DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE MOONGODDESS?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE MOONGODDESS?
 Ayla

His name was Alpha Kalen and their pack was the Lost Moon Pack.

Everyone knew of them—the Lost Moon Pack. The pack that vanished into the shadows, defying the sacred laws that no wolf could survive without an alliance.

I mean literally, no man was an island, that was the law of nature but they screwed nature and all of its laws.

They lived alone, untouched, unseen. No one dared cross their territory. They were a literal mystery and yet…. They saved me and offered to help….. But why?

As I walked in, I could not help myself from looking around.

I wasn’t sure if that was the right word to use in this moment, bu it was fascinated.

The Lost Moon Pack’s camp was small but it was alas extremely well hidden… Perfectly camouflaged deep within the thickest part of the forest where the trees grew tall.

It looked kind of like an ancient set up, like it had stayed strong from the many generations that were long passed.

“This is actually amazing” I said.

Alpha Kalen smiled “it is just a comfortable setup” he said.

But I knew that he was just being humble.

I had been looking around, their security system was impeccable. They may not have much numbers, but their warriors, they were strong.

Val also seemed pretty comfortable here, not in edge at all.

Alpha Kalen watched me closely, like he was trying to figure me out.

“What is the matter?” I asked.

He shrugged “Nothing much, it’s just that you’re lucky you made it this far,” he said quietly. “Rogues don’t usually let their prey go so easily.”

I nodded “they were not going to let me go, but you saved me so for that I must thank you” I said.

“But I must say that I noticed your movements, they were not so smooth for a wolf your size. Are you by any chance…”

He let the statement hang in the air, giving me an option to decide whether I was going to answer his question or not.

I knew that he knew what was wrong.

Alpha’s usually had strong senses, and so I did not see any use in lying to him… Besides if he was really going to kill me, he should have finished the job a while ago.

I swallowed hard, my hand resting protectively on my stomach. “I’m... pregnant,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes softened, and for the first time since this nightmare began, I felt a flicker of hope. “We’ll keep you safe. That’s a promise.”

“But why?”  I asked “why would you choose to change your stance to stay away from the business of other wolves, and for me of all people?”

He shrugged and put his hands in his pockets “I guess it just felt right” he said.

“With all due respect Alpha Kalen that is bullshit so please tell me the truth” I said.

He was quiet for a while before he nodded “you are really smart Ayla” he said.

Oh but of course he knew my name.

I shrugged “No one is ever truly special, not unless they had something useful”

He smiled “you are really smart indeed” he said and dare I say that he sounded a bit… impressed?

“Enough stalling, tell me” I said.

“Word has spread about you Moon Born” he said “we also know about the rogue uprising that is approaching and we are not stupid Ayla… We lack the numbers and if anyone was really planning to wipe out the species, we would always be on the winning side” he said.

“I see” I said.

Now that made a lot of perfect sense.

“So you are willing to break your stance… watt about your principles?”

“To survive I can make some, exceptions” he said.

“Oh”

He clapped his hands “we will get into the details more lately, but for now let me show you around here” he said.

“Ok” I said and let him to lead the way.

“You’ll find we do things a bit differently here,” Kalen said with a small smile, his voice calm but firm.

He could never be Darius, but he had such a strong aura.

I followed him silently, still sore from the rogue attack and careful with each step, my hand brushing lightly against my belly.

It felt good to tell someone about my pregnancy, I did not know how much longer I could keep such happy news to myself.

But for now, I couldn’t reach the one I truly wanted to tell.

We passed a group of warriors sparring in the clearing. Kalen raised a hand, and they stopped mid-motion. One of them, a tall woman with short silver hair and striking yellow eyes, approached us.

“This is Rae,” Kalen introduced. “Our lead warrior. She’s the reason most of us are still alive.”

Rae eyed me, not unkindly, just… curious. “So you’re the famous Moon born huh? You are a bit fragile” she said.

I was confused, I did not think it was a compliment, not by a longshot but her tone, it held not malice.

I smile tightly.

Kalen tsked at her, “Now we do not judge people by their looks Rae, you know that.”

Rae shrugged “I meant no malice” she said.

“I’m not offended”

“You see Alpha, she is fine” Rae said.

There further I walked, the more I saw. The homes here were modest, built from stone and timber, blending into the forest. Children ran freely between houses, laughter echoing through the trees. A few wolves trotted by in their shifted forms, tails wagging as they played near a stream.

“No one is afraid,” I murmured, watching them.

Kalen glanced at me. “They’re not. We built this pack on trust. Everyone contributes, and everyone protects one another.”

He introduced me to others—Lena, the herbs healer with a crooked smile and arms stained with berry dyes; Tomas, a grumpy older wolf who ran the training grounds; and Mira, the baker who pressed a warm bun into my hands without a word.

“We don’t get many strangers here,” Kalen explained as we walked. “We’ve stayed off the radar for a reason. Most packs don’t even believe we exist anymore.”

“But I am not a stranger, since you said everyone knows me” I said

“You Moon born are quite the celebrity around here” Rae said.

He was silent for a moment.

“The goddess would never let you cross our path if she did not have a plan” Alpha Kalen said.

“You believe in the Moon Goddess that strongly?” I asked.

Kalen gave me a sideways look. “She hasn’t failed us yet. Maybe this is all her doing, perhaps we were meant to find you.”

I just nodded.

As we reached the edge of the pack’s central square, Kalen stopped and turned to me fully.

“While you’re here, I want you to know that you’re safe. No one will harm you. And when the time comes to fight… we’ll be ready.”

“Thank you” I said.

Maybe he was right, and the moon goddess had some grand plan.

All we could do was wait, and hope that this time we will be victorious.