The Outcast

Under the Blue Blood Moon

"Hurry, Bill!  It's coming out!!" Claire's shrill cry echoed in the corridor.  Her husband, Bill, was in a panic, grabbing her bag on the second floor of the house. There were thuds from the objects falling from his every move.  Bill, the pack's Beta, known for his bravery and strength, has turned clumsy and is sweating cold sweat all over his body. The panic, the excitement, and the nervousness have risen to his head; he can hardly breathe.  Claire is finally giving birth to their firstborn!

"Bill!!!! My moon goddess!  What's taking you so long?!?" Claire shouted at the top of her lungs.  A mix of agitation and pain in her voice.  She held her belly tighter.  The baby's kicks were unbearable, and the contractions were getting more intense every minute. 

"I'm here, Honey.  We're leaving. Let's go,"  he emerged from the stairs' landing, almost falling, face panic-stricken, and held his wife with cold, trembling hands. He was carrying the baby bags Claire had prepared for this day. But she noticed that one of the bags he was carrying was incorrect. Nevertheless, she does not have time to nag because Bill's clumsiness might kill her first before she even gives birth.

"For goodness sake, Bill,  hold yourself together!  It's me who's going to give birth, but it's you who looks like shit!" Claire's face was very pale now and wrinkled, trying to control the pain. She gripped her husband's arm a little too tightly.   

*******

"Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Mayfield, it's a she! A very healthy baby girl! " beamed Dr. Luke Ross, the pack doctor. His graying hair shone like a halo in the light of the fluorescent lamp above. 

The couple was overwhelmed with unexplainable joy. For the first time after trying for almost three years,  the moon goddess had given them the child they had been praying for.  Tears of joy were streaming down the couple's faces. Overjoyed and satisfied, especially Claire.  She extended her arms to receive her baby.  

"She's beautiful.  Very beautiful... " she uttered amidst her tears.  Her husband leaned closer to her and kissed her forehead.

"What shall we call her?" Bill asked. 

"Mona Elara. She's blessed by the moon goddess herself and the blue blood moon above us." Claire said softly, kissing her baby's head, still asleep in her chest. 

"Mona Elara Mayfield. As beautiful as you are... " Bill said lovingly to his wife.  Claire looked at his husband and he kissed her. The couple shared that beautiful moment until a knock on the door interrupted them.

A tall and muscular man came striding from the door.  He was handsome with his slick, bronze brown hair combed neatly backwards. He has a chiseled jawline and enigmatic hazel eyes. His crooked nose did not retracked his looks either,  it just added power to it.  His very presence is magnetic and powerful.  That is because he is the alpha of the pack.  William Jones - the alpha of the Black Moon Pack.

"Alpha..." The couple bowed their heads at the sight of their alpha.  

"How are you, Claire?" he asked in his powerful tone.  

"I'm feeling better now,  Alpha. Thank you for the visit." Claire said while her husband reached for the alpha's hand, and they did their signature handshake.  

"May I?" Alpha William inquired hesitantly, asking permission to see her baby. Claire just nodded her head and smiled.

"What a beauty!" the Alpha exclaimed. "She got your looks indeed!  I wonder what Bill has contributed? " he said jokingly to Bill.  

"Maybe my skills and strength you'll see, Alpha... " Bill said proudly. 

"Of course she will be. Another worthy and strong wolf in our pack!" Alpha William valiantly proclaimed, and both men laughed.

"She's cursed." A voice from behind the Alpha spoke. Nobody in the group noticed her coming.   All eyes looked at the source of the voice.  It was the Luna speaking. She's in her late thirties,  elegant,  graceful, and stoic.  Her red hair is in a fancy bun, and she is wearing a blue dress.  As blue as the moon above. 

Luna Miranda Jones was another power in the pack.  Born from the Alpha of a neighboring  Scarlet Moon pack, another strong and respectable clan in the North, she exudes the aura of a royal. But in contrast to her husband,  Alpha William Jones,  she is colder and more stoic than her mate. 

"The baby is cursed." She repeated coldly.  Her lips were tightly pursed.  

"What exactly do you mean?" exclaimed the Alpha.  His eyebrows furrowed deeply, making lines in his rather perfect-skinned face. 

"Look at her eyes," she answered without blinking.  And so, all of them looked down at the baby, now wide awake, staring at all the faces above her as if seeing them. And for the first time,  they saw her eyes. One is blue, and the other is amber. First were curious looks,  followed by shock, and then by fear.  For a moment, nothing moved, and even their breath was still.  Until the baby's shrill cry broke the stillness of the night.