The Wounded Luna

Opening Ceremony

Scarlet

I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I traveled back in time, and now I sat in the chambers of my room, reading a letter that had come from the royal palace.

I remembered this moment, it was when I got my honorary recognition from the king. I set the letter down, looking out the window with a solemn expression. I had been given a second chance, a chance to correct my past mistakes.

As I stood to my feet, tears glistened in my eyes, and I sent a quick prayer of thanks to the moon goddess for this miracle. I wanted to run, and as I left my chambers, I met Jonan waiting for me outside the door, his expression worried.

I tried my best to not look disgusted as he pulled me into a hug, forcing a smile to hide my true emotions.

“Are you alright now?” he asked carefully, and I nodded in response, pulling away from him.

“Yes I'm fine, I just needed to process the good news,” I answered, my hands tucked behind my back. Oh, how I wanted to punch that fake smile off his face.

“I can't believe you got an honorary recognition from the king and an invite to the opening ceremony.” he gaped, tucking a loose strand of my ear behind my ears. “I'm so proud of you, my love.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, sensing the hint of jealousy that hid behind his warm gaze. So this was where everything started. No wonder, I didn't notice, he was an expert at hiding his ugliness, but I wasn't going to be fooled any longer. I have decided to beat Jonan in his own game.

He feared I would take over his pack in the past right? Then that was exactly what I was going to do. I will make sure his loyal pack members turn on him, tossing him aside like he did to me.

And it starts now.

“It shows the resilience of our pack.” I smiled at him, thinking of a way to ruffle his fur a bit. “At least if one of us gets recognized then the pack's status will continue to rise.”

Jonan’s eyes twitched, his smile faltering for a millisecond. This subtle reaction gave me so much joy, seeing his facade crack bit by bit.

“Yes you're right dear,” he answered, leaning in for a kiss, but I spun before he could, acting oblivious.

“I have to go for a quick run.” I glanced at him over my shoulder, and he regained his composure, his cheeks tinted red in embarrassment.

“Can I join you?”

I shook my head at him, wiggling my toes in my boots as a rush of adrenaline filled my veins.

“No need. You won't be able to keep up.”

Jonan's eyes widened momentarily, and I knew I had bruised his fragile ego. Perfect. I turned on my heels and rushed out the door, kicking off my boots so I could feel the dirt between my toes.

I felt alive again, my wolf felt alive, letting out a loud howl as I began to shift. Unlike my red fiery hair, my wolf has a sheen of golden fur, a trait that was particularly rare among werewolves.

There was a legend that said the golden wolves were descendants of the moon goddess herself, and maybe that was true, seeing as I was blessed with such a phenomenon.

I dropped on all fours, my senses heightening as my bones shifted and cracked to take the shape of my wolf. I howled, breaking into a run with acute speed. Oh how I've missed this, the smell of the fresh forest air, the wind whipping through my fur.

It was addictive, and spending so long in a wheelchair had tainted my sense of freedom. I thought it was right to sacrifice for others, but in the end, I made myself miserable, even if I never admitted it.

As I ran, a thousand thoughts plagued my mind, questions that brought forth more questions. But I pushed it all aside for how. In these moments, I just ran, my paws pounding against the earth as I basked in the sheer power and strength that pulsed through me.

I sped through the forest and the mountains for what felt like hours, the sun dipping low to set as I slowed to a stop. I stood panting at the edge of a hill, looking down at the pack house from above.

The moon took the sun’s place, its silver rays highlighting my fur and energizing me. A wave of peace washed over me, my eyes fluttering close to let the moment sink into my soul.

I stilled as a whiff of a sweet scent tickled my nostrils, a mix of cinnamon, honey, and something more. I suddenly felt like I was being watched, taking a defensive stance as a low growl rumbled in my chest.

But with a gust of wind, the scent vanished like it was never there, and I

no longer felt the chill of another presence. I brushed it off, taking it as my cue to head back to the pack house.

As I approached the building, I spotted Jonan standing outside, his arms crossed as he looked off into his distance. On sensing my presence, his gaze flickered to me, and I felt an unsettling shiver run down my spine as our eyes met.

For a split second, I saw a flicker of something in his gaze. It reminded me of how he looked after delivering the killing blow to me, and I recognized it in an instant. That seething hatred.

But then he smiled, opening his arms for me in welcome. “How was your run?”

I played along, but my skin crawled as he hugged me, while I merely pat his back. “Awesome, it was just what I needed.”

Jonan nodded, and I could see that he wanted to ask me something.

“Anything on your mind?” I probed, and he hesitated a bit better answering.

“Can I accompany you to the opening ceremony?”

The opening ceremony was an event organized by the royal family to honor wolves who have shown exceptional efforts throughout the year, and although it was invite-only, nominees were allowed to bring a plus one.

He had accompanied me in my past life, but I had something else in mind.

“You need to watch over the affairs of the pack my love.” I caressed his cheeks, trying to hold back my laughter at his priceless expression. “I would go alone.”

Jonan nodded, but I knew he was far from pleased, but he still plastered his usual charming grin to hide his disappointment. “Alright, my love.”

Little did Jonan know, I was no longer the same Scarlet who bent to his every will without question. The truth had made me even stronger than before. The love I had for him had withered away, replaced by a bud of revenge that was in full bloom.

And I was determined to take him down.

……

I arrived at the ceremony in my best dress, an emerald green sheer lace gown, and a pair of burgundy heels. I mingled with the neighboring pack leaders as they congratulated me, but something was different.

My nose tingled as I caught a whiff of a familiar scent, similar to the one I noticed on the day I took a run. The scent pulled me, and I curiously followed it, wondering what or who it could be.

The path of the scent led me to the balcony, where the moon’s rays thrived best. My brows furrowed as I found a man standing in the middle of the space, his hands tucked in his pockets, his gaze solemn as he looked up at the sky with a cigarette resting between his lips.

He noticed my presence and turned, my eyes widening momentarily as I recognized him in an instant.

He was none other than Caesar Quin, Alpha of the Ravenclaw pack, and Jonan’s biggest rival.

“What a pleasant surprise.” He smirked, his voice low and inviting. I stood still in my spot as he walked towards me with slow deliberate steps, his piercing blue eyes lingering a little too long on my cleavage before flickering to my face. “If it isn’t the remarkable Scarlet Lin.”

Caesar stretched his hand for a handshake, which I hesitantly took, but then he shocked me by bringing my knuckles to his lips, his smoldering gaze finding mine as he kissed them.

As his lips touched my skin, I felt a thrilling sensation course through me, my cheeks heating up. I gasped as I felt my mate bond with Jonan begin to unravel, my wolf clinging on to something more.

I tried to pull away, but Caesar’s grip was firm, his eyes burning with an intensity that made me lose my breath.

My body shivered with lust as if awakened from a long slumber making me weak in the knees.

He caught me before I could fall, his gaze boring into mine, and I feared that I saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes as arms secured my waist, followed by a realization that dawned on us both.

He felt it too, the feeling that was well known to all wolves. The formation of a mate bond.

Caesar’s smile came slow, almost taunting. “Mate?”

His gaze dropped to my lips, and I felt my heart skip a beat.