Blood Moon Rising: Book One of The Moon Series

Chapter One || Blood Moon The moon. Such a pure and merciful light. It rises in the darkness to dispel the shadows and provide a torch that allows all to see. Even when it’s hidden, you can still find it for passage in the dark. Valus stared up at the moon in silent contemplation. Her family home overlooked the ocean, looking like a magnificent castle upon the rocks that could wither any storm. A home to many members of the community, to her pack. At night she loved to come sit on the highest rocks to see the reflection of the moon lit up on the ocean’s surface. It was such a lovely place to just stare out and think. Sometimes she wonders about her future because her past is unknown to her. She was 15 when she was brought here. No memories of what came before, just a very dark void that would make her head hurt if she tried to push the boundaries. Her parents, although surrogate, were the ones who took her in and cared for her. She’s seen many neglectful and abusive families but she couldn’t have been luckier. You couldn’t tell that they weren’t her parents… hell, she even had physical and personality traits that represented them. And with one more day until her 21st birthday and all she’s ever known was this place. Such a beautiful place... but such a lonely place. Sure, she had her pack. So many, in fact, it’s suffocating. It wasn’t them, it was her. The family was extremely close and loving. She has just always felt like something.. someone was missing. Valus rolled her eyes at the thought, night time was the only time she could be alone. Standing and brushing off, she turned toward that house and breathed deeply. Time for bed. __________________________________ “Valus! Wake up! This is the third time I’ve been up here!” There’s a voice that made Valus groan and curl deeper into her queen size, pillow top bed made up with a down feather comforter and pillows. Heaven in a house full of hell, that was ripped away by her mother. “Girl, I swear you know nothing of responsibility with this LEVEL of laziness!” Her mother scowled becoming more angry with every moment Valus ignored her orders. She threw the blanket back down on Valus in a huff. Throwing back the covers, “Fine! Fine. I am awake now, Mom.” Valus put her hands up in surrender and her mother’s face relaxed into a soft smile. Cassidy was her mother’s name; and she was a very beautiful person, someone who commanded respect, a true Luna. Luna’s are the Alpha’s mate and second hand in everything. They protect the home and the pack the same; if you think for even a moment that it’s the alpha who leads in the relationship, you are sadly mistaken. Valus shared her lovely jet black hair and porcelain skin, all framing deep blue eyes. Valus’ hair was longer and wavier than her mother’s, which was actually kept in more of a pixie hair style. With all of that, her mother was actually a really, REALLY sweet woman; Valus was just good at making her mad. A personality trait, among many, that she shared with her father. “Come on sweetie. Your father has requested your presence before breakfast for a discussion of deep importance.” Cassidy smiled and patted Valus’ leg gently as she strides for the door. “Clean up and come down as soon as you’re ready, but don’t take too long..” She glances back as Valus was grabbing a handful of her blanket, “and do NOT go back to sleep.” Emphasis on the ‘not’ caused Valus to toss the blanket to the side with a chuckle. “I got it mom”. The door closed to which Valus stood and walked to her closet. Lots and lots of black; she grabbed her skinny’s which would hug the curves of her hips and show off the roundness of her a*s, then she took her leather jacket off its hook before heading to her dresser to snake her low cut tank top out of the messy drawer of her dresser. Laying the items down on her bed, she took off to her bathroom which was attached to her room. Showered, hair done down just as she likes it, and makeup put on perfectly; Valus is dressed and pulling on her combat boots when Cora comes waltzing into her room without so much as a knock. “Helloooooo!” She drew out happily. This bubbly, bouncing 5 foot girl with honey brown eyes and sandy brown hair could knock a grown man on his a*s and that’s a third of the reason they have been friends for all of Valus’ life. “Look at you! Damn you’re always so beautiful!” She gushes as she plopped next to Valus on her bed, causing her to shake her head grinning, “No, you, my dear, are the beautiful one. I’m envious.” Valus stood and helped her best friend up, patting her back. “Let’s meet a little later. My dad asked me to see him and I’m cutting it close.” Valus rolled her eyes, “Might still get a lecture honestly on punctuality.” She smiled brightly and Cora returned the smile, “He adores you. Just watch out for our Luna. For sure she’s already lectured you a little bit this morning, Lazy bug.” Cora giggled at the situation-based nickname and rubbed Valus’ shoulder with a good luck and skipped right on out of the room. Valus chuckled and shook her head as she watched the other girl disappear. Too long they had been friends, maybe it’s because she’s never been anywhere but here? Honestly her memory doesn’t go back too far from now and Cora has always been there. Walking out of her room, Valus stopped thinking about it and exited her room. Once down the stairs, she proceeded off to the side of the house towards her father’s study. She knocked on the door and awaited a response, “Come in Valus”. Her father sounded slightly distracted and as she walked in Valus saw her father writing in a book and looking over paperwork. “Just a second hon.” He didn’t even look up as he finished up whatever it was he was doing. James, her father was a strong man with jet black hair as well and these amazing amethyst colored eyes. He looked like an alpha in every way from his stern look and strong hands; how tall he stood when his ambitions were on a run, and how proud he looked when he would stand in front of the pack. “Now..” James spoke, looking at her and motioning for her to sit to which she did. “We need to discuss your future.” Valus’ eyebrows knitted together with confusion. True, she never really thought about it but what business was his to be wanting to plan it with her. “What about it?” She asked. James smiled lightly as he stood and walked around his desk, popping a hip against the edge in front of her. “Your mother and I had hoped you would have taken a mate by now but as it stands it doesn’t appear to be a priority to you.” James paused before continuing, “With that though, your mother and I are ready to retire. Perhaps finding a mate might not be your destiny. And that’s okay, but a pressing matter at hand is the fact that we do not have any other children and would like to pass the title of Alpha onto you.” Valus sat back in her seat. Sure it’s logical, there’s no one else who would have the blood given right to their throne. A mate..? She hadn’t given it much thought either, and honestly she’s not sure if she would ever find one. Pursing her lips and nodding slightly, “Can I have a night to think about everything? I do understand everything you’ve said. I just want a moment to process it.” Valus looked up at her dad as she stood considerably smaller than the man before her. James smiled kindly and wrapped his arms around her, “Same time tomorrow sweet girl?” This causes Valus to smile and nod as she returned the embrace, “Same time tomorrow.” __________________________________ And here she was again, at the tallest point of the highest rock looking out at the ocean again. There wasn’t anything to think about. Her father laid out everything right then and there for her and he’s right. It’s time for them to be able to spend their days, not having to worry about everyone else for once. To be mates and enjoy each other. Plus they trust HER to do their job. She wouldn’t be alone, she would be able to appoint two people to work alongside her and she already knows who she would choose. Tomorrow is her birthday, tonight she might just go for a run. Thinking about shifting, she realized that with the title of alpha, when it is officially bestowed to her, would come specific secret abilities that no one knows much about besides the alphas themselves. She wonders what her ability would be. Valus began to think what her father’s might be, cause she cannot remember ever seeing him use one. And of course hers would be different which makes the secret abilities even more secret for her. Her thoughts were interrupted by sounds moving around behind her. Quickly turning on her rock, eyes scouting through the darkness when they locked into the most beautiful pair of Hazel eyes. Her heart skipped a couple beats and paused as a feeling deep inside her resonated and pulsed, with only one word coming to mind… Mate. And suddenly the air around her made her head spin, causing her to collapse. __________________________________ Valus sat straight up on her bed with a gasp. Her eyes darted around the room. What time is it? When did she go to bed? A million and one questions ran through her brain causing her pulse to skyrocket and she stopped thinking for once, she needed to calm down. Her heartbeat came to a regular pace as she realized she was unharmed and relatively okay besides a missing piece of memory. Shaking her head to clear the fogginess of sleep as well as the lingering effects of what seems to be a memory block, she stood quickly and grabbed an outfit, took a shower and went downstairs to eat. Deciding that with more pressing matters, it was best to put it out of her mind. Cassidy walked into the dining room and stopped abruptly, looking at Valus. “Valus, what do I owe this pleasure of you being up bright and early?” She smiled, not looking too surprised. She’s sure to know that Valus’ father had spoken to her about the ascension to their throne. Too bad that’s not really the reason why she’s up, Valus thought to herself. “Oh! Um, yea. Dad talked to me about responsibility and all that good stuff..” she munched on her toast, “so I figured I’d start by getting up early. I still need to give him my answer in a little bit. I’m just waiting on Cora and Liam to arrive. They need to be there.” Valus took another bite, watching her mother. Cassidy nodded and responded, “That’s great to hear darling. I’m glad to see you ready to rise to such a challenge. Rest assured though, your father and I will be here for counsel.” She said so gracefully, Valus just stared as her mother walked over and placed a gentle kiss on her head before leaving the room. In her absence, Liam and Cora walked in. Liam was such a handsome man; toned and chiseled in all the right places with emerald green eyes and brown hair. Too bad he’s just not the one for her, heck he doesn’t even bat for her team sadly. “You’ll slip in that puddle of drool if you don’t shut your mouth, doll.” Liam grinned, one of those smiles that could knock just about any she-wolf into love, and winked. Valus rolled her eyes but still turned away to wipe her mouth just to be sure. “Shut up you dick.” Valus groaned out to him, turning to Cora who was gigging over Liam’s words. “Wanna go?” Valus threatened playfully, to which Cora stopped quickly. Valus was the only person able to take her on and she didn’t want that match. Valus laughed and motioned to the table, “Sit. Sit. We need to talk.” Valus waited for them to sit, “So dear dad informed me that he and my mom want to retire and pass on the throne to me. Without a mate, it would be truly daunting and I would need some smart and powerful right hands to help me.” Cora and Liam smiled brightly together, “So you need your beta and gamma? I'd be honored!” Cora said gleefully and Liam chimed in, “As would I!” Looking around her, Valus grinned “Alrighty then. We have a meeting to attend to with our alpha.” And with that, she stood with Cora and Liam behind her as they proceeded to her father's study. There was a big mirror over the fireplace in her father's study. Valus studied the three of them in the mirror as her father was going over the process of ascending the throne. They looked like children, ready for a part of life they have no clue about. This was a new step and she was proud to be able to do it with the two people who not only knew her the longest but the best besides her parents. “Valus. VALUS!” Her father raised his voice slightly trying to gain her attention. “Yes? Sorry I zoned out.” Valus apologized quickly causing her father to shake his head and sigh, “Something you’ve got to learn to control with this job. Anyways, do you know which position you want each of these two to take on?” He asked and Valus smiled, “Cora is my beta and Liam is our gamma. I believe they will be the best fit for their roles.” James grinned and said, “I know you have made a good and solid choice. In one week, you will be officially crowned Alpha. And with that, Happy Birthday sweet girl.” He opened his arms and Valus stepped into them with a smile, “Thank you Daddy.” Cora and Liam chimed their congratulations as well and her mother entered the room with a smile and a cupcake. They knew she didn’t like big celebrations and she loved this about them. Too bad they can’t do this for the throne ascension, Valus groaned to herself. Laughter and talking filled the room as she blew out her candle. Happy 21st to me, Valus smiled looking around the room; The future brewing in these moments and Valus is blissfully unaware. __________________________________ It’s been a few days since the meeting with her father and with the ceremony only a few more days away Valus was growing anxious. Today was a very nice day, the sun was out and there was a very light breeze so she had decided to sit outside underneath a very large tree not far from the packhouse. Valus sat there, a book positioned in her lap as she leaned against the tree with her arms crossed in contemplation. “Valus?” Cora’s voice broke through the daze she was in. “Oh hey!” Valus looked up with a smile, “What are you here for?” Cora grinned in return as she sat next to Valus, “Just came to check on you, with the ascension ceremony 3 days away I’m sure you are getting nervous.” It was like the girl could read her mind. Valus laughed lightly and shut her book, “Spot on. I have no idea what these are about. Any idea?” Cora shrugged, “My parents had me attend one a few years back for the Harvest Moon pack not too far from here. I wasn’t sure if it was a ceremony or a dating site honestly.” Cora cringed slightly causing Valus’ features to turn to worry. “There were a bunch of girls there and their parents were seeing if they were mates to the alpha.” Cora explained and Valus cut in, “So your parents?” Cora nodded quickly before adding, “But obviously, it wasn’t me thankfully. Although that alpha was to die for!” She almost swooned as she giggled which made Valus smile. “Goddess I hope it doesn’t get weird like that at the ceremony. I couldn’t imagine walking around and having males shoved in my face.” Valus shuddered lightly. “Well, if your mate does show then you won’t even pay attention to anyone else.” A voice spoke with a chuckle. Liam stepped out from behind the tree and sat down next to them. “Girl talk?” He smiled at them, “Cause I like good gossip. Was Cora telling you about how her parents were trying to hook her up not too long ago?” Cora smacked his shoulder causing him to laugh. Valus chuckled as well, “Let’s try not to get into it. I don’t even want to think about that right now with everything else. Our heads would explode.” She continues to avoid telling them about the fact that she doesn’t remember the other night. Valus couldn’t put into words how similar it feels to the void of her past. Was it connected? She wondered to herself.