HE
She didn't need to be like the others to catch my attention, but the goddess was generous with her. She was different from what I was used to, or what had attracted me until I met her.
— Are you feeling better now? — I asked, even though I knew it would take time for her to get used to my people.
She nodded, but we both knew it was a lie stemming from fear. A fear that I hated to be the cause of.
— My beast likes you, Nadja, more than you can imagine. — The words slipped from my mouth before going through my brain. I watched her eyes in hopes of getting at least a spark of reciprocity.
Her nature didn't respond, it seemed dormant; however, I could feel that she was present. The little Luna was about to mature...
— Come, it's time. Today you will become one of us, little Luna!
A true Luna, although young and shy. Perfect, dressed and adorned within the customs of my Pack. My nature presented itself to her once again and she pulled away.
I hate that she is afraid of me.
I had to focus and control the beast, which is becoming increasingly difficult, even with the drink from the old healer. I will have to talk to him and ask him to prepare something stronger until little Luna gets used to me.
*****
SHE
It is a strange feeling to be the center of attention. Being in the middle of the valley, surrounded by all the members of the tribe, or rather, the pack.
A tribe of wolves doesn't reach fifty members and there were hundreds of people around me.
The Alpha held my hand and didn't give me a chance to let go. With every attempt, he just smirked and winked at me.
"Don't even think about it, little Luna" he said on my last attempt.
I know I should be terrified among strangers with that huge Alpha preventing me from stepping away, with no idea of what would happen next, but strangely, there was comfort in having him close to me.
We were in front of the altar, with most of the pack trying to watch from outside. On the altar, a metal cup encrusted with precious stones, next to the cup, a dagger with the same decoration as the cup and a white cloth.
Seeing that sharp dagger sent chills down my spine.
The Alpha noticed and put his arm over my shoulders, pulling me close to his body.
— Are you cold? — He asked, whispering in my ear.
— No, I'm fine.
— Are you sure? — He searched my face as if looking for signs of a lie.
I told the truth, I had been cold before, but at that moment, when he wrapped me in his arms, the warmth coming from him warmed me.
— Where the hell is Hira? Order her to hurry, the little Luna is cold! — He ordered one of the males near the Beta. He bowed in respect and complied with the order, running out of the temple.
I guess he didn't believe me.
There was an elderly man dressed in a purple tunic on the other side of the altar, facing us, and he looked at me smiling, chest puffed out with his long nose lifted. Another elderly man, with long hair and beard, approached with two young ones.
— Oh! How good that I'm not the only latecomer… Sorry for the delay, Alpha, I was changing the gamma's dressings.
I noticed the Alpha rolling his eyes and couldn't hold back a laugh. It was strange to see such a terrifying Alpha make such a juvenile gesture. On seeing me smile, as discreetly as I tried to be, the Alpha broke into a huge grin and bowed, whispering once more in my ear:
— Do you find it funny? Wait until you get to know this old trickster better!
— Oh, that must be our Luna! — The old man said, stroking his beard and looking me up and down.
— What are you talking about, old man? I am the Luna of this pack!
The voice came from behind me; I tried to turn my head, but the Alpha held me back, hugging me tightly, to the point where my face was almost smashed against his chest.
— You're late, Hira! — His voice was different, the beast was showing itself.
I tried to pull away, I'm afraid of him shifting, but he hugged me tighter, my whole body touching his.
I could feel her eyes on me. I was in the arms of her mate, and he wouldn't let me go.
I couldn't help myself and turned my face more, my cheek against his chest. I wanted to look at her from under his arm.
She was beautiful, one of the most stunning females I had ever seen, even more beautiful than Rebeca. She had maroon-tinted green eyes and hair the color of the purest honey. Her body had curves and was covered by a red dress like the one I was wearing, but on her, it fit perfectly like a second skin, except for the fluttering parts that adorned it.
There was hatred in her eyes, I could feel it. It wasn't my fault; Rebeca taught me that soul connections are sacred; I didn't want to disrespect the Luna, but the Alpha wouldn't let me go.
****
HE
I didn't like the way Hira looked at the little Luna curled up in my arms. The smell of fear reached my nostrils, and I pressed her against my chest, so she would understand that no one would harm her.
Hira was the Luna I had chosen for my pack and was explicitly disrespecting the newcomer.A true Luna would never be late to welcome a female!
— Alpha, let me prepare the little Luna for the ritual.
My nature bared its teeth at the old healer for daring to try to take her from us.
Seeing my reaction, the old trickster broke into a mocking smile.
— Let this be your first lesson, little Luna — I didn't like hearing him call her the same way I did. — A Luna is never late; nothing is more important than the females of your pack.
— Exactly, old man! One of my harem servants cut herself and lost a lot of blood. Since this girl is not yet part of the pack, my female is the priority! — was Hira reply
— Oh, of course, of course! A shame that someone cut themselves today....
We knew that Hira was just rubbing her position in the faces of the pack members and the little Luna. Narrow and unnecessary pettiness.
— Let's begin the ceremony; the moon is already at its peak. — said the old Oseias, barely hiding his disdain for Hira's delay.
— You need to let go of the little Luna, Alpha! — said the old healer with humor in his voice.
I slowly moved Nadja away, mentally arguing that she would be closer to us than ever after becoming part of our pack.
The old healer took her hand, smiling.
— Oh, you are such a darling, Luna! You have the light of the Goddess in your eyes, a true Luna by birth.
Nadja glanced at me sideways before accepting his hand and only moved after my consent. I found the confusion in her eyes amusing, for obeying me so instinctively.
Oseias took the consecrated wine and filled the cup halfway. He held it with both hands and pointed to Hecate's statue. After praying to the Goddess, he took the dagger and asked for Hira's hand to continue the liturgy, but was interrupted by the old healer, Agar.
— What's the problem? — Oseias asked, annoyed.
— It's not appropriate, Lord Oseias. The blood exchange must be done by the person of the highest natural position; it's the law!
I could feel when Hira held her breath. When a pack receives a new member, especially a female, it is the Luna who serves the wine with blood to the newcomer. Oseias raised an eyebrow while staring at the old trickster for a few seconds before raising both eyebrows and apologizing.
— Sorry, Luna Hira; I was mistaken. Alpha, only your blood will be necessary.
Hira maintained a calm posture. Her heartbeat was unchanged, showing that the situation hadn't shaken her.
Oseias made the cut in the palm of my hand and let a few drops of blood fall into the chalice before it healed. Then, he held Nadja's hand, repeating the procedure. She was scared and when she groaned in pain from the cut, my nature emitted an uncontrollable growl. That was the moment I felt Hira lose her composure for the first time that night. She turned her gaze to me, and then to Nadja, whose cut took too long to heal.
— Why does she keep bleeding? — I asked, irritated.
Oseias and Agar exchanged glances.
— Please join your hands, Alpha!
Oseias placed Nadja's hand over mine, joining the cuts. To the surprise of everyone who could see what was happening, my cut reopened and began to bleed again, mixing our blood not only in the chalice but in our wounds.
— Repeat after me, Luna: "I, Nadja", Hmm… What is your last name?
Oseias asked while covering our joined hands with a white cloth.
— I-I don't know… I don't remember, sir...
She was embarrassed, I don't know if from a lack of memory or from having to admit it in public. My nature found her shyness appealing.
— Hmm… No problem, let's just call her Luna Nadja. — Suggested Agar.
The old sly one was even more mischievous than usual.
I didn't pay much attention to the words the old man had Nadja repeat, I was getting dizzy. I could feel her warm blood entering my body and circulating freely.