Luna Rising: The Prophecy

Chapter 3: Good News

Almost twenty years ago

"Presenting Alpha Axel Warner of the Blue Moon pack!" The head butler announced from the door of the drawing room.

Alpha Gerard and Luna Liana stood. This was the room that they used to receive foreign guests to Howling Rivers, and it was richly furnished, but light and airy at the same time. "Please show him in," Alpha Gerard told the butler.

He opened the door wide and Alpha Axel strode in. "Good afternoon, Alpha Gerard, Luna Liana," he said cordially, coming forward to shake the Alpha's hand and plant a customary kiss on the back of the Luna's hand. "I'm sorry to disturb you on such short notice,"

"It's no trouble," Alpha Gerard said jovially. "Though I must admit, I didn't expect to see you a mere day after your letter arrived."

"I almost didn't send it for that reason, but thought it would be best to give you a little advanced warning of my arrival," Alpha Axel replied.

"Please sit down, Alpha Axel," Luna Liana said, gesturing to a blue brocade couch.

"Thank you," Axel said, taking a seat opposite the couple.

"So, how has mated life been treating you?" Alpha Gerard asked, settling in on the opposite couch with his Luna.

"It has been treating me just fine, thank you," Alpha Axel said evenly.

"We're sorry we couldn't attend the ceremony, but my Liana here was just too close to the end of her pregnancy to make the journey," Gerard said, putting his arm around her.

"Ah, yes, and you have since given birth, and look radiant as ever," Alpha Axel complimented with a smile, making Liana blush. "Can I ask if it was a boy or a girl?"

"Oh, we were blessed by a healthy baby boy," Luna Liana said proudly. "His name is Reagan. I know he'll grow up to be good and strong, just like his father."

"Of that I have no doubt," Alpha Axel said warmly. "Congratulations to you both."

"Thank you, Alpha. So, what brings you all this way?" Gerard asked, finally getting to the point. "I'm sure it would take something major to tear you away from your new mate."

Alpha Axel pulled a leather bag from over his shoulder and rifled through it. He extracted a sealed scroll and presented it to Alpha Gerard. "This is what brings me here," he said, carefully watching for Gerard's reaction.

Alpha Gerard's eyes widened just the tiniest bit. "You sought the help of the witch seer?"

Axel sighed. "I lost nearly twenty more warriors in the latest face-off against Black Claw. It was time to do something."

"I see," Gerard said contemplatively. "Did you come to seek the help of our Elder, then?" As the oldest pack in the realm, other packs often sought out their help in various situations.

"No," Axel said. "I came because the contents of the prophecy mention Howling Rivers."

Alpha Gerard leaned forward. "That's impossible. The seer's prophetic magic only reveals the threads of the future that pertain to the person who seeks it."

Axel was nodding. "That's exactly what I thought when I sought her out. But, let's just say the prophecy she gave was not what I expected."

Gerard reached out for the scroll. "May I?" He asked.

"Please," Axel replied, dropping it into the other Alpha's waiting hands.

Gerard turned the scroll until the three-eyed seal was facing up, then pressed his thumb on it. The scroll rose up into the air and unfurled itself. It seemed to shimmer and shine as it floated in midair. "After twenty years of war, the true alpha heir of Blue Moon will find their mate in the eldest daughter of the Howling Rivers Alpha, and together they shall win the final battle." the seer's voice filled the room, great and terrible. When it finished, it seemed to repeat itself in overlapping whispers as it floated down, only falling silent when it had rolled back up into a scroll again, seal fixed firmly as if nothing had happened to it.

"Who else knows of this?" Alpha Gerard asked sharply.

Alpha Axel shook his head. "No one. Not even my mate knows."

Alpha Gerard nodded slowly. "Good."

Liana turned to her mate. "What does this mean for us?"

"Frankly, I'm not quite sure," he responded, turning to Axel. "You currently don't have any pups, do you? Is your mate with child yet?"

"Not that I'm aware," Alpha Axel answered.

"And we obviously only have a son at the moment," Alpha Gerard mused. "Neither of the subjects of the prophecy have been born yet."

"That is part of why I came to see you now," Alpha Axel admitted. "I was curious whether your child turned out to be male or female."

"Does that mean that you've had this prophecy in your possession for awhile now?" Gerard asked. "Did you intend to keep it from us?"

"Not at all," Alpha Axel said quickly. "As you know, I had many things happening on the homefront, what with the war and forging an alliance with the Night Star pack. Also," he cleared his throat, "up until now, you have been fairly adamant about remaining neutral in the war."

"That's because the war is pointless," Alpha Gerard snapped.

"Says the Alpha who has not had his territory infringed upon repeatedly," Alpha Axel fired back. "I did not ask for this war, it was handed to me by my father. I only seek to keep the land that rightfully belongs to Blue Moon safe and secure, along its original borders."

"Gentlemen," Luna Liana said quietly but firmly. "We must determine what to do with the information the prophecy has given us."

"I don't trust the witches and their Fate," Alpha Gerard said. "The Moon Goddess is our deity, and we honor her above all else."

"You know the tales of old portray Fate and Selene as sisters," Alpha Axel argued. "I think the prophecy has revealed what the Moon Goddess has planned. My offspring will be mated to yours. The additional information is that they shall finally bring an end to this war."

"That's a lot to ask of a child not yet born," Luna Liana fretted. "We don't even know if we'll have children of the appropriate genders to take the first steps in fulfilling the prophecy."

"Yes, I know," Alpha Axel said patiently. "But we could. I propose that we stay in touch. And, if I end up having a son and you a daughter, then we'll know that the prophecy is real. Though I have never yet heard of a prophecy that did not come to pass, once given."

"Oh my," Luna Liana said. "A daughter. Wouldn't a little girl be wonderful, Alpha Gerard?"

"What happens when the children are born, if they're born?" Alpha Gerard asked suspiciously. "We just throw them at each other when they're eighteen and put them on the front lines of a war they have nothing to do with?"

"Well, since we know there's a great possibility of them being mates, they could get to know each other," Alpha Axel offered. "Visits, over the summer, perhaps, would help."

"I would feel more comfortable if they could spend time together in advance," Luna Liana said.

"But that would alert everyone to the nature of the prophecy," Gerard pointed out.

"Not necessarily," Alpha Axel said, taking a deep breath. "We could disguise it under something else."

"What, exactly?"

"An alliance."

"Our packs are already on peaceful terms with one another," Alpha Gerard said, visibly growing tired of the conversation.

"Peaceful terms, yes. But we are not official allies," Axel countered. "We could put on a public face that we have formed an alliance, sealed by the mating of our children when they come of age."

"I don't like it," Gerard muttered. "Howling Rivers highly values true mates. People might see through it."

"Darling, you know that there are chosen mated pairs in Howling Rivers as we speak," Luna Liana said chidingly. "The realm is in turmoil. This would not be so out of the question for people to believe."

Alpha Axel nodded once. "I still don't like it," Gerard repeated. "But," he sighed, pulling his mate close. "It does seem like it's not something we can ignore."

"Excellent," Alpha Axel stood up and put out his hand. "We have an accord, then?"

"I have one condition," Gerard said, standing as well.

"What?"

"The prophecy record stays here."

"No," came Alpha Axel's firm reply.

"Then we do not have an accord," Alpha Gerard said stubbornly.

"Why do you need to keep it here?" Alpha Axel asked. "It was given to me."

"I want it authenticated," Alpha Gerard said. "Plus, its contents are top secret. I would feel much better knowing that it is far away from our enemies. As you said, we are largely untouched. It will be safer here."

"That is true," Axel admitted begrudgingly. "Very well. We shall keep it here."

The two Alphas shook hands. "I had best be on my way," he said. "It is not wise for me to leave Blue Moon unattended for long in these times.'

"If you're sure you don't want to stay the night, we'll make sure you and the wolves you traveled with are well fed and stocked with supplies before you go," Luna Liana said, ever the considerate hostess.

"I thank you kindly, Luna Liana," Alpha Axel said. "Alpha Gerard," he nodded at the other Alpha, then left the room with a swish of his traveling cloak.

Luna Liana rung the bell to call the servants. "I know what you're thinking, darling. But this is good news."

"How is this good news?" Alpha Gerard said tensely. "If it's true, our child will be involved in a battle."

"But they will win the battle," Luna Liana countered. "Just think," she said with a sigh. "A daughter. I did want to have at least one of each, you know."

Gerard smiled at his mate and kissed her temple. "Of course, dear. Me too."