Nadja had no way to escape, they were too close and had already noticed her presence. She tried to run between the trees, in the vain hope that she would be too insignificant for that pack to chase her, and she couldn't have been more mistaken.
— Who's there?
The deep, gravely voice pierced her ears and struck her heart directly. What did that feeling mean? She stopped running and came out from behind the tree to face the owner of the voice that had caused unknown emotions.
The group of males looked at her with curiosity and apprehension. One of them emanated a wild, almost oppressive energy. What gave her chills was that he looked neither like a man nor a wolf, but a monster with the characteristics of both. Tall, muscular, with sharp fangs and eyes as black as the coldest night. When their eyes met, she felt a connection with him so deep that her soul seemed to be trapped by the beast.
She felt fear, yet somehow, the monster that terrified her was also the source of an incomprehensible feeling of security. She wanted to flee from him, to stay as far away from that creature as possible, but her feet would not move, for her heart wanted to approach him.
— Mine! — He growled as he leaped towards her,
Nadja blinked and regained control over her movements. She needed to escape, she had never seen a beast like that. It was an enormous predator, none of her tormentors came close to the strength he represented. If he captured her, he would certainly destroy her.
What chances would she have against that group of such powerful wolves?
Amidst the chaos of emotions and thoughts, she barely managed to take three steps before the creature leaped in front of her, preventing her from continuing to flee.
He was so large that she barely reached his chest level, having to tilt her head back to face him. In front of such a magnificent creature, she lost her strength and fainted.
*****
Dérik, in his third form, held the small female in his arms with pride. She was his and could never be away from him. The beast closed its eyes and sniffed her neck; the perfume was intoxicating, but imperfect. Mixed with the scent of the small female was the stench of other males.
He growled in dissatisfaction. She was his; he would kill anyone who dares to touch what belonged only to him!
Seeing his leader holding the girl so furiously, Beta Eli approached, fearing that the Alpha might harm a true Luna who could be so useful for the pack. However, he could not get too close to the couple, as the beast growled at him, indicating he should stay back.
The Alpha did not want any male near her.
The beast carefully laid the young woman on the ground and began to sniff her body, mentally marking the essences of those he intended to kill soon. His men bowed their heads respectfully as the beast continued sniffing between her legs, in her most intimate area.
She was pure; no man had ever touched her sexually. The beast raised its head in a powerful howl of satisfaction and victory. His men watched him, surprised by the Alpha's behavior, but followed the leader's howl. Then, a chorus of howls from the entire pack rang out in response to the Alpha's call. They did not know what it was about, but the third form made itself known to its people, and they howled back in respect and contentment.
*****
Hira lit a golden candle before the image of Sargat and knelt down, smiling. Alongside the candle, on the altar, the blood of a freshly killed bird dripped into a golden bowl.
It was her offering of gratitude.
Moments before, the entire pack howled in respect and contentment at the Alpha's beast's return. After years in seclusion, the beast had made its presence known once again. It was a victory for her position, for she knew that many were still opposed to Dérik's choice. Most of the pack was conservative and blamed her for the Alpha's inability to fulfill his nature.
That day, however, the beast was back, which, in her imagination, meant that he had finally accepted her as Luna.
No one could doubt her right to the throne anymore, if the Alpha himself in all his nature finally accepted her.
— Luna Hira, Alpha Dérik and his men have returned!
Hira heard the voice of her faithful maid with pleasure. She raised her body and puffed out her chest, proud.
— Is he still in his third form? — She asked as she walked out with her head held high.
— I- I don't know, ma'am, I haven't seen them, one of the servants told me and-
Hira turned around furiously and slapped the maid's face.
— How dare you come to me without having the full information, useless bitch?
— I apologize, ma'am. — She moaned, touching the injured face. — There is a crowd waiting for the Alpha, I came as quickly as possible, so that you could greet them in front of everyone.
Hira removed the scarf that covered her neck, so she could display the mark left by Dérik's wolf. That mark had given her the position of Luna, but it was incomplete. The beast would have to mark her in the same place to consecrate her as a partner. Now that he was back, nothing would stop her and Dérik from mating in front of everyone and consecrating her as Luna forever.
No one and nothing would take her from the throne!
She walked proudly to the outer courtyard where a great commotion was taking place. Shouts of joy and pride from the pack echoed as the wolves arrived. Upon seeing the Alpha, they gradually fell silent as they noticed he was once again in human form and was carrying a small female in his arms.
Who was she? What did that mean?
Hira had not seen them yet and approached, pushing aside anyone who dared to stand in her way. She halted in the moment Dérik passed by her, without even looking in her direction or noticing her presence. He carried the mysterious creature into the pack house and headed straight for his bedroom with her.
Hira could hardly believe that Dérik took that female to his own lair, a place where she, Luna Hira, had never been allowed to enter!
Being ignored by Dérik was nothing new, but she convinced herself that this was his personality ever since he lost his soulmate. Everyone understood his reasons for being a taciturn, cold, and ruthless alpha. He was equally cold with everyone, but she thought she was special, being the only one he tried to mark at each full moon.
Therefore, her mind was creating a series of questions, mainly: "who was that stinking creature Dérik was carrying in his arms?"
Hira slowly moved away from the remaining group that was still celebrating the Alpha's return. She looked around disdainfully; to her, they were nothing more than a bunch of flatterers.
Spotting the Beta, she headed in his direction.
— Beta Eli, can you explain to me what is happening?
Eli turned to her with his eyes fixed on the hand that was holding his arm.
— This is inappropriate, Hira!
When Hira was named the pack's Luna, Eli and his mate were her biggest supporters. She is strong, a warrior, beautiful, and has excellent connections. The couple placed their hope in her for a better future. They also believed that when she mated with Dérik in the ceremony, her hormones would be enough to influence the females, thus realizing their dream of having children.
However, with each new full moon, another failed attempt brought bitterness to those who had once been hopeful. Eli himself witnessed his female suffer three miscarriages before they decided to stop trying.
The belief of many in the pack was that the goddess, Hécate, disapproved of Dérik's choice. Hira was nothing but a fake Luna.
She pulled her hand away and glared at him in anger.
— It is also inappropriate for you to call me by name, to you, I am Luna Hira!
The serious face of Eli displayed a half-smile, staring at the woman.
— How can I help you, "Luna Hira".
She ignored the obvious sarcasm in his tone of voice.
— Tell me, who is the creature that Dérik brought inside?
— We don't know, we found her at the eastern border and the Alpha decided to bring her in for investigation.
Hira analyzed the expression on his face in an attempt to catch some trick.
— Why did Dérik take her to his lair instead to a cell, where invaders belong?
— That, you will have to ask him directly. But I can tell you in advance that she is a Luna by birth, we cannot mistreat someone of the importance of a true Luna, can we? — He argued condescendingly. — If you'll excuse me, I have something important to do.
Without waiting for a response, he left, leaving her alone with her thoughts.