The Book of Wolves (1)- The Moon Goddess

When I was small, I was taught that there was many spirits that watched over us. The "All-Knowing" creature above that knew the fate of us all before it is written. Little did I know that one day I would meet this creature, and become one of his colleagues in order to protect my species from extinction. My name is Celeste, and I am going to tell you the story about how I became the "Moon Goddess of the Wolves." First things first; we will jump back in time and see first hand, me as a HUMAN (YES, HUMAN) child, and how shifters were born. It is about 1500 BCE as you humans call it. I am in my cave with my Muta (mother) and brothers Semi while Baba (father) is out hunting. "Muta" I mutter while rubbing my sore stomach.  "Soon, he should be back soon." Muta says weakly. She was starting to look thinner and paler in the recent months. Our oldest brother, Perr, was mauled while helping father track and kill a boar last season and Muta has been heartbroken ever since. Baba is now determined to feed us alone until my brother, Semi, is old enough to hunt. That should be in two summers. But until then, Baba will struggle to keep up with enough food to feed 5 mouths.      Muta gathered forages when she was feeling stronger, and taught me what was safe to eat and what was not. But Baba refuses to let me learn to hunt. He says I am too small for my age and need to work on growing big first. I understand, but seeing Muta in her condition only made me want to learn more. It has been about 4 days since we have had food, and Baba is starting to get discouraged. Having 4 other mouths to feed still, he had a lot of work ahead of him in the fields and streams.     It has been a full 2 years since we moved away from the other people in our village. Baba and our leader, Nenu, did not see eye to eye on many things, including Nenu's adoption of the new belief that we are better than the other animals. Did the great split not teach these fools? Thankfully, we were only about 800 paces north of the village, and were allowed back to trade provisions.      I got the idea to gather lots of herbs, berries, and mushrooms on my way to the village, and when I got there, I would trade the majority of what I had, plus a little work, for whatever meat I could get my hands on. Then I would cook a small portion for energy to get back, then run home so no predators find me.     In almost every story told by the elders to be passed on, it talks about how humans and animals were once one network. We could communicate and harmonize with nature. Humans were not greedy for power and hungry to grow bigger villages they are now calling "towns" further North. It talks about how when the Mayans did this, it is what caused the Highers to decide they were no longer worthy of existence. How could these imbeciles be so ignorant? "Celete! Come help please!" I hear a happy boom from Baba outside, breaking my inner thoughts. I run outside and gasp at the sight before me. My father and a pack of wolves?! And who was this woman?? Muta will not be pleased Baba brought another woman back to our cave...