The Luna Who Burned The Pack

CHAPTER TEN

It will be a lie to not admit that I am nervous. More than nervous, I am a bit scared.

Yesterday, Curran had a field day preparing me for the full moon. It was all very somber to be honest.

“Violet, I need you to listen to everything I say carefully. Okay?” Of course, a hard task considering his action of last night kept replaying in my head. I knew his declaration that I was his mate was simply for show, but I had never seen any male be so hot. I'd admit I had unholy thoughts about it.

“Violet, you’re not paying attention.”

“Sorry. Please carry on.”

“The room is built to keep me in even if I break free of the chains. I know that we are endangering you in a way by running this experiment, but we need to know. Which is why I need you to take every safety precaution seriously.”

“Yes boss,” I threw a salute at him and was rewarded with a laugh that sent shivers down my spine.

He told me to stay in bed when he changed, and to stay close to the chains. The silver content in them was high, and it will protect me a bit in case things went wrong.

“I have very little control when I change, but sometimes, I’m able to wrestle control away from the beast. Though it’s little things.”

Something had been weighing on my mind. “You talk about the beast like it’s a separate part of you. Is it like the way the other wolves feel about theirs?”

“No. I have a ‘normal’ wolf form like every other person. The shadow beast is a creature of its own that’s melded together with me. That's the best way I can describe it.” Curran’s voice had taken on a very stiff tone, and I knew he didn't like to talk about the shadow beat. It hung over his head like a dark cape, and in another life, I would have let it go. But my curiosity was a wicked thing when it got going.

“What does the shadow beast look like?”

He was silent for a couple of moments, and I let him have it. It was the least I could do for infringing so much on his privacy.

“Like something that forgot how to be man or wolf.”

And that was the end of that. The tone he used let me know he was done with that conversation, and I was not an insensitive person. I knew when to stop.

*****

And now, here I am. The room is dark, lit only by a small lantern that burns yellow, and I am a bit scared. I look outside the window and can’t help but admire the moon. The moon goddess must be feeling quite happy tonight. The moon shines a whine so pure it almost seems like it’s silver. A funny comparison, I’m aware.

The grounds of the pack lands are lit by the light of the moon, and the shimmers of lanterns and fires here and there. The camp is quiet too, as if in anticipation.

One other thing I admired about Curran was that he never hides anything from his people. I think it’s what makes him such a great leader. This ability to share everything with his people and still know how to lead them through it all.

And now that I am a part of them too, I have a part to play too in my own little way. And I’m ready. Even if I am afraid.

It's a few minutes past eleven now. The moon has risen to its peak. I hear the door open and startle in surprise. I'm more jittery than usual. My nerves are on end.

I turn and see Curran. He's shirtless, and it takes all the willpower I have to not roam my eyes all over him. His face is solemn. I start to walk towards him and he growls.

“Don’t!” The words are sharp and halt me in my step, which I assume was his intention. I study Curran, and I’m shocked by what I see even if I manage to hold it back. His skin is riddled with black veins rolling down his chest and arms and even his face. His irises are black, and the color bleeds into his pupil too; the round ball of them edged with yellow.

He looks terrifying, and I can’t help but think; if he is already frightening me this badly while he’s still humanoid, what’s going to happen when the change occurs. The shadow beast only hunts wolves. The shadow beast only hunts wolves. The shadow beast only hunts wolves.

I keep repeating this mantra in my head until it calms me down.

“You were afraid, and now you’re calm again.”

“I just reminded myself that the shadow beast only hunts wolves. I'm no wolf.”

“Don’t be so sure about that. You always look so goddamn delectable, I think it may mistake you for a meal.”