Beauty and the Beasts

The Ritual

Alpha Zane Atlantis watched the pack from below, his long finger slowly grazing his chin. Here was the pack he had fought all his life for, and for some time, he just couldn't grow used to the peace. He had gotten so accustomed to war, the peace and gaiety seemed almost boring.

For the serenity and the good of his pack, however, he knew not to go out there to cause trouble. With a small sigh, he drew back from the large balcony, then swiftly removed the unbuttoned coat he had been wearing.

He mostly wore that. Black unbuttoned coats that gave a tantalizing view of his toned abs, and his beautiful broad chest, and the beginnings of a manly waist.

Now, he was just completely shirtless, his dark blonde hair falling to the tips of his shoulders. He pulled it up to a bun, and closed his eyes for a few seconds.

"Brother," a voice came, and he turned to the new comer.

His Beta and younger brother, Kane Atlantis was standing by the door, his hands clasped respectfully in front of him. Even though he didn't have to go calling him in respectful terms the other ordinary wolves needed to call him with, he still did his part to respect the hierarchy set before them.

"Kane," Zane said, his voice low. Baritone male, deep and heavily British accented voice, a voice that was the vocalization of smooth silk.

"Yes, brother. I have news."

"Speak." Zane said, then threw his cloak back on.

"Well, tonight is a full moon."

"Much like any other?" Zane asked, turning fully to Kane. His blood red eyes thinned a little.

"No, brother. Your wolf will be taken tonight." Kane said, his voice small, as if he hated to break it to Zane.

Zane sighed, feeling his head suddenly start to ache. "So it is tonight. Damn it."

Kane gave a small smile. "Well, at least, I will have a sister in law."

Zane resisted a small laugh. "Do I not have enough spoils of war yet?"

"Women you don't even look at, brother. I know you await your mate too. It is finally here."

Zane laughed and nodded. "I know. But the suspense kills me. Will she be a warrior like I? I have always dreamed of a mate who will conquer with me."

Kane said nothing for a while, and Zane scoffed.

"I know. She is human. That is my curse."

"Humans have an allure to them, don't you think?"

Zane shook his head. "I do not share your thoughts, Kane. I will get ready for tonight, and then leave once the sun rises tomorrow. Prepare everything."

"Yes, brother." Kane said, and then came forward to Zane's normally affectionate half hug. Zane hugged him, then patted his back a little, before finally releasing him.

He turned away, then left the room.

Zane gave a small sigh and swallowed, his eyes trained to his feet. Only a human can bring forth his wolf after it leaves him tonight. And he needs her as a human.

The night suddenly grew close, and the moon stood, shielded away behind the clouds like a shy maiden. Zane stood tall in the ring of fire, his usual coat around him, his hair left to dance with the wind. His blood red eyes watched the moon as the priestess went around the circle, sprinkling something and chanting incantations.

"Are you ready, alpha?"

Zane nodded, then moved his eyes away from the moon. The priestess nodded, then pushed her staff into the ground, so it stood firm. She then brought a knife, then extended her hand to Zane, while she stood outside the ring of fire. He gave her his palm, and she quickly slit it open, just as the moon popped behind the cloud, as if to bless the occasion.

The place became awash with light, and the priestess chanted hard, Zane's blood flowing down to the fire.

He suddenly fell on his knees as his legs twisted, his body shaking like he was about to shift as his wolf struggled to break free, while his human attempted to keep it inside.

He let out a blood curling scream, and his eyes turned a gradual grey. The image of a black wolf started to form in front of him as he looked down, his breaths short, his body trembling.

Once the image of the wolf formed completely, Alpha Zane's eyes suddenly closed, and he fell to the floor.

Kane came forward, but the priestess raised her hand to stop him. The ritual wasn't complete yet.

She closed her eyes and continued with her chants, the fire growing bigger and bigger. Suddenly, the wolf turned away from Zane's unconscious body, and it bounded off at top speed.

The priestess finally let her hands down, and the fire died slowly too. She opened her eyes, now blank and without the colored part.

Kane watched, his eyes thin. The priestess closed her eyes again, and took in a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, she was back to normal.

Kane came forward again, and this time she nodded. He jumped over the fire that was now burning low, then with a swift motion pulled Zane unto his back, and made his way to the Northern star's grand palace, where Zane lived.

It was a brooding dark tower in the darkest corner of the pack, and it was isolated from the remaining part of the pack.

That was how alpha Zane was. He wasn't the type of alpha who welcomed just anyone, and even though the pack knew they were safe under his rule, they knew not to mess with him.

Kane settled him into the round bed, then tucked him in. His hair sprawled around the pillows, and Kane took in a deep sigh.

He watched him for a few more minutes, then walked away, closing the door behind him.