Blood Luna

The Ulfhednar of old were rumored to be shapeshifters. Tactical soldiers donning little to no armor, striking hard and fast in the cold fog of night. Tales of their brutality struck fear into even the most fierce chieftains in the lands. The Ulfhednar were all of these things... except they weren't shapeshifters; they were Lycans. Our story follows Liv Banesdottir, progeny of the Alpha Bane Ragnarson, destined to be Luna of the of the largest clan in the northern territories. The title of Luna was different in the Lycans that hailed from viking culture, she would have just as much status and respect as any Alpha. Women in general were well respected, many made names for themselves instead of focusing on serving only their mates. Her union to her newfound partner, Njal Bjørnson of the second largest clan, would solidify their stronghold in the North. If they weren't a formidable force before, they certainly were going to be now. The day had come where the ceremony would take place. That stars had aligned, the moon would be full and the Autumn Equinox was also on that very day. A grand celebration was planned and Liv was already awake, poorly attempting to contain her excitement. "I am still shocked that things have worked out like this. I've loved Njal since I was a child and I would see him at gatherings. I never would have dreamed that we were actually meant to be." She sighed as she delicately picked through the caches of dried flowers that would adorn her hair for the ceremony. "Shocked? It was practically written in the stone, my sweet. You have always been blessed by the gods." Her mother chimed in as she held a bundle of forget-me-nots against Liv's auburn hair. The contrast of the periwinkle hues against the fiery red tones played off of each other perfectly, "Yes, this will be beautiful once we get it woven in. We should grab a bunch of these and some of those white angelica flowers." Once they had gathered their desired flora, they had a beautiful pastel palette of cool hues to beautifully contrast the brightness hidden in Liv's russet locks. Liv was a formidable beauty. She was nearly six feet tall and had a strong body that was thickly built from her hips down. Her long auburn hair was often down aside from some beaded braids to help it not become too wild. Her skin was fair with light freckling and she had piercing emerald eyes. There were smaller, more delicate she-wolves in the pack but Liv was the daughter of Bane, the most fierce clan leader of the northern territories, and he had no sons. Her training to prepare to lead was just as hard as that of any other Alpha preparing to take charge of the Ulfhednar clan. Bane loved Liv as he would any son. She wasn't just a pawn to unite territories in his eyes; she was his most beloved treasure. The sun was now high in the sky, signaling that it was now midday as the village buzzed with excitement. The scent of meats being smoked and sweets being baked permeated the area around the great hall; the scent of the feast to come. Decorum inspired by the natural wonders of the surrounding territories was also being set in place. Beautiful wreathes of driftwood, mosses, and dried wildflowers were being hung on the posts that lined the hall. Chandeliers of elk anters were aesthetically lined sith pieces of holly trees. Barrels of honeymead were being rolled into the kitchens where platters of roasted nuts, dried berries, goat cheeses and dried meats we being pieced together. "That smell is so divine! I can't wait until the feast. I am absolutely starving!" Liv whined as she was looking out the window of the bridal hut at the great hall where the banquet was being made. "You still have to get married first! I don't know how you can even think about food right now!" her friend Helga chided her, "Now come over here so we can get started on your hair." She said gesturing to the seat in front of her. "It's as wild as ever! We're going to need all the time we can spare to tackle it." Her friend Freya teased her. It was customary in their pack for the bride to hide away and ready themselves in the coming hours before the handfast took place. Liv had sequestered herself with her mother and two closest friends, Helga and Freya. Her mother took her hand, led her over to the seat and instructed her to sit. The bundles of dried flowers, polished iron beads, and pale green silken ribbons were laid across the table, waiting to be woven into Liv's wild looking strands. "Oh, Liv, you are going to be stunning as ever once we get done with you here. What a beautiful palette your mother has chosen for you." Freya said as she took her place on the left side of Liv and began running her fingers through her wavy hair, singling out pieces to create the beginnings of a braid. Helga took her place on the opposite end and got to work herself as Liv's mother handed them their supplies in an order she saw fit. They all laughed together, talking about what their favorite foods at the feast were going to be and how excited they were to run beneath the Equinox Moon. Liv had to keep containing tears of joy as she told them all how much she truly loved her mate to be. When their work was finished, they all took a step back from Liv, admiring their handiwork. Her mother stepped forward and gently put her hand against Liv's cheek, tears welling up in her hazel eyes. "Don't forget, one day, you're going to be the most powerful Luna in the history of the northern territories. But first, you are our daughter, more beloved to us than the moon itself. I could not be more proud of the woman you've become." She said as she caressed Liv's face. The hard work of the packs was about to pay off. The afternoon had come and gone and sunset was near. The people now began to make their short journey to The Cradle; a place where all sacred ceremonies, especially weddings, took place. It was located directly in the center of the two territories. Massive boulders arranged in a pattern that would resemble a crescent if seen from a bird's eye view with its back toward a bluff that overlooked the sea. Those who participated in the ceremony would stand with their backs to the curve, as if they were being cradled by the moon itself. Protected from the unknown symbolized by the sheer drop that was directly behind them. Everyone had taken their places with Njal front and center in the cradle. He was a powerful looking man, standing at six and a half feet tall. He had dark, almost black hair that was woven back in braids and dreads, adorned with iron beads in true viking fashion. The sides were shaved bare, revealing tattoos of runic symbols on the sides of his head. His grey eyes were lined by surprisingly delicate lashes that softened as he saw Liv step from her hiding place. Liv was now standing in the very back of the crowd in the center. As they turned toward her, they parted like waves atop the sea. She was wearing an ebony cloak with a hood that nearly concealed her entire face. Her mother was standing behind her. As she stepped forward, her mother held onto the cloak. As it fell away from her the vermillion rays of the now setting sun danced across the layers of ivory fabric that made up her dress. The thin, sheer over-skirt and bell sleeves delicately blew in the ocean breezes as she gracefully glided through the crowd. The sun playing against her beautiful, braided auburn hair. Purple, blue and white wildflowers had been woven into each braid by her mother and closest friends. A striking smile spreads across her face as her springy, viridian eyes meet the cool, stormy slate eyes of Njal. As she neared the mouth of the cradle her father, Bane, stepped forward from the crowd. He gently took her hands and guided them to Njal's and he took them. The warmth and gentleness of his grasp was something she couldn't believe she was going to experience for the rest of her life. She shed a single tear of happiness and her father began wrapping her and Njal's hands together with a sage colored ribbon. Bane began speaking the words of the handfast as the sun continued to set. Violet and magenta clouds swirled above them as their union was solidified before the gods and the now largest united pack of the Ulfhednar. The words had been spoken and the pack cheered as they shared a passionate kiss. Njal embracing Liv and dipping her low as he pressed his lips hard against hers. Her eyes closed and her cheeks flushed as she kissed him back, loving the way it felt as he held her tightly in his arms. Everyone made their way back to the great hall where the celebration would continue. They feasted and drank until the full moon was high in the sky. The air inside the great hall was changing; becoming more...feral. "Alright everyone!" Bane bellowed, causing the crowd to hush, ,"Now! Liv and Njal will run together for the first time as mates! And we! We will run together for the first time as the new pack of the Ulfhednar!" His announcement was followed by cheers and growls from the pack members. People began to remove their clothing. It was not something that Lycans were shy about, not even Liv in front of her new husband. In fact, she was the first to be ready as she bolted out the door into the moonlight. Njal wasn't far behind her and he was awed once he laid eyes on her, his mate, as the light danced off of her skin. The rest of the pack followed and soon enough, every member had gathered outside, naked under the stars. Their skin began to heat up under the light of the full moon. Lycans could change anytime and always have inhuman strength and resilience in their human forms but there was something about the full moon that made them... more. The cracking of bones could be heard as the shift began. Followed by the tearing of flesh. The shift wasn't pretty but it wasn't painful either to a well established Lycan. As a wolf, Liv was three times larger than a normal wild wolf. Her fur had auburn tones that matched her hair and her same, piercing emerald eyes. Njal was a formidable black wolf with his stony eyes. Liv released a loud howl before looking back at Njal, as if she were daring him to chase her, and taking off into the woods ahead. Njal and the rest of the back followed suit. It wasn't long before the newlyweds had found their way away from the rest of the pack. Liv had found a clearing where there was a bed of moss beneath the bows of the sparse trees and shifted back. She sat down with her eyes closed, basking in the rays of moonlight, until she heard the soft footfalls of Njal approaching. He was still in his wolf form as he came up to her from behind. His cold, wet nose touched the back of her neck, sending a shiver up her spine as she jumped. "Agh! You slimed me!" She said as she began to laugh. Njal shifted back to his human form and sat behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "Let me make it up to you, my love." He whispered into her ear. Liv felt a tingling between her thighs as the words left his lips. This was not their first time being intimate with one another. Her feelings of arousal were soon amplified as his hands began to wander and explore her body, tenderly kissing her neck. His hands found their way to her breasts and he begain massaging them. Soon her n*****s were erect, budding eagerly for his attention. He gently squeezed and twisted them with his fingertips and she felt an aching wetness forming between her legs. Keeping one hand on one of her breasts he continued with the other down her abdomen until he found her dewy folds. A moan escaped her lips as one of her legs twitched from pleasure. He continued to gently trace her n****e with one finger as he started doing the same motion with his other hand around her c**t. A yelp followed by a shuddering sigh left Liv's mouth as she melted into him. Intoxicated with the pleasure she was receiving from him, feeling his throbbing manhood against the small of her back as she leaned into him, she continued to pant and let out little cries of pleasure. "Njal, I want you inside of me." She moaned as she rocked forward onto her hands and knees. She turned her head to look at him, "Now, please, I want you now!" She pleaded and before she could finish turning back to face forward he thrust himself inside of her. Liv's fingertips dug into the moss as she braced herself against him. His hands firmly grasping her hips, pulling her back onto his large member as he went deeper inside of her. Soft whimpers of pleasure escaping her lips with every thrust turned into loud cries of ecstacy as he took one of her hands and started rubbing her c**t. He started gyrating his hips around and pushing hard into her, urging her to climax. Liv's body tensed and her legs began to quake as she reached her pinnacle. She buried her face into the soft, mossy bed to muffle her cries. The tensing of her body brought Njal to release. The throbbing of his member as he came coaxing another climax out of her as she grinded her hips back into him. He gently pulled himself out of her, her lips clamping around his rod as if she were still hungry for more. As he laid back, he brought her with him, her head falling delicately on his chest. Once they had caught their breath they spent some time, drunk off of honeymead and love, talking and laughing until they fell asleep in each other's arms.