Chapter 39(The Protection Ritual)

Chapter 39(The Protection Ritual)
Roman’s pov

The night was so quiet, and peaceful, the moon was thin in the dark sky, with a soft silver light shining faintly through the clouds. Its glow touched the trees and roofs in a quiet way. I sat in my room with Joshua. We were looking at reports, numbers, and names for the planning of the upcoming festival.

Suddenly, there was a faint knock on the door, distracting us. Joshua got up to check who it was.

“It's the Chief priest, Alpha,” He replied standing at the door.

Why would the chief priest be here this late, it must be something really important.

“Let him in,” I replied, waving my hands.

The door opened, and the chief priest walked inside. His white robe touched the floor as he moved. Silver threads shone along the edges of the robe, and they glinted when the candlelight touched them. When he got closer to me, he bowed his head. “Greetings Alpha,” he greeted.

I nodded as my eyes stayed glued on him.

“Alpha Roman,” he continued. His voice was calm, and he spoke slowly, like each word was heavy. “I bring a message from the Moon Goddess.”

My head tilted and my eyes narrowed. “What message?” I asked.

The priest raised his head, and the reflection of the light touched his eyes. “It concerns the child the Luna carries ” he said.”

My eyes opened wide, and I adjusted my body on my seat. “What is wrong ?”

He cleared his throat and continued. “There is darkness all around it. The Moon goddess has instructed that a ritual of protection be carried out immediately.” His voice was calm but I could sense panic.

I leaned forward “What kind of ritual?” I asked. My voice came out rough.

“It’s a simple ritual of protection” the priest said. “The elders must be there, the Luna must be there, and everyone must come pure and clean. It will be under the night sky, before the full moon fades. There will be purification, offerings, and prayers. And after the ritual is done, the Goddess will shield the mother and child from every harm.”

“Okay,” I replied nodding, “that's not an issue, so when should it be done?”

“Tomorrow night,” he said. “Before the moon reaches the highest point. You must call the elders, and prepare the offerings.”

I nodded once and sharp, “It will be done.”

The priest bowed again, and turned to walk away. His white robe slid into the dark hall like a ghost.

I took a deep breath, my eyes narrowed as my mind drifted in thoughts. Nothing must happen to my heir…Nothing.

I turned to Joshua immediately. “Send a message to every elder. Tell them about the ritual, and that it is tomorrow night. They must come purified and ready.”

“Yes, Alpha,” he said, bowing.

“And tell Kaelenya,” I added after a pause. “Tell her to prepare.”

Joshua gave a short nod and walked out. The room grew quiet again.

I laid on the bed, trying to sleep but I couldn't. I kept turning and tossing. The thought of the Lone wolf came into my mind, then the several attacks, and now the warning of the chief priest concerning my unborn son. The crazy thing is that no matter how hard I have tried to find the culprit, I still have gotten anything. It's like whoever he/she is, is always one step ahead of me, and the whole thing is driving me crazy.

Now this ritual tomorrow requires being pure, that means I cannot drink. What do I do?....I don't want the same incident that happened in the other ritual to happen again.

At what point will all this stop, I'm tired of this kind of miserable life of always drinking to be sane. Will I ever escape this fate?
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The next night came quicker than most days, probably because of how anxious I was all day. The pack was very busy, arranging for the ritual. Maids carried different types and sizes of bowls, some guards helped in setting up the chairs. I just watched them from my window, with my mind consumed with fear of the unknown.

The air was filled with burning sage, old stones marked the place of prayer, and torches were placed in circles.

I quietly got dressed up in a black robe with silver moons and stars stitched along the edges. The cloth was heavy on my shoulders, or maybe it was the heaviness from my worry. I walked out of my chambers, my mind kept praying and hoping that the day goes smoothly. When I got to the place of the ritual, I stood at the edge of the circle, observing the environment.

Kaelenya came soon after, and she wore a long white gown. It shimmered in the torchlight, soft and bright. Her hair was loose, dark as the sky, falling down her back. She looked fragile and strong at the same time.

Quickly, the place began to become full. The elders were now gathered, they carried small bowls. Some held milk, some honey, and others fresh blood from a deer. The chief priest stood in the middle of the open space. He held a tall staff, with silver threads wrapped around it. Tiny bells also hung at the top. They rang soft each time he moved.

“Tonight,” the priest began, his voice deep and clear, “we call upon the Moon Goddess, the keeper of life and death. Protect the child of Alpha Roman and Luna Kaelenya. We bring our gifts. We bring our prayers. We bind their fates to her light. Protect them oh Goddess.”

“Protect them oh Goddess,” the elders chanted, lowering their bowls one by one. The chanting increased, they began to chant words in the old tongue. The sound was low at first, then it grew. More voices joined. Layers of sound rose like a slow wave, and then their voices unified and It was one sound now. Strong, and deep.

After the first prayer, Kaelenya and I were led to the center of the ritual,we sat on a smooth stone, and our knees almost touched. Our hands rested in our laps, while the priest began to walk around us. His staff hit the earth with each step. Tap. Tap. Tap. Each strike sent a small tremor through the ground.

I tried to keep my eyes on the priest. To stay inside the chant, but suddenly, something moved at the edge of the trees, like a shadow. It was quick, and silent. My eyes widened, and my chest rose and fell rapidly. My head turned before I could stop it.

There, a figure stood just beyond the torchlight.

My breath stopped, “Za…ch.”

His eyes glowed pale, and his face was gray and cold. He just stood there…watching me. His mouth opened, but no words where coming out.

My pulse roared. No I shook my head violently. Not again. This can't happen again.