Chapter 49: Lunar Ceremony

Lunar ceremony. What the hell were you thinking? That's right, I actually weren't. All that clouded my mind was that I was going to die and the gods were bored and sadistic. But right now, I was standing at the mirror and observing myself while I smoothed my white dress. A week passed, after I arrived back from the trails and I was warned by Alpha Ryan not to utter a thing about what happened. It was a short, knee length dress with long sleeves and showed my bare back while it hugged me. When I was lost in my train of thought Ares slipped in wearing a simple short dress with boots

"Hey, Hamia. You ready?"She asked, her voice nervous as I spun and nodded to her. Her hands placed behind her back as she sniffled. I hugged her tight as she sobbed."...He's gone...Eli I miss him so much. He was my best friend and now he's vanished. I-I don't know what to do?"I hugged her tighter and wiped her tears. Ares' hair grew longer and most of her streaks had faded.

After she calmed down and drank some water, I decided to ask her a question."Why are we doing this now?"I asked her, she stiffened and gaped at me.

She looked adorable as she blew into a tissue and grinned."They're doing this to count as reassurance to the pack members. They want a Lunar badly and a new Alpha. They hate us because of what happened but do nothing because they're scared...we'll join...the other side. So Zale wants us to hurry with the ceremony so they can't complain."She concluded as I pursed my lips into a thin line, deep in thought and clasped my fingers together.

We couldn't stay any here longer but we did. I stared at the window as a cool gust of wind blewthe thin white curtains revealing the inky-black sky, a crescent moon devoid of clouds and splattered with twinkling stars. We linked our elbows together and walked out of the pack house only to be met with cold air as we watched wolves file out and vanish into the woods as I sighed. We were shrouded with darkness as we relied on our senses to navigate through the woods and papered on an enchanted clearing. There was a strong force of glamour applied over here that seemed to only see a normal clearing but as we passed through it shimmered and flashed.

In it was a ruin of an ancient replica of a small amphitheatre and a stone circular platform as a crowd of wolves huddled around while collected gasps and murmurs were shared. Ares and I were stunned by as they glared and insulted but I walked past. At the far back of the seats were a familiar group of people dressed in white gowns, tunics and flower wreaths. Relaxed on a stone bench was Noah, his hands on his shook and his legs crossed as he watched me intently as I avoided his gaze. Originally, this place was for rituals and meeting long ago by the witches but vanished years ago but since witches have been flooded around they brought it back with them.

In the middle of it were a huge silver goblet and two witches and Zale crossed with the uninvited guest who narrowed his emerald-cat eyes at him but frowned at me. Honestly, he's grown and changed after the last few days. He grew more hair, his pale strips more defined and hair getting brighter and still dressed in all white but managed to stay clean.

I diverted my gaze to the swirling liquid as the thin clouds gave way from the horrible eerily quiet black woods as everyone leaned in. It was honestly like managed but a lot of blood and chants and more ritualistic at the end we held hands as Noah retreated to the woods. A loud scream echoed. He walked back pretty shaken and confused as we exchanged looks. Wolves had questions but no answers knew why he retreated. I chose someone else.

After the ceremony, it was time was food and pack runs but that was postponed till further notice but the wolves all nodded in agreement as we filled out with enforcers on the watch.

"There's one vital reason for all things... I know you wolves are uncomfortable with Alpha Franklin. You've all heard stories about their cult-like way of life than a community and thirst sadistic hate for wolves but weirdly enough we got an ally in our midst to help defeat our monster plaguing fear where she passes, "He paused as the wolves tense and his clan glare and ball their fists in pure rage as Zale clears his throat, to stabilise the tension he create.

"They're hunters?"

"They aren't any other supernatural group."

"We don't trust them."

Jeers,insults and hate speech are shot around as wolves scream at Zale but he remains unbothered and resumes.

"Calm down."Zale screeches as Noah slowly claps as they disperse as he flashes his teeth and eyes. They growl and prowl away as suddenly the pit of flames explodes and the fairy lights die and we're enveloped in darkness. Everyone screams and huddles as Zale and Noah grab my elbows and I stare into their phosphorescent eyes like fireflies but mine doesn't glow.

You lost your powers, didn't you?

You're human, now.

Embrace it, dear.

I stiffened and yanked my hands away from Noah and throw a glare as he looks hurt. Sparks showered as the wind churned around us and things break then to my right someone screams a snap. To my left another loud scream then suddenly, a bloodied hand wrote boldly on the wall a cold air strikes like knives at my back to my bones. Eerie laughter echoes then the darkness then vanish. Everyone stood flabbergasted as it wrote then vanished. The light returned and flickered as I gape and stare wide-eyed. On the floor sprawled dead bodies, stabbed or soul just suck and empty like a carpet.

Written on the wall was a warning and a taut: Aw, you're having your fun, while people die, while I'm rounding up my army. I've been waiting for years for a worthy opponent. Here the plan, if you surrender I'll spare you. We must speak face-to-face. Even though I dislike werewolves, werewolf lovers and humans are all equal. We share a fight on the fair plain, no human technologies and we shall start. Join the winning side; we just want a better place where we're all equal. I can't wait. People join willing without me to influence them.

Everyone read as the creature's voice recited it on our heads.We nodded and reminded the wolves.

"You heard the demon; it's time to think harder."Zale shouted his voice loud as he gestured to the bodies and the sky.