The full moon ceremony

Atlas's POV

I stood facing the window of my chamber. I watched as the sun slowly set, casting a warm, orange over the land. Against my will, flashes of that night crept into my mind, making my fists clench in anger. The night I saw the limb, lifeless body of my mother, covered in dirt and her own blood. It's been twenty years now but the memory is still imprinted and the back of my head, like it happened just yesterday. I was still a little boy then but I still remember the pain that enveloped my heart as I saw her lifeless body, and the rage that welled up slowly when I was told that humans killed her. Humans…those vile pathetic things, they'll remain pathetic and weak with no use whatsoever, till the last of their blood line.

I heard my chamber door open and someone come in. I already knew who it was, thanks to my wolf senses.

“My Lord.”

“Kyle. I want you to make the arrangements. I will attend the mating ceremony tonight.” I said. 

“Yes, Alpha.” He said.“After all these years..may I ask why you changed your mind?”

I watched through the window as the sun slowly disappeared into the clouds, casting a faint orange glow over the land.

“I don't know” I said. But deep down, I knew why.

For the past twenty years, I’ve always felt nothing, other than utter resentment whenever the mating ceremony came close. This time, there was a longing. It felt as though something-or someone was calling me, maybe to fill up the emptiness that has been my heart, since twenty years ago.

Astrid's POV

Liquor. The stench of hard liquor and wine is evident in the air, and it stung my nostrils. Men and women from different families were scattered all over the palace, and even more outside, dancing and swaying to the loud music. I stood in a long line with the rest of the slaves, standing and waiting till any of us is called. The mating ceremony is always held in the palace as tradition demands. I looked outside through the hall window. The sun had set completely, and the full moon was beginning to make its appearance. It's time. I scanned my eyes around for Ophelia, but I didn't see her. She was probably assisting in the kitchen. I picked up a tray of used wine glasses as an excuse to go to the kitchen, walking stealthily to avoid suspicion. I was almost at the door when Madame Celine wounded up from nowhere. I gasped loudly, almost losing my grip on the wine tray. She stood tall over me as she scrutinized me closely.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I came to deliver this tray to the kitchen” I said quickly, praying that she doesn't see through my facade.

“Are you not aware you're supposed to stay rooted at your spot until you are called?!” Her gaze was so intimidating that I found it difficult to stand my ground.

“No…I mean yes….yes I am aware. But I was asked to take this to the kitchen and bring back a new set of wine glasses” I lied.

She stared at me for a while before she gestured inside. Relieved, I quickly rushed into the kitchen. I scanned around for Ophelia and I saw her washing dishes and chatting with a few slaves. 

Immediately, an announcement was made to welcome the arrival of the Alpha. All the slaves, including Madame Celine, all dashed out hurriedly. Ophelia left with them, but not before she gave me a knowing look which I understand perfectly.

Making sure no one was in the kitchen, I reached under the large kitchen sink, where Ophelia helped me pack some materials.

Now the plan was relatively easy. I just had to disguise myself as a common wolf and leave the pack premises. The hardest part will be the guards guarding the territory. I took out a large duffel bag which had a pair of clothing, a potion I brewed up earlier to help mask my scent, some food and water. I discarded the maid uniform I was wearing and changed to normal clothes. Then I followed the back door of the kitchen and left, making sure that I sprayed some of the potion around the area. The back door led to a dark passageway. At the end of the passage is the door that led out of the pack house. Clutching my duffel bag, I walked as fast as I could through the hall, silently praying that none of the maids had noticed my absence already.

I got to the back door and opened it, feeling as the cold, night air swooshed past my face. Just a little more, and I'm free. I stepped out.

“Hey!”

 I froze.

A soldier came round the corner, holding a lighted wooden stick. My heart hammered furiously against my rib cage. Why isn't this one in the hall with the others? 

Soldiers were selected based on their hearing abilities, so they could hear danger from miles away. If he comes close and hears my heart beating unusually, he'll definitely know something is wrong. And I couldn't suddenly run to the forest, he'll tear me to pieces before I even make it to five feet. My head spinned around as I thought of what to say as he hurriedly approached me.

“What are you doing in these parts of the palace? Do you not know it is dangerous?” 

He asked. I noticed his voice was more sluggish and drawn.

“I've been sent on an errand” 

I lied.

“Errand? hmm….”

 He drawled again. His steps faltered as he came closer. Oh my Heavens! He's drunk. He is probably too drunk to notice anything unusual right now. Relief coursed through me. But it was short lived when he suddenly grabbed my shoulders. My duffel bag fell on the forest floor, making a thud.

He ran his eyes down my body, stopping to focus on my cleavage. Alarm bells went off in my head at what he was about to do and I tried to wiggle free from his grasp.

“Fiesty little human…..we could both agree that you came here to seek help in warming your inner thighs. But are you so desperate that you come all this way?” He said. What the hell?! 

“No! Please…I..I didn't..” I protested, tears beginning to well up in my eyes. My body shook in disgust as he brought his alcohol smelling mouth down on my bare neck and I screamed. I was met with a hard slap across my face.

“It is better if you stay still, human. No one would want your pathetic body anyways. You should be grateful that I'm doing you the honors” he said forcefully.

Rage welled up in my chest. I'd rather die than let anyone rape me. I pretended to take his advice and stood still. I heard him grunt in approval then he slightly released his hold on me. Taking that as my signal, I took him by surprise and kneaded him where the sun doesn't shine. He fell to his knees with a groan. I punched his face hard with all my strength, and he fell flat on the hard ground.

 I stared proudly at his unmoving form. Who between us is pathetic now?

Suddenly I heard more sounds. Shit. They must have heard me when I shouted. I picked my duffel bag and Tried to adjust my clothing.

“Over there!” more sounds. They were heading towards this direction. I took out the potion and sprayed around again, and without thinking, I turned on my heels and raced into the forest, following no direction in particular. Twigs and thorny plants tore at the flesh of my knees but I kept running. I knew death awaited me if ever those guards got to me. I heard more shouts and what sounded like a number of wolves running. Fear gripped my heart and I ran faster, if that was possible. My lungs felt like they were going to explode but I kept running. In the darkness of the forest, where only a few rays of moonlight peeked through, I didn't notice the fallen tree trunk that blocked my path. I fell, and the jagged end of the tree cut through my thigh, causing me to yell out in pain. 

The cut was really deep, and blood poured out profusely. I turned slowly and found that they were closing in on me very quickly. I quickly took out the potion and sprinkled it around, then I limped in a different direction, so it'll be harder for them to make out my scent. 

I limped for a few minutes till I got to an open area in the forest. I went behind a fallen tree and sat down. More blood pooled out of my thigh and I was getting lightheaded from too much blood loss. I tore a piece of my clothing and tied it above the wound, to try and stop the bleeding. Resting my head on the tree, I looked around me. The full moon shoned brightly from the sky, casting a faint white glow over the forest. Leaves and branches made slight sounds as the wind swooshed past them. Crickets and birds chirped about. But amidst all, everywhere was silent and still, like the forest held secrets behind the trees. Slowly, fear crept into my heart. What if I am left here to die in this place? What if it's my fate? That I am forgotten in the middle of the forest, only remembered by vultures as they come to feed on my corpse? Regret panged at my heart. I should have stayed back and endured with the others. But back there it was like dying too. Living a life of imprisonment and dying when death comes, no adventure, no free will. It is the worst way of dying. At least I can die knowing I risked a chance at freedom. Slowly, my eyes shut close, and like a warm blanket, darkness enveloped me.