Tealsville Seas

waning gibbous

Valen Smith

"Yeah dad, we'll be home in a few days....don't worry...we're not going to miss it..okay love you too." I assured my frantic father over the phone. Hanging up as soon as he said goodbye.

I glanced to my left, noting the way that the waning gibbous sat in the sky.

It was almost a full moon, and I was cutting it close..I knew that. But this visit couldn't wait.

I knew that we'd have to be heading back in two days...

I was the prince for goddess sake- I couldn't miss a royal celebration. Especially not this one.

My parents were very traditional. I'd never missed a run before and I definitely couldn't start now...regardless of the circumstances.

On full moons, we gather in the kingdoms courtyard or pack house to eat and dance. These nights were vital for the community of the wolves in the pack as a whole. It was a way to celebrate family, love, and Selene. At the end of the night, we shift and go on a run.

Sounds simple enough right?

Wrong.

Usually I didn't mind attending (not that I ever had a choice) but this one would be different.

Naomi would be there and if I knew my parents like I thought I did, then I could bet my right hand they're planning on handing me the crown.. which is the first step to officially recognizing me as King.

I didn't know if being around so many people would make her uncomfortable, or if she even wanted to be subjected to the praising of a goddess that she probably didn't believe in anyway.

Not that I blamed her, I'd never penalize her for not believing in Selene.

I mean I never believed in a floating white man in the sky that ignored slavery, racism, and everything else that the humans suffered through so why would I judge her for not believing in a goddess that rules over the moon, lycans, & werewolves.

What did bother me was the fact that I didn't know how she'd react to me shifting.

Seeing and hearing bones cracking, and hair sprouting out of another persons body probably wasn't the ideal date night.

I would know. I mean Kade and I don't agree on much- but when it comes to hearing bones crackling and popping..?

We hate it.

Anyway, seeing a wolf shift for the first time isn't something for the faint hearted.

I knew how Shilah reacted to seeing Roxanne shift, the horror in her eyes, and the sickly feeling that followed right after.

Roxy cried to me about it.

My friend said that her own mate described her as a 'monster'. That she was 'disgusting'. She genuinely seemed distraught about it.

I could only imagine Naomi saying something like that about me.

"Miss what?" She tilted her head.