AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She was older than me, in her late forties, I assumed, as most Enchanteds with white hair were.
I was the exception to that rule. During the war on Earth, a higher-ranking Enchanted had passed on her strength and knowledge to me to increase my power. I hadn’t earned my status and white hair through training and years of experience. It had been thrown at me, so I’d be able to fulfill my role in winning the war. I didn’t feel bad about that. It had been necessary to stop the vampires’ rampage.
"I see you're settling in well," she added. "I'd hoped to help you in that regard, but my pack has been keeping me busy." She turned to point at the Enchanteds waiting for her. “Those are a few of my members, my family.”
The women waved at me, and I did the same. "All of you are in the same pack?"
“We’re a pack of Enchanteds only—the Silvermane Pack.”
My mouth dropped. “Get out! Really? Are you’re their Alpha?”
Felicity made a face and shook her head. "Well, I'm not an Alpha by blood. I'm just the strongest in our pack and therefore the leader. But sure, you could say I'm the Alpha."
“That’s . . .” I was lost for words. “That’s revolutionary. I never thought I’d meet an Enchanted leading a pack of her own. On Earth, Enchanteds aid packs and the Council, but there has never been a pack made up solely of Enchanteds.”
I thought of Elinor, who was now the Alpha of the Bloodmoon Clan, and felt an overwhelming sense of pride in these women who’d taken on roles they wouldn't have been able to have on Earth.
“We still offer help to the wolf community and other species as well. On Earth, we were raised to serve a pack, and as honorable as that is, in this realm, we can do what we wish and help those we want to help. We’re not pack Enchanteds. We’re just Enchanteds.”
“I have to tell you, I’m impressed, Felicity.”
“Thank you; I appreciate that.” She blushed. “So tell me, if I were to extend an invitation to you to join us, would you accept? You're the youngest Enchanted that we know of, and you're from modern times. We'd love to count you among our ranks." She held her hand up. "You don't have to answer now. But think about it. You can even visit our pack before you make a decision."
“I’m sorry, Felicity, but I'm afraid I have to decline. What you’ve achieved is remarkable. But I don’t want to join another pack, at least not anytime soon, for the same reason you said. I want to explore what it’s like to live without a pack, doing exactly as I please.”
Thankfully, she didn’t seem wounded by my rejection. “I had a feeling, considering no other pack has scooped you up yet. But my members insisted I ask, nonetheless." She pushed her hair behind her ear and looked up as the shadow of large wings passed over us. "Even so, if you ever need anything, Natalie, please, let me know."
"Thank you," I replied. But like her, my attention was on Rumir, who'd just flown over our heads. “I’ll remember that.”
The drums and music stopped as he dropped down before the stage with a thud that echoed around us. His massive wings were twice the size they’d been during the ball, and he flapped them once, creating a gust of wind. But I could barely see him because everyone had gathered around him to see what was going on, and a few white wolves, obviously ready for any possible trouble, blocked my view.
The forest grew silent, and a hush like a wave traveled through the crowd. Every wolf stopped what they were doing and placed their fists over their hearts. I followed suit but stepped to the side and got on my tiptoes to see above the crowd. Finally, I caught a glimpse of my mate.
His face was as intimating as always, his brows tightly knitted, the whites of his eyes black while his irises were glowing green. He was a god standing above all, and I watched with pride as he placed his fist over his heart and bowed to the group.
My wolf howled softly with excitement when abruptly, everyone began to speak.
“Tonight’s full moon is a blessing from our Goddess! We thank thee for her love and divine light! We hail our mother, our Goddess!”
“Hail to our mother!” Rumir roared, and I staggered backward with fright when he let his head fall back and blew fire into the air. Even with the distance between us, I could feel the heat from the flames on my skin. But still, a chill passed over my body.
The gigantic flames rose to the starry sky, and everyone shouted once more, “Hail to our mother!”
The music began once more, the thundering drums shaking me to my core. But now, it was as if a newfound sense of joy had been awakened in everyone as they hugged each other and cheered. I stood rooted to the spot, the hairs on my arms standing on end because of the amount of power charging the air.
My eyes began to sting with tears at what I’d just witnessed when a hand came down on my shoulder.
“I felt the same way at my first festival. We didn’t have large gatherings like this on Earth.” Felicity’s eyes were rimmed red with unshed tears. “This is our Goddess’s power and her love. That is what you’re feeling.”
I swallowed as I placed my shaky hand over my heart. I wanted to speak, to convey what I was feeling into words, but I couldn’t seem to get it out. She took a step back, her eyes turning white, and she held her head back and howled.
I did the same, howling to the moon above us. My hands clenched and my eyes turned white as my howl poured from my body. It was as if I could feel everything all at once. It was overwhelming, and something I’d never, ever experienced before.
The Blackmoon Pack, on Earth and in this realm, was my family. But all wolves were joined by love, loyalty, and the Goddess.
We were all family, and tonight, I was very proud to call myself a wolf.
* * *
