The Luna's Contract

6. Rules

( CAMILLA )

"Jordan, let Conan and Marcel take care of it themselves." Lillian's calm voice filled the room.

"Conan you know what to do. The future of our pack is in your hands." Jordan put his hand on his son's shoulder and pointed a serious look in his direction.

A strange lump caught in my throat, it was hard to understand what was going on and who this woman named Matilda was. Jordan hurried out the door with a quick step and Lillian followed, shaking her head as if ashamed of her husband's behavior.

"Would you kindly explain who Matilda is? Why do I have to go anywhere at all?" I crossed my arms on my chest and glared at Conan and Marcel in annoyance.

"Elder Matilda, she is a woman with extraordinary abilities and in charge of rituals within the Snow Pack. Every pack has such a woman or man endowed with the light and powers of the moon goddess. Are you coming?" A brief explanation left Conan's lips as he stepped towards the door, and then paused to wait for me.

I glanced at Marcel, who walked casually towards me. This man's face betrayed not a single emotion, like a serious opaque mask covering all the feelings boiling inside him. Can I trust these two strangers? The she-wolf inside was wagging her tail like crazy, enjoying the company of these men. Being able to get her out of my head would be a real advantage, although from today onwards I will have to get used to her behavior.

We walked back towards the main hall, turning left towards a large staircase that had slipped past my eyes earlier. Is this woman in this building? What powers is she endowed with? The questions roared in my mind, and the tension rose with every step forward. I could simply turn around, walk out and leave it all behind. But a cursed curiosity whispering somewhere in my heart wants to see where it all leads. Exactly fifteen steps, another corridor and a glass door.

We walked through the door into a dark red room. As I looked around, shivers went down my spine. A gentle touch reassures me, I glance at Marcel who runs his fingers over my bare shoulder, but in the next moment, his hand pulls away. It seems that he doesn't want to provoke Conan, who kept glancing at me, his eyes shining with excitement and anxiety. There was a quiet knock on a pale-yellow door, followed by a quiet voice from inside.

Conan opened the door, I walked in behind him, and Marcel followed me. Matilda, the name that made a million questions swirl in my mind. A strange smell surrounded the room: rose, lily of the valley and rosemary was all around. Although the scents seem somewhat incompatible, the smell was interesting. Then my gaze came upon a woman with long, ash-grey hair that reached her waist. Fine deep wrinkles stole her face, betraying a respectable age. Dark black eyebrows framed Matilda's face and her eyes were an unaccustomed grey. Age? It's hard to say, but the warm smile on her lips kept me from deciding.

"Elder Matilda, sorry for the late interruption - " Conan looked at the woman sitting in the soft red armchair.

"Don't speak Conan. Let me admire this beautiful lady." Matilda interrupted Conan, fixing her light grey gaze on me.

Did she just silence the Alpha? This woman does seem to have some sass. I tapped my foot nervously; it was a bit rude to stare into the eyes of a stranger. For this reason, my gaze drifted for a moment to the bookshelf behind her, which was littered with all sorts of stones, crystals, leaves and old dusty books.

"It seems that you brothers have had a hard fate." Matilda smiled broadly, glancing at Conan then at Marcel.

"Can she see our connection?" The unexpected question slipped from my lips.

"Well, I wouldn't call it a connection. Come on, darlings, have a seat. We are going to have a frank and open conversation." Matilda gestured to the three chairs in front of her, then nodded her head in another invitation.

"Elder Matilda, please answer me if this is true? How is this possible?" Marcel settled comfortably in the chair; his green eyes fixed on the woman sitting opposite.

"Patience Marcel, you have always been impatient and mischievous." Matilda grinned widely, then her gaze turned to me." Is there anything you want to ask Miss Heins?" The old woman mischievously smiled.

I shuddered; this whole situation was so awkward. When do I say the question, so I'm not silenced? Can I look into her eyes? A million questions scream in my head. For a moment there was silence all around, the right question, what is it?

"Elder Matilda, there is one question that troubles me. I know you are seeing me for the first time, but answer me, why am I here?" A few wrinkles creased my forehead as I searched for the right words for the question.

"No one told you?" There was a surprise in Matilda's voice, her calm gaze lingering on Conan and Marcel who were trying to avoid eye contact. “Camilla, I hope you don't mind if I address you by your first name?" Matilda's calm voice was hypnotic.

I nodded, accepting to be called by my first name. Those grey eyes are very strange, in a good way. Looking at them, all the tension in my body instantly disappeared. Is that how Elder Matilda's powers work?

"Camilla, this is going to sound strange, but you are the future Luna. You are the woman who will have to decide your own destiny and you must choose the owner of your heart. Of course, escape is always an option - I wouldn't advise you to take that option. Why are you here? The answer is simple - your life thread decided to play a prank on you. It's extremely rare, but it happens. These two men sitting in this room, they both belong to you." Matilda ran her fingers through her long curly hair.

For a moment there was silence and the word "prank" echoed in my mind. Yes, fate does like to laugh at my plan sometimes. This time it crossed the line and forced me to choose between two complete strangers. The questions were rushing through my head like a waterfall, getting louder with every moment.

"Elder Matilda, does this mean that I will have to perform the Mark Ceremony to bind my future and soul to one of these men?” My eyebrow rose at the sight of Matilda.

"No dear Camilla. Don't be in such a hurry. Things don't go so easily between Alpha and Luna's love. You have to think things through before you make a decision, and to understand what your heart wants, you have to connect with Conan and Marcel." Matilda waved a hand towards the two brothers sitting on opposite sides of the room, her calm voice like a melody floating around.

A connection? What does that mean? Mirabel and my parents' stories flooded my mind like a short film. Every wolf is born a little different, but there is an equal member of the opposite s*x in the world. When they meet, the inner voice otherwise known as the wolf recognizes its other side, the lost part of the soul, and then never feels alone again. To seal this bond like a seal, the man must leave a bite mark on the woman's neck, this is called the Mark Ceremony. From that moment on, their souls become as one, life changes, feelings intensify, and a feeling of fullness fills the chest. But why are Matilda's words different, perhaps they call this ceremony something else?

"Connection? Isn't that called the Mark Ceremony?" Amazement rang in my voice, and my thoughts returned to reality.

"The Mark Ceremony is the very last stage, when you have already decided firmly who you want to dedicate your life to. As I said with the higher werewolf positions, things are different here. But before I elaborate, I would like to ask you if you are ready to follow the footsteps of your destiny?" Matilda's shining grey eyes studied my face.

Conan and Marcel were silent, their gazes fixed on me as if they were burning my skin. The decision, am I ready for this journey? Probably foolish to be running away from destiny. Talk of a rejection ceremony and myths like werewolves dying of agony and pain. Some lose their inner wolf when they lose their origins, remaining just regular people with a little more physical strength. The hair on my arms bristled, the tension building in my body even though the air around it suddenly pushed it away. I am a warrior, willing to sacrifice my life for the Snow Pack I was born into. To be the highest part and to rule over it would be an honor and a test for me. Although the thought of two strange men sitting side by side is a little unnerving.

"Yes, Elder Matilda. I am determined to do whatever it takes. I am a warrior with a burning desire in my heart to be an example to others and a strong shoulder to the weak. What is next for me?" The firm voice rang through the silent room without hesitation.

"I see the determination burning in your eyes and in your heart, it is good to know that sweet lies do not slip from your lips. Let us begin by simply explaining that every person of high standing must pass through three basic stages. Conan, Marcel, would you like to explain to Camilla how it all works?" Matilda's gaze lingered on Conan.

"Elder Matilda, I wouldn't dare deprive you of this duty." A shy smile played on Marcel's lips.

"The men seem to have fallen apart. Well, let's start at the beginning. The first stage is called the Ceremony of Connection. This is a ritual in which I use my powers to connect the thoughts, pieces of the mind and feelings of individuals. The most important persons of the Snow Pack are involved in this ritual, but we will go into details later. The second stage is called Luna's Contract. This is a strict contract, the details of which are determined by the individuals giving their time to each other. The purpose of the contract is for the individuals to determine if they are truly meant for each other. To spend time together, to find out each other's pros and cons. To see if they really want to be part of each other's lives. The third stage is called Public Relations. This is the time when you have free rein to interact with all the members around you, from the weakest to the strongest. Recognition, dignity and example, you must convince them by your actions that you deserve to be a leader in their eyes. Yes, you have been chosen by Alpha and you have chosen him, but without the recognition of the community in which you will live, you will be worthless. Do you understand, Camilla?" Matilda flipped open the grey book that lay on the table in front of her.

My head was swirling unpleasantly with the amount of information I needed to take in and understand. Three stages separating the Mark Ceremony. Oh, this path is much longer than I thought. Everything around here is a lot messier than it is with regular and lower-ranking werewolves. There is a path to follow, people to get to know and responsibilities to shoulder. Is it all for me? Will I be able to do it? Inside, the she-wolf sat quietly with her tail still, quietly as if considering. Probably as lost as I was at all this woman's words. Fate, as Matilda calls it, has indeed decided to take my wolf by the whiskers. The decision I will have to make, the strict contract and all those little details. What have I got myself into?

"Yes, I understand everything. Elder Matilda though perhaps you could be more specific about the Ceremony of Connection?" A few wrinkles etched themselves into my forehead, then I stirred in my chair due to my numb leg.

"Ceremony of Conception is the day when the new moon shines brightest. I will personally prepare you for the ceremony. It seems that in three days' time the first full moon of this week will be here, which is the perfect day for the ceremony. Conan or Marcel will contact you to let you know the exact details of where to find me. Are you sure you don't have any more questions?" Matilda picked up the white feather, glancing at the book on the table.

A question? Hell, there are a million of them in my head like bees. I exhaled slowly, trying to calm this whole mess in my mind. It will all come out in time, right? What are her powers? Is she a witch? Why is she different? But it's rude to ask a woman who is the eldest in the Snow Pack. I nodded my head in the affirmative. The next moment, a faint knock sounded in the quiet room, and my gaze shifted to the side of the sound. The door opened, and there stood....