Curse of the Luna (Wolves of Dralesa: Book 1)

Binding Promises

Amethyst's POV

“You still never told me your name.” Jet said as he held out a hand as an offer to help me carry my gear. I glared at him to back up before putting the rest on.

“Amethyst.” I said coldly, ignoring how his impossibly blue eyes lit up.

“Such a beautiful and fitting name. Is that why you thought it was ironic that mine was Jet?” He asked innocently, but I couldn't help but shoot him a deadly glare. I haven't spoken their names aloud in years, but I hardly said anything aloud in years all together. I regretted immediately looking back at him. I could see the hurt in his eyes, also confusion as to what he did wrong to receive my

“No, we will not fall for these mate pulls!” I shook my head mentally, making sure he did not see me looking at him.

“We must stay strong.” My wolf agreed with me, just as wary as I.

“Well, the others must be worried, come let’s go home.” He led the way out and as soon as we left the protective barrier of my cave, the others ran protectively to Jet. He took a pair of trousers from one of them and slipped it on, probably so I wouldn't feel uncomfortable around him. I admit, although I sat through the teachings of mating and stuff, I've never actually seen a naked male's body. It wasn't so special either, there wasn't much of a difference besides our genitalia and how male's muscles were more pronounced than a woman's.

I could feel all their stares, the fearful and wary ones of this male's group. I recognized many of them from the patrols earlier. Then there were the cautious but curious glances from him. Goddess it felt so weird. His scent was the one I had smelled earlier, the Cypress that reminded me of home. Then, on top of that, there was the strange magnetic pull that kept trying to make my feet run to him, to be held in his arms again.

Though my body wanted one thing, my heart wanted nothing to do with it. It was making me nauseous as well. He will use me. It was only a matter of time. Fate was cruel in choosing our mates. It was as if She wanted us to suffer as much as possible.

Our eyes met again, his eyes were as bright and brilliant as the sky. His black hair was shaggy and messy, as if he had just woken up. He looked away with a slight pink hue to his cheeks before addressing his pack members.

“Shift if you wish, there is no danger. We leave for home as soon as you all are ready.” Jet told them and the blonde wolf shifted immediately. As soon as he dressed, he crossed his arms and looked down at me. He obviously didn't care for me in any way. Good.

“Are we really bringing her back with us?” I heard the blonde wolf whisper to Jet. I turned a deaf ear as soon as he began to scold them. I looked to the sky and saw my companion flying around. He let out a screech, signaling me that something was coming. Without thinking I called out to him.

“Solace come and show me.” I found him injured during my travels and he had stayed by me since. I was able to train him in to bringing me certain items to warn me of different things nearby. I saw those behind me flinch as he dove and landed on my arm. My leather guard prevented his sharp talons from digging into my forearm. I held out my other palm and he obediently placed a petal from a wolf's bane flower on it. When he brought me the petals of wolf's bane, it meant there was a large pack of wolves heading my way.

“From where?” Solace spread his wings and with a powerful flap he took off towards the south where the now exterminated Hunters rotted. He then continued to circle above us, showing me that he was keeping a look out. His calmness told me that these wolves were still far off.

“A large number of wolves from the south are heading this way.” I nonchalantly looked over my shoulder at the group behind me to warn them. They all had looks of shock. Only Jet's was pure amazement. They were also all idiots.

Jet's POV

“You should just reject her!” Ivan nearly hissed as soon as he noticed Amethyst lose interest in us. “She is a threat.”

“She is my mate!” I nearly yelled. “This makes her your Luna. She won't harm us.”

“SHE THREW YOUR SIX FOOT FIVE ASS THROUGH THE AIR!” He threw his hands up in exaggeration. The others nodded. They were also no less afraid now knowing who killed the Hunters. I was about to remind them of their places when I heard my mate. I couldn't understand what she said, but it felt oddly familiar.

We all looked up to where she was looking, and we all gawked as a large Golden Eagle landed gracefully on her outstretched arm. It glared at us with its piercing yellow eyes before dropping a petal in to her waiting hand. She whispered something to it before it took off to the skies again. She seemed to be analyzing the direction it flew before he soared idly above.

“A large number of wolves from the south are heading this way.” She looked back at us. Her face bare of any emotions. What she told me took a second to process as I was still too amazed by her. I had wondered how the person who took down the Hunters had so many Golden Eagle feathers, but this was way beyond my expectations. She actually had one tamed?

“Honestly, can you just reject me and let me go? If those wolves have ill intent, I would not like to be surrounded by such useless wolves.” She rolled her eyes before walking to the stream to rinse her hands. My heart skipped a beat, as I took the threat of her wanting to leave more seriously than the wolves. Apparently, my priorities were jumbled but I couldn't help it.

“How do we know if those wolves don't belong to you, Rogue?” Ivan growled. I shot him a glare, but he didn't care about how I felt anymore.

“Finally, one of you has seemingly smart questions, but in the end still stupid to ask.” She stood up, her eyes glowing faintly as she glared. “If I had that many wolves under my control, I would have used them to help me destroy your little Hunter problem.” Her point was made, and Ivan had no rebuke. He knew what she said made sense.

“Your Alpha spoke partially true. I will not hurt you. Not because we are so called mates, but because I have no reason to. I do not attack unless provoked to. So, I warn you, do not to push me to that point.” Her warning made some of my people gulp, and especially made it an uncomfortable trek back to the pack grounds.

I stood by her side, watching her observe her surroundings. Her eyes darted around, as if she were memorizing each twig and pebble. It saddened me slightly as she seemed to be in defensive mode the whole time.

“Make sure none of you tell anyone what happened until I can make an official announcement.” I mind linked them as we drew closer. They all nodded, and I began to try to piece together what I would even say. In all honesty I was at a loss.

“Hey guys, I had finally met my mate, your long-awaited Luna. All I know is that she can take down a battalion of Hunters nearly unscathed and has a mysterious magic like power that put me on my ass.” Yeah, no, that was not going to work.

I nearly jumped when she unconsciously slightly coward into me as we entered the pack village. Her eyes were wide and staring up at the buildings, as if they were the biggest buildings in the world.

“In hers, it's probably the closest to being near a man-made building. Look at her, she doesn't seem to be from anywhere near a town, let alone a city.” I could feel his eye roll at my lack of observation. I had no time to counter as we were flooded by other pack members. The ones who were mated on my scouting team were ambushed by their other halves as if we had just come back from war. I knew none of my team warned anyone of our return, but I soon knew the reason as soon as I saw Alyce run out of the pack house, worry evident on her finely wrinkled face. I should have presumed she would have done nothing less after hearing the Hunters' fate.

I felt like Amethyst was about to bolt, and I wanted to try and comfort her. It was the wrong move, as while I reached out for her, she gripped my wrist tightly and looked as if she were going to throw me through the air once again. But a voice clear as day, called out. The whole crowd froze.

“Amethyst!”

Amethyst's POV

I needed to escape. It was all too much. I felt like I was suffocating. My body moved on its own when Jet tried to 'comfort' me. Toss, stun, and dash. I should have done so earlier. I can run before he orders me to stay, Goddess I was an i***t.

“Amethyst!” A little girl's voice stopped the whole crowd. I've never heard this voice before, but I felt my soul ache for it. I whipped around and saw a little girl of only a few winters running towards me a huge smile plastered on her face. I let out a choked sob when I saw her eyes. Their opalescent hue shone with wisdom beyond her years, the same opalescent hue of Opal's eyes. Her hair and features were all different, but there was no mistaking those eyes.

I fell to my knees as she ran straight into my arms. I cupped her face gently, looking deeply into her eyes. I didn't know whether this was a gift from the Goddess or a cruel joke from Fate. But in my arms I held Opal's reincarnation. I immediately thought of her dying words and my promise to her.

“Amethyst, one day you and I will be sisters again. Tis our destiny. Next time, help me become the warrior I was meant to be.” Opal's nearly forgotten voice whispered in the back of my mind. There was no way I could run from Jet now. Not without this little girl.

"I dream of you often, it's like I've known you all my life.” She told me fluently in the Goddess's language. I haven't heard it in what seemed like a lifetime, a language I thought would die with me.

“Oh, little one,” I smiled brilliantly. “In a past life we had. I have been waiting to meet you again.”