Chapter 02.11.2022, Few Weeks Later

The weeks had passed since my introduction ceremony, and gradually, the pack was warming up to my presence. However, there were still some wolves who held reservations and didn't fully accept me due to my persistent desire to meet my father. They labeled him a "traitor" and often referred to him as a "freak." Although they didn't say these words directly to me, their body language made it clear that they harbored animosity toward the ex-alpha. I struggled to comprehend their animosity. Being only one year old, soon to turn two, I had much to learn and understand.

My mother, Luna, hadn't divulged much information about my father or his secret, despite my persistent begging to know more. She kept insisting that she would reveal the truth when I was older. This constant evasion was starting to wear on my patience. However, today was a significant day. It marked my birthday, the day I would venture out into the world.

Excitement and anticipation buzzed through the pack, as whispers filled the air about what gifts to bestow upon Luna's daughter. Some wolves carried on with their daily activities, seemingly oblivious to the occasion, but beneath the surface, something special was happening. Mother busied herself preparing our den according to my preferences, ensuring I would be happy on my special day. She even enlisted a few werewolves to gather extra meat from the food storage and wrap wolf-themed presents.

I awakened to the gentle touch of my mother's snout against my forehead, a signal that it was time to wake up. "Good morning, love," she greeted me with a soft, affectionate smile before turning her attention elsewhere. An ember-colored wolf approached, holding something in his jaws. He handed it to my mother before bowing respectfully and walking away.

Luna accepted the object with her teeth, turning toward me. It was a bundle, wrapped securely with sturdy green vines and adorned with autumn leaves. I couldn't help but smile. The meticulous wrapping style reminded me of Blue and Smoke, two wolves who often pooled their resources to buy me gifts for holidays and birthdays—a cherished tradition of theirs.

"Open it, love," mother urged, nudging the package closer to me. I chuckled but quickly tore through the vines, causing the entire package to unfold and reveal a beautiful bed of moss adorned with white river foam. Resting atop this natural cushion lay an amulet—golden and encrusted with my favorite gemstone. I gasped, my eyes fixated on the exquisite jewelry before me. Without hesitation, I grasped it with my teeth and looked up at my mother, tears welling in my eyes. "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked, her smile never faltering.

I nodded and handed the amulet back to her, allowing her to secure it around my neck. Once she finished, I gazed down at my chest, moving my paw to catch the glimmer of the (favorite color) jewel reflecting the dense sunlight streaming into our den. "Do you like it?" mother inquired, and I nodded once again, still overwhelmed by the beauty of the gift. "I-I... I love it," I finally managed to express, prompting my mother to laugh softly and nuzzle me. "There are a few more presents, but you don't have to open them right away," she informed me, gesturing in a direction. I followed her gaze, revealing a pile of wrapped gifts. "Oh, stars... are those from the whole pack?" I asked, astonishment coloring my words. Mother nodded, replying, "Well, half of them. Some don't believe in giving gifts, considering it unnecessary, which I find absurd. But I'm not a Luna who forces her pack members to do anything." I nodded, taking in this information.

"No, I understand. It's okay. I want to open them tonight. Are we doing anything special today?" I inquired, attempting to suppress the pang in my heart that resulted from half the pack's reluctance to give gifts. Either they didn't appreciate the gesture or simply didn't like me. After one or two years of being part of this pack, I still longed for their acceptance. It hurt, but that's the consequence of mentioning a wolf who is no longer welcome here. Yet, I couldn't help but hope that they would eventually accept my father if I ever found him.

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Now, I found myself with my friends, reveling in the joy of the moment.

Or at least, we attempted to. There wasn't much to do in this forest, and our excursions were limited to the borders near the Great Stone—an unremarkable rock that jutted out from the ground like a misplaced tooth. It lacked the majesty and significance of Pride Rock, but it served as an outpost for our pack.

Male adults stood guard there, while some females occupied the other side at River Bend.

"Moon, have you talked to Eskimo more?" Smoke inquired as we settled down from a fit of laughter. I turned to look at her, tilting my head in confusion. "No? I've been with you guys all day, except for this morning when I was with my mother before she left for a meeting," I replied. Smoke nodded, accepting my explanation, and our conversation shifted to another topic. It was then that I noticed a prickling sensation, a phenomenon familiar to females: being stared at.

I sighed and turned my head, catching the culprit's eyes. They were a piercing shade of blue, eyes that I knew all too well. Eskimo. Furrowing my brow, I redirected my gaze to my friends, attempting to ignore his persistent gaze. However, the unsettling feeling didn't dissipate. Before long, our teacher, Asha, a beautiful black-furred wolf with icy blue eyes, approached us. She smiled and nodded in my direction. "Moonfire," she greeted before continuing on her way. My friends and I exchanged smiles, then delved into a conversation about blood moons, our unique lunar connection.

"Hey, have any of you ever seen a human?" Tundra, one of our tallest wolves, asked me. I looked at her, frowning—something I had been doing a lot lately. "Um, no, I haven't. Have any of you?" Tundra shook her head and shrugged. "I don't think any of us have, but I've heard stories. My grandmother, Ryka, told me they walk on two legs, sometimes taller than a wolf, and carry weapons called guns. Whatever those are," she explained, wrapping her long, rust-red tail around herself.

I hummed, pondering this new information. It seemed accurate, and I now had a mental image to associate with the term "human." "Well, do you think we'll ever encounter one?" Smoke asked, her tail thumping against the stone we were lounging on, basking in the warm sun. Blue, Tundra, and I exchanged glances before shrugging. "We might, someday," I replied before letting out a large yawn, feeling my jaw crack into place as I closed my mouth.

Soon after, I noticed my friends stiffening, causing me to look at them in confusion. "Girls, what's wrong?" I inquired, receiving no immediate response. Instead, I felt a faint brush against my tail, prompting me to turn my head and find myself face-to-face with Eskimo. He wore a charming smile and settled down, making himself comfortable on an immovable rock. "Hey, ladies," he greeted, his smile directed at the others. They responded with blank stares, but Smoke spoke up first. "What do you want?" she asked, and Eskimo looked bewildered and confused. "Am I not allowed to talk to you?" Blue glared at him slightly and retorted, "Well, after what you said that day, no, you're not. Please stay away from Moon and don't try to talk to her. We'll know."

I choked on nothing, quickly shifting my gaze between the three female wolves. "What?" Eskimo asked, perplexed. He then turned to look at me. "Are you okay with this? Did I hurt you when I told you about your father? Er..." I sighed and shook my head. "No, you didn't, but I suppose the girls are right. You did say something that made me uncomfortable. My father isn't as bad as you described him," I explained.

Eskimo let out a sigh and stood up, turning away. "I'll leave; I know when I'm not welcome. But Moonfire, meet me at River Bend. I want to speak with you before the annual hunt," he declared before slinking off without sparing the other female wolves a glance. As he disappeared from sight, I turned back and let out another sigh, resting my head on my paws.

Silence followed, and my friends eventually resumed their conversation. However, I remained silent, lost in thoughts about Eskimo's intentions. But soon, those thoughts faded, and I drifted off to sleep under the soothing glow of the setting sun.

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We met at River Bend in the evening, after the sun had dipped below the treetops and bid farewell to the world, leaving its sister to take its place in the sky.

The night was exceptionally beautiful, reminiscent of a rose petal floating on water. Mesmerized by the sight, I made my way to the shimmering River Bend to quench my thirst. The journey from our den to this spot was quite a distance. As I bent down to drink, my ears perked up, assured that no creature in the forest posed a threat. Little did I know, I should have remained vigilant. In the next moment, I found myself falling to the forest floor and landing with a soft thump. Atop me was Eskimo, wearing an idiotic grin.

Our eyes locked, and I rolled mine in annoyance. "Get off," I ordered, but the black wolf remained unmoved, gazing into my eyes for a prolonged moment. I found myself getting lost in his azure blue orbs, and before I knew it, we were leaning in, our snouts almost touching. Yet, just as the sensation began to register, I turned away with a deep blush spreading across my furry cheeks.

Eskimo fared no better, clearing his throat as he moved away, dipping his head. I sighed and rolled onto my stomach, adopting a more relaxed posture to convey that Eskimo was welcome in my presence. "So, you wanted to talk?" I asked, curling my tail around myself to hide my nervousness. The black male wolf looked up, seemingly taken aback that I would engage with him, but he smiled and sat down. "Yes, I did," he replied, and I nodded, signaling for him to continue.

Clearing his throat, Eskimo began, "I owe you an apology, Moonfire. I shouldn't have said those things about your father without knowing the full story. I let my anger and prejudice cloud my judgment, and for that, I'm truly sorry." I listened intently, acknowledging his sincerity, but I couldn't help but feel a lingering doubt. "Apology accepted, but why the sudden change of heart? What made you realize you were wrong?" I questioned, my voice tinged with curiosity.

Eskimo's gaze shifted, and his ears drooped slightly. "It took some time for me to reflect on my actions, and during that process, I realized that my prejudice was unfounded. I started thinking about the pack's unity, how it's not healthy to carry grudges and divide ourselves. And then, when I saw you today with your friends, it hit me. We should be protecting and supporting each other, not tearing each other apart," he explained, his voice sincere and genuine.

I took a moment to digest his words, appreciating the effort he had put into self-reflection. "Thank you for apologizing, Eskimo. It means a lot to me," I replied, sincerity dripping from my voice. Eskimo smiled softly, his eyes reflecting a hint of relief. "You're welcome, Moonfire. And I want you to know that I'm willing to make amends, to be a friend and ally. If you'll have me," he added, his gaze filled with hope.

I contemplated his words, my thoughts swirling in my mind. The idea of mending bridges and forging new friendships appealed to me, especially considering the tension within the pack. Perhaps this could be a step towards unity and acceptance. With a smile, I extended a paw toward Eskimo. "I believe in second chances. Let's start fresh, Eskimo," I said, my voice filled with determination.

He eagerly reached out and touched his paw to mine, sealing our newfound friendship. In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope for the future—a future where the pack could come together, set aside their differences, and embrace the strength of unity.

And so, under the starlit sky, Eskimo and I sat by the river, sharing stories, laughter, and dreams for a brighter tomorrow.