The Sacrifice Mate

Chapter Five

Esmeralda gave it some thought for the first time. It did seem fair, she had never thought about it like that. When her mother had told her the story, she did not consider the fate of the alpha wolf's pack. The had seen it simply as something needed to ensure the survival of the Hunter.

Esmeralda:"I am sorry for your pack's loss"

Artemis:"Thank you. It was a long time ago, sometimes it feels its just a story we tell the pups" she replied with a sad smile and a faraway look in her eyes.

They stood there in silence for a while. Artemis sighed and broke the silence

Artemis:"But no matter what please keep in mind it is still your choice, and only yours... Shall we go inside? I am sure your brother must be fending off eager candidates while trying to look for you" Esmeralda smiled and laughed softly

Esmeralda: "It is most definitely a possibility" she said, extending her hand to the werewolf. She sits not know why she did it, but it felt right. And thankfully the wolf did not question her about it.

They made quite an entrance back in the ballroom together. For a brief second everyone just stared at them in awe. Victor approached them cautiously at first, but something in his sister's eyes told him that she was not being forced. That this was not staged. Alma had the same look her son had, while Narcissus smiled with glee! All was going according to plan, despite their earlier meeting have not gone quite as he had expected.

They took the time to enjoy each other's company, who would have thought a werewolf could dance so well?

Artemis also looked so dapper in her black suit. At least Esmeralda thought so and so did many other women judging by their looks.

They took the opportunity of their second and third dance to discuss briefly the terms and expectations of what might come should Esmeralda accept to bond with her. It was easy and a way to avoid prying ears... Artemis explained that she would start by courting her before Esmeralda's response was binding to the Moon Goddess but after that they would be bonded forever.

They sopke briefly about Artemis meeting with her parents, althought Artemis left a lot of Narcissus less fatherly behaviour out.

They were actually enjoying each other's company, although always under the watchful eye of Victor, Esmeralda's brother, something Artemis was actually pleasantly surprised about. She thought back to the meeting with Narcisissus and Alma...

[In the Household office]

Narcissus:" Miss Moon, I must say, unless you are acting as an emissary, you are not quite what I expected..." But before the werewolf could respond Alma diplomatically interceded...

Alma:"I must apologise for my husband Miss Moon. There is much of the legends that is passed only from woman to woman as the Goddess intended"

Artemis Moon:"I understand. A century is quite a lot in human terms".

Narcissus:" All I need to know is if the terms apply? A marriage bond for the continuation of this House prosperity?"

Artemis Moon:"Yes. Should the bride willingly accept the path of the Goddess." Narcissus looked at her with an expression worthy of a confused and constipated goldfish until his wife clarified.

Alma:"Meaning the bride from this house must willingly accept to be wed." The man looked perplexed at them both...

Narcissus:" Of course she will!" The man could not fathom why his daughter would even consider not making the sacrifice for their family.

[Back to the party]

Artemis shook the thoughts away from her mind. She looked at Esmeralda, how could such a beautiful creature have been fathered by such a man.

She let her mind go to the first time she saw her prospective bride. Artemis had not meant to at first, she was just roaming aimlessly feeling the sounds of nature and the moonlight, but suddenly she felt a different pull, a acent that called to her... Her mate! The wolf in her couldn't resist! She had to be close to her, to see her mate...

She ran and ran through the woods, the scent getting stronger and stronger. She came close to a clearing and saw her, the red hair reflecting the moonlight, barely covered by a dark hood. Her eyes were green as emeralds, as the darkest leaves on the forest trees... Out of nowhere a voice seemed to whisper in the wind Esmeralda. And suddenly she knew her mate's name. She couldn't contain all thw emotions she was feeling and she howled to the moon, giving sway her presence. The looked at each other, briefly. Artemis disappeared before she did something she could later regret, like claiming her mate right there and then.

The werewolf gave a polite simile that showed the glint in her eyes and briefly her teeth. This man tested her patience... Thank the Goddess she would not see him much, if ever after the bond.

Artemis Moon:" Assuming Esmeralda feels the same Mr Hood, there should be nothing to worry about".

They danced almost all night. When it was almost over, they decided to go for a stroll on the grounds. Esmeralda put on the same dark hooded cloak she had on the night the werewolf first saw her.

They walked in companiable silence for a while. Esmeralda took the time to notice the subtle peculiarities of the creature,woman? Whom she was destined to wed... In her human form most people would not realise something was amiss, but under closer inspection Esmeralda could tell by the way she reacted to stimuli. Like how she could sense the slightest sounds or her acute sense of smell. The way her eyes glinted and she showed her teeth concealed as a polite but assertive smile. Esmeralda had a few opportunities to notice that when a few people tried to steal a dance with Esmeralda and were politely told off by Artemis. Had it been anyone else she would take offense of that, but lycans were notoriously territorial and.. well maybe she also had other reasons to not object.. but she did not want to go there yet.