Tale Of The Relentless Luna

Episode Two

Only a handful of packs attended the Sternenglanz Festival every spring and summer, and it was making a comeback to the Silbermond Rudel for the first time in more than ten years. Anticipating the thrill, the games, the rides, and most importantly, the opportunity to locate their Gefährte, which means mate, the whole pack was humming with excitement. The vast, unspoiled lands of the Silbermond Rudel, a haven for our kind, flourished deep within the Schwarzbach Berge. The human settlements that surrounded the mountains, however, stood in sharp contrast.

Shattered windows, deserted streets, and dilapidated buildings revealed the stories of lives left behind. I had once been interested in them, sneaking past our boundaries to see what was out there. I discovered a place where dreams had long since fallen apart. The weight of dashed hopes hung heavy in each alleyway, and the air there smelt of regret and rust. My wandering soon came to an end. There was little reason for wolves like us to visit human towns.

The Sternenglanz Festival brought together wolves from all over the world, marking one of the rare occasions when we opened our borders to outsiders. Some came to enjoy the celebrations, the exhilaration of the rides, and the breathtaking performances. Others went in the hopes of finding their soulmate among the music and lights. Once, my parents had been one of those wolves. Their story started 25 years ago on a festival night that was as vibrant and full of laughter as the one that is coming up. The atmosphere charged, with brilliant lights glimmering like stars against the dark sky. My father showed up with several friends who were all excited for an exciting and joyful evening. He had no idea, however, that the evening would take an unexpected turn. There was a symphony of anticipation as he waited in a long queue for the coaster, with laughter and shrieks resonating in the background. As he stood there, a rich, warm aroma enveloped him like a gentle hug. Rich and seductive, it danced tantalisingly at the edges of his perception with hints of sugary indulgence. The scent appealed to the deepest parts of his soul, drawing him to follow the fragrant path. The combination of roasted nuts, buttery caramel, and a bar of rich, smooth chocolate seemed to whisper secrets of comfort and temptation, unlike anything he had ever tasted before. Despite his efforts to ignore it, the enticing aroma intensified, weakening his resolve as he longed to locate the source of this captivating scent. While the colourful festival lights glowed all around him, that one scent sparked something much deeper inside him, laying the groundwork for a night that would alter everything. His wolf, Bernhard, stirred uneasily inside him. Look for it. Right now. My father was nineteen years old and had not yet felt the connection to Gefährte. He didn't realise that it would be irrefutable. However, the scent enveloped him like a whispered promise, making resistance impossible. His friends mocked him for his distraction, but he barely heard their laughter. He left them behind and followed the euphoric trail through the festival without saying another word. He pushed through waves of laughter and conversation—past crowds, flashing lights, and spinning rides. The smell was like an involuntary command etched into his bones. Everything else vanished when he saw her. The aroma of roasted pecans filled the air, and her blue eyes reflected the twinkling lights. She was expertly crafting flower crowns with delicate hands, but she froze when their eyes locked. Confusion was what he had anticipated. Hesitancy, perhaps. Instead, he discovered acceptance. Recognising. He recognised the same unwavering conviction that had become ingrained in his heart. "Gefährte." In unison, they uttered the word. She had flung herself into his arms before he realised what was happening— as though she had been waiting for this moment her entire life. He followed his instincts. He marked her as his without hesitation, without even knowing her name. Everything changed that night. Their relationship remained strong even after 25 years and four pups. My father continued to assert that he could locate my mother anywhere by smelling the thyme and maple syrup that permeated her skin. We all knew he couldn't help being near her, even though he had learnt to control himself a long time ago. For our pack, the Sternenglanz Festival was more than just another occasion. It was a place of destiny and fate. A night when, beneath the Mondgöttin's watchful eye, lives were rewritten. For some, it was an opportunity to locate the missing aspect of their soul. Others, like me, were unsure. "Are you thrilled?" My thoughts were interrupted by Leni's voice, which brought me back to the here and now. I looked at her, admiring the eager sparkle in her eyes. "For what purpose?" She rolled her eyes.

"The festival, of course. For weeks, everyone has been discussing it. You can't deny being at least a little excited. I gave a shrug.

"I suppose." Leni let out a groan.

"You're not possible." Karla, who had been listening quietly, let out a laugh.

"She's never been into romance, you know." Leni let out a mock horror gasp.

"Not even for luck?" I let out a sigh. It's not that I don't think fate exists. It doesn't seem to work the way everyone wants it to. Karla grinned.

"Spoken as if they had never experienced the bond." The meaning of the words hung between us. Throughout my life, I had observed my parents' unwavering bond and their movements, which seemed to be eternally intertwined. I had witnessed others discover their Gefährte as well—the epiphany, the overwhelming desire to be close to one another. Stories of love that defied logic had been all around me growing up. Nevertheless, I had never experienced it myself. Would I? Unspoken and unanswered, the question kept coming back to me. Leni gave me a playful elbow. "Perhaps this year will be your year." Karla smiled. "Perhaps you'll meet someone at the festival who looks exactly like your parents." I sneered. "Probably," I said with a sneer. Not possible. Leni let out a loud sigh. However, Rebekka, don't worry. At least you'll always have us, even if you don't find your true love. I laughed. "I'm lucky." Expectations were mounting as the festival drew near. Wolves would be coming from everywhere, looking for the connection the Mondgöttin had promised. A few would depart with their lives irrevocably altered. Others would depart with ephemeral recollections of a night under the stars. And me? I had no idea where I would end up. However, I was certain of one thing. Change was inevitable, regardless of the circumstances. Furthermore, I wasn't prepared.