The Twelfth Moon || ✔️ [LOTM #1]

9. The Ascension pt. 2

I was called when the Moon had long begun lowering already. All the wolflings would go separately, to avoid influencing each other's choices. I gulped, knowing I wouldn't have a choice to be influenced.

Mage grabbed my hand and squeezed it, ever so lightly, as if to wish me luck. I gave her a small smile before I followed the priest who'd come to get me. He guided me outside, to a clearing in the middle of a forest where all the Alphas stood in their wolven form. The Death Moon's bright light reflected on their furs, accentuating their elegance now they had all turned into wolves.

I recognized Beckett's wolf, I had seen it before. Once, when he ripped out my father's throat and then shredded my mother to pieces in front of me. I would never forget that brown fur with hints of grey, like wood and ash that had just burned. Piercing brown eyes, with a hint of red that no doubt symbolized all the blood wasted on his behalf.

I recognized Strong Moon as well, the biggest wolf out of them all with a dark grey fur. Even as a wolf, he looked like he could crush me within seconds, using only his paws. The scars on my back shivered at the thought of what his claws and teeth would be able to do. I was sure I would never want to be on the receiving end of his power.

A wolf in a grey so light it was almost white, stood by Beckett's other side. I figured that would have to be Cailean, the Alpha of Young Moon. Even as a wolf, he looked so young still, but I had no doubt in my mind he was the eldest present.

I recognized Life Moon as well, the fourth wolf to the left. Lucienda was as big as the other wolves, Strong Moon excluded, and she sat there with such power and confidence, I envied her. I wanted her to take me in so badly, but she hadn't even looked at me. She'd barely sniffed at me earlier, and even now I could almost see boredom dance in her wolven eyes. I had realized earlier in the Ascension ritual that there was no way that she would consider taking me in. How she behaved now, only confirmed that.

And to the far right, not even taking the effort to look at me, sat a big black wolf with distinct silver eyes. I instantly knew that was Death Moon, and I had no doubt he'd lost all interest in me too, ever since I saw the look of disgust conquer his face when he smelled me earlier. Only Beckett seemed to care if I entered.

"Introduce yourself," the priest beside me ordered silently before he vanished to the sidelines.

I cleared my throat in an attempt to get the nerves untwined with my words. I'd have to make an impression now, this was my last chance and I had to take it and never give it back. "My name is Sari, named after Sariranyasa. I was born the night our Death Moon shone brightest." 

By the mention of my name and its goddess, Death Moon's Alpha looked up at me, and then switched his gaze to Beckett. As if he knew how much sting my being had caused him, how my mere existence tormented him. A slap in his face, to have a Death Moon honoring wolf in his Fire Moon Pack. 

"I do not possess any of the Moons powers yet," I continued,  "but I learned many things over the years. My father always told me of our origins and all the different packs. I grew up in the streets, the wildest part of the town, and so I have learned to listen to whispers others cannot hear."

As the words spilled out of my mouth, I recognized the danger I'd put myself in. But my only way out may be Death Moon, I knew that as soon as he lifted his head at the mention of my name. And to keep his interest—to convince me I belonged with his pack, I had to make myself an asset to his pack. An asset in this nearing war. 

By the fury that was pulsing off Beckett, I knew he understood what I had just said. I glanced back at Death Moon, not letting Beckett's threatening stare intimidate me or scare me. I refused to let his waves of anger and retribution reach me—I closed a bubble around me that deterred Beckett, just for this moment. I had to get out.