The Luna’s Redemption

Five

ROMAN

One week past and I heard no positive result of the search from Benjur.

I’m not losing hope but the possibility decreases the more days pass. Tonight is going to be a blood moon, they say. And that’s all the Vargulf could talk about the whole day.

“You know what they say about the blood moon, right?”

“They say the blood moon causes two mates to meet. It’s the best indication that two wolves are meant to be each other’s mates.”

“I don’t believe that. I know that somehow, we all have a choice on our perfect mates.”

The Vargulf has a main hall for everyone to eat and I can hear them from where I’m eating. Usually, the food is from the forest: raw meats, edible plants, wild fruits and vegetables. Because of the location of the Vargulf, our food is limited. We only make do with what’s available.

The dragon fruit I was eating wasn’t even juicy at all. I didn’t finish the fruit and let the remaining three slices on the plate. As for the drinks, we have water from the nearby stream… or sometimes, when someone from the pack hunts, the blood is collected and placed on a special container. Only us in the royal family can drink it.

The conversation from the other table belonged to the commoners, those who does not have even an inkling of royal blood in their body.

Discriminatory, but that’s how it has been since then. Like a practice. It already became a common practice of the pack.

My mind gone back to the topic of their conversation. Blood moon tonight, huh?

None in history did it say it will be an indication of meeting one’s mate. The women on the other table’s mistaken.

And then, when I least expected it, Benjur appeared behind me and pulled a chair on my right.

“You’re here?” - I asked. He didn’t even communicate with me. I thought he’s someplace else… like the Glasswood.

“I haven’t found her, my prince. I’m sorry for failing you.”

I gulped. That’s it? After a week of waiting, he’ll only tell me he found none?

“Are you sure? did you check her everywhere? The Glasswood?”

Once again, Benjur warned me not to speak about the forbidden place. The total opposite of this hell we all live in. I haven’t been there, I guess none of us but the elders know that the Glasswood’s the polar opposite of the Vargulf. If it’s wicked here, there it’s wickedly beautiful.

“I couldn’t enter there, my prince. I hope you understand.”

I clicked my tongue in disappointment. He could actually, it’s just that it’s against our rules. He can shapeshift and act like one of the Lycans. If he wanted to, he could. It’s only that it’s against the rules of the pack that Benjur didn’t do it.

“That’s so disappointing of you, Benjur. You can leave my table now.”

Benjur looked hurt by what I said… but then, what does he expect? I chose him among the other soldiers or trolls I have because I thought he would go at great lengths for me.

“But! Tonight is a blood moon, sir. I’m certain most of the wolves would be hunting. You can use that opportunity to cross the borders.”

I paused, thinking of what he just said.

Right, that could be done. But at what cost?

“You can help me, right?”

“What do you have in mind, my prince?”

I licked my lips. The taste of the dragon fruit still numbed my tongue.

I have something crazy in mind actually.

“I need you to change my form into a Lycan wolf. Just for tonight. I need to get into the Glasswood palace. You don’t understand. I need to find this wolf.”

Benjur covered his mouth and whispered.

“That is a very dangerous plan, my prince. If they find you, they’ll kill you. King Victor is a cruel king. You know this.”

I am aware that it is dangerous… but it is in being dangerous that my interest was piqued. Also, this could be an opportunity to know and discover what the other pack is like. A night of discovery. After all, the blood moon only happens very seldomly. It’s not like every week has a blood moon night.

“I am aware of the risks. Nothing changes. You have to help me with this. I cannot rest until I see that girl. She is my mate, I can feel it by the blood in my veins.”

Benjur paused. He looked away from me and into the different tables of the main hall. There is no ray of joy in any table. There is no happy face at all. He looked at me again and I know there’s no happiness there too.

“I can help you, my prince… but this is dangerous. More dangerous than anything else you have done your entire life.”

I chuckled. I love dangerous. He knows this.

“I won’t regret this. I promise.”

After that, Benjur told me if we have to make it before the blood moon appears, we have to start my temporary transformation now. With that, I stood up and followed Benjur out of the main hall. Some eyes saw us, but I’m sure there’s nothing suspicious about me following my loyal soldier out of the door.

“I have all the necessary things right here, I’m sure.”

I had to stay seated down when we reached Benjur’s place. The structure of the gnome made it impossible to stand up.

I watched as the troll go over each one of his potions while a huge clay pot was smoking at the side over low fire. Witchcraft.

“No, not this. I’m sure there’s something out here. I saw it last night.”

I frowned. I know there’s nothing else I could do here but to wait. With the potion, I can be unnoticed even when I’m inside the territory of a different pack.

“Aha! This is it!”

Benjur excitedly pulled out a purple looking potion from his rack. He handed it to me.

“This is your answer, my prince.”

With that, I smiled.