The Curse of the Human Wolf

The Full Moon Festival

Luna Doria POV:

We've been travelling a full day to arrive at my home pack. The New Moon pack is waiting for us but the reason for our visit is hidden for everyone's safety. All they know is that the Alpha's sister is coming to visit since her and her husband don't have children of their own, they felt like being surrounded by family for this festival. As we arrive, my husband squeezes my hand to get me out of my thoughts. He smiles at me the same smile from 20 years ago and I melt. I give him a kiss on his lips that ends up lingering. The door opens for us and my husband gets up and escorts me out the car, my arm is wrapped in his and we head up to the New Moon's pack house, the red carpeted stairs is scattered with white rose petals, Livie really went all out. I smile and look at my mate. "Your sister in law went all out to see you," he teases over mindlink. I laugh and playfully smack his arm as we enter through the big wooden doors. "Alpha Micheal and Luna Doria of The Full Moon Pack," announces an omega at the door. We nod and greet him as he bows to us. We enter into a beautiful ball room of dancing guests to pop songs reimagined as classics.

My mate and I walk towards my brother and sister-in-law. "Arnold and Livie," I greet them both before affectionately embracing them, "it's been too long." "I'm glad you think so," bites back Livie in a playful way, "when are you inviting us to your ball?" Her irish accent strong as ever. "We will be throwing one soon," I smile at my husband and he smiles back and grips my waist tighter. "Excuse me," I say as I excuse myself. Everyone looks the same, Livie with her red hair and green eyes and freckles dancing all over her face. My brother with his chocolate skin and hair graying at the sides. I walk towards the lavatories and turn towards the garden entrance. I need to speak to Zenophine and it's better it happens without anyone knowing. I walk casually in the garden as if I've been looking at the roses blooming. "The roses look fine this time of year," comes the famous Jamaican voice I know, "not too fine or the rain will come and wash them away," I turn to see Zenophine behind me in a gown and night cap, "did you get out of bed for me Aunt Zenophine?" I teased her as I reached for her hand, she squeezed my hand and chuckled, "why would I miss seeing my beautiful niece!" I laugh at her teasings, after 20 years, Aunt Zenophine is the exact same person. She stops in her steps and takes out a cigarette and guides me to sit down on the garden bench, "smoking is bad for you Aunt Zenophine!" I scold her playfully and she takes out a cigarette for me, she lights hers and I light mine and we sit there puffing away like when I was 17 and a rebel against my parents. "I know why you're here," she says between her smoke, "and why is that?" I challenge her, "you have opened your wedding gift from your father," she sighs ashing on the gravel ground, "it was a very insightful gift," I smile. "tsk tsk," she crosses her one leg over the other, "we chose you Ria, we knew you would be able to protect her." The playfulness was gone from my face, "how did you know?" I ask, "tsk tsk," she again ashes on the gravel, "You know I know everything, always have, since I was a little girl," she pulls in more smoke from her cigarette. I'm speechless. "Now don't let your jaw hang like that," she scolds me, "I'm sorry," I mumble. Zenophine makes me feel 17 again. "I will come back to your pack with you tomorrow morning," Zenophine says as she finishes her cigarette and puts her hand on my knee.

Liam POV:

I heard the howl first and ran to mother and father. "Father," I called knocking on his office door, "come in." I enter and close the door behind me as I walk over to the comfortable leather seat for guests and sit down. "Did you hear it too son?" He asks, with curiousity in his brown eyes, "yes father, should I alert the guards?" I'm worried. The howl was loud and fierce and I've never heard anything like it before. "No, it is against the law to attack on an auspicious night," he says getting up to pour himself a glass of whiskey. I guess that makes sense. "Should I find Amelia and Mother?" I ask, he looks annoyed, "Son how are you supposed to become Alpha when you're trailing after your mother and sister's skirts for approval?" His words catch me off guard, "I-I-I-" I stutter and before I can get my words out, he cuts me off. "Tsk! Your sister would make a better alpha and she's not even my biological child." He lifts his glass casually to take a sip as if he didn't insult my birth and very existence. "You're dismissed." I get up shocked and numbly walk out of his office. I feel the tears sting my eyes but I know better than to cry or talk to anyone about it. I walk out to enjoy the party as girls giggle and point my way, I feel low and hurt by my father's words and I'll make sure to prove to him that I'm worthy of being Alpha!