Veil of the Bloodmoon

Meeting the Alpha

Seraphine and the members of the Bloodmoon pack followed Stark and his men. He led them through the woods and to the pack house. The Redmoon pack wasn't as huge and grand as the Bloodmoon pack, but the buildings looked like they were being remodeled. But what caught Seraphine's attention the most were the people in tattered clothes who were carrying bricks. There were also people dressed like Stark's men who had whips in their hands. An old man crouched down, trying to catch his breath. All of a sudden, a guy dressed in black let down his whip on him with full force. "How dare you?!" He yelled as he whipped the old man again. Seraphine's eyes widened, and her people gasped at the sight of it. She wanted to ask what was going on, but she knew exactly what it was. During her travels with her parents, she heard rumors that this was how the witches treated the rogue wolves that entered their lands. They made the men work and made the women their s*x slaves. Seraphine couldn't help but wonder if the men who were being forced to work were rogues or former members of the Redwood pack. She also wondered where the women were. Stark led them to Redmoon castle. He took them into the throne room where a man with long hair braided into cornrows stood. He was staring at a portrait of the late Alpha King and Luna, Alaric's parents. "They're here, Alpha," Stark said as he went down on one knee, his head bowed to the floor. Seraphine raised a brow. With the way he said it, it was like they were waiting for her and her people to arrive. She also found it strange that the Beta was right at the Redwood boundary, and not just a few of the guards. Stark whistled, pulling their attention. He signaled for them to bow down. Seraphine's people got down on their knees, but she didn't. "What are you doing, Luna?" Stark questioned. When the Alpha turned around, Seraphine swallowed hard. He looked a lot like Alaric. The same blue eyes and facial features, but his hair was a lot longer. There were also long scars that ran from one side of his face, down to his chin. They looked like three claw marks. Though they had healed up, they were still visible. He had a stern look on his face—showing no expression at all. "You do not bow?" He said, his voice velvety and commanding as he tilted his head. Seraphine felt frightened, but as usual, she remained calm, standing her ground. "You do not expect the mate of the Alpha King to bow to an Alpha, do you?" She said. "How dare you?" Stark said as he jerked up, his hand in the air, claws out as if he wanted to attack Seraphine. "Stop," Daven commanded. He moved closer, but Seraphine remained unshaken. "That's not how you treat our Luna." He stared at Seraphine, that stern look still on his face. All of a sudden, he started laughing and then spun around. "I like her already," he said as he tilted his head towards Stark. "Can't believe the Moon Goddess gave Alaric a feisty one," he added, and then frowned, looking at Alaric’s portrait" or should I say Late Alpha King Alaric." Even though he tried to hide it, Seraphine could see that he felt angry and disrespected. She had compared the power he held to that of a dead man. The corners of her lips tilted into a smile. "You're right, Stark. Where are my manners," She said and curtsied. "It's an honor to be in the presence of an Alpha like you," she said, looking at Daven. Though she knew she had to show that she couldn't be stepped on easily, she still didn't want to overdo it. Besides, she came for his help, not the other way around. But a part of her was still curious. "I'm not sure, Alpha Daven, but it seems to me like you knew I was on my way, which I find weird because I didn't send a notice to you or your people," Seraphine said to him. Daven smirked as he moved towards her, walking around her. He picked some strands of her hair and smelled it. "You know, no matter how brave you try to act, Luna, your naivety still shows. It's like a smell that can never wear off no matter how many times you try to wash it off," he said to her. Seraphine's heartbeat quickened as Daven got closer, but she still remained calm. "That doesn't answer my question, Alpha," She said with a smile on her face. Daven laughed. He walked towards the throne and sat on it. He stared at her—a menacing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "My people told me," he replied. "Your people?" She questioned. He chuckled. "Yes, Luna. Spies that I have planted in the Bloodmoon pack for years to know what happens. To know when my brother found his mate, and when they mated under the Moon's full view." Seraphine swallowed hard. Daven had confirmed her fear. There was indeed a traitor in the Bloodmoon pack. Daven was about to say something else when someone squealed at a high pitch. Everyone turned to the door in shock. A girl dressed in a pink gown with green and red flowers tailored into it walked into the room. She had a huge smile on her face. Her long blonde hair got to her waist, and her brown chocolate eyes seemed to smile too. "Daven! You didn't tell me we had guests, especially ones from the Bloodmoon pack," She said as she hurried and stood in front of Seraphine. She pulled her into a tight hug. "Oh Luna, you seemed to have been on the road for a very long time. Well, I assure you, we have prepared everything to make your stay here a comfortable one." She turned to a girl who followed her in. "Please take everyone to their quarters, and I'll take the Luna to hers." After saying that, Blondie locked arms with Seraphine, a huge smile still on her face. Seraphine couldn't help but feel welcomed, but she still didn't want to let her guard down. She turned to Daven, and then back to the Blondie. Daven sighed. He gestured towards the Blondie, saying, "This is my mate, Elaina.”