Bound by The Silver Moon

“What is this ...what is this girl always wearing?” Taria looked at Rachael in so much disdain. Taria’s lip curled as she scanned Rachael’s dress, her voice dropping to a sharp, biting tone that ensured every servant in the hallway stopped to watch. “Must you always look like a walking omen, Rachael? You’re an eyesore,” Taria raised her voice even louder. “ Just pretend, even for once in your life, that you can fit into this place. You really don’t have to attend the mating ceremony, you know!” Taria’s voice echoed in the hallway. There were some chuckles from some of the tower servants standing around. Rachael felt so embarrassed, she had Taria on her nerves every single moment in the Tower. She was putting on the dress her mom made for her mating ceremony before she died. It wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing as that of the other girls, but she loved it so much. She had just clocked eighteen, and it was mandatory for her to attend the ceremony to find her mate , or else she was going to get a new point of ridicule from Taria. “The ceremony is for everyone Taria, I’m at liberty to attend.” Rachael tried to be careful with her words to avoid creating a scene. She knew what Taria was capable of. “You are definitely not getting a mate? Even a rogue would rather kiss my ass than get mated to you.” Taria scoffed. Rachael clutched to the hem of her dress. “I don’t need a mate, I’m just minding my own business,” Rachael wasn't sure if she meant these words, or she was just being defensive to reduce the shame. “ Mind your business for what? Wait till I become Luna. You will pray for death because I will be so much in your business. I Taria will make here a living hell for you,” Taria said so confidently. She walked silently past Taria to avoid getting more insults, but before the next step, she saw herself on the floor. Taria dragged her hair with so much force that she fell. “ You try to make me look foolish?” Taria was so infuriated. She kicked her legs and spat on her . “When I’m talking to you, you have no business moving until I’m done. Have I made myself clear?” Rachael, sobbing and whimpering in pain, manages to say, "Yes, Taria” “I can’t even believe I’ll be in the same space with you in this mating ceremony. Your wolf must have deserted you by now, cause nothing in the right sense will mingle with a failure like you,” Taria said, walking out. She arranged her dress that was carefully styled by the most famous designers in the pack. She had everything it took to be the prettiest girl in the pack, from her long and beautiful hair to her flawless skin. All the girls in the pack wanted to be like her. This she knew, and it made her so arrogant and bossy to even her superiors. Rachael was used to being bullied by Taria right from when she moved into the Tower. Rachael’s mom was the Ex- Luna’s personal Staff, so she was literally born and raised in the Tower. They were Omegas and were loved by Luna until she died and a new Luna took over. “Can today end already” Rachael mumbled in her breath. The bells at the tower top started ringing in a unique manner specific for the Hilton Mating ceremony. She had heard this sound since she was young and today she was going to be participating. She quickly stood up and tried to adjust her hair. She had spent the night styling the hair because she wasn’t allowed to use the Tower's styling services as omegas. She dusted her dress, which was made of old wool and smelt of cedar and damp earth. She hurried towards the Tower-Square giving off a shy smile to those who were throwing weird glances at her. Beautiful young eighteen-year olds were lined up to be mated. They were dressed in their best outfits and had some good fragrances on. Some people had already known their mates before the ceremony, while some were hoping they would even find a mate. Rachael wasn’t interested in getting mated. She prayed to the moon goddess to give her a mate that will let her go thereafter. She stood at the end of the line just hoping the ceremony could come to an end already. Taria was at the front line with some other alpha’s daughters. Everyone knew Taria’s mate was Alpha Vinca. Although he despised her for her rude attitude and arrogant nature, their families were in so much support of them and gave him no chance to reject her. The young men were all glaring at the girls with their noses flared wide. They all looked desperate like there was some kind of curse for anyone that doesn’t find their mates today. The Alphas and their subordinates were ordered in and took their seats . The Lycan King, Cantauri, gave an order for the ceremony to commence. Alpha Vinca stepped up as the Crown — Alpha and gave a loud howl which is usually a tradition to start off the ceremony. He walked down the Podium of the Square in so much aura, dressed in a leather vest with his chest exposed. His muscles were so strong and his hair dropped into his face. So many eyes were on him because of how attractive he was, some ladies biting their lips and adjusting their outfits as he walked past them. He moved slowly, his hands clasped behind his back, stopping in front of each girl for exactly three seconds. He didn't look at their faces first; he looked at their posture, the pulse jumping in their throats, and the scent they projected. He looked like a king inspecting his armory. He paused in front of Taria. She leaned forward, offering her neck a submissive, desperate invite, her scent of heavy jasmine filling the air. Vinca’s nostrils flared, but his eyes remained as cold as a winter lake. He didn't indulge. He moved on, his silence more insulting than any word could be. Taria scoffed and blinked away in humiliation and disbelief. Just as Alpha reached the end of the line, his eyes met with Rachael. “You!…” his eyes became red and bright. He felt a repulsive force like that of a rival. He had never felt that way towards Rachael in all the years of her service in the Tower. He could feel an energy from her, like a hidden power or something he just couldn’t explain. Rachael was confused, her heartbeat was so fast and loud. She managed to stutter,“ What??… Me??..?” Just then, the Danger Siren of the Pack was blasted, and its loud sound was all over the air. The air became thick with the scents of thousand of agitated wolves. The pack Captain shouted, “Everyone run to safety!” People were scattered all about the Park square running in different directions. All across the pack square, the sound of tearing fabric and the wet, sickening crack of rearranging bones of the Hilton wolves filled the air. They launched forward to defend their pack. The rhythm of a hundred paws hitting the dirt sounded like a war drum. A heavy stone from a collapsing wall landed in Vinca’s direction, and he immediately fell over a little child close by, protecting the child from being hurt by it. He held the child and ran towards the tower, handed him to a servant and immediately sprinted towards the direction of attack. He waved off bricks and woods flying through the air like arrows and tore apart any wolf that came in his way. The Silver Pack had been their rival for years, and this was the second time they had been invaded the Hilton Pack in the Dune season. They were known for ruthless attacks on anyone that crossed their paths, although their attack this time was on the basis of personal beef between Alpha Bastian, the leader of the Silver Pack, and Alpha Centauri. They have both refused to disclose their issues to anyone but keep attacking themselves. Alpha Bastian roared and fought violently with those that came towards him. He broke bones and tore into the skin of several of the Hilton wolves, spilling their blood like they were some meat. He suddenly charged towards the Great Tower. The massive, gray wolf of Bastian landed in the center of the hall, shifting into a man in midair. He was scarred, brutal, and wore the golden belt of the Silver Pack Troops. Behind him, six dark wolves landed as well, pacing about the hall. "Centaur!" Bastian roared, his voice shaking the rafters. "Why hide like a puppet, show yourself!." “Stop right there Bastian!” Alpha Vinca called out his name, stopping him from moving any further. Bastian stopped and turned to look at who it was. “You didn’t think of any other day to show up than today? You break the Sacred Peace of the Mating Ceremony Bastian? For what?" “Long-time old friend, I have told you before that this isn’t your fight. I value our old friendship and will advise you to stay out of this,” Bastian said, raising his hands for his troops to proceed with the search. Vinca moved with the speed of light towards him and held his arm in midair. “ First off, our friendship never existed, so you never address me as such anymore. Now secondly, take your men and get the hell out of this park!” Just before he said the last words, five wolves from Hilton landed one after the other, vibrating and desperately waiting for Vinca’s command for them to attack. But surprisingly, Bastian froze as though a sudden, violent jolt of electricity snapped against his ribs. “What the….” Bastian found his words somehow. His heart, usually a steady, rhythmic drum, hammered a frantic warning against his chest. His eyes turned from a furious red look to a golden vulnerable look, and in a tunnel vision, he saw Rachael…hiding in a bunker shivering in fear from the chaos and war that was happening outside. “Mate?” Bastian mumbled in his breath with so much disbelief. His wolf, usually a silent shadow in the back of his mind, let out a deafening, possessive howl that vibrated in his very marrow. Bastian couldn’t control his feelings. He had been longing for this feeling for 35 years of his life and is feeling it in a rival’s Pack in the middle of a battle. He transformed into his wolf self and leapt away from the tower towards the bunker where Rachael was hiding. Every one standing around watched him leave in so much confusion. Rachael was hiding with a little boy in the bunker who was whimpering in pain. He had broken his arm while running for safety and was lying helplessly in the square until Rachael picked him up and ran to the bunker. Her hand was over his mouth to stop him from shouting. “Shhhhhh….. What's your name?” The little boy whispered back, “I’m Tony.” Rachael looked at the broken bone. She knew she could help the boy, although her mom had asked her to stay low until it was safe. But this was just a child, she thought to herself. How will he possibly expose her? “Tony, I'd love you to close your eyes and make sure you don’t tell anyone what happened here, okay?” The little boy looked confused but just nodded and closed his eyes. Rachael put her hands over his broken arm and gradually. As the bone knitted back together under her palms, a faint warmth radiated from her skin, a heat she’d been told to hide at all costs. Rachael started feeling tense . Her skin full of goosebumps, it felt like her wolf was suddenly hyperactive. “What’s happening?” Rachael was scared to admit what she was feeling. Was it because she just used her power? Was she getting caught? Or wait… Was it what she thought it was? At this time, Alpha Bastian was standing in the bunker she was hiding in. He ripped it open, making a loud screech of metal. Rachael looked up in so much fear, but as their eyes met, there was no longer fear she felt. All she felt was her wolf being compelled to him. “Mate?” Rachael whispered, her own eyes bleeding into a brilliant, defiant gold. Her breath hitched. His scent hit her like a physical blow. She could feel his heartbeat. Her wolf, silent for eighteen years, roared to life behind her ribs.