" Brooke exclaimed. "Sorry mom, you don't have to worry about me tasting the food, it is absolutely delicious, why give so much if you didn't want me to eat it all?" Aurora asked as she took another mouthful of eggs and hash browns, then drinking her hot coffee to wash it down. Zara was in heaven, tail wagging, begging for more. Aurora agreed and scooped another bacon from her plate. "Well, I just wanted to make you a good breakfast, who knows if I'll be making you one tomorrow." she smiled weakly. " tonight could be a big event for you, I want you well fed and rested." She quickly rose from her seat beside Aurora and kissed the top of her head as she turned towards the kitchen stove. Aurora noticed her mother looked more frail these days, her bright wavy Auburn hair was looking dull and she was wearing it up in a bun when she usually wears it down flowing past her shoulders. Her now weary smile once bright and her hazel eyes looked dull and tired, was she crying last night? She always handled everything with grace and strength that Aurora could only wish for. She must be more stressed than she would ever admit to. Zara was very intuitive and helped Aurora notice these small differences in her mother. Before Aurora could say or ask anything about it, her father, Gabriel or, as everyone calls him Gabe, walked into the kitchen, "There she is! must've been a good run" His loud voice bellowed, as he eyed her plate "food smells delicious dear, any leftovers, or did a little wolf come through here?" He winked and smiled at Aurora as she quickly finished all her bacon, and smiled back with a mouthful of food. Unlike her mom , he always called her that name. Brooke suddenly seemed to relax at the sight of her mate. Your mate is supposed to love and protect you. Make you stronger, both human and animal form. Mates could feel each other's emotions and once accepted, the bond was forever. Gabe probably felt his mate in distress, and wanted to check on her. Aurora knew her mother would be fine as long as her father was around . Gabe chuckled and took the coffee and extra plate of food his wife brought to him. She sat down next to him and rested her hand on his arm. "Are you ready for tonight's Festival little Wolf? " He asked Aurora. Watching his daughters' reaction. Aurora gulped down her food, pulling her coffee cup up to stall an answer. What should she say?