The Cloak Of Moonlight

Ch. 2: The Party That Binds

        Mazicane walked with grace, her head held high past the caverns to the Manors yard. If the scalding burns from the Omegas’ stares bothered her, she didn’t let it show. Whispers could be heard where ever she passed “Why does she get to be a Keppa? My family has served the Alphas of this pack for generations.” one Omega retorted. “Because she’s Ariams’ pet, the stray he found in the forest.” Another hissed. Mazicane Walked past them, refusing to acknowledge their despise. Ariam had ran off ahead to find the Alpha, she was alone.

         She made her way to the courtyard, and caught a familiar eye. Lovetta Was sitting by the pond. Lovetta was the kindest Keppa Maze had ever known, with soft brown eyes, golden blonde hair and pale skin. she had quickly taken Maze under her paw. Guiding her through the laws of the pack, and defending her against any who would see her harm. Lovetta was a skilled and powerful hunter and the packs healer, she could take down anything from bear to elk with quick efficiency and minimum suffering to the creature or the pelt. She could also mend wounds and bones, treat injuries and poison with herbs, she was skilled in many ways.

        “Hello Lovetta, How’s the Mate?” Maze asked casually.

        “Oh, he’s fine. He still thinks we should have a pup, but I’m not ready to retire yet. Hey, watch out for Quist tonight he’s on the warpath again.” It was a shame, she would make a good mother.

        Maze nodded at this. Quist was Alpha Ranulfs’ twin brother. He was perceptually angry at the fact that he was nothing more then a Keppa because there can only be one Alpha. He thought he should be it. With no mate to distract him from his ambitions he had became quite a thorn In Ranulfs’ side. But from what Maze understood Quist was a week impulsive and sickly pup, he was always stirring up something and perpetually fidgety. He knew he could not take challenge brother outright for Alpha. So he settled on a plan to create discourse in the Pack.  To challenge the Alphas’ decision and his favorite target was Mazicane.

        Everyone gathered to their respective place in the courtyard. Lovetta and her mate Ivan, stood next to Maze the warriors directly in front. The rest of the Keppas tailing just behind, Omegas flooded the tail of the pack. She could hear Quist whispering but couldn’t make out all the words. “We kill…. Yes… He won’t know… During the hunt, it’s perfect.” Suddenly silence filled the yard as Alpha Ranulf stepped forward with Luna Rutha By his side.

        “Good afternoon BronzeClaw, today We celebrate our Lunas’ Birthday. We also gather here every year when the days start to grow to ask the goddess for a year of good hunts and harvest.” Ranulf smiled down lovingly at Rutha. They truly were a beautifully strong bonded pair, Mazicane smiled. She was saddened at the thought that it would still be another year before her wolf came.

        “So tonight, we dance, we eat, we hunt and then we drink!” Rutha said cheerfully. The pack roared at this, erupting in howls and excited chatter. But faintly she could hear a low growl behind her, she knew it was Quist.

         The crowd dispersed in their groups and Lovetta grabbed her hand. “Let’s dance!” she squealed while dragging her to the dance floor, which had been roped off in the center  of the courtyard. There was a live band tonight that had just finished setting up, and had begun playing cheerfully.

        “Oh my, you know I’m not much of a dancer.” Mazicane mumbled.

        “You know you want to, You’ll do fine.” Lovetta grinned with mischievousness.

        So they danced, in a swing fashion, swirling around and around the floor. Stepping back and forth in perfect harmony. By the pond Ariam was watching.

        She’s beautiful Fenrir said. That she is, the most beautiful one in the pack.  I wonder if she will be our mate.. Stop it Fenrir, You know that is not for us to decide, and if she happens to be, there is more then heartbreak in our future, I can smell it. Oh, but the fun we will have, and forbidden fruit tastes twice as sweet the longer the journey. Just then a young Keppa shoved into Mazicane, forcing her to fall to her knees. Ariam had to clutch the stone wall beside the pond to stop from rushing over to save her. She MUST learn to defend her place and herself. He assured Fenrir who was growling loudly and practically rattling his mind.

        “Hey, Cathwulf! What was that for?” Lovetta growled.

        “Oops.” she said with sarcasm. Mazicane was shaking with rage as she started to climb to her feet. One of these days Cathwulf, I will put you in your place, and I won’t hold back Mazicane thought.

        “Did I tell you you could get up?” Cathwulf spat, and placed her heal on her lower back pinning her to the ground and laughing. Lovetta shoved her hard but she didn’t move. Across the yard Ariam and Ranulf watched in suspense. Mazicane reached behind herself, feeling the pressure of Cathwulfs heel and yanked it hard. She tumbled down as Maze jumped to her feet.

        “You’re going to pay for that.” Cathwulf growled her eyes growing black as her wolf bared her teeth. Maze could hear Quist laughing manically. And she dusted herself off. Her knees were skinned and trickled with blood.

        “She’s strong. I can’t wait to see her in the games next year.” Ranulf said pulling Ariam out of  his thoughts making him Jump. The games were held annually for all the wolfs trying to make it in to the Alphas Guard. Fairly, the Omegas and Keppas alike were welcome to join.

The games consisted of three days full of trials. Everything from bowman ship, swordplay, A hunt, a speed test and finally after all of that was completed there were a series of battles. First against the warriors with swords and steel. Then the guards wolves, with claws and teeth. Finally whatever was left went to Ariam. The Wolves were not expected to beat him per say merely hold their own, as he unleashed a furry of attacks and pushed them to their very core. Only two were allowed to join annually, Most of the time only one was permitted.

        Ariam nodded. “I expect great things from her, if she sticks around.”

        “What do you mean by sticks around?” Ranulf asked.

        “She’s planning something, I just haven’t figured it out yet.”

        “I’ll ask her.” Ranulf stated, as he walked off.

        Mazicane was sulking by the pick nick area, her pride and knees throbbed. I have to buy my time, I have to to grow stronger. Lovetta was hopping around. “Did you see that? That will show her not to mess with you!”

        “Lovetta all I did was egg her on, she will come back with more force next time.”

        “Perhaps, but it was so satisfying watching you put her in the dirt where she belongs!” Mazicane couldn’t help but to smile at the cub Like way Lovetta was acting over the drama.

        “Indeed it was, Mazicane may I speak with you a moment?”

        “Alpha Ranulf!” Lovetta gasped and bowed her head blushing, haven been caught gossiping.

        “Yes of course Alpha.” Mazicane said politely following him off to the side.

        “I seen your altercation. You handled yourself quite well, color me impressed.” Mazicanes’ eyes danced at the praise.

        “I did what I had to do to get off my belly.” She said casually.

        “Either way, I hope you’re going to attend the games next year. I’m really excited to see what you can do once you gain your wolf.” he smiled gently.

        “I will, if the goddess permits, I think I would make an excellent guard.” he nodded in agreement.

        “Entertain me a moment, what are your plans Mazicane? I can sense you have hidden motives. Not at all malicious, just personal.”

        “I was hoping to have this conversation later.” Mazicane sighed. “I want to hunt and track down the survivors of my familys’ m******e. Blood must have Blood, and I cannot sleep until I do.”

        Ranulf raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. It made sense now, why she insisted on training, taking course after course from sun up to sun down. Why she ran the grounds before sunrise despite rain and snow and fair weather. He understood the pain in her eyes, as any good Alpha would, There is always pain with loss, he could feel every soul from the Omegas to the Guards. Pain is Pain. “When is it you’re hoping to leave?” he asked calmly

        “The first days of summer, once the rainy season has passed and before the heat truly sets in. Since I do not have my wolf yet, I will need to find a horse. It’s Probably best anyways so the hunters wont detect me.”

        “I understand your desire, and know that this is a journey only you can complete. I will help you in any way I can. Summer is only a few short months away. Take Rainstorm from the stables as she will serve you well. I suggest attending the horsemanship classes that will teach you to fight along side her.” Ranulf said without hesitation, and added “You have my blessing, as long as you return with her before the games. I must see what you are capable of.”

        “You have my word Alpha.” Mazicane bowed her head, She couldn’t believe he would do this for her. For the first time since her initiation she felt like a part of BronzeClaw, and she could feel BronzeClaw was a part of herself. Ranulf walked away and Maze was still staring in disbelief when Lovetta approached.

        “Are we ready to eat? Because I am ready to go on the hunt. Hey what was that about?”

        “Sure.” Maze said as she walked back over to the pick nick area. “The Alpha asked me to join the games next year, he also gave me permission to go on a hunt by myself.”

        “That’s Great! Wait, by yourself?”

        “Yes Lovetta, it’s something only I can do. I’m going to find the last of my familys’ attackers, and I’m going to slay them as they slayed my mother and father.” She said as she sat beside Lovetta whom had taken her place beside Ivan. The Omegas first served the Alphas table, which consisted of the Luna, the Beta, the Guardian and immediate family. They then served the warriors and hunters then the Keppas and last grabbing plates for themselves.

Everyone ate in good cheer and laughter. Everyone except Quist, who scowled under his brows and ripped the flesh from the bones on his plate.

        The feast was over and the Alpha let out a loud dominating Howl, Twisting his bones and shifting. His Luna followed him then the Beta, the guardian, the rest of the hunters and warriors close behind. They erupted in a deafening howl and ran in unison into the forest.She watched in wonder as they faded away. The Omegas starting busting tables and cleaning up and the Keppas including herself gathered up and started walking back.

         I wonder why he would give me Rainstorm she wondered.  Perhaps he knows how important this is to me. I will train while I can harder then before, then I will take Rainstorm and go back to my home. I never got to say goodbye.  A tear slid down her cheek. I will then continue on to Hemlock Grove, The Council said that the hunters had followed her aunt from there, that pack must have some idea where to look.

Maze was deep in thought, so deep in thought that she didn’t notice the wolves that had formed behind her, So deep she forgot that Quist was stirring up trouble and Cathwulf had already given her a hard time. She didn't register how alone she was and she didn’t sense them until they pounced.