Chapter 3 - Regathering -
609 Words
Recognising the human forms of three of the members of the council were a sign of their seriousness, or their threat to the pack which had already started to gain the glares of tense bodies, I shifted a tail length away from Honeyglow who wrapped her tail around our son.
They were easily identifiable with their marking and I internally sighed; The Raccoon, Fox and Flamingo. Although there were was one council member for every single Aurashifter herd only the highest member counts had power over their Section's and all within.
"Councilmen Dex Raccoon, Barge Fox and councilwoman Wyoa Flamingo. A pleasant surprise to see you all together in shifted forms in my pack, How may I be of assistance?"
Trying to keep my tone of voice as non-threatening as possible, I raised my head slightly before Dex narrowed his almost unseen eyes covered in black marking.
He grinned almost too excitedly, nearly like a snarl.
"Councilman Amberclaw Wolf. I believe you know why we have arrived on this day,"
Barge continued from Dex,
"It is no secret that the season of Regathering is approaching faster than Half-Moon."
Wyoa slipped her hand through her hair to the curled tips around her neck, almost looking slicked down with a gel-like substance.
"PureStar."
Curious eyes glanced at the young wolf whose ears lifted at her name, her attention on the councilwoman.
"You have grown into such a beautiful Aurashifter, small but sleek. You must know about the Regathering and how you can join now of age..."
There was almost a glint reflecting in her eyes.
"Yet, we cannot help but question if you will be ready for this opportunity."
Dex slipped by Wyoa's side, twirling a leaf between his fingers.
"Honestly this is kinda like a test, if you fail how can you become a Section Alpha? Do you believe only training will make you worthy to join? Do you especially plan to leave now..."
Barge glanced from Dex to PureStar who listened intently, my heartbeat starting to rise.
"That Alpha Amberclaw is losing his life minute by minute?"
Growls emitted around the three as a few whimpers grew, the pack had seen the signs of every Alpha slowly passing their title near their death every generation. Of course, PureStar was among those who hadn't, but when looking over to see what I imagined her reaction would be, I saw her standing firm.
Not even a strand of fur tussled as if she hadn't even understood the news.
Leaves crackled beneath her paws as I watched her posture straighten, rising from the ground as a powerful gust surrounded her from tail to ear. Inside something shivered when PureStar started to speak, every word dripping with intensity.
"Do you fear my claim to a Section? Of course, you do, otherwise, a Flamingo would never trust her eggs around a fox and raccoon. Not unless they were desperate,"
My jaw dropped as Wyoa flinched even casting worried glances between her partners, PureStar beginning to narrow down on them while the gust around her grew stronger.
A bolt of shock slammed my chest as I muttered,
"She couldn't be...having her first shifting?"
"I will join the Regathering this season. I am no Pup."
Light suddenly cast from her body around in the brightest shift I had ever witnessed, eyes beginning to adjust to seeing a young woman with the palest of moonlight skin so much that it almost reflected the sun.
As she said the next words the markings of her shift appeared, a pair of white ears poking out her silver hair and a long tail by her legs.
"I am a Luna."
- Writer
