Rise of the Blood Moon Princess

Chapter 1

    She ran through the woods, relishing the coolness of fall as she sped through the trees. Laughter echoed through the woods as she glanced back at the red wolf chasing her. She quickly focused back in front of her and scanned her surroundings trying to find somewhere to hide. A small rocky outcrop came into view as she swerved into the small hole at the base of the mountain. She remained there quietly, panting as she waited for her brother to come into view. Eventually the sound of rapidly approaching paws thundered into the clearing. The red wolf came into view and was looking around in confusion. As quietly as she could, she crept up on him, keeping her scent down wind and her ears low. Just as she leapt towards him, he spun around, grabbing her scruff and throwing her to the ground. She writhed around frantically, trying to loosen his hold to no avail.

    Do you give? The voice echoed in her mind as she continued to try and throw him off. The sooner you give and tell me I win, the sooner you can get up. The voice taunted her. She quickly went limp, slowing her heartbeat down and making her breathing shallow. The hold on her scruff loosened as a panicked voice entered her mind. Cassidy? She didn't respond and continued laying there. The wolf released her quickly and nuzzled her cheek worriedly. Cass this isn't funny. Quit it. When he bent down to shake her again she leapt up and tackled him to the ground, effectively pinning him in the dirt.

    Do you give?  She cooed softly. The male wolf growled in response before finally nodding his head. Yes....I give. Now get off me lardass. She happily pranced away before shifting back into her human form.

"Yet again I win!" She cheered. The red wolf shifted before her, glaring at her angrily.

"You only won because you cheated!" He huffed angrily. 

"Nobody likes a sore loser, Cade. All's fair in love and war." She smiled cockily before tossing a pair of basketball shorts at him. "Now cover that thing up. A sister shouldn't have to see her brother's junk swinging everywhere." 

    He caught the shorts grumbling under his breath before sliding the shorts on. He stalked over to her and punched her shoulder. "You shouldn't be looking at my panty wetter anyway." He laughed.

    She scrunched up her nose in disgust and stuck her tongue out at him. "Don't ever refer to your junk as a "panty wetter" ever again." Cade leaned over laughing hysterically. His face turning red from laughing so hard. She walked over and pushed him over as he continued to laugh at her embarrassment. Once he hit the ground he glared up at her as she plopped down next to him.

"What was that for?" Cade whined.

"Being you." She giggled. They both leaned back onto the grassy ground and stared up at the bright, blue sky. The trees that surrounded the clearing slowly dropped their leaves to the cool breeze as the branches swayed back and forth. Red, brown, and gold leaves fluttered down to the ground in what could only be considered the beauty of fall. She sighed in content at the peacefulness of the world around them. This is what life should be about.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Her brother asked. She sighed before turning on her side and gazing at him lovingly. "You know the harvest moon is in a week?" She noticed her brother's eyes darken. His hands rubbed his face in frustration before he looked at her. 

"I'm not ready yet....." He sat up suddenly, fear clouding his beautiful blue eyes. "What if I am a terrible alpha? What if the pack doesn't accept me?" He looked at her worriedly. Her eyes softened in sympathy before she grabbed her brother and pulled him in for a hug.

"Cade....you're going to be an amazing alpha. The pack already loves and respects you. Not to mention you are 10x the alpha our father will ever be. You don't believe in war and shedding blood just to earn respect. The other packs are more than ready to sign treaties once you take over. Everybody loves you...I love you. You're going to be amazing and I will be with you every step of the way. I know I am not your beta or gamma but you need a woman's touch until you find your mate." She finished and hugged him tightly.

"But dad thinks I'm weak....ever since mom.....ever since that day, he's made it a point that women are weak and a mate will do nothing but weaken us....I want my mate so bad..." He finished off in a whisper. I gently grabbed his chin and tilted it up so he could look into my eyes. 

"Cade...fuck dad. He won't be leader much longer and can't control you anymore....."

    He smiled sadly before his smile completely vanished and his eyes glazed over. I watched worriedly and waited for him to finish his mind link. Once the cloudiness left his eyes, he glanced at me sadly.

"It was dad....he wants me back at the pack house immediately. Apparently we're making a deal with some big alpha for a peace treaty...." He slowly stood up and offered a hand to help me up. He quickly shifted into his wolf and motioned me towards his back. 

"Cade...I can shift and run myself...I'll just shift back a few hundred feet from the house and sneak in."

    His wolf stared at me in disapproval. Cass....you know we can't risk it. Nobody can know about your wolf. Mom worked so hard to protect you from dad so he couldn't use you as a weapon. I know it sucks but you have to remain wolf-less. His eyes stared at me pleadingly before I finally sighed in defeat.

"Fine...let's hurry back before dad get's mad at me for keeping you." I carefully grabbed his thick fur and climbed onto his back. Once I was settled, his wolf lurched forward and started racing for the pack house. I buried my face in his thick fur as the wind whipped my face.

    By the time we reached the pack house the sky had turned into a deep crimson red. Multiple pack warriors sat outside along with my brother's future beta, Brandon. Once Brandon's eyes caught sight of us he rushed over and helped me off my brother's back while Cade shifted back into his human form.

"Dude you need to hurry up and get inside. Your father is pissed that you're late and is taking it out on everybody." Brandon said hurriedly while tossing my brother a change of clothes.

"Who's the alpha?" Cade asked as he slipped his shirt on. Brandon's face looked uneasy as he hesitated.

"Brandon...who is it." Cade demanded. Brandon sighed heavily before facing my brother.

"It's Alpha Xavier Bloodworth of the Blood Wood Pack." He stated.

    Cade's face paled as he stood there in silence. My blood ran cold at the name. Alpha Xavier was the strongest and most blood thirsty alpha in the United States. Even the northern packs knew who he was and everybody trembled in fear at the sound of his name. For my father to sign a treaty with him meant he paid a very high price because Alpha Xavier didn't just make treaties without making somebody pay a high price. 

    Cade turned to me and kissed my forehead. "Cassidy, get up to your room and stay there until I say otherwise. Ok? Please." He turned and quickly bolted into the house. Worry coursed through my body as I watched him leave.

    Something isn't right here. Something feels off. My wolf stated. I could tell her by her uneasiness that something was wrong. I know Shadow, I agree. Whatever happens tonight it's not going to be good. My wolf grunted in agreement before we quickly retreated into the house.

*********

    She quietly snuck down the long hallway towards her father's office. She could hear the yelling from her bedroom and after making sure no servants were around, she had snuck down to the ground floor to investigate. As she quietly tip toed down the hall, her brother's voice could be heard booming down the hallway. With one last look around, she carefully pressed her ear against the heavy, oak door.

"I don't care if this is the only way to get a fuckin' treaty! It's not worth it!" I heard Cade yell.

"This isn't your decision to make Cadence!" I flinched away from the door as my father roared at my brother. I quietly put my ear back and tried hard to focus on my brother. 

"Not my decision?? NOT MY DECISION?! That is MY sister you're talking about! I have taken care of her since mom passed away and you're just wanting to trade her away to that monster for a f*****g peace treaty!? Is that all she is worth to you??? Just some object that you can barter away!?" Cade screamed. 

    I felt the tears sting my eyes. My father wants to trade me away? My own father!  I thought myself. But by the sound of it, Cade wasn't going to let that happen. But my heart dropped once my father started speaking again.

"Sorry son, but she means nothing to me. She is useless to me. What am I suppose to do with a wolf-less warrior? All she is good for is cleaning the pack house and maybe a high end prostitute for the more hungrier wolves but that is it." Our father growled out. "She is leaving and that is final. Now if you'll please get the hell out of my office or shut the hell up and let me finalize this treaty." 

    I heard an angry growl before the sound of heavy foot steps thundered across the floor. Before I could run away and hide, the door was yanked open and Cade came stepping out. As soon as he saw my face and the tears pooling into my eyes, he grabbed me and pulled me into a strong embrace. I quietly sobbed into his chest as he rubbed small circles on my back.

"It's going to be ok Cassidy. I will figure this out. I won't let him send you away. You're all I have left." He whispered. I quietly sniffled before pulling away and wiped the tears from eyes.

"So what should we do?" She asked him.

    He looked me in the eye in a serious matter. "You need to run away. Hide in the old family cabin until this blows over....Please." He pleaded. She stared at him for a minute before slowly nodding her head. 

"Ok.....let's do this."

*********

    She quickly stuffed her belongings into her bags, trying her best to pack lightly. Cade only gave her 20 minutes to pack everything she would need for a few weeks, which wasn't enough time to think logically. She already packed all her clothes, toiletries, and personal belongings, but she felt like she was still missing something. She quickly scanned the room until her eyes fell on a picture that made her heart stop. The picture of her mother stared back at her silently. She swallowed sadly before picking up the only family picture she had and carefully wrapped it in her mother's scarf and safely hid it in her bag. With her mother's pendant around her throat, she grabbed her bag and ran out of her bedroom into the deserted hallway.

    Not a single soul was in sight, which gave it an eerie, almost abandoned like feeling. She cautiously sniffed the air trying to locate any unknown wolves nearby but came up empty. She tip-toed along the wall, listening out for anybody approaching. Before long, she was on the ground floor and creeping past the kitchen. Where is everybody? She thought to herself. Usually it was quiet during the night in the pack house, but not this quiet. There's usually the younger wolves in the game room arguing or screaming at the game on the tv. Something isn't right here. Shadow stated. She knew she was right, but she continued creeping towards the front door. We just have to sneak past the parlor and then we can run out the door to the woods. She told Shadow. 

    As she got closer to the parlor she heard voices talking lowly. Whatever it was, it was serious. She cautiously peeked around the corner to look into the parlor and had to quiet her gasp at who she saw. It was none other than Alpha Xavier and his betta, Chris. They were talking in hushed tones, alone, and by the looks of it, Alpha Xavier was pissed. But what got her was the sudden pull she felt towards Alpha Xavier. She was frozen in place, carefully staring at the alpha. That was until Shadow started prancing around her head in excitement. MATE! MATE!  

"What!? Shadow, he can't be our mate! It's impossible! We need to go now!" I whispered frantically. Shadow went back the corner of my mind grumbling in frustration, something she just didn't have time for. But as she started to sneak past the parlor, she stopped at the sound of her name. Dread instantly filled her at the thought of being caught running away, but as she turned around, she realized that they were still in the parlor talking to themselves.

"Don't you think it's a little f****d up that Alpha Reynolds is willingly trading his daughter away?" Beta Chris stated.

"I wouldn't put it past him. I mean hell look at my father. He forced me to pair off with Elise." Xavier answered. 

    My blood ran cold at the name. Elise was the woman he stated needed a new maid. Elise must be his Luna...I fought back my tears and had to force Shadow from resurfacing. She was growling in heartbreak and anger and trying to claim what she knew was rightfully hers. All I could do was stay silent and leave. I quietly opened the door and snuck out, sprinting towards the woods and allowing its darkness it envelop me with its dark embrace. Before long the sound of water crashing against rocks assaulted my ears and I forced my legs to slow down. I carefully pushed the thorn covered bushed aside and stepped in the moonlit clearing. A small waterfall cascaded off the rocks before settling into a crystal like pool. The moonlight made the water glow a soft silver as it lapped at the sandy shore. 

    I settled on a large boulder near the shore as I waited for Cade to come. Glancing at my phone I noticed it was only 11:55. Cade was suppose to meet me here by midnight. As the minutes ticked by, I heard rustling in the bushes. I immediately leapt up, ready to defend myself against the unknown assailant, but then Cade's wolf, Apollo, emerged from the bushes. He ducked behind a tree and shifted back into his human form before stepping out in a pair of basketball shorts. Before I could say anything, Cade swiftly approached me, panic in his eyes.

   "Cassy we need to leave now. One of the maids went looking for you and alerted dad that you had run away. We don't have much time before they get here. I covered your scent the best I could, but that can only work for so long." He quickly shifted back into Apollo and motioned for her to climb on his back. But as soon as she grabbed his scruff, loud growling echoed through the clearing. Her brother's fur immediately stood up as he slid in front of her and took on a protective stance. 

    The bushes on the opposite side of the clearing shook violently before a large black and silver wolf emerged. His eyes blazed in anger as he slowly approached us. Cade growled aggressively, lowering his head in a threatening manner. I trembled behind him, unsure of what to do. I couldn't shift and risk my secret but I couldn't let Cade fight alone. I gently grabbed him to calm his down and the black wolf growled even louder. I quickly snatched my hand back in shock before the wolf in front of us shifted. 

    I gasped in surprise as Alpha Xavier stood before us. He quickly pulled on some shorts before glaring at my brother angrily. His fists balled up next to his sides as he stalked towards us. 

"Listen here alpha pup, whether you like it or not, she is coming with us. Whether it's willingly or by force, she is coming with us. Now be the good little alpha that you  are and hand her over." Xavier growled out.

    Cade shifted in front of me, his protective stance hadn't changed but now he was pissed. "I don't give a f**k who you are. That is my sister! And I refuse to let a monster like you take her away!" He shouted.

"Listen here Alpha Cade...." Xavier began but another wolf crashed through the bushes. The fury rolled off him in waves as he glared at everybody in the clearing. I flinched away as my father shifted before us.

"CADENCE! WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT THE TREATY HAS BEEN SIGNED! NOW UNLESS YOU WANT TO PUT YOUR PEOPLE IN DANGER AND CAUSE A WAR OVER SOME GIRL, I SUGGEST YOU HAND HER OVER NOW!" My father roared.

"SOME GIRL? SOME GIRL!? THAT "GIRL" JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE YOUR DAMN DAUGHTER! WHAT WOULD MOM SAY IF SHE SAW YOU TRADING YOUR ONLY DAUGHTER AWAY!" Cade screamed. Tears streamed down his face in anger as he refused to give me up to the alpha. "If you want to take her, you have to go through me first." Cade growled. 

    Our father snickered maniacally, before making eye contact with Cade. "You want a fight? So be it. But keep in mind Cadence, I am still alpha of this pack and you will learn respect me." Alpha Reynolds growled. I watched in horror as my brother and father shifted and started circling each other. All that could be heard was the growling and snapping of jaws as they both sized each other up. Right as Cade crouched down to leap at our father, I leapt in between them. 

"NO! Please Cade...Mom wouldn't want this." I pleaded with him. "I'll go...I won't put you or our pack at risk for me." I whispered. Cade shifted back into his human form and approached me with tears in his eyes. 

"Cassidy...please don't....I can't lose you." He begged, "You're all I have left since mom died. Please don't go." 

    The tears streamed down my face as I grabbed him and pulled him into a hug. "I'm sorry Cade, but I can't lose you. Not this way. I promise we will figure this out. Just please don't forget me." I let Cade go and turned to Alpha Xavier. "I'll go with you." I whispered. Xavier stared at me in shock before quickly masking his surprise and turning to his warriors.

"We leave at once."