Red Moon

2 : Harry.

_ Harry, 18 years old._

"Don't worry, Harry. Everything will be fine."

"You have Alpha blood in you. No one else is more qualified than you."

"Did you see his wolf?"

"Praise the Moon Goddess. Your father has left the pack an heir!

"Too bad your parents will never get to see your Alpha ceremony, Harry. They would be so proud."

"He looks much older than his eighteen years. It will be easier to establish his authority over the pack."

"The Red Moon is counting on you, Harry.

"He's a little young, though, isn't he? Do you think he'll be okay?

"His wolf is a real war machine, and they say he's already mastered it to perfection.

"He's chosen a Beta already, you think?"

"The rumors are that he chose Connor."

"Connor? Yes, that would be a good choice. He'll make a first choice second in command."

"Do we know how his parents...?"

"A rogue killed his father. A treacherous attack. His mother's heart could not bear the pain of her mate perishing."

"Moon Goddess, may she have mercy on them."

"Isn't he too young?"

Silence fell at once.

Footsteps echoed through the great hall of the Red Moon pack house.

All the wolves present bowed their heads to the aura of the Mad One. His mere name inspired fear; his presence, absolute respect.

Magnus Black, the Alpha with the colossal black wolf, had been named the Mad One because of his murderous rages.

He lived a reclusive life, jealously guarding the extent of his pack's territory. His appearances were so rare that some thought he was nothing more than a tale the wolves told each other on full moon nights.

Harry had to lift his head slightly to get a better look at him. He was shocked to see such a tall person standing before him. Alphas were known to be taller, but the Mad One towered over them all.

Black, dressed entirely in black in an elegant suit, moved in front of Harry. He had made an effort to shave to pay his respects. His jet-black hair was cut short, and the top had been combed back, but a lock fell elegantly over his forehead, accentuating his forest-green eyes.

The young man with brush-cut red hair and emerald green eyes bowed his head in respect. Harry couldn't deny it. The Mad One was a completely different alpha than the others, and his power was so overwhelming that Harry struggled to breathe.

Sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead, and his wolf was shaking and keeping his head down for fear of angering the black wolf.

"Your name," the Mad One said.

Harry gasped and cleared his throat before reaching forward with one hand.

"Harry, Alpha Black."

Black merely looked at Harry's open hand, placed in front of him, then turned on his heels to take a seat in one of the chairs reserved for Alphas. As soon as he sat down, a crowd rushed to greet him.

Harry clenched his fingers together, red with shame at being so blatantly ignored in front of everyone.

"Don't take it the wrong way, Alpha Harry," said a warm voice.

Harry looked up at a man who was older than him and, more importantly, as tall as him. The stranger was a dark-haired man with brush-cut hair and chocolate eyes that sparkled with kindness. He extended his hand in greeting, and Harry was almost relieved to meet a friendlier person after his brief exchange with the Mad One.

"I'm Beta Duncan," he chirped.

Harry's eyes widened at this, and then a genuine smile played across his lips.

"Alpha Black's second-in-command," the young wolf said, looking at Duncan with admiration.

"Himself. Like I said, no offense. My Alpha isn't the talkative type, and I'm surprised he even bothered to come and greet you. You should feel flattered," Duncan explained warmly before turning his head toward his Alpha. "Besides, if you watch closely, you'll see that he won't bother to exchange words with the others.

Harry merely looked at the palm of his hand, not understanding why the Mad One had refused to shake it.

Duncan noticed his gesture, leaned forward, and whispered, "Don't take it the wrong way. Alpha Black makes a point of not touching anyone. Not many people can handle his physical contact because of his wolf. I can even say with certainty that your wolf would have hated his touching you. Duncan tensed suddenly, then laughed awkwardly. "Ah. I've said too much. If I may, Alpha Harry," he said, holding out a white envelope with a black wax seal. "My Alpha is calling me. See you later."

Harry merely nodded as he slipped the envelope into his pants pocket.

Once the funeral ceremony was over, Harry went to his father's office. He sighed deeply.

Everything here reminded him of his parents. He subconsciously expected the door to open suddenly, letting the heavy tread of his father's boots echo through the room, followed by his mother's joyful laughter.

Harry shook his head and sat in the big Red Moon Alpha chair. He let his neck sink into the dark red leather and took deep breaths as his lungs filled with the still-present smell of his father. In his mind's eye, he could hear his wolf mourning their parents' loss. Harry didn't let his pain show, so his animal side cried for them both.

They would have to be strong now.

They would have to be worthy of the Alpha position they had so tragically inherited.

Alone.

Harry shook his head, remembering the letter the Mad One's Beta had given him. Then he pulled it from his pocket and hurried to open it.

_Tomorrow night.

11.

Crossroad Café.

Alpha Black._

Harry smiled amusedly at first. Even in writing, the Mad One was a man of few words. Then he frowned. Why did he want to meet him?

The next day, without saying a word to anyone, Harry went to the meeting place in his wolf form. He stopped many times, still recognizing the scent his parents had left so no one would get lost along the way. He wanted to howl at the moon to let his sorrow explode. But he held back, ensuring no one would suspect that he was missing from his pack.

How many times had he been to the Crossroad Café with his parents? This place, so full of treats and laughers in his childhood, seemed to him today to be loaded with the most precious memories of his life.

But tonight, this place of rest would take on its primary role: where all creatures can gather to discuss around a table without being threatened.

The Crossroad Café stood before him, simply lit by a few rays of moonlight. It was an impressive three-story wooden cottage with pristine white walls. On the other hand, the vast windows were dressed with engravings of wolves, stars, ivy, and moons. On a large panel, a black wolf howling at the moon stood under the name of the Café written in neon yellow.

Harry began to climb the three steps to the large terrace before the entrance to the Café. Then he stopped when he smelled tobacco on the side. He turned his head and relaxed as soon as he recognized the person sitting on a rocking chair.

"Crazy night, isn't it, Harry? Ah. Excuse my clumsiness. Alpha Harry," greeted the old man, who continued to rock quietly.

He wore an old cowboy hat while a long braid hung over his shoulder. He was dressed in simple jeans, a white shirt with colorful ethnic patterns, and brown leather boots. His skin was tanned from years of exposure to the sun, making it impossible to give him an exact age.

"Good evening, Old Al," Harry replied, smiling at him.

Once again, Harry felt reassured by the presence of the Wind Tribe leader, the founder of the Crossroad Café. He could rest assured that nothing would happen to him in front of the Mad One.

"You can come in," Old Al said, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"Has the Mad One arrived yet?" asked Harry nervously.

Old Al laughed softly and shook his head no. "Alpha Black isn't here yet, and I can guarantee you would have felt him if he was already inside."

Harry nodded at Old Al again, then headed inside.