Forbidden Destiny

Chapter 3: The Moon's Embrace

Amara never did believe that the nights in the valley were beautiful yet deadly; stars filled the firmament and blinked dustily in rhythm with the pounding in her heart. She was now used to the various sounds in the forest; the howls of wolves in other areas. Every day was too much for her – new trials so harsh that she hardly could stand them. But the nights with its enigmas and the moonbeams let it seem to her that something truly important was expected to happen. Amara was standing on the verge of the clearing, the wind slightly blew at the cold night. The pack had assembled in the middle of the field, this time illumined by the light of the moon: food over the fire and exchanging jokes with rumbles and chuckles. There he was, Kian, and as usual, the very aura of him seemed to fill the entire space. She glanced at him and felt her arteries pounding to the beat of a passion she could not understand, yet one which threatened to consume her. He turned towards her and their gaze met. Amara felt her toe begin to squirm at his gaze. Something lay in the implication of his eyes, the black glint of a sensual allure which she could not miss. Swallowing quietly, she made one step forward and he indicated that she was supposed to move even closer.

"Come," he said softly the sound of his voice deep and husky, the words literally purring of their own accord making her nervous. "Tonight you are going to perform the rites of the moon." Amara's heart pounded. She had heard stories about the ceremony, about the rituals that helped to bind the pack as one—a thing the normal human being wouldn't be able to comprehend. The ceremony demanded one to trust and prove loyalty to the pack. It was the ultimate trial of her initiation and adoption to the pack.  All this time, Kian's eyes searched her. "Are you afraid? Amara shook her head slightly. "No, I'm ready." Kian spoke up, his eyes as frosty as winter ice. “Good. Follow me."

He took her into the woods where the crunch of the undergrowth beneath their feet was audible. The air was expectant. It was a daunting moment for Amara as all manner of ideas flashed into her mind, wondering what awaited her.

Coming out from the thicket to the open part of the vegetation, the pack circled in tightly around them, and their eyes were reflecting the moon. In the middle of the circle was a stone for rituals, deep-carved and seeming alive.
Kian looked at her with a shining eye. "The moon ceremony is a trial of your strength and your faith," he whispered. “If you pass, you, for the rest of your days, will be one of the pack, and that shall never change. Now, are you ready?

Because she had been learning a lot from him, she had developed a certain level of faith in him and hence nodded with a racing heart, "Yes, I am."
As she nodded, Kian turned his gaze away from her to announce, "Then step forward and let the ceremony begin."

She took a deep breath and stepped into the circle. They were all focused on her; none of their features showed even the least hint of emotion. Kian then took hold of the hand chain, handcuffed her, and then started dragging her toward the stone altar. He lifted up his hand and the pack went silent, looking at him with bulging eyes. "Amara Blake," he said in a deeply authoritative tone.
"The power of your skills and strength no longer count against you, nor does your courage. You have proven that you want it, but now it's time to prove that you're willing to sacrifice your self for the good of the pack and that you're ready to be one of us, body and soul."

Amara's reaction was a blend of fear and sorrow. "Yes," Amara said with a trembling voice. “I am willing and ready."

Their eyes crossed. "Kneel and let the moonlight guide you. "

Amara knelt down afraid before the altar, and her hands fidgeted as Kian put his hands on her shoulder and started intoning his chant, which, in fact, was a language most likely not spoken by humans. The pack immediately echoed his words, and the chant grew louder and stronger. She was so lost into the chant that the aura that surrounded her caused the moon to brighten up. Amara lost her senses and couldn't think straight. She felt relieved with the sound of Kian's voice; a shiver ran down her spine and she developed goose bumps. As the chant reached its crescendo, Kian jerked her toward him, his fingers closing around her shoulders in a grip both painful and desirable. There was an outburst of the energy around them and a jolt of light pierced through her. Amara gagged and blinked, all members of the pack glaring at her, obviously waiting for an answer. Seated on the ground, she shifted her eyes towards Kian, her body still trembling.