Chapter 16

"You look beautiful Laina. Everyone is going to love you." Eeva praises as I turn around in a circle looking at myself in the mirror. Today is the day I will officially become a member of Bloodsvain. For the last two weeks I have already considered this pack home and now it is time for me to join. Nerves flutter around inside me as I smooth out the dress I am wearing; making sure everything is in place before turning to face Eeva. Eeva’s house is close to where the pack ceremonies take place. With Loren as the Beta it fell under his duties to protect the sacred lake that has been used for generations in welcoming new members and new leaders.

"Are you sure? I'm sixteen. What if they don't want someone young and inexperienced for their Luna?" I ask pacing the length of her bed room. Part of me felt worried that the pack would resent me for being so young. Tate and I have a ten year age gap but I knew some couples were even many years older than the other. As werewolves we can live for a long time due to our supernatural genes. Some mates could have an age gap as large as one-hundred years between one another. It is normal. Sighing I return back to the full length mirror and gaze at my reflection. My pale skin has turned back to a healthy glow with more rest and healing. Tate made sure I rarely did any heavy lifting and even locked the workout room so that I did not sneak into there for a quick workout. My hands smooth out the strapless cream figure-skating dress that I was told to wear by Eeva. The front half of the dress falls down to mid-calf while the back half of the dress ends in a two foot train that trails behind me. The material is light and flowing leaving the dress to flutter in the wind when I move. My long chestnut hair is curled and styled away from my face with a crown of wild flowers resting on top of my head. White gold bangles adorn my wrists as well as white gold armlets around my upper forearm arm adding to the majestic feeling that I emit. Eeva took the time to paint the pack insignia in the center of my chest in a dark blood red body paint with gold paw prints scattered on the visible skin all over my body as per tradition of a new Luna.

"News has already spread about you. People can't wait to meet you and get to know you. They want you as their Luna." My friend explains with a grin on her face. I knew that Eeva had started spreading news about Tate finding his mate and that the warriors Tate and I would cross paths with would have said a few words so it made sense that the pack knew about me. Personally, I just worried about not being a good Luna.

"Besides, you're not the only one getting accepted into the pack." She continues and I smile. Eeva is right that I wouldn’t be the only one. Chris and Jack were joining the pack and so would Julia when I join as I am her mother. I couldn’t wait to watch my baby girl grow up in a strong pack that stands together and not have to fear about becoming a breeder. She will have endless possibilities when she shifts and it makes my heart swell with pride thinking about it.

"Okay then, I can do this." I whisper to myself staring into my reflection as my blue eyes twinkle. A wolf howls in the distance causing me to jump from the sudden noise. I glare when I catch Eeva clutching at her side with laughter at my reaction. Excuse me for being jittery today.

"Are you afraid of the big bad wolf?" Eeva jokes at my expense. I just roll my eyes and walks to the table that holds a pot of tea that Eeva and I have been sipping throughout the day lifting my glass and taking a needed drink of the camomile tea.

“Not one bit considering that the big bad wolf is my mate.” I retort with, Eeva fake gagging at my cheeky response. She sighs before getting to her feet and handing me a box meant to hold shoes.

“Well that was the signal for the ceremony to start. Put these on and we can go.” She explains, picking up a cookie. I slip on the white Egyptian sandals before we head down stairs and out the back door, taking a dark path into the woods. The fallen leaves crunch under my feet and I smile at the warm fall night and the fresh clean air in this forest. Fall is my favourite season and as I look up at the full moon, I couldn't help but smile. My life is full now. I had a mate who I wanted to be with, a pack who I know I will love and a beautiful pup who will hopefully have siblings in a year or two. Today will mark my beginning of forever with Tate as his Luna of the Bloodsvain wolves and I couldn’t wait. It felt right being here.

Eeva and I converse about up-coming events the pack holds for October my favourite being the pumpkin carving that pups and their mothers do the day before Halloween. It felt knowing the pack comes together as a community for fun holiday events. Soon the dark forest slowly brightens up with lanterns hung every so often on trees until the lake comes into view. The pack is already congratulating the regular wolves who have just finished being accepted into the pack. As the Luna it is customary for me to join the pack last during a joining ceremony as I can connect to every current member in the pack. Tate just wanted to say he saved the best for last.

Noticing our presence the pack turns to greet Eeva and I as they separate into two sides opening a large path for me to walk through. As I walk past the wolves each one bow to me respectfully. I smile at them feeling their acceptance in the air until my eyes face forwards just as the path opens up to reveal the edge of the lake illuminated by the full moon with Tate standing in inside. He smiles at me and I smile back, taking the last few steps towards him until I stood directly across from my mate in the chilly water, the moon making the water appear silvery below us.

"Today we welcome Laina Starcrest as a new member to our pack, as my mate and as our Luna!" Tate begins his voice loud and carrying past the group of wolves. Cheers of excitement follow his words causing a blush to crawl along my skin. Waiting for the crowd to settle down Tate takes the time to look into my eyes, mouthing the words ‘You look beautiful’ to me. When silence settles over the lake once again he takes a deep breath.

"Laina, do you promise to uphold the laws of the pack and perform the duties of your role as a just and true Luna?" Tate continues, asking me the one question every Luna is faced to answer. I see the love and devotion behind his gaze causing the nerves I felt earlier to turn into giddy butterflies. I have an amazing mate.

"I do." I answer confidently, conviction filling my voice. I felt whole answering Tate back, knowing that my role will always keep me beside him as we lead as equals.

"Then we welcome you to the pack as a member and our Luna." He raises his left hand, a blade in his right as he slowly cut a line before turning the handle for me to take. I copy his movements, cutting a line into my left palm and wincing from the pain of the blade. Taking my bleeding hand Tate grasps mine and our blood mingles with one another. All at once pack magic flows into me, causing my knees to buckle with its force and Tate reaching out to grasp my waist and keep me from falling. I close my eyes as the power opens up the link to the pack, many voices filling my head. I needed to wait for the magic to settle before I could close each channel off and be able to have silence once again. Taking a deep breath with our bleeding hands still clasped I feel Tate shift until I am leaning against him. My body shivers as the magic runs its course and settles down allowing me to turn off the pack link and tune out the voices of the wolves I will be leading. Finally silence resumes once again and I open my eyes seeing my reflection and noticing the neon blue glow. I am finally a member of Blodsvain. Cheers erupt around me and I jump from the sudden noise. Shaking my head helplessly at the celebrating wolves I turn to catch Tate glaring at our pack as Mike walks forward and hands us each a towel to clean our hands. The pack continues to chat loudly for a second until a loud wail sounds to the left quieting the pack while Chris steps forward to hand me an upset Julia whose eyes still glow like mine. She and I were now members of the pack and I was happy that as her mother I would be the only one who has to go through the initiation since she is still a newborn.

"We're home here in Bloodsvain." I tell her as she quiets in my arms and I walk out of the water. I watch the glow fade from her eyes finally noticing that she has my eye colour. Tate finishes talking with Mike and joins us on the shore, wrapping me in his embrace and kissing me passionately in front of everyone. I could feel the promise in his kiss that soon we will be fully mated and I couldn’t wait for that day to come.

Flames catch my attention when I pull away breathlessly from my mate. Bonfires were lit up just a few feet away in the clearing beside the lake and the smell of food wafts towards everyone in the wind. Taking my hand Tate and I lead the pack to celebrate. I smile and laugh as I get to know my new pack mates while Tate finds excuses to fill my plate with food. Julia is carried away by Eeva, Chris and Jack as the three thick as thieves explain that she needs to learn about her territory as Tate and my pup. Every now and then Tate would bring her back only for one of them to steal her again but I knew she is safe. She is surrounded by her family and each member probably feared what would happen to them if something happens to Julia. They knew how vicious and blood thirsty Tate could be but they will soon learn what I can do if my pup is harmed. The moon is high in the sky and Julia sleeps in a baby carriage. Tate and I decide to end the celebration and allow everyone to go home to sleep. We were saying our farewells for the night exhaustion settling in when loud howls meant to signify a war cry sound out.

I froze with fear. I knew those howls all too well.

"Is that rouges?" Someone asked and I shake my head turning to look at Tate with fear.

"Pinepaw." I whisper, picking Julia up and clutching her to me careful not to wake her.

"CHRIS! JACK!" He yells as I feel two pairs of hands grab me with my cousin and his mate on either side ready to protect Julia and I.

"All pregnant wolves, pups and mothers to the shelter. Ten warriors go to protect them and my mate and pup. Chris and Jack stay with her. Any able bodied wolf ready to fight follow me. Anyone who cannot fight is expected to head into the shelters as well. Stay safe everyone." My mate orders before taking my face in his hands and kissing me. This one was different than before. It was needy and filled with emotion, but it ended too quickly before I am whisked away with Tate and other wolves rushing towards the sounds of the howls.

[I love you!] His voice fills my head and then it’s gone. He cut the pack link from me no matter how many times I reached out to him. He is in alpha mode and only the battle to protect his pack matters right now.

Before I knew it I found myself in the pack house being led into the kitchen were the large pantry is wide open. A section of the back wall is pulled away revealing a secret passage that many wolves rush down. Warriors guide the pack down carefully, mothers carrying pups and holding onto hands of their older children. Chris and Jack stay next to me with Eeva and her boys behind us. I could feel the tension in the air as we are lead into a large room with couches and mattresses scattered around. Everyone finds a place to sit comfortably, my family and friends taking two large mattresses and pressing them together to huddle on. Finally the last she-wolf with a small toddler in her arms enter the large room with the last of the warriors filing in and shutting the large doors that can only be opened from inside this room. We were trapped.

"Everything will be fine. We will all be safe so please stay calm.” Eeva states from out spot in the farthest corner of the room. The wolves settle down as wolves either family or close with one another form small groups and converse. A basinet is placed beside me courtesy of one of the warriors and I thank him, placing Julia inside and wrapping a warm blanket around me. I feel a blanket being draped over my shoulders as Eeva smiles at me.

“It can get cold here. Tate will kill me if you get sick.” She jokes, nudging my shoulders as her boys go off to find their friends.

“Thank you.” I whisper, leaning into my friend. The two of us talk for a bit, my tired body now alert and waiting for news on Tate and the warriors.

"Luna?" I look up to see a group of pups walking over tentatively - their wide eyes staring at me with hopeful gazes. I quickly mask my emotions putting a brave front in front of these pups. It would be bad to show my own fear during my first crisis as Luna.

"Yes?" I ask with a friendly smile, feeling Eeva squeeze my hand reassuringly.

"Will you tell us a story" A little girl about ten years old asks and I smile a little more genuinely.

"Of course that’s not a problem. How about I tell you a legend my own mother taught me?" They all jump with excitement before taking a seat in front of me. More blankets are passed around to the children as other young pups come to hear the story as well.

"Long ago, before werewolves and vampires lived, gods and goddesses ruled the earth. They walked like us, talked like us, and ruled the humans. Some could change into animals, some lived in the forest and others held dark secrets. There was this one goddess who was called Luna Dea, the moon goddess." I paused as their eyes twinkle.

"Luna Dea was happy. She was one with wolves that walked with her. The people loved her and the gods adored her but she wanted something- she wanted a child. For years she walked the earth, watching humans raise their young and wishing for her own, but she knew that she needed a soul mate. One day she came across a house in the woods, a man cutting down fallen logs with wolves by his side. She was intrigued and for days she stayed by his side. Little did Luna Dea know that Sat Dei, the Sun God, had been following her, wishing that she knew just how much he loved her-"

"What a stalker." Jack cuts me off and I glared at him watching as Chris smacks him upside the head and causing everyone to laugh. I roll my eyes at my cousin in law enjoying this relaxed moment before turning to look back at the kids.

"- but Luna Dea was already in love. Sat Dei had an idea and he left to the heavens to find a gift that Luna Dea would love, but it took years. When he returned he found Luna Dea in the arms of the human man, her belly round with children that would come any day.

Furious, Sat Dei attacked, turning his gift of the stars into silver. For fear of her soul mate, Luna Dea bit the human, transferring her wolf power to him, a future Alpha, while the silver was stabbed through her heart.

This stopped Sat Dei in his tracks as he looked on in horror at what he had down to his true love who was now in the arms of the human. She turned to the father of her children, begging him to cut them out before she died, and he did. As she laid with her three children in her arms, the first werewolves born, she turned to Sat Dei and says with conviction 'Your Children will be slaves of the night, your beautiful sun their curse, while mine will know the loving embrace of the moon." With those last sounds of her soft voice she turns to her love, her soul mate and says, ‘may our children find their true half and know a love as strong as ours.’ And at the highest peak of the full moon her soul became one with her place in the sky. Stricken with grief, Sat Dei went to the nearest village and found a woman. For nights he used her until she stood her belly round with child.

He was over joyed, his memory of Luna Dea and her last words a haze.

Soon the day came when three children were placed in his arms, and with joy he took them out to see his sun. But they screamed as their skin burned. Quickly he rushes inside, holding his babies as their mother came to help, picking one up only to scream in pain as the infant bites into her, draining her of blood. Sat Dei didn't know what to do other than to lure young women to his house to feed his babies. They aged faster than normal and as they reached a month old they were already the height of a four year old and could venture out at night.

On a full moon night Sat Dei looked up at the starry sky to see the moon looking down. He cried. It was Luna Dea, and he remembered her last words, realizing his children were slaves to the sun because of his actions.

Grief coming into his soul faster than the day he killed Luna Dea, he did something no one thought would happen. He took a branch with a sharp end from an oak tree, stabbing his arms, legs and stomach. Drawn by the blood his children rushes over to where he lays bleeding in their small house and began feeding from their father’s body and as the sun rose he took his place in the sky, forever chasing after Luna Dea. Today we call their Children werewolves and vampires. When Luna Dea was stabbed with silver it caused our weakness to the substance and when Sat Dei stabbed himself with wood he cause vampires to be weak to wooden steaks." I finish the story explaining our origins. It is a history tale I memorized that my mother would tell me on long cold nights in front of our fireplace. The children clap and thank me for taking the time to tell this story as the older ones process my words. I could see some inquisitive minds that stayed behind to ask me about the legend and I answer as best as I could. Some mothers nod at me in respect, admiration in their eyes while they usher their pups to comfortable spots trying to get them to sleep.

It took a few minutes till the pups to fall asleep. The adults huddle together too anxious to sleep while the thoughts of what is happening outside swirl through my mind. Is Tate safe? I wonder, looking at Julia who sleeps peacefully.

"What does Pinepaw want with us?"

"Why are they here?"

"Will our pack be alright?"

The other wolves voice their questions causing a small pit of guilt to seep into my heart. I knew why Pinepaw were here. I turn my head to see Jack looking at me sending me a reassuring smile while Chris leans against him eyes closed.

‘Open the link for me and Chris.’ Jack mouths and I nod, letting my mind focus on the two men I trusted.

[Are you okay?] Jack asks as soon as our link is opened. I sigh and send a weary smile his way.

[No, I want this to be over and I want Tate.] I could feel tears forming in my eyes and I shake my head. I couldn’t cry right now when these wolves rely on me as their Luna to be strong for them.

[The only explanation is that they want you and Julia, Ross must have told them.] Chris speculates. I felt that something was off the moment Ross left the table when the Elders came to my house. It made sense that Pinepaw would attack now but it is a suicide mission doing so. Bloodsvain is feared by many packs in the country.

[Get some rest. If something happens we will wake you.] Jack suggest, pulling Chris closer to him. I knew he is right and that I needed sleep but as I lay down sleep decided to evade me as worry gnaws at my mind. I just hoped that Tate would be safe.