Moon Called

Prologue: the Beginning

I looked at the eyes of my killer.

I was transfixed, what little clothing he has on now is not enough to distract my attention from his fiery eyes. It was only minutes ago that he was cupping my breasts, tracing the contours of my body with his strong calloused fingers and kissing my neck – nibbling on my ear. I could still smell the scent of his body lingering on mine. The warmth he exuded was enough to warm me through the winter nights.

I stared at him with deep concern, his hard grey eyes revealing nothing but utmost hate, I could see his fists clenching, his lips smirking and lines forming on his face. His blonde hair casting shadows on his face was unable to hide the slow tears trickling down his face.

He was trembling with rage fighting the urge he was forced to submit to. I felt compelled to run away but I cannot leave him like this. I want to hug him, to kiss him, and cry with him. We’ve been through a lot and I won’t let it all go down the drain because of an age old feud. I want to be there with him and whisper words of comfort.

I felt myself crumbling into despair. I fought my sobs from escaping, the cold bit at me from every angles and I found it hard to stifle the oncoming sobs. A symphony of howls pierced the starless night sky. I risked a glance at the nearby trees and saw shapes running through them.

In an instant, he jumped through what little distance I could muster in the split second we heard the howl, and before I know it a large silver wolf is on top my naked body. I was pinned to the ground, the soft grass cushioning my fall.

Hackles rising from the back of his head, he let out a growl. Spittle drenched my face, as drool dribbled from his muzzle. His warm breath attacked me first, the scent of pine and dirt. I could feel his weight pressing on me, nails digging on my skin.

I finally closed my eyes, resigned to my fate. I let out a gasp as he licked my face one last time before he delivers his final blow. Tears began to flow from my eyes. My vision blurry but I still tried to put a brave face on and looked him straight in the eyes as if daring him to look at me. In a few moments I know I will be too far gone to be recognized, my body will be torn to shreds. I’ll be another nameless victim in a small sleepy town.

“I love you,” those were my last words for my killer – my wolf.

He whined, his ears drooped and he lowered his head.

An image flooded my mind, the pack prowling in the nearby woods, safety in the nearby town Darkness Falls, him fighting off his family.

Thunder crackled overhead, lighting flashed across the sky, but still I stared at those eyes.

Rain poured hard on us. I was shivering. I dared not turn away. A howl escaped from the forest, the silver wolf walked away from me, facing the dark trees, and he too let out a loud howl.

Wolves started emerging from the trees, there were four of them. In the middle a huge copper wolf, clearly the leader – the Alpha, answered with a growl. The other wolves began circling them letting out a growl and snapping at my wolf.

The copper wolf leapt through the air and he was met with resistance. The two wolves clashed midair as the night sky was disturbed by a booming thunder.

The Alpha dug his fangs on the body of my wolf, blood wafted through my nose as it poured in steady gush from the silver wolf’s body.

A small lithe wolf, the color of charcoal approached me, growling. It was too small to be a male so I decided that she was the only female in the group, probably the Alpha female. She stared at me with her black eyes. She snapped at my heels and I sprang up starting to back away from the clearing. She continued to move forward backed up the other two wolves, each revealing sharp sets of fangs.

I groped in the darkness and found the stick we used earlier to create the campfire.

I swung the stick at the oncoming wolves. I finally hit the female and she let a fierce growl and came running at me. Her teeth latched onto my shoulders and she stayed there until I bled. The other wolves began to circle us.

In a blur, a wolf crashed onto the she-wolf clamped onto my shoulder. The female came crashing through the nearby bushes whimpering in pain. The wolf barely recognizable was my lover, his silver fur tainted with dirt and crimson blood. Hackles rising he ran toward the two wolves circling me snapping at their heels. But before he can pin down one of the wolves the Alpha came back at him with such ferocity that he was thrown back and he hit a tree. I could hear bones breaking but still my wolf held his ground growling at his attacker. The four wolves padded across the clearing to where he is and one by one they ran at full speed to attack my silver wolf.

The image flooded my mind again and was I was shocked. The force it brought coming down at me almost made me fall on my knees. Safety it screamed at me. And then I saw it, my face smiling back at me. My long black hair swept by the wind as I ran after him laughing. I did not need any more convincing that my wolf loves me. He always had and always will. He is willing to risk his life for me.

He broke free from the pack and ran to me. He pushed me gently with his bloody muzzle and urged me to run. He broke the connection as he faced a wolf creeping up behind him.

 Without looking back I ran through the woods, twigs and thorn biting at my skin. I pressed hard on the bite mark, blood continued to stream from my shoulders. I stumbled through the darkness but I did not slow down. I need to get away. I need to fulfill his dying wish, for me to get to safety for the sake of our unborn child.

***

I don’t want to do this Jared, the Alpha said looking at me in the eye.

I love her father, I answered back, and I will do everything for her even if it means disobeying your orders.

Are you crazy? The Alpha barked. She is not one of us. She is a human, he said with disgust.

I’ve chosen my path and I would never abandon Anya, Jared growled.

You should have killed her when you had a chance. You know we will be coming for her and the abomination that she carries. Prepare to meet your fate - son, the Alpha lunged at Jared and aimed for his throat.

***

I never imagined that something so beautiful could end with such a brutal ending. I know in my heart that the man I love is dead and soon I will be joining him.

I sat in a dingy cottage holding on to my stomach, pain etched in my face as I let out steady gasps. My water just broke. I am ready to give birth. I lay down to rest a mattress strewn on the floor, as I clutched a nearby chair for support.

I fear for the safety of my child. Her parents dead before she wakes up. She will be a stranger to their world, an outcast amongst the humans and a traitor amongst the wolves.

I prayed one last time, all I want is guidance and protection for my daughter.

I screamed through the night, the pain unbearable. I've lost everything and made mistakes, now I'm passing all the burden to my daughter.

Please give her strength.

With one last breath, a soft cry pierced the night. The winds are howling and the rain is still pouring. The wolves were long gone but in their place was a child.

"Selene..."