“The Mother’s blessing came back when you and the King Alpha completed the mating mark. I’ve heard that the Maiden’s blessing may come back if you and the Alpha… you know…,” Deb smiled then, giggling like a small girl at the words she didn’t say. I dropped everything in my hands altogether, opening my mouth in stunned surprise and then complete embarrassment.
“Absolutely not!” I declared loudly before crossing my arms over my chest almost defensively. “I’m not some mare to be bred for everyone’s benefit.” Deb laughed then loudly, bending over to pick up the basket of seeds I’d spilled. I paused, but then bent down to help clean up my own mess as well.
“Do they really believe the Maiden’s blessing will come back because of me? I mean, if I become… that ridiculous title. Luna. Whatever,” I became flustered at the thought, but pushed on further, “The pack isn’t entirely against it?”
“Well, some are against it, of course… because you’re from the human village. They don’t understand why the Moon Goddesses have picked a human to bless above the lycans. But many of us still hold faith in them, even if they had forsaken us. And those who lost faith are getting it back because of you.” Deb stood and held the basket out to me easily. I hesitated, but took it from her, mulling over her words. “It’s also very entertaining watching the King Alpha get so worked up over you. I think you would make a good Luna. You could bring our pack great fortune.”
Or great disaster, I thought solemnly.
Before I could press Deb further, there seemed to be a sudden change in the atmosphere. The wolves who were helping with planting crops along the soil all stood together, looking towards the village with attention that I hadn’t quite developed. Deb lifted her hand over her brow, squinting through the sunlight. I turned to look as well, but they were seeing something beyond sight.
“Mila,” Caleb called out to me sharply. I looked to him to see him waving me towards him. I turned to Deb and handed her the basket with a sigh.
“I’ve been summoned,” I said dramatically.
“We all have,” Deb replied simply.
I frowned, but Caleb called out my name again with more impatience. I waved to Deb shortly and began to stalk to the impatient wolf with my own irritation. The wolves in the field followed, gathering their supplies and beginning to pack up as though they had somewhere to be. I looked around me with confusion for a moment before approaching Caleb with furrowed brows.
“What’s going on?” I asked him.
“You can’t feel it?” Caleb asked me, curious all of the sudden.
“Feel what exactly?”
“When you’re mates, you should be able to feel each other’s presence. It makes it easier to track each other in case of dangerous situations,” Caleb said slowly before pausing, “Where’s the King Alpha right now?”
I opened my mouth, but then halted my smart reply, looking inward. I had tried to experiment with that bond between Roman and me, but even now as I inspected it, it was closed tight. Roman didn’t want me to feel him, so I couldn’t.
“He’s blocking me,” I finally admitted to Caleb.
Caleb sighed, running a hand through his hair anxiously. “That sounds like him… The King Alpha is here now. He’s just returned. And he’s summoned the pack to the arena for an announcement. After that, I’m sure he’ll want a complete report on your activities while he’s been gone… I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me.” The sarcasm was strong in his last statement, but any guilt I felt was halted by the fact that Roman was back.
I recalled Cynthia’s prediction; that Roman would come back soon and bring an obstacle of life or death before me. I felt immediate dread, my hand impulsively going to the blade at my hip. Caleb saw the reaction and frowned.
“I wouldn’t worry too much, Mila. I’m only mostly joking,” He tried to comfort me suddenly. I narrowed my eyes.
“I’m not worried,” I scoffed, stomping off towards the arena with renewed determination.
“Oh right, I forgot you’re the fearless human not-human wolf not-wolf girl not-girl,” Caleb replied, following close behind me. I shot him a look of daggers at his little joke, but he only smirked in response.
I hadn’t been in the arena since my sparring matches with Logan, which had been a few weeks at this point. When I entered, my eyes immediately scanned the crowd of wolves that had begun to form around the arena for any sign of him. I found him standing to the side of one of the weapons displays, his arms folded and his face stony as he watched the crowd as well. I couldn’t see any signs of punishment, but then the situation had happened long enough ago that I felt any injuries would have been healed by now. I watched him only a moment longer before giving up hope that he would ever look in my direction again.
Instead, I scanned the crowd further to find Diana, who waved excitedly. I tried to walk towards her, but Caleb halted me, holding me next to him instead. I glared at him, but he only bumped my arm with his elbow teasingly. My eyes caught several other wolves I had begun to get to know over time, smiles greeting me and eventually I found Cate, whose eyes were already on me solidly. I blinked in surprise, but then lifted my hand in a quiet greeting. Cate nodded, but didn’t look away, as though there were something she wanted to say but couldn’t.
The arena was cleared in the center, much how it had been when I had to complete the challenge against Roman when I’d first arrived here. Weapons were displayed in random carts on the edge of the arena and my eyes automatically noted bows and blades by habit.
The crowd parted and he was there, walking into the center of the arena. I hadn’t seen Roman in nearly three months, but it wasn’t as though I had truly forgotten his appearance. However, seeing him now, it was as though I were seeing him for the first time in years. A beast seemed to stretch out under my flesh at the sight of him, delight thrilling through me mindlessly. I pushed the urge to approach him, as my beast knew he was my mate and that made him mine, but I wasn’t a beast. Instead, I only held my breath, watching his commanding form take center stage among his pack.
“I’m glad to see you all well,” Roman finally greeted his pack, his voice thunderous and alluring. I tightened my hand into fists anxiously. “I’ve visited our brother packs and it is as we expected. The Mother’s blessing has come back for all wolves.”
There was a rustle of hushed voices, exclamations, surprise, and excitement at the announcement, but Roman lifted his hand and they were quieted.
“This doesn’t change our new laws or our pending fate. The Maiden’s blessing has still been refused. We will proceed as we planned,” Roman continued, an anger slipping into his tone at the statement. My attention amplified at his statement about a plan, curious as to what exactly he meant by it, but this would be forgotten soon because Roman then cleared his throat and continued. “To show my devotion to our laws, I have agreed to terms with our brother packs… in regards to our Queen Luna.”
The arena was dead silent at this point, no shuffles of confusion or curiosity, just pure attention. I watched as an unfamiliar figure stepped into the arena, approaching Roman with confidence in each powerful stride. The woman stopped next to Roman, looking around to peer at the pack around her carefully. She was older than me, though I couldn’t be sure just how much older. She was taller as well, her limbs holding clear power in them. Her hair was a strawberry blonde in braids that fell on her shoulders softly. And her sharp blue eyes were staring into the eyes of each wolf with superiority. They said, I am Queen.
“I have judge several she-wolfs based on ability, skill, qualifications, and power. I have accepted Lillian as my Queen Luna,” Roman announced firmly. My world warped around me at the statement, watching as this woman reached for Roman’s arm, touching it to suggest familiarity. “My hope is that you all will accept her as well, but if not… well, that’s why we’re here.”