The Forbidden Luna

SOLANA I ran through the forest. I had been so careful, avoiding the larger packs and sticking to the wilderness, my scant belongings kept in a battered backpack. Rogues had picked up my scent and a lone female was asking for trouble this far from civilisation. My 18th birthday was coming up, I had roughly a month to go. I can't remember the exact day of my birthday- to be completely honest with you I can't remember much of the time before. Before being alone, before moving daily, never stopping in one place for long. Before the fire, and the fighting, and the screaming wolves. Hunters had taken out my pack. I had escaped with nana, Goddess rest her soul, before the hunters had descended. We were just meant to hide out for the night, go back the next morning, everything was going to be fine. More hunters arrived than expected and had completely dismantled the pack. I was too young to remember my parents, nana never really speaking much about the past, there wasn't much point. We had lived off the grid for ten years, but then nana passed away when I was 14 years old and I have been on her own ever since. I spot a cave behind the stream ahead, in the rocky hillside. I was standing downwind of it, there was nothing in that cave, there hadn't been for months. I slowly pick my way across the stream, the wind abruptly changing direction as I wad across. Good. My scent would be lost to those following me. I would be safe tonight. Deep inside the cave I pick through my backpack, going over my minimal inventory. Picture of parents- check. Picture of grandma- check. I can't help the stray tear that rolls down my cheek. These two pictures and the necklace around my neck were the only remaining items from my Pack, my life. Both of my water bottles were empty, so I stick my head out of the cave and sniff. The stream is downwind from me- perfect. I grab the small bar of soap from my bag and my tattered towel and made my way down to the river. The moon was high above me, shining bright, the sky cloudless. The full moon was 6 days away and the stars were sparkling in the midnight sky. I strip out of my clothes and look at my reflection in the water. Fiery red hair tumbled down my back in rough curls, my golden amber eyes reflecting back up to me in the water. Freckles cover my golden tan skin. I got my skin and hair from her mum, but neither my parents or my nana had the same colour eyes I have. I tie my hair up in a bun and wade into the water, using my small bar of soap to clean myself. Once clean, I make my way to the grassy bank and lie down, looking up at the moon high above me in the sky. Why me? I ask the Moon Goddess silently. Why were my pack ripped from me? Why were my parents killed? Why was I left alone? Tears falling freely, I sit up, hunched over my knees. I knew I wouldn't get answers, I never do. I play with my necklace, calming my breathing, the familiar shape calming me far more rapidly than anything else could. A few more weeks, I think to myself. A few more weeks 'til I get my wolf. I continue to sit down, musing over what she will look like, what her name will be. Once I get my wolf, I won't be alone anymore. I'll never find my mate. Wolves without a pack hardly ever find their mate, the chances of bumping into them out in the wilderness is far too low. Once I have my wolf, however, I will be able to hunt far better than I can currently. I would be able to keep myself warm, heal quickly, travel further, defend myself. Once I have my wolf, everything will be fine.