Chapter 5 - The Seer

Lunaya.

“Lunaya, Alyse, how did you come to find Luna Eclipse?”.

Shit. I knew that she would eventually want these kinds of answers and that I wouldn’t be able to hide the truth for long. However the thought of confessing is still a dangerous and scary notion.

“I uh, I have been told stories of your pack since I was just a child, the great battles you have won and the victories over your many enemies, they are legend” I said with a hint of admiration behind my tone.

“Yes, our history is one of greatness. However, our pack drifted a long time ago into that of myth, believed by most of the world that we are a just fairy tale. So, how is it that you came to know of our location?” Hina asked, her tone now holding more authority.

“I was taught from a young age that your pack and your history is very much real”.

Hina slammed her fist on the table and growled, the sound echoing around the hall and drawing complete silence from everyone still present. Alyse gripped my thigh tightly, digging in her protruding claws.

“Stop dancing with me Omega and tell me what I want to know” Hina demanded, glaring over at me. Her mood no longer curious and inviting but now threatening and protective. I expected as much, eventually anyway. She would not have remained in charge for this long by being nice and friendly to anyone and everyone that crossed her borders. Especially as their existence is somewhat secret.

I gulped down the lump in my throat and blew out a slow breath.

“My mother knew of you, and her mother before her and so on. The women from my line have passed on the knowledge of your pack and whereabouts for generations” I confessed.

“And why is your line so concerned with Luna Eclipse?” she asked gruffly. Well it’s now or never, out with it I suppose.

“My heritage dates back to the beginning of your pack. It was my ancestor, Rhea, that conceived Luna Eclipse. She was the first female Alpha”.

Hina and the other women at the table stared at me wide eyed. The entire hall was deadly quiet, I could hear the beating hearts of everyone inside.

“You would do well not to lie to me right now” Hina hissed.

“On my honour, Alpha Hina, I would not lie to you” I assured her, placing my hand over my heart and bowing my head slightly.

Hina looked over my face for any signs of dishonesty. After a few long agonising minutes, she waved her hand and the woman that called us to the table earlier stepped forward. Hina whispered something into her ear and she then nodded and walked quickly out of the hall. My mind was racing a million miles an hour. If Hina sees the confession of my heritage as a challenge for her Alpha status, she may execute us here and now. Or she could seek to use me as a tool, if she knows any more about my family history. We sat in complete silence as her eyes bore into my face.

Finally and elderly woman was led into the hall by the same woman that left minutes ago. She brought her to the table and sat her down next to Hina. The woman has long white hair that sat flat down her shoulders. Her skin was ravaged by time and her face was coated in wrinkles. Her eyes are both white and she was looking off into nothing. I believe she’s blind. Hina leaned in close to her side and whispered into her ear. She was careful not to whisper too loudly, given I’m a Were and could probably hear her if I tried. After a minute Hina sat back up straight and returned her gaze to me, the elderly lady sat forward and put her hands on the table.

“Give me your hands child” she said with a soft yet crackly voice. I hesitated, looking at the woman and then to Hina. What is this? I pursed my lips and shook my head.

“This is our elder Pappi, she has been with our pack for over ninety years. She is also a seer and will confirm your story” Hina said with subtle frustration. A seer, shit. Will she see everything? If I refuse, I’m sure they will either kill us or cast us out. I don’t really have a choice here. Alyse squeezed my thigh again and I took a deep breath. I slowly placed my hands in Pappi’s and she gripped them tight. Her head tilted to the side and her breathing quickened.

“So much pain. You carry such guilt and sadness” she huffed,

“Ah, I see your lover, so handsome he is” a small smile played on her lips before she took a sharp breath and paused. Oh Goddess, please, please help me here. Her face turned down and her brows furrowed together.

“Pappi, is she telling the truth, can you see her lineage?” Hina asked her.

“Oh yes, I see her lineage” Pappi answered. My heart began to race and I took slow breaths to try and steady myself. Alyse rubbed her hand on my thigh to comfort me but it had little impact. If they discover the truth, they will surely kill me.

“Well, is she from Rhea?” Hina asked with more urgency.

Pappi released my hands and I snapped them away from her, pulling them into my chest. She took slow deep breaths and started to gently nod her head.

“She is” Pappi confirmed. Hina jumped to her feet and stared down at me.

“Have you come to reclaim the seat of your ancestor?” she hissed.

“No Alpha, I assure you, I have no intention of staking any claim to your position. We have come only for a new home, nothing more. You are the Alpha and I will not challenge that”.

Seeming satisfied with my declaration, Hina nodded her head.

“I will arrange for your trials to commence tomorrow” Hina announced, as she begun to walk for the door.

“That will not be necessary, child. This Were needs no initiation, she is destined to be here” Pappi called to Hina.

“It is tradition, Pappi. All she-wolves must go through the trials” Hina stepped back to the table and glared down at the elder.

“You are the Alpha, Hina, and if you wish to put her through the trials, then that is your prerogative. However, I request that you delay the commencement for one week”.

Hina growled lowly at Pappi’s request but I could see on her face she was going to accept. Pack elders are highly respected, and to have a seer is enormously rare. She knew better than to go against her.

“Very well. One week” she huffed and then marched out of the hut, with her warriors following behind her. I looked at Alyse and she was smiling at me excitedly. Was this it? Had we finally found a home? I allowed a glimmer of hope into my chest and a smile pricked at my lips. But Pappi’s words were still playing in my mind. Why am I destined to be here and why would she want to delay the trials?

“Uh Pappi” I stammered,

“You have questions, child” she answered me.

“Yes, I do”

“I know you do, but now is not the time for questions. Soon, soon you will have the answers you seek” she said standing from the table.

“But what does that mean, why am I destined to be here?” I rushed out.

“Elaine, please take me back now” Pappi said softly, ignoring my question. She reached her arm out and the woman that brought her here stepped forward, gripping her elbow. Elaine begun to lead Pappi away. She was just going to leave, now? She had told me nothing, only giving me more questions.

“Pappi please, you need to tell me something, anything, I need more than that” I called to her urgently standing from my seat. She paused and turned her head over her shoulder.

“Destiny is coming for you, all you need to do is wait”.

With that Elaine and Pappi left the hall. I looked around confused. The hall was now empty, all that is left are four women cleaning the breakfast buffet. What does she mean destiny is coming? The uncertainty is going to drive me crazy. One week she asked of Hina, does that mean I will know more in one week. Ugh, why do seer’s have to be so damn vague and secretive.

“Well, they believe you” Alyse said soothingly, pulling me from my whirlwind of thoughts.

“Uh, yeh I guess so. But I don’t think that’s enough anymore”

“Nae, I know patience haven’t always been your strong suit, but please don’t ruin this. I can’t keep wondering the Earth forever. We need a home”.

I looked down at Alyse, her eyes were pleading with me. She has done so much for me. She saved my life and let me feel love again. I would have given up long ago if not for her. I can do this one thing, for her. I sat back down beside her, straddling the bench seat and looking directly into her eyes. I cupped her cheeks in my hand and looked over her beautiful face.

“I’m sorry my love, you’re right, as usual” I said softly as I traced my thumb across her bottom lip,

“I’ll reel it in and stay calm. This is our chance” I smiled and she smiled back at me, the worry from her eyes disappearing. I leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She slid her hands to the back of my neck and held me against her. Tracing her tongue along my bottom lip, I parted my lips and she pushed her tongue into my mouth. Our kiss became more urgent and needy as we tasted each other and swirled our tongues together. I moved my hands to her hips and lifted her onto my lap. I slowly moved my hands under her coat and up the back of her shirt, gently raking my nails across her skin. She moaned softly into my mouth as she pressed herself against my body harder. I could feel the throbbing in my groin intensify and heat flushed through my veins.

The rough sound of someone clearing their throat pulled our attention back to the present. We both pulled our lips away, panting softly. I looked over to the source of the sound and found Maya watching us with a deep pink flush on her cheeks.

“Sorry to interrupt” she said shyly, moving her eyes to the ground. Alyse giggled and shifted herself off my lap, the loss of her heat made a small growl rumble in the back of my throat. She brushed her fingers across my cheek before standing up to face Maya. I reluctantly pushed down the heat that was growing inside me and stood up as well.

“You have both been assigned kitchen duty” Maya said looking back up at us.

“Do you know how to fillet fish?” she asked us with a discrete smirk playing on her lips.

“We do, yes” Alyse responded.

“Excellent, follow me” she ordered, heading for the door of the hut. I slipped my hand into Alyse’s and we followed behind her. Back outside, the snow on the ground was thick but it had finally stopped falling. More women were moving about the village now, seeming unbothered by the snow. We followed Maya around the hall to another slightly smaller building. The smell of fish and roasting meat was surrounding the hut. This must be the kitchen. Maya pushed open the door and stood to the side to allow us entry.

I eyed the large kitchen, well set up and fully stocked. Like the kitchen of a large restaurant. Multiple women were busily moving about the kitchen carrying pots and trays. Maya handed both Alyse and I an apron and pointed to an open counter to the side. Next to the counter sat four large barrels of fish. Did they catch all of these nearby? There wouldn’t be a lake this high up the mountain and they wouldn’t have been able to drive them in, surely not. I wonder how they got them here.

“Where did the fish come from?” I asked turning back to Maya.

“Our hunting parties bring back a lot of fish, also deer, rabbit and goat. The village has a pen of chickens, though they’re only for eggs” she answered as she lifted a large snapper onto the counter. Alyse and I grabbed a fish each and took a filleting knife from the magnetic holder on the wall.

“Let’s show them how it’s done” Alyse smile, holding the knife up in front of her. She gave me a quick wink and got to work on the fish. Maya was already underway working on her fish. I smiled inwardly, well okay then, let’s cut up some fish.

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Authors Note.

Welcome back to The Moon series, for those who have continued on reading, thank you.

You've had your first look at some of our new and very important characters. Any guess as to who they might be, and how hey will impact the story to come? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.