Chapter 7: The Blood Moon

Caleb walks Alina out of the main chamber, Amelia has separated her way just minutes before. Caleb spoke to one of his people outside and went back to her.

"Is it alright if we use my motorcycle to bring you home? My car was taken by my sister and they'll be back after an hour or so, so I am not sure of it though," Caleb said, "the bike would be faster than the car and we would be able to arrive and come back faster. But if you're not comfortable, I can borrow the pack's car," he said looking deep into her eyes.

"No need, I can ride with you on your bike," Alina said. In her mind, Rose has been rejoicing in the thought of having Caleb in their arms. "Stop thinking that," Alina told Rose, "It's so distracting, we have a lot of things to do and I cannot have this kind of distraction right now," she said. "fight it all you want, but I will enjoy this time with our mate and I know you would as well," Rose said.

Caleb took the helmets out and placed one on his head while Alina battled with herself. She didn't realize that Caleb has now placed one of the helmets in her head looking at her so close she can breathe his intoxicating scent leaving her stunned by his gesture. Caleb tightened the straps of her helmet, "There you go, you’re all set," he said looking deeply into her eyes wondering about her wolf who keeps on peeping at his sight, "just hold on tight so you won't fall," he said giving her a big warm smile as he sat on the bike and started the engine.

She sat at his back and started to slip her hands on his side, Caleb took her hand and pulled her closer, and like the last time the tingling sensation was there and his flames started to appear. Caleb laughs, “I am sorry, I cannot seem to control my flames but I hope I am not hurting you,” he said.  

“Did this happen before?” Alina asked

“No, not yet. The only time my flame came out is during my transformation,” he said, “Are you ready?” he placed Alina’s arm around his waist making her lean closer on his back.

“Ready,” she said softly, trying to calm her senses. She leaned forward and placed her chin on his shoulder. She cannot help but gasp the scent radiating from his body, that fresh burning woody scent with a blend of Ylang Ylang freshly picked at dawn with a hint of morning dew, one of her favourite aromas which normally calms her down. 

As they storm down the rocky but rigid road-going downtown. They reached the city in less than 20 minutes, silently enjoying the company of each other. When they arrived Halea was home already and she was waiting for her.

“Hey, you guys you seemed to enjoy your day,” Halea said as she saw them alighting from the motorbike.

“Hi! Hailey, how was your day?” Alina greeted

“I’m good, just visited the Babaylan tribe. Hi Caleb!”

“Hi Halea, I’ve returned Alina safe and sound as I promised you,” he said with admiration in his eyes while speaking to Halea. Alina caught his glare and she cannot hide her annoyance at the view, Rose growled in her mind and she cannot disregard the feeling.

“Do you like Halea?” Alina blurted

“Don’t be silly Ali, Caleb here is just a friend. Right, Caleb?”

Caleb brushed his hair with his hand and chortle, “Well, I used to like her but I got busted,” 

“So you don’t like her anymore?” Alina asked

Halea laughed at them as she came closer to Alina holding her hands, “Oh, Caleb is paired perfectly to someone better than me,” she said softly with a smile leaning close to Alina, “Isn’t that right, Caleb?” she said, winking at him.

Caleb laughed looking at Halea and gave Alina a gentle look, he just realized Alina’s glow, her skin sparkle at the touch of the light and as he examines closely the resemblance of the two, he can see how her beauty radiates and for a moment a flair of the cold mountain air with the aroma of freshly bloomed roses in spring fill his senses. His thought was cut by the sound of a dog barking. And he is back to his old state, he grinned and, “I believe the moon goddess will give me the best match,”

Aspin got loose and ran towards Alina, wiggling its tail greeting and jumping over Caleb. Elmo came running behind chasing Aspin. He then took Aspin and pardon himself, “I’m so sorry he got loose from his leash,”

“It’s okay Elmo,” he is just excited to meet Caleb.

The three sat down in the living room.

“So how was your trip?” Halea asked  Alina

“It was a success, Caleb's father is the man I am looking for and he is very welcoming,” she said 

“Will you be at the feast tonight?” Caleb asked Alina

“That’s the thing, I will not go back with you, not today. I need to take care of some things on my own right now. I will call you when I finished up here,” she said

“Oh, but tonight,” he looked into Alina’s eyes how he wished he can just mind link her

“Don’t worry Caleb, I will be with Alina,” Halea said

“Halea’s right, I will be with her and my guardian so you don’t have to worry,” Alina said

Caleb stood up and took his helmet, “I will go now and prepare for the feast, and I will come back to see you,”

“You don’t have to, you can go they need you there,”

“No, give me a second. I will call my Dad and let Matthew and Jason handle tonight’s event. I will stay here instead,” he said and he walked out of the room holding his phone.

Halea cannot hide her smile in her face as she looks into Alina

“What?” Alina asked

Halea smirk, “Am I missing something? You two looked like a couple, fighting,” she said

Alina rolled her eyes, “No, Halea you know what’s happening. And you know what tonight is,”

“Alright,” Halea said, “Let’s prepare for tonight then, will Juno pick us up?” 

“He should be here by now, maybe at the farm,”

“I’ve informed my Mom about the sleepover at your place tonight, Elmo can drive us in case Juno cannot come,”

“That’s good then, you go pack-up and I’ll just check with Caleb,”

“Okay,”

Alina and Halea went with Elmo to Alina’s farm while Caleb followed using his motorcycle. Caleb still insisted to come despite Alina’s refusal. He wanted to be there for both Alina and Halea, he knows that Alina will speak to Halea about his quest and he doesn’t want Halea to be shocked during Alina’s transformation. He just wanted to be there for the two.

They arrived at Alina’s place just before dawn, Juno was already there and had prepared dinner for everyone. He has prepared a feast for four of them to also celebrate Alina’s birthday!

“So, this is the reason why you’re so busy,” Halea said when she saw the table, “How are you uncle!”

“Hi Halea, I’m good as usual, still handsome as ever,” Juno said, greeting Halea, giving her a bear hug. “You’ve grown so much, I wouldn’t be able to hug you like this anymore,” he said smiling. He then looked at Alina.

“Happy birthday, Princess!” he said opening his arms

Alina cannot hide her feelings, her tears rolled down her eyes immediately after she gave-in in Juno’s embrace. And she started sobbing, “Shh.. don’t cry. I know they are here watching over you. I know they want you to celebrate it like they were still here. They wanted you to be happy.”

The silent cry became louder her shoulder started shaking, Halea joined in, in their embrace. “We are here for you, Ali. We love you,”

Alina cannot hide the longing she had for her parents, how she wishes they were here tonight for her birthday. If it were not for her step-uncle her parents will still be alive. If it were not for greediness her family is still whole. She wouldn’t be running and hiding. 

“Thank you, Juno, this is amazing,” she said “you’re amazing,”

“Alright, no more crying,” Juno said as he wiped her tears from her eyes. “Let’s eat!”

Just then he noticed another eye, “You must be Caleb?” Juno said

“Yes, my name is Caleb. I am from Valeria Thalon’s pack,” he said giving out his hand

“I am Juno, former Gamma of the Jera Pack from the North and Alina’s guardian,” he said, accepting Caleb’s hand.

“Come let’s eat,” 

While eating Juno asked the question he’s having in his mind, “Halea, are you ready for tonight?”

Halea smiled, “Yes, I wanted to be here with Alina,” 

“Do you think you are able to handle it?”

“I am able to handle anything, tonight is just a fragment of what my eyes will have to witness,”

“Alright, I will not ask furthermore but in case you feel threatened or if fear sinks in remember Alina is still the same person as she was before,”

“I understand,” she said

Just then Luna jumped in on the table and on the door Adrienne came panting.

“Adrienne, what are doing here?” Caleb asked

“I, I don’t know. A spirit guardian came to me and asked me to follow her next thing I know, I am in the front door,”

Halea took Luna in her hands, “What are you doing here Luna,?”

And the maiden Luna appeared in front of Halea, “We needed her for tonight’s event so I brought her here,” she said

Adrienne looked at Halea and the maiden Luna, she could see and hear her. “I am needed in this ceremony,” she said

“Very well,” Halea said. She then introduced Adrienne to Juno and Alina.

"This is Adrienne, she's a Babaylan and according to her she is needed in tonight's ceremony,"

They all agree since she is not a threat to Alina's transformation. After all, they are in the land of Laon.

They went all out in the middle of the field where the bonfire had been prepared and Juno set it on fire.

Luna stands in the middle along with Adrienne, she asked her to repeat the words she will say to start the ceremony. 

Adrienne was trying her Babaylan dress, it was made for her accession for being a full pledge white shaman when the spirit of Luna appeared in her. She followed her on Luna’s request and now she is in front of everyone.

Luna spoke to Adrienne, “Tonight is your accession under the moonlight. You/I will be presiding the ceremony as the start of the first blood moon,” as Adrienne repeats Luna's words for everyone.

“Halea and Alina need to finish their respective quest within the four blood moon in order to accomplish their destiny,” she said following Luna’s words.

Luna held Adrienne’s shoulder and asked her to kneel in front of the fire. The cloud filled the sky and the silhouette of the moon appeared just behind the clouds.

“Start the prayer for the accession of the blood moon,” Luna commanded Adrienne.

As Adrienne kneel, everyone followed her.

And she started her prayers raising her hands above her head, pronouncing ancient words known to Babaylan and spirits only. 

After praying she stands and in her hand she holds Halea’s hairpin. Luna asked both Halea and Alina to come closer to Adrienne and held out both their hands. Adrienne took the cover off the pin and the knife appeared, she then pierced both Alina and Halea. A light came out from their flesh and blood came out. While Halea’s eyes brighten, Alina’s darkened. Adrienne pressed their finger for the blood to come out and dropped it on the fire.

As the smoke rose up in the sky the moon started to peak.

Alina fell on the ground as her bones snapped from her back. Adrienne continued to pray, while Halea’s eyes started to release some lights. Both Halea and Alina's transformation somehow is taking place.

While the ceremony proceeds, Adrienne continued the prayer for the Blood Moon kneeling. Luna’s Spiritual silhouette appears in front of Juno and Caleb right in front of the bonfire. 

She now speaks to them, “You will bear witness the rise of the first blood moon.” she said, “anointed by the newly born Shaman from the blood of the chosen humans. Tonight we will witness the rebirth of the queen, the rise of the creatures of the night and the return of the light .” 

Alina’s transformation from human to Lycan has been finished right after Luna’s words while Halea’s vision of her quest unfolds in her eyes.

The flaming Aspin came to view and Halea receiving her first instruction ride with Aspin to see Naga Unda.

As Rose arises in the form of a Thalon, Caleb and Juno were mesmerized by her beauty. Her Lycan shows superiority in size, bigger than the normal Alpha werewolf but as tall as a Lycan Alpha. Her fur is as white as the snow and the mark of the crescent moon is visible on her forehead. As the former goddess of the moon, she has certain abilities and powers, her beauty is stunning, unlike the common Lycan, her form is more of a human than of the wolf with a heighten speed she moves as swift as the wind and agile as a leopard. She sprints right after she shifted, Juno and Caleb followed her in their wolf form.

Alina’s POV

Rose was happy to be out for the first time, I can feel her joy within me and when we started to run I felt Juno and Caleb followed. The two of the most important man in my life is beside me. The moon has not forsaken me, I am happy to be with them and for Halea to also witness this with me.

I ran as fast as I can and felt the wind touching my face, we reached the wood in no time and I can smell the freshness of my surrounding. I stand in my two feet and I heard the movement of everything. The transformation has taken most of my energy and I felt the need to feed. So I observed my surroundings, I aimed for my target and there it was my prey a wild boar. Caleb and Juno felt and understood what I was doing so they joined my hunt. And with one swift move, the boar is surrounded trying to escape I quickly jumped and bite its neck. I feed on it so as Caleb and Juno. I felt the excitement of the hunt and the joy of being with someone, the warmth of belongingness. 

I run up the mountain when I felt something weird, where is Halea? I realized that she’s not with us and I saw how the moon changes and so I called out for her and howl. I can feel her heartbeat, there are hate and anger. She needs me I need to return to see her.

The howl of Alina's Lycan was heard in the land of Vale, every pack of wolves celebrating the feast of the moon didn't expect the changes in the moonlight. For them this is truly an auspicious event newly transformed wolf will have a different ability either mentally if physically. Majority of them will either be pack's warrior or strategies. 

But this night is different from any other blood moon night as the Lycan Princess transformed this day she will choose whom shall follow her and they will bear the gift given by the Goddess of the Moon. The Thalon King and other Thalon felt her presence, felt the transformation, the rebirth of the Lycan Princess, the first female Lycan Alpha.

They howl in return for her call and the breeze of air brought them the scent they haven't smell for a long time. A dragon is nearby based on the scent that is lingering in the air.

Halea returned to Alina's farm where Adrienne and Luna still pray. 

Alina, Caleb and Juno came running back to where the bonfire is. Halea looked at Alina who is now transformed into a Thalon. She smiled and adored her beauty. “You look so stunning in person,” she told her. 

 “I am glad your safe, I somehow felt you’re in danger and followed your scent coming back here,” Alina said. 

 “It’s a long story but I promise to tell you,” Halea said and she holds her hands. 

Luna speaks again, “We need to finish the ritual. You have made your blood pack not long ago and we will seal it tonight through the blood of the virgin Shaman. Your lives are connected both in flesh and in spirit. Your pain shall be her pain and your happiness shall be hers and vice versa. You shall have two different paths but your hearts will always be next to each other from this life until the next.” 

 After Luna’s word, Adrienne finishes her prayer and from the same knife she cuts her palm and she’d her blood over the fire sealing the prayer of the first Blood Moon. And the sky regains its previous light brighter than it was before. Alina transformed back to her original human form. 

And since she’s a Lycan her clothes remained intact covering her body. Adrienne sat down in front of the fire as if she has just woke up from a deep dream. 

Catching her breath she asked, “Is this a dream?” And she felt the wounds on her hands and looked at the people around her. She then remembers how she got there. Halea took her and brought her inside the house. Luna followed and still in her spirit form for Adrienne to fully recover from the events that just happened. She cannot believe that she has performed one of the ancient rituals which they just learned only in scriptures and teachings from the Chief Babaylan.

Alina asked Adrienne, "How are you feeling now?"

"To be honest, I don't know what to say. I didn't imagine this to happen but I am glad I was chosen to do this," she said. 

"What can you tell us about the four blood moons?" Halea asked her

"The four blood moon, we believe that the story surrounding it to be just a myth. The eclipse of four blood moon normally happens and the ritual is done by the Chief Babaylan as part of the tradition. We believe that it is performed in preparation for the resurrection of Goddess of the Moon," she said

"Do you remember what you have performed just a while ago?" Halea asked

"Yes, I remember the Maiden Luna has chosen me to perform the ritual and prayer of the first Blood Moon. And the moon turned red and the eclipse happened during the full moon. Which means one of you shall ascend as the Goddess of the Moon after completing the required quest by the Gods,"

"Do you know what is the quest about?"Alina asked

"According to the prophecy,  the goddess needs to complete her emblem within the four blood moon. And she needs to pass the trial given by the Gods and Goddess of each realm; land, air, fire and water with the assistance of your most loyal subject and followers, the creatures of the night." she continued.

"This night has been exhausting, we may need to rest first and think everything through tomorrow," Halea said, 

"I agree," Alina said and then she looked at Adrienne, "Do you want to spend the night with us or do you want Juno to send you home?" 

"I may need to go home my Mom might be worried about me," Adrienne said 

"Every Babaylan is aware of what happened tonight, as they witnessed the Blood Moon, felt the existence of the ancient dragon and the heard the howl of the Thalon heir," Luna told Adrienne, "You have been blessed to be the Babaylan to record this story. Thank you for coming to my aid,"

"Thank you for choosing me," Adrienne said and bowed her head.

"Juno shall bring you home," Alina said while Juno comes to send Adrienne home.