Luna Needs an Alpha

8. Sacred Cave

Draven never regretted the decisions he made. In less than a day, he decided to accept that he was destined to be Charis's mate–a werewolf–and he wanted to change into a werewolf. He didn't think about anything, not even the risks he'd have to take, when he turned into a werewolf and became the leader of the Garnet Pack. He was just annoyed because he was belittled, and he was also tempted to be a leader. Imagine he will be respected and able to control this pack. He will prove that he can be a leader!

Draven did a ritual for a week to turn into a werewolf. He meditated in a sacred cave used for various rituals, praying to the Moon Goddess, whom the werewolf clan believed to be the God who created them. Draven didn't just pray; he also didn't eat anything from early morning until late at night. Twice he fainted from dehydration and hunger, but he was not allowed to drink or eat. He won't give up until he becomes a werewolf and an Alpha in the Garnet Pack.

Charis looked at Draven worriedly. Draven's face was very pale and his lips were chapped. Draven's weight had also decreased."Are you sure you still can?" Charis sat in front of Draven, sitting on a big rock. She was only allowed to visit Draven at six in the morning and seven at night. Elders keep a close eye on this cave.

Draven was trying to smile. "Yes. I can. I'm a man. Don't worry about me."

Charis couldn't get rid of the worry that was in her heart. But she felt a little relieved that Draven had a persistent and unyielding nature. "You haven't dreamed of anything yet?"

"Not yet." Draven put his head down. "He said this would only take a week." Draven wasn't going to give up, but it looked like he couldn't keep the fast going any longer.

Charis didn't understand. Why hasn't the Moon Goddess visited Draven in his dreams yet? Is it later tonight?

"Don't worry about me. I won't give up." Draven put Charis at ease, whose face showed worry. "Did Emric do something to you?" Draven found himself mesmerized by Charis sweeping her dark blonde hair back. Why is Charis's beauty growing every day?

"No. His face looks annoyed, and I heard from Griselda, secretly watching him, that Emric is planning something. He visited the houses of the higher-ups one by one." Charis inhaled deeply. Emric hasn't stopped trying to become Alpha.

Draven scratched his cheek, which was bitten by mosquitoes. In this cave, there are many mosquitoes, making him unable to sleep well because he has to fight with mosquitoes trying to suck his blood. He stroked Charis' hair gently. "Don't mind him. Please wait for me. I'll silence that his mouth."

Charis's heart was racing and her heart was getting warmer. Do the other werewolves feel the same way? Did he need to ask Griselda? Aria, who was in her body, rolled her eyes. This was because Charis had never had a boyfriend.

"Go home. It's getting late." Draven stroked Charis' cheek. "Sleep well. I hope you have a nice dream. Thank you for coming."

Charis smiled wide. "Yes. May the Moon Goddess come into your dreams tonight." She walked out of the cave.

Draven looked at Charis's back which was slowly disappearing. Even though she is busy taking care of the pack, Charis never forgets to see him. He won't give up! He closed his eyes again, saying a prayer in his heart. Hoping the Moon Goddess comes to meet him in a dream.

"Excuse me." The deep voice startled Draven, who was fervently praying. He raised his eyebrows. "I'm Gru, one of the guardians of this sacred cave."

Draven nodded. "What happens?"

"You've been here for a week, but you haven't dreamed of anything." Gru looked deeply at Draven. "This is just what I think. What made you do this? What did you want? Did you do it because you wanted to be a werewolf? Do you love Luna Charis? Why did you decide to be the Garnet Pack's Alpha?"

Draven looked up at the cave's ceiling, which differed from the caves in the forests where bats lived. This cave is clean and comfortable, and it was built to look like a house. There is no light inside the cave, but the light from the outside comes in through the cracks. Draven thought about what Gru, one of a werewolf that watches over this sacred cave, had said. Why is he now meditating in this cave? Wasn't he initially doubting Charis?

***

Charis is restless. Why hasn't Draven dreamed and got the wolf yet? Every time, Charis also prayed, asking the Moon Goddess to launch the process of Draven becoming a werewolf. Negative thoughts gathered in her brain. Did the Moon Goddess reject Draven? What made the Moon Goddess not immediately turn Draven into a werewolf?

"Please, Charis. Don't think about anything. Haven't you always believed in the Moon Goddess? Why do you seem to doubt her now?" Aria communicated with Charis. She was dizzy at the worry echoing from Charis' mind.

"I don't doubt the Moon Goddess. I was just wondering." Charis looked down at the warriors guarding her house who were eating dinner.

"Trust everything to Draven because the key to all this is only Draven. Only he can find the answer. Not like when you want to become a vampire who only needs to be bitten by a vampire. To become a werewolf, we need to get the blessing of the Moon Goddess, who will judge the sincerity and intentions of the person. Because it isn't easy for humans or other creatures to decide to change to another form." Aria said wisely. Which Charis rarely hears.

"I want to cry. Today you are different," said Charis.

"I'm serious!" Aria blushed fiercely.

Charis laughed. "Yeah, I know. You're right. We leave it to Draven and the Moon Goddess."

***

Dark. No light at all. Nothing to see. Makes him overthink. Where is he now? What place is this? Why is it so dark? Oh, is he in hell now? What kind of sin did he commit to make him go to hell?

Draven walked while looking to the right, left, front, and back. Dark. But he couldn't stop his legs, and he couldn't control his feet. He was like a robot that had been programmed to keep walking. He was only allowed to move his head and eyes.

He saw a very bright light up ahead. Is that paradise? Wait a moment. Is he dead? Why did he think he was in hell or heaven?

Draven tried to remember what he had done the last time. Oh, he remembered. He had been in the holy cave for a week, meditating and praying to the Moon Goddess as part of the turn into a werewolf ritual. Then he went to sleep because he was tired, and it was time for him to sleep.

He shut his eyes because the bright light hurt his eyes. Then he put his hands over his face. A strong gust of wind blew the leaves scattered on the ground. Draven stood up with all his strength so his body wouldn't fall.

"Draven Hoover." The soft voice echoed. Then the dazzling light disappeared, and the strong gust of wind stopped.

Draven lowered his hand that was covering his face. His eyes stared ahead, to the figure of a beautiful woman who wore a white dress with a tattoo of a moon on her forehead that was shining brightly. Draven was fascinated, so beautiful woman. "Who are you?"

The woman smiled gently. Adding to the aura of her beauty. "I am the Moon Goddess."

Draven widened his eyes, surprised. He felt guilty because he had been interested in the Moon Goddess, the God of the werewolf clan, and he had to believe it. "I'm sorry I was rude because I didn't know you." He bent his body.

The Moon Goddess smiled. "No problem, Draven. What is the purpose of your meditation in the holy cave?" She knew, but she wanted to hear what Draven had to say.

Draven suddenly felt nervous. "I'd like to turn into a werewolf."

"What are your reasons? Isn't it the best thing to be human?"

Draven was silent for a moment. "I'm Charis's mate. She's a leader of the Garnet Pack. She needs an Alpha to be with her, and she doesn't want the Alpha position to fall into the hands of others, including her younger cousin. She has struggled to maintain her leadership."

The Moon Goddess smiled, impressed by Draven's words. "Are you sure, you will turn yourself into a werewolf? Are you sure, you can lead the Garnet Pack?"

Draven had difficulty swallowing his saliva, but he made up his mind. "Yes, I am sure. I'm trying my best."

"Can you love Charis with all your heart?"

"Yes. I will try."

The Moon Goddess could see the sincerity and determination in Draven's eyes. "Sam."

A big gray-furred wolf came up to Draven, who was scared. "Hi, human. Nice to meet you. My name is Sam. I will be your wolf. The wolf that will inhabit your body. Are you ready to accept my presence?"

Draven looked at Sam in disbelief. Sam, who has such a big body, will enter his body? "Nice to meet you too, Sam. I'm ready to have you." He nodded.

"This might be a little sore." Sam stepped closer to Draven, and Sam slowly changed into a white light that went into Draven's body. Draven let out a scream. His body felt hot, and his bones were being crushed.