Once Upon a Wolf

Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

The morning sunbathed the mountain trail in a warm golden glow as the Moonstone pack and I hiked the trailhead in the middle of Clandestine mountains. The hiking trail wound and turned. The trail began gently as we meandered through a lush forest. But as we ascended, the terrain gradually changed. The forest thinned, giving way to open landscapes that revealed the grandeur of the surrounding mountains.

Maddox, naturally, led the pack with his family and Savina. He didn't look or check on me today, even though I glanced in his direction, like twenty times. It bothered my wolf to an almost hurt. A pain stabbing at the back of my chest. Clearly, the kiss was just a blot on his conquest stick. I wished I could shrug it off like him that easily. But it was difficult. I hated it troubled me so much.

But I wanted, no, needed to know what he was thinking... almost desperate.

It was just an ordinary kiss with a whole lot of heavy petting, but I couldn't help to think it meant so much more.

The trail became steeper, but with every step, the panoramic views became more breathtaking. The wolves didn't catch their breath, and I didn't need to either. The ones who had it tough were Alice and Serafina. Brett helped Alice, giving her a piggyback ride with most of the climb, and oddly, I assisted Serafina, who lagged behind the pack.

"Damn wolves," she hissed, and blew out a hot breath. "Can't even help an old lady out. The animals."

I chuckled. "You don't even look that old Serafina... you look around forty?"

"Forty?" she scoffed. "Honey, I'm hundred-and-four years old."

I blinked, almost letting my jaw drop to the ground.

"Close your mouth, hun, or you'll swallow in a fly," she gritted her teeth as she struggled to climb over a huge boulder. Her fingers gripped tight to my arm as I helped to push her up.

"This would've been much easier if I had a fucking broom. Curses!" she huffed, and hobbled up a few cobbled stones ahead on her own. "Thanks for the help, sweetie," she cackled. "I can take it from here." I watched dumbfounded as she walked with her hands supporting her lower back, and I sucked in a breath.

My life has become a fucking weird and twisted fairytale.

Approaching a clearing, the trail finally levelled out briefly. Below nestled a valley between the Clandestine mountains, filled with numerous tents and flags of rusty red, mustard yellow, olive green, maroon, and copper brown. All the colors of autumn.

The fall crescent festival!

"We're here!" I whispered.

We made it!

Energized and determined, the Moonstone pack shouldered their backpacks once more, ready to face the final stretch. The trail beckoned them forward.

The late afternoon sun painted the sky in shades of amber and pink as the pack approached the entrance of the festival grounds, with me trailing close behind Poppy.

Walking through, my eye wandered the entrance gate made of thin, wooden timber, decorated with colorful banners, and twinkling lights. It was odd. There was no power here. The lights must have been battery operated.

"Welcome, Maddox and your Moonstone pack to the festival." A male wolf with a lustrous black beard greeted Maddox. "We were waiting for your arrival." Maddox gave a nod and talked to the male as they both greeted each other with a grab of their forearms. I watched Maddox secretly as I moved along. He gave nothing away except his alpha presence.