The Cloak Of Moonlight

Ch. 6: The Rejected Mate

It was minutes before noon as the pack stood gathered in the courtyard whispering, wondering what the meeting was for. Cathwulf stayed in the back of the crowd, pale with fear and eyes darting nervously. She toyed with a scarf wrapped around her neck and tried to keep her head down when she saw Quist approaching.

“I thought I told you to stay home.” Quist said firmly in a soft whisper.

“It would of looked even more suspicious if I didn’t attend the meeting.” She murmured under her breath.

Quist looked her up and down noting the scarf. “Pull yourself together Pup. Rumor has it she hasn’t woke up yet, and she might not ever. I’m working on seducing the nurse, if my plan works the job will be finished by night fall.”

Cathwulf stood in silence eyes closed and tried to control her breathing, when she looked up Quist had joined another Keppa nearby. He was gazing down at her sincerely with his hand on her shoulder. That’s Ella I think, the nurse at the clinic. She was an average looking girl with mousey brown hair and dark brown eyes, she wore a pair of thick glasses that covered almost half her face. After all that I do for him, he still taunts me with other women. She wrinkled her nose at them disgusted and turned towards the stage as Ranulf walked out. The courtyard instantly filled with silence.

Ranulf stood with Rutha by his side, allowing the silence to become unbearable. He gazed first over the pack then lifted his eyes to drink in his territory. The wind shifted direction and his nose caught the scent of fear, he looked over at His Luna. Her eyes were fixated in the crowd, her lip twitching in a snarl. Following her gaze lead him to Cathwulf. She was standing awkwardly, her skin pale, her hands fidgeting. He locked eyes with her and began to speak slowly.

“For three decades I have ruled this pack. I started at age ten and carefully I built this pack from the ground up selecting its members from all over London. I brought the best of the best here to BronzeClaw. Now I could have ruled as other Alphas, and accepted all whom knocked on my door, growing our pack to great numbers. I Ranulf The Fearless, Knew we would be better off focusing on the skills we would need to prevail.” He Glanced over to Ariam standing to his Lunas’ left side “…War defense and Protection- an army of elite soldiers that will follow my cause without question.” He moved his eyes over at Rutha who lovingly returned his gaze. Here he spoke softly “Love… Inspiration, reasons to live, reasons to protect.” Turning his attention to the crowd and with authority he continued. “Let us not forget about family, the ones who make houses homes. The ones who celebrate with us, cry with us, prepare our meals after battle, and keep the dens warms…”

His eyes glowed red as he focused on Cathwulf “As many of you know there was an attack last night, one of our members were maimed, a cub, caught outside after the party. Disputes here are usually solved in the ring behind the barracks, but this was an ambush, and against a minor. If she lives she will have permanent scaring over her body. Without a wolf to help her heal it looks grim.” If she dies you will too. He said in a mind link to Cathwulf who bowed her head her eyes wide and tearful.

“This betrayal against the pack and will not be tolerated. My tracker and investigators are looking into this as we speak… But let us keep hope as It seems the cub fought back, and there was a blood trail the attacker left behind. I say this to whomever it may be- we will find you, and you will suffer.” The crowd cheered at this and Cathwulf swallowed hard, he could smell her fear grow.

“This Crime is disrespectful in so many ways, Against you as my family. Against my authority, and my promise of safety to you. It’s a black mark on our history, our values, and my leadership all in one. It will not stand!” He roared stepping off the Platform with the Luna taking his place.

“We have suffered much together, we have feasted and starved, as one. Battled and bled, as one. Mourned and celebrated, as one. Today together, as one, we shall find justice .” She said Firmly. “The Alpha and I are prepared to offer an reward of 500 pounds to anyone who can step forward with information. If the information you provide can be linked to the prosecution of the attacker then we are prepared to offer you an upgraded home and an upgraded rank, along side the 500 pound reward.” Rutha said looking over the pack.

“You are dismissed.”

Cathwulf made a b-line towards here hut, she didn’t want to be seen, or questioned, and she didn’t want to see Quist hanging on that nurse. Burn the cloths. Hegna, her wolf said. She hadn’t spoken a word to her in weeks, Hegna had turned her back on her human a long time ago. Sense last night Cathwulf felt nothing but coldness from her wolf. Burn them, and then run. Hegna stated. She could feel the terror resonating from her wolf. If I run they will find me, they will know I’m guilty. They already know you’re guilty, if you stay, we die. If we leave now we have a chance, yes small but it’s a chance. That tracker is sniffing your blood as we speak, he will find you. He will go door to door until he identifies the smell, you turned human, your blood and scent is there as well as mine. We’re doomed. This is our only choice.

Cathwulf started the fire and began packing her bag. What about Quist? Shouldn’t we say goodbye? No, the more people see you with him the more they will whisper. I can’t just leave, I love him. He may be our mate but he used you and rejected us, you must accept that and we must leave. NOW! Go to the river and follow it up, the water will help mask your scent buying us time. Hegna was right, for years she's ran to his every whim. It was time for her to put her life before her feelings. With Sadness and longing she sent him a final mindlink before blocking him out. Quist, I accept your rejection. With tear filled eyes she finished packing, throwing rice and beans in a bag along with some dried jerky.

This is it, she thought stoking out the fire and taking a last look around her hut. This is goodbye, to my home and to the wolf I sacrificed everything for. Why couldn’t the Goddess match me with someone who could love me back? Why couldn’t she give me what the other wolves have? Why did I throw all of this away for a wolf man who won’t return my affection or loyalty? I’m a fool, for believing I could change him.

Cathwulf was glad she lived on the back row of the village, it would make fleeing a little less obvious. She breathed deeply and left out the back door pausing only once at the forest line. Tears were streaming down both cheeks as she lifted her eyes to the manor which sat on top of the hill.

“Goodbye Quist.” she whispered as she turned and dissipated into the brush.