Earth, Moon and Sun

Prolog: Alin watched as her father fell to the ground like a lifeless fleshy burlap sack. How was this possible…? He was King Alpha! The man who watched over, ruled and guided the pack and residing packs in their sanction. The protector, alongside her mother Queen Luna…  In the shadows, the figure at the edge of the cliff slipped away as several members of the pack flooded into the moon's light. Beta Patton came to a halt, his arms flung out to stop the 2 male Sentinels Griffin and Liam. "No…" Patton's voice choked.  Her mother ran screaming "Azlin, no AZLIN PLEASE! My love don't do this….!!!" Her voice was frantic, shaking as she reached for her fallen mate. Tears began to flow down her pale cheeks as she pulled the lifeless Alpha into her lap. Her once silvery white dress now turning crimson with the King Alpha's blood soaking into its threads.  Why was the Moon Goddess playing such a cruel twist of fate? Whatever her plan, it was dark.  Patton slowly approached Alin's mother who was now sobbing into her mate's chest, her long white blonde hair draped over her and Azlin's face, shrouding them from those around. Audible sobs escaped from her.   "Maeve… My Queen, we need to get him home, out of the open…" his voice shaking as he looked upon his King, his Alpha, his closest friend. "Maeve…." Maeve's head rose as she stared at the Beta in front of her, her jade green eyes almost glowed from the tears. "Yes, home" her voice almost whispered. Her gaze moved behind Patton to the small figure slowly moving towards them. "Oh Goddess no…" Patton spun around to see the young Princess coming forth to her mother and father's lifeless body. She reached out her small hand to touch her father’s chest and began to sob. Maeve took her into her arms, shushing softly into her dark curly hair and petted her back. "Patton, please take him home… I will…I will alert the Elders, then..then I will call a pack gathering once the…" Maeve's voice choked back the pain to prevent her from hysterics. "Call the pack together once my King has been prepared to ascend… Griffin and Liam, please be gentle with him…" “Of Course my Luna” both males said in unison.  She wrapped her arms around Alin's body as the small girl sobbed and clinged to her mother's now stained dress. She only remembers the faint smell of copper almost like pennies mixed with her mother's warm vanilla and lilac scent. Patton and the two Sentaniles bowed and said nothing as they watched their Queen slowly make her way back to the pack mansion in the woods clinging to her pup. Three Deltas followed close behind to insure the safety of their Queen Luna and Princess. •••••••••••••••••••• Several days passed, a dark luminous cloud hung over the pack mansion and village. Surrounding packs had begun to arrive, their Alpha's with their Lunas residing in one or the many guest rooms. The many Omega staff ran about the mansion to keep it prepared and accommodating for their guests.  Alin had not seen her mother much for the following days till now. Even though she did not fully understand, she knew enough to see how much pain her mother was in. She had lost her Destined Mate, a rear bond between two Lycan's stronger than those who are just Fated Mates, it was more common among the Royal bloodline to see this, but not unheard of with the commoners. The pain of losing a mate was like having part of your soul ripped from your body. She had overheard some of the maids whispering amongst themselves. 'Why would the Moon Goddess do such a horrible act' was all she could think. 'I never want a mate… I don't want to feel what momma has to feel…'  Her mother wore a slick black dress draped over her slim body, she was far from frail with toned muscles that shone under her pale arms and legs, her wolf form was even more elegant, pure white with the same jade green eyes, her wolf was much larger compared to others being she was and Alpha female, The Queen Luna. Alin was small like her mother's but her complexion and hair were like her father's, her eyes were green like her mothers, and one day she hoped to stand as tall as both her father and mother have. She hoped her wolf was as strong as them as well.  Maeve looked tired but put on a smile across her soft pink lips. Her long white hair swished in a wave down her back, tickling Alin's cheek as she stood beside her. Her mother's hand reached out to take hers and gripped it tightly. Alin felt the small quivers from her mother as she tried to compose herself. She was only 4, but taking in everything at once, choking back a small whimper.  "Lets give your father his rightful send off to the Moon above Moon Bug '' she whispered and stared ahead. "Lift your head up high little Princess, do not let them see any sign of weakness, you are a proud descendant of the Moon Goddess, a Carmine!" Her mother's words came out strong and sharp.  Alin could only nod, she pulled her shoulders back and walked through the large heavy wooden doors. Her head held high like her mother. The Elders chanted the ceremonial ritual in soft hushed words, swaying thuribles back and forth over her fathers body. He was covered in white lilies, a symbol of the dead and clothed in their packs colors of deep green, blues and browns. The fragrant incense almost overpowered the small pup's nose. Alin to her mother's right, Beta Patton was slightly behind on Maeve's left with his Mate Lillian. Sentinel Griffin with his Mate Raina, who was also a Sentinel, as there are 4, two sets of Mates who work under the command of the Beta. Sentinel Liam however, stood alone as he had not found his Fated Mate just yet. There were hundreds of Lycans standing before them, some in their human forms, others in their wolf skins, all with their heads bowed as the Elders finished their chant.  The Elders stepped back to allow Maeve to move forward. She gazed at the many faces before her. With a deep breath she began to speak. "With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to our King Alpha Azlin… he in cold blood was assassinated. In the midst of this, the poor unfortunate soul who has taken my Destined Mate will suffer once it is found who has committed such a blasphemous crime against the Earthshine Pack…" she stopped to take several slow breaths before continuing. "We do not mourn the King today. Today we celebrate! We will send him off to his ascension to the Moon Goddess in his rightful seat among her!" She yelled, the crowd erupted with cheers of the King's name, those in their Wolf skins threw their heads back and howled. Beta Patton stepped forward to Maeve holding a torch with dark blue flames dancing at its tip. She took the torch into her pale hand and slowly walked over to her Mate laying on the stone table. She leaned over and kissed him one final time as tears slipped down her cheeks. "Eirich mo ghaol… (Rise up my love...)" she breathed, placing the torch onto the fabric covering him. Alin watched as the blue flames shrouded her father's body, tears sliding down her face, 'don't show weakness!' She reminded herself of her mother's words and used the sleeve of her dress to hastily wipe them away. This was where it all started for her. She did not know what the Moon Goddess had planned for her…