Chapter 59 59
Chapter 59 59
Rhea’s POV
I watched Lucien come out to the raised platform, he had a presence that instantly quelled the audience.
“The Annual Lunar Hunt will be at the end of this week.” he announced as his eyes scanned the crowd.
“We pay homage to our ancestors and the vision they had which came to pass under the full moon.” He continued.
There was a buzz of excitement which was almost contagious, a collective energy which had spread out amongst everyone standing there.
I looked at Lillian beside me and she was completely glowing, smiling so wide I thought it was her birthday.
I got in close, my voice low so that only she could hear over the noise of the crowd. “What is the Lunar Hunt?” I asked inquisitively.
Her eyes lit up with excitement as she turned to me, practically jumping on the spot. “You don’t know? Oh Rhea, it one of the most important Festivals we have!”
“Go on.” I said as I was so interested what all that passion which was displayed on every face around us was about.
Lillian grabbed my arm, her fingers were warm. “Our human Ancestors hunted elks and deers in the wild. Some say Antelopes and boars, the stories have changed with time….” She paused for a bit , her voice dropping to a whisper.
“Well during that hunt, under the full moon, they found a cave.” She continued.
I was drawn in, engrossed as the pack members began to go off to go over the details of the preparations which was starting all around us.
“In the cave resided the First Alpha.” Lillian went on. “ It was great in size, its origin of ancient times and power beyond what they had ever known. Some report that the First Alpha was as large as a bear, that it’s fur was pitch black and its eyes Crimson.” My Little educator narrated.
“What happened?” I asked though I could already guess how it would end.
“They were afraid, you see. They had never come across anything like it and fear made them do terrible things. But the wolf’s spirit did not just disappear. It cursed them or perhaps it blessed them, which way you choose to look at it. Under that same full moon, they transformed. Each and every hunter became what they put to death.” Her voice became low as she explained.
“So we hunt every year to honor the hunters we once were and the wolves we became. It is to keep us at balance, to be connected to our past and present nature.” She finished off so intelligently.
My focus was brought back to the present at the sound of a loud voice which interrupted our conversations. Jacob, Noah’s younger brother, had climbed onto a wooden crate and was reading from a ledger. He’d run his hand through his dark hair which fell across his forehead as he bent over the pages, calling out names and assignments with ease. As the top beta among the young wolves he carried a certain amount of authority and pack members stood at attention to listen.
“Lillian Vale, Rhea Hale, Marcus Thorn, Sarah Wind, and the other maidens under her banner, you’re all part of the decorating party.”
Lillian clung to my hand at once, her earlier excitement dying down. I held on tight, not sure what emotion this was.
“ I so wanted to go hunting this year.” she said with a tone that went right to my heart. “ I am so tired of always doing decoration duty. I wish to be out there with the hunters, yo be with my brothers, to feel what our ancestors did.”she said.
I turned and fully faced her, our hands still locked in. “Patience” I said gently yet with authority. “Your time will come, Lillian. You are growing stronger in training each day. Next year, maybe the year after but it will come,” I tried to reassure her.
She agreed but I could tell that she wasn’t fully sold. Before I could put forth any more words of confidence, a sharp dismissive sound interrupted our chat.
“How touching.”
Alicia’s tone was laced with coldness as she took a step forward, her arms crossed over her chest and a smirk which made my teeth clench.
“Only female wolves who attain the honor of Warrior Luna go with the Alphas for hunting.”She said blandly.
“Not everyone who thinks that they have the right to run with the best, actually get to do. It takes years of training, proven strength, and also bloodline which of course plays a role.” She finished off hard looking at me the entire time.
In that moment something changed within me. I had a definite sense of certainty.
“Then I'll go for the Warrior Luna,” I said softly as I met her eyes confidently.
Alicia laughed out loud in a sharp mocking tone. “You? You’ve only just started your basic training. The Warrior Luna trials are….”
“I know about what they are, “ I said, my voice was bold and louder now. “I will finish them.”
She looked at me for what felt like forever, her was obvious.
Lillian took my hand again and when I looked at her she wore pride in her eyes. “Are you for real ? You’re really going to put out for the Warrior Luna trials?”
“I mean it,” I confirmed, and as I spoke the words aloud, I felt them settle into my bones like an oath. “I have to, Lillian. Not just to prove Alicia wrong, though I won’t lie—that’s part of it. But I need this for myself. I need to know I can stand beside Lucien and Damien as an equal, that I earned my place rather than simply being chosen.”
Deep down, I finally had a challenge that felt worthy of everything I’d been through. A goal that would push me beyond my current limits and forge me into something stronger. The Warrior Luna trials would test every aspect of my abilities, strength, strategy, endurance, heart.
Around us, pack members continued organizing for the hunt, their voices filled with pure anticipation. But I stood there with Lillian’s hand in mine, feeling the weight of my new purpose settling over my shoulders.