Raina's Reign

Chapter 9: First day of the festival

The festival was held in a castle just outside the town where the Lightclaw pack house was. It was only a 5 minutes' drive. Everyone woke up early in excitement and headed to the mansion for breakfast. The werewolves of the pack even if they did not live in the mansion, they still went almost every morning there to have breakfast with their Alpha if they did not have work to do. This once again proved the unity of the pack. This morning the mansion was full of werewolves as I headed down the stairs. I truly enjoyed seeing my pack happy. As the first day of the festival, the mansion was filled with my packmates. Everyone had their breakfast and headed to the castle for the start of the festival.

I went back to her room to get dressed.

'Today it 's not that cold' I thought as my eyes looked out the  windows. 

I then went to my walk-in wardrobe in order to find something to wear. 

'It usually doesn't take you that long.. Is it because Kieran will be there?' Accalia asked with playfulness. 

'Well, we can't disappoint someone that called us exquisite right?' I said and smiled. 

I chose to wear a black corset with off the shoulder see-through tulle sleeves. I paired it with a black tight skirt above the knee and decided not to wear high heels. Instead, I chose my black army boots in order to be more comfortable. I also wore a delicate gold choker shaped like vines around my neck and a matching vine bracelet. I did not like wearing makeup every day, so I chose to wear some mascara in order to highlight my long eyelashes. When I finished, I mind-linked Conan to prepare the car and shortly after we arrived at the nearby castle where the festival was.

The castle was full of werewolves and humans since I decided to imitate a medieval festival in order for humans to not suspect anything. Upon entering the castle's gates, the courtyard was full of food-stalls and games. Various competitions were held for the strongest punch, dart throwing, so-called psychics to tell your future, almost everything a regular festival has in the notes of the medieval era. 

I went in the crowd and even talked to some humans that recognized me as I was indeed very famous for my contribution to the town. I then arrived at the end of the courtyard and entered a different area closed for humans. Another courtyard only bigger and protected by high walls. That's where the real festival was. I slowly made my way on the observatory located in the middle of the walls and the courtyard.

'Hello everyone! I hope you had a relaxing night yesterday and fueled your spirits and bodies. Today marks the first day of the festival!' I said and all the courtyard was shouting in excitement!

'In order to find the best Beta for my pack I have decided to start with the basics. Since everyone showed so much interest and so many of you took the opportunity to get here, I must ask for a favor.' I said as I smiled and waited for everyone to calm down. 'I ask for the Alphas to choose their most skilled warrior to participate in the festival. If everyone competes on their own, then we wouldn't finish in a year!' I said as everyone in the courtyard laughed loudly.

'Today the chosen ones from each pack will be competing in a 1 vs 1 battle to test your strength! The winners will continue competing in tomorrow's test until we have one winner chosen to be our Beta! You have one hour to choose,' I said and sat down on the table we had on the observatory.

After half an hour, I spotted a familiar scent of vanilla with cinnamon. It had a note of spiciness. 

'That reminds me of something' Accalia said confused in my mind.

'Clever of you to hold battles on the first day' a soft voice said. I turned around and noticed a tall man with grey eyes approaching me. He was dressed in black with army boots and emanated an aura of power. What a sight...

'Well, we do need a Beta that can fight. Am I wrong?' I said and smiled as I was waiting for him to come closer.

'There are some questions that you didn't address in your speech..' Kieran answered with caution.

'I'm all ears' I stated curiously.

'Can the Alphas compete?' Kieran asked in a serious tone.

'How did I not address that?' I asked playfully and met Kieran's confused look as I stood up from my seat. 'If the Alphas are the most skilled warrior of his pack, of course they can compete' I continued.

'I see.. So this is not just a test of strength but also a test of pride..' Kieran said with an amused tone.

'You caught me red-handed.' I said as I winked at him. 

'He is cute and smart. A deadly combination.' Accalia said in my mind when Kieran interrupted our thoughts.

'Then I'm here to register my name as the one competing from the Crescent moon pack. It will be an honor to be by your side.' Kieran said with a serious tone looking in my eyes.

'That is if you win.' I said and smiled.

'Just pay attention to me. I will fight for this.' Kieran said in determination as he slowly headed outside the observatory.

'If you want my attention then don't hide behind the trees.' I said and looked towards the courtyard. Kieran behind me froze in his steps.

I knew that drawing all the Alphas in my territory would be a dangerous move. Not everyone wanted the prosperity of my pack. Especially since I tried so hard not to reveal my pack's strengths and weaknesses to the outside world. By holding the Alphas attention to the competition, they wouldn't have the time to scheme against me and my pack and also it would be a great opportunity to find out more about them. I calculated every move cautiously.

----- Kieran's pov -----

The awaited festival did not let me down when I entered the castle. I could sense humans being oblivious of what the festival is really about, but I must admit that disguising it as a medieval themed festival was smart. As I was watching the crowd, I saw a woman entering with five men around her. She immediately stood out from the crowd. Humans did not feel the powerful aura surrounding her but werewolves that were still on the first courtyard could sense her strength. Her white hair made her stand out. 

I had the urge to go next to her and not let anyone touch her or stare at her. Much to my surprise, she didn't seem annoyed by the conversations that humans had with her. She politely answered everyone that talked to her as she was making her way towards the walls that divided the two courtyards. Her scent hit my nostrils as the wind blew by my side waking up Trion.

'She's here?' he asked in my mind. 

'Just arrived' I answered in awe as I started walking towards the second courtyard too.

Yesterday, as soon as she left from the dining room, I felt my heart emptying out. I swore the room became colder as she left taking its warmth with her. I could not explain this feeling, but I had the urge to follow her. Shortly after, I too left from the mansion. I reassured my pack that everything is okay and send them back to our hotel. I wanted to find her. That's when I heard a howl coming from the forest. I immediately ran to the side of the mansion and headed towards the howling. I took off my clothes and shifted as I started running into the forest. Trion spotted a glimpse of silver thinking it was the reflection of the moon rays in the forest. But then he followed Raina's scent to what looked like a cliff. That's when I spotted a pure, white-furred wolf looking at the ocean. What a sight.. Her fur was shining like silver under the moonlight. It wasn't the moon rays he saw previously but her as she ran with such speed through the forest. I was truly mesmerized. That's when I saw her head slowly turning around. We forgot to conceal our smell. Trion started running back to the mansion in the hopes that the white Lycan won't follow us. When we went back, I quickly dressed up and went back to my hotel still mesmerized with Raina's Lycan.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I looked at the observatory to see her. She explained everything but when she stopped talking, I felt like there was a weight on my stomach.

'How can I let anyone compete to be by her side, when I can't even stand her absence?' I asked Trion. 

'Yesterday I remembered something.' Trion said in a low voice. 'I, too, felt like she is our mate. But the uncertainty confused me. It should be clear if she was. But..'

'Come on Trion. It's not the time to play it mysterious.' I urged him to continue.

'But I recalled that Lycans are obviously different. They can have feelings towards someone not sure if it's their mate. Especially if its towards a werewolf. Their mate is clear when it's about another Lycan. For werewolves mates, only when the marking happens, the Lycans feel the strength of their bond and understand if their mate is the one.'

'Are you telling me that if she is my mate, she wouldn't be sure because I'm not a Lycan?!' I said in surprise. 'Does that mean that I wouldn't be sure if she is my mate also because she is a Lycan?! Fu ck! This is so confusing. I can't let anyone else but me to be by her side. Trion. Get ready. We are competing in this festival!' I said and felt my eyes darken.

'Everyone. Stand down. I will be the one taking part in this.' I mind-linked my pack gaining surprised looks. 'Let's go and announce our registration' I thought.

As I was getting close to the observatory, I could smell her scent and I soon got into a daze. When I arrived, I saw her white hair peeking from a chair. When we started talking, I understood what a smart woman she is. Today she seemed so cute and fragile in contrast to yesterday that seemed cold-hearted and serious. I was right about her height! She was tall enough to reach my chest as I noticed that today she wasn't wearing high heels, but army boots like me!

'She truly wants the best for her pack. With her as my Luna our packs would never be at a disadvantage.' I  thought when Trion sighed.

'She is not destined to be a Luna, Kieran. Didn't you listen to her yesterday? She is an Alpha like you. If you continue daydreaming like that, we won't win the festival' Trion scolded me and I nodded in my mind.

'If you want my attention then don't hide behind the trees.' I heard her saying as I was leaving and froze in my place. I turned around to look at her but all I could see was her back. 

'Another tattoo I see.' Trion said. 

I looked at her back but could not make out what her tattoo was since her corset was hiding everything below her shoulders.

'Trust me Trion. We will see that tattoo in its entirety very soon.' I thought and smirked as I turned around and left the observatory.