The Sacrificed Luna

Chapter 4

The silence slowly faded into concerned murmurs as the party-goers wondered what had happened. They’d watched us together for years. Why would the old Gamma’s daughter refuse the future Alpha? They’d know why soon enough.

“What?” Carrier’s self-indulgent smile melted into an angry scowl as he lowered the ring. “What do you mean ‘No’?”

“I mean ‘No, I don’t want to marry you’.” I stood a little taller as my courage grew. The look of shock on Carrier’s face couldn’t erase the memory of what he’d done to me, but it sure helped.

Mom was immediately at my side. “Are you sure, sweetheart? All you’ve wanted for years was to be Carrier’s Luna. What will happen tonight when your mate bond appears?”

I turned to her. “I’m not so sure if I’m even his fated mate, Mom. I want more than just being someone’s Luna. Especially when that someone’s attentions are already focused elsewhere.” I said the last part a little louder so that everyone could hear.

“How dare you!” Carrier stood and took a threatening step towards me.

“Yes, I DO dare,” I looked at Carrier like he was a flea I was about to crush. “Because I’m worth more than just being a womb to carry on your bloodline.”

People gasped. Mason stared at me in disbelief, and a little bit of pride.

“So suddenly you’re too good to be my Luna?” When he realized that nobody was on his side, he started to panic. “You said you loved me! How can you embarrass me like this?”

“I did love you, Carrier. But you love someone else, and there’s no room for me in your disloyal heart.” I couldn’t even pity him. I would never feel anything but intense hatred for the man that stood before me.

“But I’d never…” Carrier protested. People started to whisper and point at him.

I looked over at Ted, and made sure to keep staring at him until everyone’s eye followed mine. Then, I heard someone say,

“Is Carrier gay?”

“Isn’t Ted going to be his Beta?”

“You mean his Luna?”

“They do spend an awful lot of time together, even for best friends…”

“I wonder who’s top and who’s bottom!”

The whispers turned into giggles.

“What…? No!” Carrier was bright red and shaking with embarrassment. Ted walked over and took his hand.

“Maybe it’s better they know now.” Unlike Carrier, he looked relieved. “We don’t have to hide anymore.”

But Carrier pulled his hand roughly away and backed away from Ted. “No! Got off me! This isn’t right!”

But his actions made people talk even more, not just about his sexuality, but about his callousness towards his lover. I watched the chaos unfold with glee. The future Alpha was not used to being the subject of ridicule and his fragile ego couldn’t handle it.

“You’ll pay for this, you b***h!” He screamed at me, but instead of intimidating me, his outburst made me laugh out loud. Others joined me and soon the whole party was laughing at Carrier.

He threw the ring into the dirt and stormed out of the party.

“For what it’s worth, Vanya, I’m sorry.” Ted said before following after the humiliated Alpha-to-be.

I knew that I’d dealt Carrier a huge blow, but it was only the first step. I turned to Mason.

“After the ceremony tonight, can I go back to the border with you and Nellie?” I asked.

“Are you serious? My silly little sister wants to be a soldier?” He almost laughed, but he saw the fierce determination in my eyes. “I mean, if you want to, you can come check it out. Only if Mom and Dad are OK with it, though.”

“I think it’s a great idea!” Hollis was thrilled that his daughter suddenly wanted to follow in his and his son’s footsteps.

I could tell my Mom was hesitant, though. I was her last child and only daughter to live to adulthood.

“Please, Mom? It’ll just be for a little while, so I can get away from Carrier for a bit and see if I like it. I promise I won’t make any rash decisions.”

With the approval of both our parents, Mason smiled and shrugged.

“Yeah ok, sure you can come with us. If that’s what you want.”

“I do.” I had never wanted something more in my whole life. I was going to become strong and brave, and be my own woman. I never wanted to be that poor, brainwashed girl that Carrier had fooled into bearing his child. That girl was dead, and I would rise from her ashes.

“Well ok then!” He shook my hand. A firm shake like I’d seen him give to his soldiers. “So, are you going to tell us what happened with Carrier? How did you know about him and Ted?”

Everyone was staring at me. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“Maybe later. It’s a long story. And I have to get ready for my first shift!”

At the mention of the pending first shift ritual and pack run, everyone seemed to snap out of their prying curiosity and return to their senses. A few awkwardly snuck away after Carrier, but most stayed to have some cake and offer advice and well-wishes for my upcoming ceremony.

That night, before the ceremony, she sat before the altar to the Moon Goddess and waited for Verona to come to me. Would she remember me? Would she remember what Carrier did?

Suddenly, I felt my bones crack and muscles lengthen. Goddess, I’d forgotten how painful my first shift was! I cried out in agony as my body twisted and transfigured into the shape of a wolf.

One the transformation was complete, though, it felt as comfortable as a warm hug. Looking through Verona’s eyes, I was instantly aware of my wolf’s rage and grief. She remembered!

She let out a long keening howl, pouring all anguish and contempt into its mournful note. She mourned for her lost child, and for her own broken heart. Those eagerly waiting outside the temple shivered at the sound, disconcerted, but not quite knowing why.

They will pay for what they did to us.