Chapter 30 The Moon Ritual Class
Malia's POV
I've gotten, like, two hours of sleep.
Between the threatening text, sleeping on the Moonfalls’ couch with three overprotective alphas rotating watch duty, and Sara’s disappearance playing on a loop in my head — I can’t catch a break.
But day breaks all the same, hauling me off to classes I’m too tired to pay attention to.
Lunar Practices is my final class of the day.
Usually it’s pretty interesting—Prof Thane talks about wolf traditions, moon cycles, ritual practices that link us back to our ancestral roots.
Only today the subject makes my skin crawl.
Ancient Moon Rituals: Power and Prohibition
The white title is superimposed against a black background and then gradually removed as I step inside.
I slide into my usual seat midway back, attempting to fade into the background.
But I can feel eyes on me.
Since last night, when I moved into the Moonfall suite—the news traveled across campus like wildfire—everyone’s been looking.
Whispering, judging.
Professor Thane enters, the class hushes.
He is an older wolf, his hair is grey and he has a powerful presence which demands respect but does not beg for it.
Scanning the room, he says, "Good afternoon," he begins. "Today we'll be talking about rituals our ancestors practiced, but modern packs have left behind. Some for good reason. Others... well, that’s a matter of opinion.”
He advances to the next slide—an ancient rendition of wolves beneath a full moon, set in a circle around a central figure.
“Moon rituals used to be the backbone of pack bonding,” he says. “They reinforced relationships, increased power, and connected wolves to the lunar cycle in ways we’ve largely forgotten.”
He stops, to let that meld with them.
“But there were some ceremonies that were too much. Too risky. And the Council, in its omniscient wisdom, banned it.”
When he says “infinite wisdom,” you can tell he’s laughing at that decision.
“Does anyone know why certain rituals were banned?” he asks.
A hand shoots up — some eager beta in the front row.
"Because they were corrupting? Made wolves lose control?"
"Partially correct." Professor Thane moves to the next slide - a list of prohibited actions. “Rituals were prohibited for many reasons. Uncontrollable. Strange results. And, most importantly—they were upsetting the natural order.”
I tune up..Shattered hierarchies, just like hybrid bonds.
“For instance,” he goes on, “there was a ritual known as Lunar Ascension that allowed lower-ranking wolves to have access to alpha-level power for a limited time. Just imagine — omegas having the capacity to challenge pack leaders. The Council weren't allowed to for that."
Students murmur around me.
“Another forbidden practice: the Soul Tether ritual which formed permanent bonds between wolves of no matter if rank or bloodline.” He surveys the room. “This particular bond-breaking was extremely contentious because it permitted pairings that were unnatural pairs.”
My heart pounds.
Bonds that defied natural pairing.
He switches to another slide, and my breath catches. Hybrid Conduits: The Dua nature advantage.
"Now this is where things get interesting," says Professor Thane. "Discomforting for a few."
His gaze roams the room, resting for a moment on me before moving on.
"Hybrid wolves, or those with mixed blood, have a unique dual nature. They are part wolf, part man, and live in two worlds." He pauses. "Ancient texts indicate that this dual nature allowed them to become powerful channels for extraordinarily rare magic. Because they could bridge worlds, they were probably the best for rites that needed... flexibility check."
Silence falls upon the room. A handful of students look at me, not malevolent, per se.
Just …aware, uncomfortable.
Like I'm suddenly something to be stared at discussed rather than a man sitting among them.
“What sort of rituals?” one asks.
"Transformation rituals. Bonds of marriage that crossed accepted borders procedures that needed a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds." Rituals that needed an intermediary to go between the tangible and ethereal." Professor Thane wears an impassive, scholarly face. "Hybrids were prized for such tasks. At times venerated And, all too often... used."
The word hangs heavy.
Exploited.
“Naturally,” he adds, “such rituals are no longer observed by contemporary packs. They were banned by the Council centuries ago. But being informed is different. Documented. Studied. And occasionally…” He pauses significantly. “Rediscovered."
A chill runs down my spine.
Rediscovered.
"Why in the world would anyone want to rediscover forbidden rites? " a girl asks.
"Power," Professor Thane says plainly. “Ancient ceremonies had a potency that current rituals simply can’t match. If you’re the kind of person who thinks breaking the rules isn’t such a bad thing and that facing the consequences is part of the fun of it, well — that sort of temptation can be very strong.” He taps his way to the last slide—an alert in old writing.
"This is from the Council’s official Statement of Prohibition: To those who would attempt to revive the banned practices, harsh penalty will await. The old ways died for good reasons. Let them stay buried."
Professor Thane regards us solemnly.
"That’s something to think about. The old days weren’t always so great. Things are forbidden sometimes not just because they are forbidden but because they are really dangerous."
The bell rings and students begin to pack up.
But I sit frozen thinking very fast. Hybrid conduits, forbidden rituals.
“Miss Reed?”
I glance up. Professor Thane stands beside my desk.
“A word, please?”
My stomach knots, but I nod. It is just us after the class is dismissed, he draws up a chair, and sits somewhat casually opposite me.
“I want you to be careful,” he says softly.
I swallow. “Careful…of what?”
“On becoming a target.” His expression is grave. “I know the disappearances. The pattern. Students like you—hybrids, pretty low-ranking wolves—disappearing around full moons.”
My breath catches. “You know?”
“I’m old, Miss Reed. I observe things others don’t see.” He leans forward. “I also notice that the disappearances occur on or near the lunar cycles. That they target particular demographics," he said. "That the school is covering it up."
“Why haven’t you said anything?”
"To whom? The administration that's actively concealing evidence? The Council that would rather maintain order than acknowledge problems?" He shakes his head. "I've tried. Quietly. Through proper channels. But I'm just one professor. And they're very good at dismissing concerns."
"Then what do I do?"
"Stay visible. Stay with people you trust. And whatever you do—" his voice drops lower, "—don’t go out during the full moon. Especially this one."
"Why especially this one?"
He hesitates, then: "Because it’s a blood moon. Rare. Powerful. The kind of lunar event that would amplify ritual magic." He stands. "If there really is someone out there performing the forbidden rites, a blood moon is perhaps the best chance they have."
"When?"
"Three days."
My blood runs cold, three days until the full moon.
Three days until whatever’s been hunting hybrids makes its move.
"Thank you," I whisper. "For warning me."
"Thank your roommates," he says. "The Moonfall brothers. I suspect they’re already aware and taking precautions."
He heads toward the door, then pauses.
"One more thing, Miss Reed. If ancient rituals are indeed being practiced, and you're being targeted specifically ..." He looks back at me. "It’s not random. Someone wants you for a reason. Know why and you might see who."
Then he's gone, leaving me alone in the empty classroom.
—--
I'm gathering my things when someone clears their throat behind me.
I spin around. A tall guy I vaguely recognize stands in the doorway—senior, maybe, with dark skin and cautious eyes.
"Malia Reed?" he asks.
"Yeah?"
He glances down the hallway, listening for ears, and then enters.
"I'm Marcus. Marcus Rey."
The name rings a bell—I believe he was a student who “transferred” from Freddy’s research. But he’s definitely still here.
"I don't have a lot of time," he says briskly. "But I had to warn you."
"Warn me about what?"
"They're monitoring hybrids. Specifically. For the blood moon ritual." His voice is urgent, scared. "I was nearly caught last year. Would've been, except I fought back so much that they decided I wasn’t worth the risk."
My heart pounds. "Who? Who's watching?"
"I don't know. Never saw faces. Just shadows. But they're organized. Connected to the school? And they want hybrids for something." He moves closer, voice lowering to a whisper. "On every full moon, especially powerful ones, be in groups. Never alone. They can’t take you if there are witnesses.”
"How do you know this?"
"Because I've been tracking it. Trying to warn others. But no one listens. They think I'm paranoid. Conspiracy theorist." his expression hardens. But then students disappear and suddenly I'm not so crazy."
"Why are you telling me? "
"Because you're living with the Moonfalls now. That gives some protection. But it also makes you a higher-value target." He glances toward the door again. "Be careful during the blood moon. Don’t go anywhere alone. And if you see shadows watching—run. Don’t think. Just run."
"Marcus—"
But he's already backing away.
"I have said too much. You can be seen talking to you too long. They notice patterns." He reaches the door. "Three days, Malia. Survive three days, and the threat is over. Until the next full moon."
And then he’s gone, vanished into the packed hall. I stand there, my hands shaking.
Three days. Blood moon, forbidden rituals.
Hybrid conduits.
Everything is beginning to fall into place, and it is painting a terrifying image. Someone is performing forbidden rituals.
They want hybrids to make them work.
And with the blood moon coming in three days, what more perfect time.
I take out my phone and text the group chat with the brothers:
Me: We need to talk. Now. I know what they want me for.
Three replies come almost simultaneously:
Aiden: Where are you?
Rowan: Are you safe?
Cian: Coming to get you.
I typed my location and wait.
Within five minutes, all three show up—as though they had been nearby, just waiting to get the signal for me.
"What happened?" Aiden demands.
So I tell them everything. Professor Thane's lecture, Marcus's warning and the blood moon.
Forbidden rituals that require hybrid conduits. By the time I finish, all three look murderous.
"Three days," Rowan says quietly. "We have three days to find out who's behind this."
"And stop them," Cian adds.
"And keep you ali
ve," Aiden finishes, and he looks at me with such intensity it takes my breath away.
"So what do we do?" I ask.
The brothers exchange looks.
Then Aiden says what we're all thinking:
"We prepare for it."