My Savior, My Keeper

Jupiter Ellis found herself naked and alone. Not literally alone:The eyes of her entire pack were on her-wolves she grew up with, studied with, loved. She stood with her back to them, holding her head high and tilted so they could not see the tears streaming down her painted cheeks. She was, unfortunately, quite literally naked. In all her bargaining and demands she hadn't been able to convince them to let her wear a gown. There had much discussion and interpretation on whether ritual sacrifice has a place in the 21st century. After months of debate, the town's best theological scholars decided to follow the legend to the letter. A virgin, a woman as beautiful and pure as the Goddess herself, must willingly give herself to the Alpha as the Earth's shadow covered the moon. Her sacrifice would earn the grace of the heavens themselves for the next 100 years, till some other poor sucker did it all over again. Of course, they wouldn't pick anyone actually important. Which made Jupiter the perfect choice. Jupiter believed in the Moon Goddess, loved her -even now. She just didn't see how her untimely end at the age of 19 would do much for anyone. Except, of course, those she loved most. How did it come to this? she asked herself, not for the first time in these last few weeks, daring a glance over her shoulder. The old her would have found satisfaction knowing she made an ethereal sight. Paint made of pure silver that adorned her skin served two purposes this awful night. She practically glowed in the light of the soon to be hidden moon, and her wolf hid deep within, dormant. Aurora had been a constant voice in her mind her whole life- now she could barely hear the she-wolf whimper. Of course the priests who painted her minutes before had worn full gas masks to do so. The sight of modern PPE before the ancient alter sent Jupiter into a fit of hysteric giggles that the crowd seemed to make the crowd more uncomfortable than her tears had. There was no consideration for her long term health. There was no "long term" left for her. Once she had been painted head to toe she was left alone on the old stone stage. It was an unassuming place. To outsiders it looked like any other stone outcropping on the mountain that towered over their home. But legend said this is where her pack's first alpha came to power under the blessing of the Moon Goddess herself. This was meant to be an honor. Jupiter's feet were going numb, not just from being barefoot on the cold stone earth. Finally, her eyes found what she was looking for. Her two little sisters stood bravely in the back. The three of them were orphans, and this was the best way she could care for them. Volunteering to have your blood spilled in the name of the Moon to gain her grace for your pack for the next hundred years had it's perks - Jennifer and Liliana would live in comfort for the rest of their days. The contract Juniper had signed promised them a house, money for college, and even a whole new wardrobe. Their stomachs would be full and they could be happy. Maybe one day they would even forgive her. Jenny stood fearless as ever as Lily shook in her arms. She looked both in the eyes in turn, using all her strength to not start crying again as she did. She hoped they knew she loved them. After what felt like forever the priests returned, surrounding the Alpha as he approached the stone slab. Strangely, her heart swelled with relief. This would all be over soon. The group bowed as the man left their ranks, not even turning to address his pack. Any other day Jupiter would contemplate this. She had never met Alpha Calhoun, not even during the last few week's preparations, but he was a fair and caring leader. The imposing man stomped his way closer to her, and she found herself wondering how he would do it. Would he shift and tear out her throat? Would he use a gorgeous ceremonial knife? Would he simply push her off the cliffside without a word? Probably not that one, she knew her blood had to be spilled on the stone. Would he- Her morbid curiosity was interrupted as Calhoun closed the distance. His huge hand reached to her face, and rather than flinching Jupiter noted with interest that he did not wear gloves or a mask in the presence of her poisonous, beautiful coating. She almost laughed again. Over analytical to the end. The Alpha's fingers felt gentle on her skin. There was a strange, pained look on his face. Maybe he would make it quick. Maybe he was as kind as they said. She closed her eyes, ready for what came next. "Mine." Okay, she wasn't ready for that. Neither was the crowd. Although he had whispered his claim, every last shifter had heard. She peeked one eye open and felt an overwhelming rush- of panic. Aurora was silent as she took in the situation. Her silver addled brain tried to make sense of what was surely a cruel joke. "Mate," he reiterated, much louder this time, locking eyes with her. This was bad. What was he doing? Granted, there wasn't a script, but she was pretty sure he should be addressing the crowd, or the goddess, or saying literally anything else. It was too much. The world got... fuzzy, and Jupiter took one last look at the sky as her body crumpled into Calhoun. Above, the golden moon began to disappear. The eclipse had begun. The weight of Alpha Calhoun's claim hung in the air, and the crowd's murmurs echoed through the mountainous landscape. She couldn't comprehend the sudden shift in the script. This was not how the legend was supposed to unfold. The Alpha's grip tightened, his thumb gently wiping away a tear on her cheek. His gaze remained fixed on her, an intensity that pierced through the chaotic thoughts in her mind. The realization struck her - he wasn't here to carry out the ritual sacrifice. He was claiming her as his mate.All the while, her wild half stayed quiet. Aurora was not there to return the call. The crowd erupted into disarray. Whispers of astonishment and confusion spread like wildfire. The priests exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of how to proceed. Jupiter's sisters, Jenny and Lily, stood frozen in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief. Jupiter's heart raced as she tried to make sense of the unexpected turn of events. The contractual obligations, the preparations, all leading to a mate claim instead of the anticipated sacrifice. The implications were vast, and the weight of her responsibility shifted in an instant. She wasn't just a sacrificial lamb; she was now bound to the Alpha, entangled in a destiny she hadn't prepared for. As the eclipse unfolded above, casting an ethereal glow on the scene, Alpha Calhoun lifted Jupiter from the stone. His movements were deliberate, carrying a mix of authority and tenderness. The tension in the air lingered as the pack watched, uncertain of the ramifications of this unforeseen twist. Jupiter's mind raced with questions, her senses overwhelmed by the abrupt shift in fate. She stole a glance at her sisters, their eyes mirroring the disbelief that clouded her own. The moon, a silent witness to the unfolding drama, continued its celestial dance, indifferent to the turmoil below. The Alpha's deep voice cut through the chaos, addressing the bewildered pack. "The goddess has chosen. Our fate is rewritten this night." His proclamation hung in the air, leaving the pack in suspense.