Ties That Bind

Chapter 5

She has seen the cycle of many full red moons, waiting for the one. Each time a piece of her was left behind. Every turn of the wheel made it harder for her to keep going. She was charged with this duty, however, loathe she was to accept it. She prayed, this time, she could break it forever. Freeing her. She had read the signs and heeded the visions and hoped it led her true.

'I knew I would find you here.'

Arthit heard her but refused to look away from the gentle waves as it cascaded down the river.

'I know you're angry.'

'You knew. From the very beginning.'

She couldn't refute, 'Yes.'

'Why didn't you say anything?

'I did.'

'Not about a bloodsucker,' he scoffed.

'I wasn't sure either, but does it matter.'

He looked at her incredulously. 'We are mortal enemies, I am a wolf he is a bloodsucker,' he enunciated.

'You watch too many movies. What do you know about them?'

He refused to concede, 'They suck blood. Period.'

'Why me?' he whined

'This is the stupid Council's fault. Did you give them the idea too.'

'Stop being petulant.'

'Who is that witch, that scared everyone into agreeing? How powerful can she be?'

'Very.'

'Not as powerful as this pack for sure.'

'The bloodsuckers can cower in the shadows, we are werewolves,' he proclaimed proudly.

'She was responsible for the black moon.'

'Thats's just a fairy tale.'

'I thought you better than that', she snapped.

Every werewolf was told the tale when the moon turned completely black.

The story began, nearly 500 years ago in the wilds between Thailand, Laos and Cambodia a young witch with immeasurable power, Chthonia formed a circle of thirteen and reigned. Individually they were powerful and together were a force to be reckoned with. They were feared but praised as well, for they helped many in need.

Once, while travelling through the forest of Yunan she saved a beautiful child of the moon, a black werewolf from a hunters trap poisoned with wolfsbane. She nursed him for three full moons and in gratitude, he served her for nine. Together they travelled far and wide and had many adventures forging an enviable bond. In him, she found her better half and fell in love, believing it was reciprocated.

One day while travelling through Vietnam he met a fellow villager who shared the good news of his bond mate. In haste, he made for his village, dragging Chthonia along. When they reached his home, a beautiful woman welcomed him with a baby in arms. Blinded by joy, he couldn't see the distraught expression on Chthonia face. When he turned to share his good fortune she had disappeared, overjoyed at his fortune he did not pay much heed to her.

Chthonia returned home to lick her wounds and seek solace. One of her Twelve, Virote sought to overthrow Chthonia has the head and saw an opportunity in her grief. He turned her trust in him into a tool to manipulate her into thinking that the great love she sought was a farce played by the werewolf and nurtured her grief into a rage that consumed her.

As hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, she unleashed hers on the happy couple. Using her considerable powers she brewed a spell that forever split the couple, perishing them. She realised what she had done when she saw the glee of treachery on Virote's face. In fear of retribution from the children of the moon, she sought to protect herself. She harnessed the power of her circle along with their life force and channelled it into amulets, forever binding them to only serve.