Bound By Moonlight

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Festival of Fates

Flashback

The clearing buzzed with life, wolves from different packs mingling under the light of the full moon. Torches cast a warm glow, illuminating colorful banners and tables laden with food and drink. The Festival of Fates was a tradition as old as the packs themselves, a time for celebration, alliances, and, for some, the discovery of their fated mates.

The night buzzed with life as the Festival of Faith reached its crescendo. Lanterns floated through the star-strewn sky, their soft glow casting a golden haze over the festival grounds. Music pulsed in the air, a blend of drums and strings that set the rhythm of hundreds of feet dancing in unison. Everywhere Rowan looked, there was light—lanterns, candles, even the spark of laughter that seemed to ignite from every corner of the crowd.

As he walked through the festival alone, his steps hesitant. Rowan wasn’t sure why he had come; faith, for him,had always been a fragile thing, like a moth’s wing too easily crushed. But the festival had called him this year, its promise of unity and renewal whispering to a part of him he rarely acknowledged.

Rowan stood near the edge of the gathering, his sharp blue eyes scanning the crowd. As the heir to his pack, he was expected to make an impression. His mother’s voice echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of his duty.

“Always observe, Rowan. Strength isn’t just in muscle—it’s in knowing who to trust and who to avoid.”

“Strength doesn’t come from pushing others away, Rowan,” his father had said one evening as they worked together fixing the fence. His father’s hands were calloused, weathered by years of work, but steady as they moved. “True strength comes from knowing when to hold on. From protecting what matters.”

Back then, Rowan hadn’t fully understood. He was young, impulsive, always eager to prove himself. His father’s lessons about love and loyalty had seemed simple, even naive. But now, as he sat in the lonely quiet, Rowan realized how deeply they applied to what he had lost.

“Don’t let pride blind you,” his father’s voice reminded him. “The people who love you aren’t burdens—they’re blessings. They’ll make you stronger, not weaker.”

Rowan clenched his fists, the weight of those words pressing against his chest. He had let his pride blind him when Caleb stood before him, offering everything Rowan’s father had described: unconditional love, steadfast loyalty, a bond that would weather any storm. And yet, Rowan had turned away, convinced he didn’t need anyone.

He could see his father now, sitting by the fire after a long day, his gaze distant but kind. “When you find something real, Rowan, you fight for it. No matter what it costs you.”

The realization stung. His father had always been right. And now, Rowan wondered if it was too late to make amends—to fight for what he had carelessly thrown away.

Rowan’s posture was relaxed, but his senses were alert, noting every movement and scent. That’s when he noticed him—a lone figure standing just beyond the crowd, his dark hair catching the firelight.

The moment their eyes met, Rowan felt it—a rush of warmth and certainty that left him breathless. His wolf stirred within him, howling in recognition.

Mate.

The stranger approached, his steps confident but unhurried. When he stopped a few paces away, Rowan caught his scent—earthy and clean, with a hint of pine.

“I’m Caleb,” the man said, his voice low but firm.

“Rowan,” he replied, though his name felt insignificant in the presence of the bond crackling between them.

They stood in silence for a moment, the noise of the festival fading into the background. Rowan’s wolf growled possessively, urging him to close the distance, to claim what was his.

But reality intruded. Rowan’s gaze flicked to the crest stitched onto Caleb’s sleeve—a silver crescent overlaid with a black paw. He knew that symbol well. Caleb was from the Shadow claw pack, a smaller group often at odds with Rowan’s.

“Shadow claw,” Rowan said carefully, his tone neutral.

Caleb’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “And you’re from Iron fang. Looks like fate has a sense of humor.”

Despite their packs’ history, Rowan and Caleb couldn’t stay away from each other. In the weeks that followed the festival, they met in secret, their bond growing stronger with every encounter.

They met at the edge of their territories, where the forest grew dense and wild. Rowan arrived first one evening, pacing nervously under the moonlight. When Caleb appeared, Rowan’s tension melted away.

“You’re late,” Rowan said, though his tone lacked any real annoyance.

Caleb shrugged, a playful grin on his lips. “Had to make sure no one followed me.”

Their meetings were a mix of passion and stolen moments of peace. Rowan shared his dreams for his pack, while Caleb spoke of his frustrations with the politics of pack life.

“You could come with me,” Rowan said one night, his voice tentative. “We’d figure it out.”

Caleb’s smile faltered. “And leave my pack to fend for itself? I can’t do that, Rowan. Just like you can’t walk away from yours.”

The tension between their packs finally came to a head. Shadow Claw accused Iron Fang of encroaching on their hunting grounds, and Iron Fang claimed Shadow Law was harboring rogues. Though Rowan and Caleb had no part in the disputes, their bond became a symbol of the conflict.

Rowan’s uncle called him to a council meeting, his tone as cold as ice. “You have a responsibility to this pack, Rowan. The Shadow Law bond is a threat to everything we’ve built. End it.”

Rowan didn’t sleep that night, his wolf restless and angry. But by dawn, he’d made his decision.

He met Caleb in their usual spot, his chest tight with dread. Caleb greeted him with a smile, but it faded when he saw Rowan’s expression.

“What’s wrong?” Caleb asked, his brow furrowed.

Rowan clenched his fists, the words catching in his throat. “We can’t do this anymore, Caleb. The bond... it’s too dangerous.”

Caleb froze, disbelief flashing across his face. “You’re serious.”

“I have a duty to my pack,” Rowan said, forcing himself to meet Caleb’s gaze. “This... us... it’s not worth the risk.”

Caleb took a step back, his expression hardening. “Not worth the risk? Is that all I am to you?”

Rowan’s heart shattered, but he held firm. “I’m sorry.”

Caleb stared at him for a long moment before turning away. “You’ll regret this, Rowan. Maybe not today, but one day, you will.”