The Darkness Within

07 - The Moon Ceremony

The next few weeks Ciara developed a routine. The werewolves hadn't tried to take her bow back, and much to Ciara's relief they had even given her now-empty backpack and hunting knife back as well. It comforted her greatly to have her tools back even if she didn't use them outside of practice. She continued to eat meals at the Alpha's table and had begun to be friends with the future-alpha, Evelyn. Every day after breakfast, Ciara would go and train with Gamma Claire. It had started when the Gamma had asked her to teach them to shoot and she had accepted but asked for training in fighting in return. Lunch was always a welcome relief from the hunger she developed through the training, and Evelyn liked to joke that she ate like a werewolf. Afterward, she went to the library for a bit before heading outside to train and play with Tala. Dinner was always the busiest and lively of the three daily meals, and the wild and animalistic behavior of the werewolves was definitely growing on her.

Tala was still growing at an enormous rate. It had only been almost three weeks but somehow the wolf ate enough for a horse every day and had now grown to the size of a full-grown normal wolf. She was now bigger than the werewolf pups that came out to play with her every afternoon. Ciara had grown deeply concerned and had taken Tala to the pack doctor, whose name she learned was Dr. Sage, but had been informed that there was nothing wrong with Tala, she was simply going to be enormous. 

The wolf had taken very well to joining in on training to fight with Ciara in the mornings and was an avid learner when Ciara trained her in obedience every evening. If the wolf was going to be big enough to bite her in half, then she needed to be able to ensure that it was trained well enough not to. However, despite Tala's giant size, she still retained puppy-like features and was the most adorable and gentle canine that Ciara had ever met, werewolves included.

She hadn't really believed Alpha Wilson when he claimed that werewolves were not like humans, but she believed him now. They were marginally less judgemental when it came to individual characteristics, and claimed that 'the Goddess made us the way we are, who am I to go against her wisdom?' when she had asked why. Despite her best efforts not to, she came to like the werewolves that she had mysteriously stumbled upon and found herself wanting to stay regardless of the Alpha's order that she had to remain. She hadn't realized how much she missed interacting with genuine people until now, but their toxic and mean behavior was often horribly hurtful.

Oliver followed her around all day, and she genuinely began wondering when the male slept, but when she had asked him he merely laughed and opted not to respond. Now, she might even consider him somewhat of a friend. He was very kind and had taken to joining her in her daily routine, even going so far as to read with her in the library or spar occasionally during training.

She dodged an incoming punch to her face by leaping backward. Her movement gave Tala space to counter-attack for her, and she watched as the large wolf-pup launched herself at the werewolf. Seeing another attacker out of the corner of her eye, Ciara turned and grabbed the male werewolf's incoming fist and turned him so his arm was pulled painfully behind his back, and then forced his face into the packed snow beneath them. Looking up, she saw that her wolf-pup had managed to subdue the other werewolf, pinning the male to the ground as well with her mouth at his throat.

"Good teamwork," Gamma Claire commented from where she stood observing. The past three weeks had been torture but Ciara had enjoyed the physical outlet and the fact that it maintained her fit form. Gamma Claire was an excellent teacher in the art of fighting and Ciara and Tala were extremely fast learners. She knew that against the whole pack of werewolves she wouldn't stand a chance for very long, but it was comforting to know she was not defenseless.

From the packhouse, Luna Iris called for lunch and everyone moved forward, excited. Ciara took her seat at the leaders' table and enjoyed the deliciously warm meal served. Not one for a whole lot of chatting, Ciara listened to the others talk. Apparently, there was to be a celebration soon and everyone was chatting in excitement.