The Moonstone Wolf

CHAPTER 3- What a Birthday, Part 1

ALORA

   “Alora!  Wake up honey,” my mom whispered over my head, gently shaking me awake.  Or at least trying to.  “It’s someone’s birthday!”

   “Ugh!  One more hour and I promise I’ll get up, and my birthday is tomorrow!”, I mumbled and groaned, still exhausted from my late night last night.

   “I know it is but you know we always celebrate for three days, and nope!  Sleeping is not going to happen, my birthday baby!  Besides, Morgana’s here with your presents,” my mom laughed.  She sounded like she was putzing around the room, straightening things up.

   “That is, unless you don’t want my birthday gifts.  I mean I can always use what I got you, so...”

   “Nope, NOPE!  I’m up!”, I quickly responded and accidentally rolled myself off the cot and fell the few inches to the floor, making a small thud.  “See?  Even the universe is protesting that it’s too early!”

   “Well I thought we could go swimming by the waterfall today.  What do you think?”, my mom asked, a big smile on her face.  This was surprising for her, as she usually doesn’t like to go near water for whatever reason.  

   “Um, sure?  I thought you didn’t like that place.  But hey, if you want to go, I’m not going to say no!” I replied with a high pitch squeal at the end in my excitement.  We quickly gathered everything we needed and headed out.

   We made it there in about twenty minutes of walking, making sure we weren’t followed.  We wolves don’t wear swimsuits as we’re naturally used to being naked, but I didn’t want any of the guys following us.  The chances of this were almost zero because of the hunt going on, but I wanted to be safe.  It seemed to be in the clear so we headed in, and spent a few hours swimming and sunning on the rocks, and I opened my presents from Morgana.

   She was a witch friend of my moms that she met a day after she ran away from her pack because of what my dad did to her.  Apparently she was in rough shape and Justin had called on her to help my mom heal, and they had become close as sisters ever since.  Once I was born, she became my god-mother, helping me with learning subjects like the human kids do in school, taking me to the cities she has her herbal and witchcraft shops in, and basically doing “auntie” type things.  I really had no idea how old she really was because one, she never told any of us, and two, she used anti-aging spells, potions and elixirs to mask her age.  But her light mocha skin and blonde, frizzy, soft hair gave her an aura of youth naturally.  Her eyes were the most unique feature, being almost a golden-yellow that seemed to glow all the time, but especially when she cast her spells.  That and her sense of style- always wearing the trendiest fashions when out and about on her thin frame, but when she was in our group is was always linen and cotton dresses that were flowy, making her look like the classic storybook idea of a good ‘witch’.

   Just as we were wrapping up, I heard everyone arrive back home so we hurried to go see what all the howling was about.  As mom and I got to the group after dressing, a few people moved out of the way so we could see what happened.  My eyes widened and I’m sure my face paled because I felt a little light-headed after what I saw.

   There was Justin, laying next to a rogue, both of them dead.  My eyes locked with Tristan’s and a frown appeared on his lips and at that moment I knew: we were screwed.  I grabbed mom’s hand and twirled around, running back to our house to figure out what we were going to do.

   I almost jumped through the roof when I felt Morgana’s hand touch my shoulder.  Thank God she stayed behind!  She heard everything so she understood all too well the reasons for my fear.

   I turned to her with tears threatening to spill over my eyes.  The more I thought about our now rapidly declining situation, the faster I was spiraling out of control.  “What are we going to do Morgana?  We can’t stay here.  We’re not safe!” I cried desperately.

   “Maybe this is a good thing, Alora.  Maybe Tristan will protect you like Justin did?  He seems to like you and wants to be there for you in the same ways,” Morgana tried to reason with me, but I wasn’t accepting it.  

   In the pit of my stomach there was a fear that was growing, and my wolf was pacing and panting hard. 'Something’s not right. This all feels... evil.  So evil.  We need to escape, now!'  feeling the urgency of what my wolf was trying to tell me.  Everyone’s relationship with their wolf is different, but with us she’s just sort of there and has been since I was twelve which is apparently really early.  I don’t have a name for her like others do theirs, but she’s never told me she wanted to be called one.  We just have inner conversations.  So when she tells me something like this?  I listen.

   “Morgana, hide now!” I whisper when I heard someone approaching.  Her eyes flew open wide and then she snapped her fingers, making herself disappear.  I need a trick like that!

   “Alora?  Esmane?  You guys here?” A gruff and not too familiar voice called out to us.  We didn’t answer until Jason, one of Tristan’s minions, appeared in the doorway, completely filling it with his massive frame.  I tried to make my eyes not be fearful, and quickly dried my cheeks.  

   “Yeah, we’re here.  Who’s asking?” I answered like normal- I had to sound normal.

   “Tristan wants you to come to the celebration tonight.  We’re going to honor Justin, and celebrate him taking over” .

   “Oh!  He’s taking over then?” I asked as Jason nods his head.  Great.

   Jason paused and looked over my face, like he was struggling whether to tell me something or not.  Finally, he sighed.  “Alora, just please just trust me when I tell you this.  You do NOT want to piss Tristan off.  Just do as he asks, don’t give him any attitude, and you’ll be safe, okay?  Whatever you do, do NOT provoke him, you understand?  He said he’ll see you tonight.”

   I gulped silently and nodded my head.  “Sure, tell him I’ll be there.”

**A few hours later**

ALORA

   “Hey Morgana? Could you help me get ready?” I asked the much more fashionable one out of all three of us, as I stood helplessly in front of the small mirror in the house frustrated.

   “Sure! You know you’ll be the most beautiful woman there, and the envy of all the men, right?” she joked, standing there and squinting, more than likely planning my look.

   “Ugh! I don’t want that kind of attention!”, I whine, rolling my eyes as she wiggled her fingers and did my hair in tighter curls, making it slightly shorter, then putting in some teal highlights with her magic.  Next, she placed her thumb on the inner part of my closed eyelid and swooped across, giving me a smokey eye look complete with mascara.  She did the same with my lips, making sure they were the perfect shade of red for my skin tone, and pinched my cheeks for natural color.

   “There!  Part one is finished, now for part two!” She exclaimed as I groaned.  Sometimes I hated being a girl.

   She rummaged through the pile I threw my gifts into as we rushed by the house earlier and took out the dress she brought me.

   “Nope!  No dresses!  Even if it is black!”, I spat as I crossed my arms defiantly.  There was no reason I was giving any guy easier access down there.

   “Relax!  It’s a long dress so you can wear your short shorts underneath Ali.  Why do you think I got you one with a long skirt?”, she smirked and I huffed in annoyance.  Of course she would think of that. 

   “Fine!  As long as I can wear my combat boots.”

   “You’re going to a celebration in the center of the village and dancing and eating.  Not going on a hunting mission in the woods.  I think bare feet would be more than fine,” my mom joined in with her best friend’s plan.  I just rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders in agreement.

   I remained quiet the rest of the time until Morgana finished.  Suddenly growing serious, she turned to me and gave me a warning.

   “I want you to be careful around Tristan. I don’t trust him completely- I think something is up with him, but I hope I’m wrong.”    She took my hands in hers and made direct eye contact with her before continuing her warning. 

   “Do not be alone with him.  I know I was in favor of him earlier, but I can tell you and you’re wolf are uncomfortable, and you’ve always had good instincts. If you have a bad feeling or he does anything that you don’t like, then get away from him any way you can. I am staying here tonight so I can protect you as much possible.”

   I was trying not to be more nervous as the celebration got closer, but her warning wasn’t helping the situation.

   “Oh, look at my beautiful angel! How breathtaking you look!”, mom gushed over me as she came in from outside. “Now Alora, I have a gift for you. An early present, if you will, that is perfect for you,” she exclaimed. 

   She took out an amethyst crystal with rose gold wire wrapped intricately around it. It was on a thin, rose gold chain that was just long enough to place the stone perfectly over my heart.

   “Oh mom, it’s beautiful! Thank you!” I said with a huge smile, putting it on immediately.  

   “This was given to me by my mother when I was 18. It’s an amethyst stone, enchanted with a protection spell from dark magic. Keep it over your heart, do not take it off,” she sighed, her eyes turning glossy as she smiled.   “I love you Alora, more than anything in this world. I will always do anything within my power to keep you safe and whole. Do you understand me?”, she asked as she put her hands on my shoulders and looked me right in the eyes.

   I hugged her with everything in my being, thanking the Goddess for my mom and everything we’ve been through.  “I love you too mom.  And thank you, for being such an incredible mom.  I am who I am because of you.” 

   Just then we saw the light of the fire outside roar to life, and Tristan came to stand in the doorway of our house. I saw how his eyes swept over me, making me feel a little uncomfortable at the smirk he gave me.

   “Alora,” he said with a husky voice. “Wow- you look absolutely stunning,” and he held out his hand for me to take it.  I smiled at him shyly, trying to hide my nervous hands. 

   “Esmane, Morgana, won’t you join us?”, Tristan asked.

   “I’m actually leaving, but thank you Tristan. I know you don’t approve of me being friends with Alora and her mom, so I’ll just go home. But thank you for the invitation,” Morgana replied with a smirk. I knew full well she wasn’t going anywhere.

   “Why, of course I would!”, my mom gushed and I had to wonder why is she acting more weird than normal.

ESMANE

   I went and stood by the fire for a bit, in a perfect position to keep an eye on my daughter. There was music playing loudly from a radio, wolves laughing and dancing before the flames, so I joined in the fun. Gotta fit in, right?  Act like the mentally unstable mom I’ve portrayed for 17 years?  Ha!  If only they knew!

   Just then Tristan stands on one of the logs around the fire where people usually sit and raises his glass to the everyone. When it quieted down, he began to make his speech.

   “Tonight, it is with a heavy heart that we lay to rest the memory of Justin, former alpha of the Pearl Moon pack, and our leader. While he was without his title, he chose to create something special here with us. He did not consider any of us here alone, but simply lost, trying to find a better life. For this we will forever be grateful,” and he raised a glass, everyone following his lead.  After we drank a sip, he continued.

   “Tomorrow,” he paused for dramatic effect.   “Tomorrow, we will begin a new pack, a new way of doing things, and we will not stop until we are the most powerful pack in North America!  No more scrounging, hunting, begging and fighting for what should be ours!  No more cold showers, dark nights because the electricity goes out, no more indoor fires for heat when it’s cold!  Imagine having a kitchen and bathroom that actually works!  We will be known as the Black Shadow Pack! ” He ended with a thunderous howl, followed by every pack member, and then the drinking and dancing and celebrating really began.

   He got down off the log and grabbed Alora by her waist, spinning her around and dancing while she laughed.

   Suddenly Tristan turned his stare to me with red eyes and an evil grin, someone stepping in front of them to block my view.  When it cleared, they disappeared. My heart jumped in my chest- what the hell was that?!

   I looked at the moon in the sky and I realized that it was almost midnight. s**t!  She’ll be eighteen soon! I had to run back to the cabin and gather everything, and then get Morgana ready. It was almost time for the spell and if Alora was with him when it happened, she’d be almost powerless against him. I had to find her and FAST.

   I sprinted to the hut where Morgana was waiting. She had everything already prepared- none of us were coming back here afterward.

   She put the ingredients in the ceremonial bowl, and we stood inside the drawn circle holding hands and concentrated. When it was almost midnight, we began chanting the incantation. 

   With every repeat of the words it grew more intense and the ingredients in the bowl ignited in flames. The smoke that arose from it began to swirl and dance through the air and out of the hut. 

   We then focused all our intent and love toward Alora, wanting her safe, willing the spell to find her. Then suddenly, it all stopped and the flame went out. We felt relief and peace, but it was far from over. 

   Morgana cleaned up the mess while I went in search of someone who would know where Tristan had taken my daughter.

   “JASON!’ I screamed, startling him. I grabbed him by his shirt collar, my eyes blazing with anger. 

   “You tell me where she is RIGHT NOW!”, I demanded.  I must have given him the shock of a lifetime because the big lug just looked at me with fearful eyes. Apparently I wasn’t intimidating enough so I grabbed him by his neck to bring him directly face to face with me- all 5’6” of my petite, pissed off little frame.

   “TELL ME RIGHT NOW OR SO HELP ME GODDESS I WILL END YOU! WHERE IS SHE?!?!”