The Offering

In the beginning, the goddess of wolves fell in love with the god of Lycans. She blessed her wolves and the lycans with the gift of mates. To have someone made for them, the other half of their soul. To feel a bond the same she felt for the Lycan god. Selene watched over her creation like a mother should. Then in her spare time, she was with the one she loved above all, Lycaon. She loved him with every fiber of her being and she felt as if he felt the same for her. Two parts of one soul. The Lycans and the wolves lived in harmony, co-existed in the world. Selene loved to watch the annual mating ball. They held it at the Lycan kingdom. They held it to help all find their other half. Every year an invitation was sent to all twelve packs around the world to join them. Selene even paired some Lycans with wolves, as she loved one herself. The mate ball was always so romantic and festive. Always laughter and dancing. Love filled the air. Selene felt at peace watching over the mating ball. It always reminded her of her story with Lycaon. This year for the first time, she decided to pair the king of lycans with a wolf. She watched as both the Lycans and wolves celebrated. As mates were found and bonds formed. Selene smiled and her heart swelled with love and pride. Selene was on the edge of her seat as the new Lycan King entered the ball. She wanted to see him find the mate she chose for him. When his eyes met those of a she-wolf across the room they froze in a trance. Uttering the word Selene longed to hear, "Mate." Not even Selene could predict what happened next. The king stood tall in front of his mate. "I King Lewis Kane, reject you as my destined mate. I reject the bond formed between us from the gods above." His words were empty of any emotion. Selene grew angry as she watched the she-wolf fall to the ground in pain from the snapping of the bond. Selene's heart ached for the wolf. She watched through teary eyes as the Lycan King continued. "I need a strong Lycan mate to stand by my side as queen. To give me strong pups to continue the royal bloodline. A wolf can not match that of a Lycan." He stated blankly. Selene's blood boiled and became blinded by rage. The wolves were her creation, her children. She had to protect them and avenge the wrong that had been done. In her fit of rage, she had done something no god or goddess had ever done before. She went to Earth. The brightest of lights shined across the kingdom. Shielding their eyes the best they could, the Lycans and wolves saw the most beautiful woman descend from the heavens. Skin so beautiful and fair, long hair as white as snow, and eyes as gray as the full moon stood before them. The power radiating from her body caused all to bow before her. Even the King himself. "You dare reject the gift I have bestowed upon you, Lycan King? Defying what a Goddess has given you? Do you think your form is superior to that of my wolves? Since you dare reject the gift I gave, I think something else is in order." Selene stated coldly, as the Lycan king could only watch in fear as she continued. "From this day forward no Lycan will be gifted a destined mate. Never to feel the love of a bond. To live with only half of a soul. Thanks to you, Lewis Kane, the Royal bloodline will never bare a child with another Lycan. Since you reject my gift, here is now a curse." Selene shouted as she then disappeared into thin air. Lycaon confronted Selene as she returned to her kingdom above. She was not hearing any of it. She would not forgive what has been done to her creation by his. She felt betrayed that he could allow something so horrid to take place. She thought he loved her. Lycaon did not see the woman he fell in love with. He saw nothing but hatred and rage that consumed her. He left without saying a word. Both their hearts broken as she watched the turmoil she caused unfold. The Lycans took out their anger for Selene on the thing she hold dear, the wolves. A century passed and the wolves retreated from the magical lands. They only hoped to be left alone, to live in peace from the Lycans. The Lycans continued in their path hoping Selene would lift the curse. King Lewis knew this was not the way to do that. He grew more lonely with each passing day. He watched many Lycans along with wolves be lost in this endless war. Filled with loneliness and guilt he knew he had to do something for both Lycan and Wolf. Each of the twelve packs had an elder. He sent a messenger to call a truce and hold a meeting with each elder. The wolves were hesitant but the elders knew something had to give. They each attended the meeting with the king hoping they could come to a resolution to end this war and bring peace back to the land. King Lewis listened to every elder's concerns and thoughts of resolution. Different ways to come together and bring this tragedy to a halt. After listening he heard valid points and ways to solve this. He had a few in mind as well. That is where he made his declaration of peace. "The Lycans will remain here in the homelands. The war is ended and no harm is to be brought as long as each King to come is provided a she-wolf to mate with and provide the next heir to the throne. An Offering." With the agreement made and a peace treaty put in place, he created the council. The council was made of each elder of the wolf packs. The council was the communication from the Kingdom to the wolves. Help ensure peace among both species. The council then informed the packs of the details of the peace treaty. "With this declaration of peace comes The Offering. One she-wolf of each pack was to be chosen to attend the royal palace. One then will be chosen to mate with the Lycan king and be his queen." Selene watched for decades, and centuries more as this Offering took place. It was nothing like before. The romance that once filled the lands was dead. She missed Lycaon and the love they once shared. She knew she had been blinded by rage and overreacted. She had to fix their world to recover hers once more. She decided to bless one, who if created a bond of true love between Lycan and wolf would break the curse she bestowed over them. She knew if the blessing brought them together then even she could get the love of her life back.