The Intent of the Moon Goddess (#1)

Chapter 2- Anna

I listen intently during ‘Confinement and Birthing Studies’ class because I want to know all there is to know about having pups. I sit near the back of the classroom at the insistence of my best friend, Katy Wise, even though she tries to distract me. I am fifteen years old, and I am in my fourth year of Crescent Moon High for Girls.

“How long is an average werewolf confinement?” I know the answer but I’m too shy to volunteer the information, instead I look down at my desk while someone else offers the answer.

“The average werewolf confinement lasts 34 to 36 weeks. Although Alpha pregnancies can advance faster, and multiples do not advance beyond 32 weeks.”

Miss Avery, our teacher, smiles with pride. “Well done Joyce Jones, that’s exactly right. So, what about viability? What’s the earliest a werewolf can be born and survive? Anyone?”

Joyce Jones puts her head down; Miss Avery looks around for someone to answer “Anna Winters... what do you think?”

The heat rises and colors my face and the sweat on the palms of my hands as I clear my throat. “There are conflicting accounts on viability. Here, at the Crescent Moon, we believe a pup can survive after 28 weeks. However, due to technological advances there have been documented cases of 26- and 27-week gestation pups going on to survive.”

Miss Avery smiles at me with admiration. “A very thorough answer, Anna. I can see you have looked into this?”

It is my turn to smile. “Thank you, Miss Avery, and yes I have. I hope when I find my mate to have a large family.”

Miss Avery nods in understanding. “A very worthy dream may the Moon Goddess bless you.”

The whole class repeats after her, “may the Moon Goddess bless you”.

The class continues whilst we look at foetal development and potential complications, until the bell rings for lunch. As me and Katy leave the classroom together, I overhear a group of girls imitating me.

“When I meet my mate, I want loads of babies!” They all laugh until Katy stamps her foot at them and growls and they all walk away as fast as they can. Katy might be tiny at 5ft tall, but I’m sure she’s semi-feral or something.

Put it this way, I’m glad she’s my best friend and not my enemy, that girl is a force to be reckoned with. I surmise it’s because she is an early shifter, she is younger than me by six weeks and has already done her first shift into wolf form.

The funny thing is that what she packs in attitude she lacks in physical ability. Katy prefers dancing to combat training and self-defence. Whereas even though I’m quieter than her, I excel at hand-to-hand combat and self-defence, but my wolf hasn’t shown herself to me yet. Weird!

Katy and I have been best friends for four years, which was when I moved to the Crescent Moon Pack to live with my Auntie Daphne after my parents died. Katy took me under her wing and has been like my sister ever since. We are looking forward to turning 16 years old because we will be required to move into the female packhouse until we find our mates. We are planning sleepovers, makeovers, slumber parties and movie nights. It all sounds like so much fun and very grown up and I can’t wait.

Here, at the Crescent Moon, the rules are quite strict, especially for unmated, young females. We are not allowed to mix with boys except on formal, supervised occasions.

We are only allowed to socialise at organised events, and we must stay at home between 7pm-7am. This is meant to help preserve our virtues, because Crescent Moon girls are to be innocent and pure for their fated mates.

We are shielded and protected from anything that can tarnish not only our morals and reputation, but also our relationship with our blessing from the Moon Goddess.

We are taught that there is no one before and no one after, just our fated mates. Living in the unmated female packhouse will be our first chance to do things outside of school or family. It’ll be the first time me and my best friend get to have a sleepover or a midnight feast and it’s exciting.

After lunch we have our physical training session. Katy pretends she is dying. It's the same routine she does this every day, trying to get out of doing what she sees as tedious. Some days I indulge her by pronouncing her dead, or by reviving her. Other days, I tell her to stop being a lazy wuss and she chases me all the way to the training field.

Today she chases me.