Fated to the moon

CHAPTER ONE A Cunning Temptation. The wind rustled softly the leaves that were gathered at the far corner of the fence. The night was drawing near and they were all ready to retire to their various houses. The evening roll call was to be done again to make sure none of the werewolves were missing from the pack. It was very easy for Asteria to do a roll call everyday for an entire pack, they might have been a class full of students for all she knew because they were that few. Asteria pulled her hair up in a loose knot trying to keep it away from her eyes. She breathed out and looked around at the people gathered in front of her little house. As she proceeded with the name calling, the crowd dispersed slowly but surely. They all said a goodnight before going in for the night. “Mama Rita” Asteria called as she walked down to the aged woman who sat on a wheelchair. She held at her and sighed out giving her a knowing look. “I told you, you don't need to come out during the roll call” Asteria said, warming her hands in Mama Rita's. “I need to then you'd know that the day I fail to come I've passed away” Asteria shrugged off her words immediately. “You're not going to pass away for a long long time, mama Rita” Mama Rita smiled, just then her errand boy came and wheeled her away. “Goodbye my greatest Luna” “It's goodnight not goodbye mama Rita, you sound like you don't wish to wake up in the morning” Asteria said after her. The roll call book she held suddenly felt heavy to her, she dropped it on the pavement, looking around. “Don't drop it yet, what about us?” Two tiny voices screeched in unison. Asteria blinked surprised, she had been looking around for them and she had no idea where they'd appear from or what they were up to. “Of course, how can I forget the great twins of the Wolverine Kingdom?” She said in a playful voice. They both giggled, their red hair bouncing as they jumped, it was really hard to tell the difference between them despite the fact that they weren't of the same s*x. “Natalie and Nahum” she said “We are here” they shouted running around in the open space. She smiled as she looked at them, her eyes suddenly tearing up, she chuckled at her weak heart and wiped her face with her hand. Life in the Mundane pack was not as easy as it was supposed to be. They were constantly targeted as prey by the other packs and were seen as the outcast. She stood up and walked around slowly, mentally noting everyone's presence even if she had done a roll call. It was a lifestyle she'd gotten used to, it had first started after the prophecy was made—The darn prophecy, it had also continued with the death of her father and brothers then slowly, members of the pack either got killed, abused or kidn*pped. The women of the pack were more in danger. “Asteria” she heard her name and she turned. Samantha was standing in front of her little hut calling out to her. She smiled as she walked over to where she stood. “What’s the great star goddess doing tonight?” Samantha asked, teasing her friend. “I wouldn't know what she's doing, would I?” Asteria questioned furrowing her brows. “Eyy…don't be like that” “Don't be like what Samantha, we need to rebuild the fences to protect our pack and you're making silly jokes about a star goddess” Samantha rolled her eyes. “If you happened to be the star goddess, we won't need the fence for protection” Asteria scoffed and ruffled her hair, untying the knot, her hair came down with a graceful flourish. “Do you really believe that prophecy, I think it was just a plot to get us killed off” “Why wouldn't I believe it, look how bloody the moon is” Samantha said and they both looked up. The source of life for the werewolves was the moon, but this life was polluted and really red. Asteria couldn't deny that fact and secretly wondered about it. According to the prophecy, the great Star goddess would emerge from the Mundane pack but she never had any belief it would be her. “If a star goddess would surely emerge I think it would be you Sam” Asteria said and Samantha blinked, taken aback. “That's not even near the truth” Asteria shook her head, coming closer to Samantha, she rubbed her belly up and down in sudden movements, tickling her. With a sudden jerk Samantha burst out laughing, her fangs baring out. “What…what are you doing..” Samantha laughed. Asteria let go of her with a smile tugging at her lips. “Just take a look at those fangs, you shifted already” Samantha's smile disappeared and was replaced with mocking stares, directed at herself. “Do not humiliate me further Luna, you call these pointy stupid things a shift?” “Look at your claws too,” Asteria said. She knew that anytime Samantha got agitated or worked up her fangs became visible and she stretched out her claws. “So if anyone is to be the star goddess it should be you, you're practically a living miracle. What we get stuck with are these stupid pointy ears they're so hairy it itches” Asteria said. Samantha nodded, “well it's true that I might be up in the steps of shifting but I didn't so don't humor me” Samantha said then suddenly looked up. The moon had become darker. Her fangs became bared again. “Huh, was it going to be a full moon today?” She asked in surprise but there was no need to inform Asteria, she was already hurting. She placed her hand on her chest as pain jolted through her. It felt like a million knives were jabbed at her heart. Samantha looked at her friend, worried. Ever since they were sixteen, every full moon came with curses for her best friend. She had tried to convince her to get help but Asteria didn't want the pack members to become worried that she was dying. “Let's get you inside” Samantha quickly said but Asteria put her hand up to stop her. “What are you doing? Someone might see you bawling in pain,” Samantha whispered fiercely. “Someone…someone is in danger” she said faintly, Samantha couldn't believe her ears. “What are you talking about?” “Outside…outside the fence…there's someone in danger” Asteria was beginning to rise but Sam pulled her back. “Tell that someone that you're in danger too, why are you being stubborn” “I need to go…” “Are you…” Samantha cut in sharply then realized she had raised her voice “Luna, are you sure you're not crazy, respectfully speaking?” she said in a more coordinated tune. “If you go out now and the moon gets more dark, you know you won't be able to move, you'll collapse” “Tell the pack guardians to stay at the fence and watch for me” she said, rising up, still holding her chest. “Where am I going to tell them you went, Asteria come to your senses” Samantha said tears stinging her eyes. “Don't worry” Asteria walked towards her house, she didn't understand the strong pull she felt , but she was certain that there was someone out there calling out to her, the pull was worse than the pain she felt and she couldn't ignore it. She went in and checked for the twins, they were entwined together, sound asleep. Wincing and walking with slow and careful steps, she went out of the gate, shutting it firmly behind her, as she walked, the darkness of the forest welcomed her. “You just have to avoid the path that leads to the forgotten realm” she said to herself searching for the stranger who called out to her.