Beauty & the Wolf

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The moon smiled brightly down on us as we danced to the drum music played by the elders, an ancient song played time and time again by our kind. Young children played and danced with their parents as other wolves howled to mother moon.

I spent the majority of my evening with my parents, meeting with the higher ranking pack members. I had known them my whole life, but tonight I was formally introduced to them as future Queen. We talked and laughed together while the wolves around us danced and nipped each other in a playful manner.

Most of our conversation was held with Alpha Bernard and Luna Evie of the Whispering Winds pack. They were the second largest pack and because of that, our pack had always worked closely with them. It had been this way for generations and it didn't seem to be changing anytime soon.

In our world, the King and Queen were over the entire werewolf race. The Alphas and Lunas of every pack met with my parents at the castle once every three months to discuss business. Living the life of Queen seemed to have its perks, but it also had setbacks. How would I be able to manage all of this paperwork and the meetings?

A gentle tap on my shoulder interrupted my thoughts. I turned to face Sonya, seriousness coated her gentle face. "It's almost time, we need to get you dressed for the ceremony." She spoke without emotion, my heartbeat accelerated in anticipation. I followed nervously as she headed toward the ritual tent where I would be changed and blessed in prayer by our Oracle, a tradition that was held for every newly shifted royal.

My mother walked gracefully beside me as we followed Sonya, her face was glowing as she smiled warmly at me. "You will be fine honey, just remember to keep breathing and don't be afraid. You will see when its all over." She grabbed my small hand in her own and rubbed my fingers soothingly. I glanced back to see my father had shifted into his large black wolf, he howled lowly to signify the beginning of the ritual. Everyone had become deathly silent as their wolves payed respect to the Kings call.

We entered the tent quietly together. My mother bent down to remove my heels, I balanced myself on her shoulders as she slipped them off. The cool grass kissed my hot feet as I stood. Only Sonya, my mother, the Oracle, and I would be attending this ritual. It was a sacred tradition, a symbol that a young royal was transforming from a child to an adult.

Oracles are ancient beings that were hand picked by the moon herself. Some say they are guardians, being provided with visions of life so that they may guide our people in the right direction. They also use herbal medicines to heal sicknesses and tend to wounds. I always loved hearing the stories Anicka told the children when I was younger. She worked closely with the moon and the earth to spread knowledge, she and my mother were very close. Anicka read bedtime stories to her when she was a child, sadly she passed away when I was only 6 years old.

Our current Oracle, Sashika, was Anickas younger cousin, they studied together in their home pack and when Anicka passed Sashika traveled here to continue her practice.

Upon entering the tent, I noticed the walls of deer hide were draped in colorful tapestries, ancient symbols displayed proudly on the soft fabric. The Royal crest being most noticeable. The bright colors and sweet aroma of the herbs sent vibrations of calming energy through the tent, I felt my anxiety vanish as Sashika moved towards me.

Her features resembled Anickas, her wisdom evident in her cool gray irises and aged face. Her silvery hair was long and braided down her back, a brown robe littered with symbols clung to her shoulders, drifting down to the soft grass beneath our feet.

"Rain Haven of the royal family, do you accept my presence during this ritual, allowing me to bless you and release you into the Goddess' embrace as you meet your wolf for the first time?" Her voice was laced with velvet as she spoke. "Yes, I do." I answered calmly. She nodded in acceptance and dipped her finger in a bowl of mixed herbs and oils, pressing it gently to my forehead as Sonya and my mother worked quietly to undress me.