Chains of the Crescent Moon

Ch. 15: Shifting Paths and Fading Ties

Great news! Last year, Orion found his fated mate, Daniella, in a neighboring pack. They had mated and even performed the human marriage ceremony. Meagan met her mate last summer from a pack out east when he and his dad visited with Alpha. It turns out there is another S.P. Coalition out there. They planned on getting the packs together for a ceremony next week before she left to head to his pack.

Justin stopped emailing me a few months ago. I hope everything is okay. He had been talking about coming to visit until really recently. Then his tone changed, and he started talking more about ensuring I was happy in my pack. Our plans together all ended abruptly, right before he ghosted me.

After I turned 18 last week, Dad had Beta Tye start to train me to be Orion's beta as long as I don't keep screwing up. I am a bit stressed with training and working two jobs, one serving at a restaurant in town and the other at the hospital's front desk. My classes at the college have been going smoothly, though I switched to online courses for the last few semesters. I should finish my Bachelor's soon with a double major in business and economics. I'm even minoring in Leadership.

Caspian made himself known last night. It took him a whole extra year for me to hear from him, and that only made my dad mad at me for potentially not having a wolf. My first shift should be coming any day now. Dad is trying to find me a new sparring partner. I accidentally hurt Timothy last time in one of our sparrings. He wasn't seriously injured—we heal like crazy—but I did break his arm when he raised it to block my fist while boxing. So, in the meantime, I am focusing on my studies and what I can do to help Orion.

This weekend, Orion is going to take me tracking near the border where the rogues have been showing up. They usually stop at the border and run alongside it, never trespassing. Tonight, Mom has been talking more about connecting with our ancestors and returning to Nyx. I'm not sure how Dad will take his Luna saying stuff like that.

Dad cooked breakfast this morning; I didn't even think he knew how to cook. Pancakes covered with gooseberry syrup are my favorite. Orion looked at the pancakes like it was a threat until he finally gave in and started eating. Ori only had to clean his pancake plate twice before admitting they were good.

Orion took me tracking this morning. We found that two rogues had been running through our territory. We caught up to them just as they shifted and took off away from the pack grounds into the open territory.

When we returned to the pack house, Ori handed me a note and walked to Alpha's office.

  - - Note taken from Alpha Cain's office. Burn after reading. - - 

Missing: Justin Pete Johnson.

Last known traveling companion: Richard Marcus Ravenwood.

After abandoning their responsibilities last month, the two listed are marked as rogues and must be captured on sight. If they put up a fight, you must eliminate them.

No Loose Ends.

I fell to the ground. Did Justin run away? Is he okay? I haven't heard from him for months now. He stopped responding to my emails and calls. I wonder if something happened with his dad. We had always talked about going out west towards California. Maybe they went that way.

As my hopes to run away with Justin were crushed, the walls of my heart locked down. I can't be hopeful; I must work to have a happy ending. Who knows, I may get a female mate. No, that doesn't sit right. I know I'm gay, gayer than a Maypole if you believe it.

I have never been afraid of being on my own. It looks like I will start a journey alone as well. Regardless of the outcomes here, both Ori and I knew I was leaving after my first shit. Training with Beta Tye has been informative on how packs work, where the boundaries are, and politics outside of our S.P. Coalition. These online classes will help me finish my degree regardless of where I am and where I plan to go—only one more month of classes. The fastest Bachelor's degree I could get and taking some college classes during high school worked for the better.

Almost out of here.