Chapter 99 HUNTERS' PARADE DAY
SIANNA POV
Blushing all day like a teenager had those around me piqued with curiosity. Whenever Vance's eyes met mine, my cheeks flamed up and I turned pink. Too bad that I was behaving like a young girl who was having her first crush, but it was hard to help after last night's bondage session blew my mind.
Vance warned that the sex dungeon would be used for two purposes. When I go into heat and misbehavior that requires punishment. The latter, of course, seemed more unlikely. Nevertheless, the thought of being a naughty brat tinkled in my head. I wanted to know how he would have me in that sex swing, and what else he would do to me. Now I'm smiling to myself, licking and biting my lips at the raptured memories that we had created, feeling open to the experimentation.
Contrary to the girls who expected me to be mourning, I was a ray of sunshine and bubbling in bliss all over. Butterflies churned in my stomach and I couldn't be more in love with my mate. Thinking of him made my core tingle and suddenly, I yearned for him.
With other matters, the highlight of today was that Duke announced to the pack the execution of Curtis Black yesterday. With his list of crimes documented, everyone understands that justice was served. Funeral arrangements were left in the care of the Blacks, and whoever wanted to attend was permitted to do so.
Mom and Dad gave their condolences on my behalf, as a loving gesture of their Luna. I know that they would have sent my regards despite not being able to voice it.
The grandiose hunting ground was set up like a picnic park today, with a large bounce-a-bout and slide for the kids. Many children ran about playing ball and other games while the adults found a nice area to spread their blankets and converse. A few warriors were around to maintain peace, order, and protection. The omegas ensured that meals and refreshments were provided by laying out the folded tables and chairs at one end, with a buffet of food based on meal times.
Above the gate entrance to the hunting forest was a gigantic theater screen to display the ongoings of what was transpiring inside with the hunters. It showed ten smaller squared scenes of each of the teams that were being recorded by the elites.
As early as 6 a.m., the hunting had begun. The Alphas with their Betas and Gammas were inside the forest to oversee the adherence to rules and fairness. This gave the hunters a chance to show off their skills and be recognized for their tracking abilities, strength, agility, and speed. Raj was supervising the warriors and regular patrol. The Lunas stayed at my side, alongside my girls.
What surprised me this morning was the presence of Nitya at the hunting ground. Seeing her walk over to us, by herself, caused me to glance at Hailey questioningly.
"She asked me if she could be here to be a part of the event," Hailey explained with a hesitant smile. "It's a first experience for her to be where things are live."
"Does that mean some progress has occurred?" I inquired, eating my chips.
"We had a long talk on the phone and I gave her additional rules, so we will see how that goes," Hailey sucked her drinks from the glass.
"What changed your mind?" Cleo wondered, removing her sunglasses from her face. Zoe was preoccupied with playing with the other kids.
"Luna Gena and I talked after the meeting," Hailey sighed, leaning back on her palms. "She helped me to see how much it was tearing Raj apart. So as his mate, I am trying to make things work because I love him and I want us to be happy."
"That is very mature of you," I felt proud of her, "I will not lift the ban with Raj because with him out of the picture, Nitya will have to seek you out and rely on you for information and support. It will reduce her time with Raj while creating bonding time with you."
"It's like grooming her to be not just receptive but also considerate of you in the future," Keisha expounded, rubbing her baby bump." This teaches her your value."
Nitya settles beside Hailey, smiling after greeting us. I nodded, "It's nice of you to join us. I hope that you enjoy today."
"Thank you, High Luna." She replied and carried on into a
conversation with Hailey.
"You and Alpha Vance have been side-glancing each other all morning," Cleo says with a mischievous smirk, "Are you going to tell us about it?"
I blushed, hiding my cheeks with my palms, "No." I couldn't possibly reveal those dirty little details.
"Please, Sianna" Hailey begs, "We were worried after learning the news about Curtis."
"We thought that we'd have to be at your house, comforting you," Keisha added with a grin.
"And today you are so ecstatic," Cleo contributed, "What gives?"
Last night was about me not mentioning Curtis at all. Vance would take me back to the sex dungeon if he heard this conversation. I had to get out of this, "Vance ensured that my mind was preoccupied with other things."
"Ah," Cleo exclaimed, as though she had figured out a big secret. " Sounds like you had fun in bed with a few new tricks."
Hailey grins and chirped, "My bestie has become a naughty-naughty Luna. Tsk, tsk, tsk."
I nudged her on the shoulders.
"Is there any room for me here?" A familiar voice came from behind me. I turned around to see my glowing and fat friend.
I squealed, "Tara!" We hugged and I ushered an omega to bring a chair so that she would not have to sit on the blanket on the ground. "How is pregnancy treating you?"
"Uh," She sighed, "Don't get me started." She smiled through the complaint. "I am happy that Brody and I are finally expecting, but those morning sicknesses are a bitch!"
"Once you hold your bundle of joy, all of that will be forgotten," I told her and I realized that I've got two baby showers to plan, one for Tara and the other for Keisha.
We chatted and laughed about every aspect of our lives as the competition ensued. I checked in on Valen. Rionna stayed at home, not feeling in the mood to be outdoors. She claimed that her favorite thing to do these days was to spend time with her grandson, and she even suggested having more grandkids. Vance dismissed the idea of that happening any time soon.
The objective was to stay on contraceptives for the next two years before adding to our litter. With much certainty, my possessive Alpha does not mind having me to himself for a while longer, with only one son to compete for my time.
Now, the hunt was nearing the end when four different team members cornered a 10ft tall brown bison which brought silence to the audience as we watched intently on the screen to see the outcome. The battle was between Midnight Warriors, Crimson Hyde, Dark Wolverson, and Cardinal Boulders Packs. This animal was the biggest of all and would contribute major points to the overcoming
team.
Alpha Anthony stood tall, sticking his chest out when the Midnight Warriors successfully killed the brown bear. Awarded a whopping 70 points in that final round. It was 1:15 pm when all the hunters emerged from the forest to the grounds, packing their kills on their backs and bringing them to the tables at their tents for the scoring to be done. Returning with animals such as deer, monkey, rabbit, goat, bison, elk, bear, muskoxen, beaver, rabbits, wild boar, and opossums
as prey.
The Elites moved around with the cameras to capture the activities as the Alphas assessed each table and accumulatively came to a final score for each team. Eagerly, the pack waited for the Alphas to address us. The screen focused on the Alphas, gearing our attention
on them.
"Everyone, the scores are finalized and we are ready to announce the winners," Alpha Virgil announced, settling down the throng. During the announcements, a segment of the formidably jovial mob drew closer to the Alphas. The crowd cheered as the humming sounds of their chattering quieted with Alpha Cypress waving them
down. "Based on the kills received from the packs," Alpha Nyko began, " The team with the most kills is the Cardinal Boulders Pack."
Faint applause came from the crowd, so Alpha Anthony picked up
where he left off. "However, their kills were too small and so the scores did not get them into the top three."
"Booo!" Came from the thick crowd at various angles. "Boo!"
"Settle down!" Vance boomed with a livid expression, as the mass submitted and instantly muted.
"Without further ado, coming in at third place is the Firebrick Pack," Alpha Anthony commented. Nodding to Alpha Hudson, who walks away with a framed certificate and twenty thousand dollars.
As the disappointment set in, the chattering became louder and louder, and the audience let out sulky noises.
"Second place goes to Dark Wolverson Pack." Cheers interrupted Alpha Virgil as he gave the audience time to simmer their excitement. Duke collected our fifty thousand dollar cheque that was sure to go towards a charity cause, once selected.
"The champion of this year's Hunter's Parade is...." Vance voiced the
winner.
Blayne bends and hits up the table, mimicking a drumroll. Duke pulls him up by the collar so that he stopped. "...............lpha Anthony Knight of the Midnight Warriors Pack!"
Vance concluded, "And the top hunter from his team is Mackenzie Banks."
A louder eruption of cheers saluted the winning team. Alpha Anthony took over the floor giving his well-rehearsed speech. After that, the parade would commence as they drive through the towns in celebration, similar to a carnival.
Omega Wendy, who is now marked, goes to stand by Alpha Mark,
whose team came in last. But he did not seem to care because he was overjoyed with having his mate and Luna by his side. The other wonderful development is that Sammy now gets solace while she mourns Malik. She felt the real missing link to Malik after
the cloaking spell was broken, and that's when the agonizing loss struck her. But the moon goddess has a way of looking out for us since she discovered that Alpha Terryl was her second chance mate when she bumped into him at the pack house.
Alpha Terryl has since been supporting her through her sadness. I
gave the go-ahead for Sammy to visit his pack and take things slowly until she could accept him totally; after that was accomplished, the marking had to be completed in order for us to officially release her
to his pack.
I slipped away from the ladies to stand by my man's side. I have missed him all day. I shoved my hand around him and he reciprocated, coming down on my face with a kiss.
"Are you tired, my love?" He asks, scrutinizing my features. Since
the day's outset, he had queried me approximately ten times about
the same thing.
"A little bit," I replied and he kissed my temple. "I'm just...." I
tiptoed to whisper into his ears so that no one else heard, "...I'm very horny."
He purred and an automatic growl left his mouth which startled the entire pack. We ignored them and so they realized that it was nothing serious. Their High Alpha was not angry at anyone.
"After the night that I gave you, I thought you would have barred me from touching you for at least a week," he confessed, with a lustful smirk pasted on his face. "Does my little submissive Luna want
more?"
His lips tickled my ear, and I bit my bottom lip. Juices wet my panties
and he twinkled his nose at my scent.
Feasting on his image, I put on my sexiest voice, maintaining eye contact, "Oh yes, Wolfie."
His exquisite scent fills me with heart-stopping lustful eyes as he placed his forehead against mine with his whole focus on me. They said that it would get easier to stay away from your mate, but
today I was particularly clinging to him. Hating when he leaves my side. Yearning to drown myself in him.
It's too early to go home because we had to be there for the celebration at the pack house tonight. Noting my attachment issue, Vance allowed me to be with him everywhere that he went for the rest of the afternoon. Including the walk back to the parking grounds, getting into his jeep, and back to the pack house.
We split directions as I headed into the elevator to hit the showers.
Vance took a minute to head to his office to respond to a few business calls. After freshening up, I realized that he hadn't come up to the room as yet. So I went down into Vance's office thinking that
he would have been buried in work, but instead, I found Miriam
there.
"Hi," I hugged her before sitting on Vance's lap. "Is there something wrong?" My heart fell because I thought we deserved a break from the drama and adventures.
"I have not figured that out as yet, my child," Miriam said, clearly
agitated about something.
"I was hoping that you would have said no," so much for wishful thinking. "Vance?" "Miriam has been calling her eagle from Valen's side and she refused
to leave him," Vance explained. "The eagle has grown attached to our son."
Trying to get the big issue was a total failure on my part. My brain
could not link the problem with this matter. "Um, how do we help with that?" "Not much can be done. I can only observe what she is up to." Miriam grimaced. "My eagle's name is Zuzu, and she has never been unruly before."
"I am so sorry for the trouble," I apologized. She has been a major help to us and I was sad that her eagle was being disobedient. But I thought that Miriam would figure out how to get her to return by her side, based on her abilities.
Miriam went quiet, and I believed that she was upset over the misbehavior of the guardian eagle. I got up and went by her side, taking her hand in mine to soothe her worries, softly patting them. "We will get to the bottom of this," I reassured her. Vance's eyes glazed over as he spoke through his mind-link. He shot
from his chair, "Mom needs us. Let's go."
Miriam decided to accompany us and we got into Vance's jeep to head to Rionna's house. The fast crazy driving done by Vance did not trouble Miriam, at all.
"Vance, tell me what's happening. Is Valen hurt?" He had not explained anything and I was very apprehensive about my son. "No, Valen's fine." He responded with bewilderment. "There's a stray lion at the house."
"Lion?" Miriam was taken aback by it, then went into her thoughts."
Hmm."
Because Miriam said nothing further, my fears grew. "Why didn't our patrol team pick up on the stray animal?"
"I have no idea, but right now, let me deal with it," Vance stated. His
guarded demeanor was evident in his solemn expression. Pulling up the driveway, Vance burst through the front door. We ran
behind him, straight into the kitchen, and onto the deck. Rionna and Victor stood there watching it.
A white Transvaal lion sat in the middle of the backyard as though it
was his home. Vance asked, "Has it done anything?"
"No, it lies there and does nothing," Victor told us. "Where's Valen?" I inquired. "He's sleeping upstairs," Rionna highlighted. The lion slowly stood on its feet, observing us. He looks at each of us
and Vance takes a protective stance.
"Stay here," Vance walks out towards the lion, ready to shift and
attack.
"Son, you won't be able to get near him," Victor warned, remaining
vigilant.
The lion remained stagnant, curling its tail like a snake, and watching the man who was approaching him. Lions hated wolves just
as wolves despised them.
Vance stops a few feet away from the lion who flops his rear to the
ground. In the interim, I decided to go upstairs and check on Valen. It was unbelievable that Rionna had set up a magnificent kiddie's room for her grandson. I took him out of the crib and held him as he slept.
I would rather have him in my arms until this lion was captured. Dauntingly, the backyard view from the glass window of the room was blocked by a tall tree. There was no way to see what was occurring between the lion and Vance. So I went back downstairs and onto the deck.
"Any progress?" I asked them.
"None," Victor relates, drawing on his cigar and releasing puffs of
smoke.
The lion roared with its mouth open and cowered. I believed that he
was no match for Vance in his wolf form, but my mate did not wish
to hurt the animal. He was trying to tame the beast so that he could send it away from the premises. However, he was unable to get close to the lion as there was a protective shield around the lion once in
the proximity of ten feet.
Magic. I despise magic so much. It has been a significant contributor
to our issues with Chloe, Jazmine, and Curtis. Vance came to us on the porch to speak with Miriam after she
beckoned him over, "This lion is no ordinary animal. With a force
field like that, he is no doubt a guardian."
In silence, we waited for her to expound.
"He is not here to harm anyone," Miriam avouched, "he's here to
protect."
"Protect who?" Vance asked, with his eyes affixed on the intruding
feline.
"I suspect that he is here on behalf of little Valen," She responds,
looking at my son in my arms.
"Luna, may I have Valen for a minute?" She opens her hands to receive him.
Hesitantly, I released him as Vance nodded his approval. "Okay."
Rionna and I glanced at each other with worry coating our faces. Vance walked with Miriam into the backyard. The lion watched them as they approached him. My heart pulses in my throat, skipping a few
beats and Rionna holds my hands. Hers seemed to be trembling with fear for her grandson.
Miriam stops and yells, "Zuzu!" In response, the bald eagle whistles and flies to her side before stopping in front of her and fluttering its wings like it's waiting for
instructions. The eagle's pupil enlarges as Miriam speaks to it in Wiccan, darkening its eyes until they light up in luminous green. "Luna," She calls me from the deck and I stalk over to her side. Handing Valen to me, she adds, "Please have a seat on the grass. The lion will come to you. He will not hurt either of you." Vance disapproved but she quickly reassured him, "This is his destiny. My boy, do not interfere." With two steps forward, I sat on the lawn grass with legs crossed, bent at the knees, and cradling Valen in my arms. He stirs a little but his eyes remain closed. The eagle, Zuzu, followed me and perched on my right shoulder. The lion slowly approached me. His eyes are on mine and I swallow down my fears, trying to breathe calmly. I was not liking this at all.
"Do not panic, Luna. Let it come to you," Miriam soothes from
behind.
The guardian lion lowers his body to the grass and yawns, flashing
its head. He chose to take his time getting closer to me. He crawls on his belly, sniffing the air as he draws nearer. Eventually, he was at my legs and gave me a permission-seeking look. Being in front of me, he erects himself on all fours and brushes his icy nose against mine. I experienced a weird sensation that I later identified as warmth. He bowed his head to me, before turning to my son and giving him three forehead licks.
"Luna, they have to merge with Valen, so let them do their work," Miriam instructed, which heightens my perplexity. Unaware of what the hell the merging entailed. Taking a gamble, I let everything
unfold
naturally.
The eagle flies away and circles in the sky as the lion sits down on his rear. He raises a paw and uses it to shift Valen's hand so that his palm flips upward. With the same paw, he extends a claw and slices Valen's palm and licks it, while the eagle flies in above Valen's forehead and
pecks his third eye region so that blood flows.
Instinctively, I held Valen in my bosom and consoled him with my voice as he shrieked from the pain. Anger boils inside me towards
these creatures and I shoo them away, and I do my best to be calm, slowing down my breathing. Cursing inwardly at the unknown. "He is my master, now until eternity." A sonorous but powerful whisper floats into my head. Could this be the lion talking to me? My eyes widened in shock as he verbalized further, "I mean you no harm, and as you are master's mother, then I shall address you as mother as well."
"What do you want with my son?" I asked in a commanding tone. The lion puts his forehead on mine, "I am here to watch over Master
Valen as he grows. Zuzu and I will be at his side to help him rule the kingdoms." He recoils and plops down before me. "My name is Nyx
and I serve only kings."
Dumbfounded and muddled in thoughts, I repeated his name, "Nyx."
"It is done, Luna," Miriam concludes and walks to the house to be
seated with the others.
Vance aids me to stand, and tucks his finger under my chin so that I
face him, "We will get through this."
But I have heaps of questions that someone had to answer. Wide
awake, Valen's eyes are now open and he smiles at me. "Mommy's here, baby." Pouring all my affections out, I kiss his forehead, and his healed hand plays with my cheek. "You are my brave baby." His
emerald eyes twinkle with delight. "Miriam, please explain what all of this means," Vance softly demanded, without hesitation.
We soon joined Victor and Rionna on the deck. I'm so damn happy that the ritual was over. Rionna brings Miriam a glass of chilled juice
as she sits. We waited until she had finished swallowing the beverage before speaking.
The white lion finds a spot between the potted flowers on the deck
but the eagles come back to roost on my shoulder. As Miriam smiles
at me, my heart rate pipes down and I relax slightly. Woefully distressed at the impending tempest that was to come our way, Vance gave my hand a gentle squeeze to comfort my propelling
emotions.
"Elysian guardians appear in animal forms. They are immortal beings that are known to serve the royal witch bloodline. Based on the witch's level of power and destiny, the Elysian guardians will
choose a witch as their master, to serve them throughout their
time." Miriam paused and had more of her juice. "Miriam, we are not witches," Victor reasoned. This fact she should be aware of.
"I always say that nothing is carved in stone. Time is a constant change and with it comes the unexpected." She added, carefully weighing her words, "Valen has a special destiny ahead. His path is laid very differently from his forefathers."
"What path are you talking about?" Rionna inquired and lets Valen play with her fingers.
"We will all have to see where his journey takes him," she turns to guard and protect him."
Vance, "Zuzu belongs to Valen, and so does this large lion. They will
"Is this another warfare that is coming our way?" Vance runs his hand through his hair in exasperation. Protectively, he stands at my
side and his patience wears thin.
"Why do you put so much pressure on me, my boy?" Miriam furrows
her brows, feeling tired from the interrogation. "The warfare will
happen when Valen comes of age. Until then, he must train with Marlena to groom the abilities that the guardians have bestowed upon him. Their power is now his, and he will channel them." She rose from her chair, indicating that she was ready to leave. "As his parents, the guardians accept you as family and will do you no harm.
Sadly, they will live at your home and accompany Valen wherever he
goes."
"A lion living among a pack of wolves is unheard of." Victor voiced
his concern, scratching his brows as the information digested. "How
does the pack begins to understand all of this?" Turning to me with a smile, Miriam averred, "The lion bowed himself to you because you are Valen's mother. As his parents, the guardians will obey you and they will not leave Valen's side. Guardians can operate from the shadows if you request it." I was not willing to have that lion living under my roof, but what else
could we do? Hearing of this big destiny that my son has to encounter during his reign, puts me on edge. Looking down at him in
my hands, innocent and so eager to play with me. He is smiling and
cooing. I kissed his forehead and cheeks, wanting nothing more than
to shield him from all the troubles of the world.