"When the gods come among men, they are not known."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson.

It's nice.. to finally met you.

Veronica

New Moon Pack

"What are the odds! This is certainly quite a surprise! And a teacher?!"

"Yes, unfortunately," I shot back, not attempting to hide my scorn over Luke's statement. "Not every day you meet a woman who is both a warrior and a teacher."

Ezra scoffed. Imagine him shitting his pants once you add "Queen" to your resume.

"You could've at least informed me, Beta Alexander, that you guys are together. Looking at her, she's unmated." Ace added rather distastefully.

"Listen-"

"It's a pleasure officially meeting you." Alex interrupted, squeezing my shoulder. "I'm flattered that you see us as a couple. A wonderful idea, but sadly, we are not. Alexander Reign, Beta of the Blood Moon Shadow Pack." Alex finished, shaking Addie's hands.

What the fu- are you trying to help me or bury me sixty feet deeper to the ground? I linked.

He disregarded my sharp looks then went on to enchant Addie with his deep, mysterious eyes.

"Apologies for the confusion and my Beta's bad sense of humor." I smiled as I take Addie's exploring eyes off of Alex. "I think it's high time for me to introduce myself and apologize for abruptly leaving the shelter. I'm Ronnie, a warrior of the Blood Moon Shadow pack."

"A Beta and a warrior...Royals, the characters of a blooming love story! I am a romantic myself, so I'll be cheering you on!" Addie squealed.

"You seem to be exhausted enough to ignore me, Adeline."

"Cousin! you are cranky as always. Cut back on the caffeine and relax will you?" Addie nagged as she engulfs Ace into a warm hug. "Visit my office once in a while. I'll prescribe something for your irritable behavior."

Cousin. Really. This is getting more and more complicated.

"Save it. Come to my mine then we'll discuss the reason why they are here."

She took Luke's hands then whined. "Work! Could I at least chill out first? I'll meet you there.

The family laughed with ease as they walked towards the mansion. Their happiness is a bit infectious. I felt tingles in my stomach and fingers, like the start of my panic attacks, but this time instead of being anxious and worried, I feel warm.

Right when I was about to start wondering about these feelings not normally part of my daily emotional checklist, Mikey's voice caught my attention.

"Ronnie! The story, okay?"

My lips curled upwards as I flashed an "ok" hand gesture.

"What story?" Ace asked when he picked her niece up.

The little girl's face brimmed with excitement as she moved her tiny hands to his ears. "The Curse of the Lost Princess."

"Oh. I smell trouble." Alex said.

Thank you, werewolf hearing, but I have never seen Ace's face darken as it did now.

At least, I know why.

"Interesting, indeed. Even rogues have access to forbidden knowledge then."

Helena nodded. "Yes, Doc. The level of necromancy shown in our autopsy reports is off the charts. I'm pissed, amazed and alarmed at the same time."

"Well, that explains the rabid nature. They cannot even control themselves." Addie responded, pinching her nose bridge.

Ace sagged against his chair. "I've encountered dark magic before, but the recent attacks were different."

The air is as heavy as our faces as we gathered in the Alpha's office for a meeting. All are present, including Adeline Archer-Danvers, who was introduced as New Moon's pack doctor, Ace's cousin from Raph's side and apparently, the jolly mother of my closest student in the shelter, Mikey.

If I could give Hecate an award right now it would be "Best in Toying with People's lives Award...of Excellence."

"There hasn't been any movement form them after the attack on the border two weeks ago."

"Any assaults on the other Regions?" Max asked.

"Negative, Gamma," I answered.

I see you've been moving without us again, Alpha.

I'm not a child and I don't remember an Alpha requiring your permission, Gamma." I sassed.

"I say we put more patrols on every border. The best of the best. We can call the other Regions to do the same as well." Ace said, focused on the map of the Moon Kingdom on the table.

"I think so too," Alex seconded. " Being suspiciously quite means they'll attack anytime."

"NO."

All heads snapped in my direction after my sudden outburst. My habits made me forget that a warrior's thoughts aren't easily presented like this in a high ranking meeting.

"A-Apologies, but I don't think that'll be ideal."

The amused Alpha smirked, "Please do enlighten us."

"A lot of rogues died at the border two weeks ago. They finally saw how we do things and fight, so it's understandable for them to change their tactics," I explained. " Look at a broader picture, not just the in North. When did we arrive here?"

"October 14th," Luke answered.

"They attacked us a day after the full moon. The 13th was the Hunter's Moon. The last full moon, the Harvest Moon was on the 14th of September. Helena, remember last month's attack when we recorded at least 200 deaths?"

Helena's eyes widened in realization. "The attack was after the full moon."

"They attack big after the full moons of each month. I see now." Ace added.

"Bingo. I think you got it Alpha. They do it in coordination with small attacks on random parts of the Region. When wolves' packs are in danger, it's in their nature to respond and protect. They create small diversions to make us scattered.

"Full Moon. It's too obvious. Don't you think you're reading into this lightly? I wouldn't blame you if you couldn't understand but we, wolves, are stronger during the full moon."

I controlled my mouth of spitting unnecessary rebuttal when I realized I wasn't supposed to be one of their kind at the moment. I glanced at Helena and slightly nodded to let her do the explaining.

"Beta Mathew, for us, yes, but rogues are different. They shouldn't be this strong when you take their pack bonds out of the equation. When a wolf in shunned and turn rogue, it becomes at least 2 times weaker than the average unless you belong to a high ranking bloodline."

"Why the full Moon then?" Luke asked.

"Witches heavily rely on the moon with matters about our kind. It's not rocket science. Supernaturals are strong during full moons. All abilities are heightened."

"Still, something is missing," Addie said, going through the pages on the reports. "This is beyond science and magic. You cannot take a soul and make a demon this quickly. A mere supernatural cannot do this."

My pack members looked at me. I knew something had to be said.

It shouldn't come from my mouth. I'm supposed to be a warrior, remember? I linked.

Alex sighed. "Whoever is helping them, is no ordinary being. The depth of knowledge and the ability to make demons and monsters - is a god's work. Only they can take, make or break one's soul in one snap of the finger.

Addie's brows burrowed further, "a god? Like Hecate our Moon Goddes?"

"We can't seriously work on theories! This is outrageous!" Mathew shouted as he banged his fist on the wall.

"This isn't the time, Mathew. We asked for their help and they have a point. It's not impossible." Ace looked us sternly. "We should do things the usual way and work quietly. We shouldn't let them think we know something."

"Yeah. Like the British breaking the Enigma code quiet. We lurk in the shadows." Addie seconded.

Alex cleared his throat to clear the dead air in the room.

"There are a lot of things we know, but couldn't tell you...yet. We understand there were still open wounds from the past but trust us on this one."

Mathew crossed his arms over his chest. "How sure are you that is is a god's work?"

Alex's eyes wandered around the room then lingered on mine. "We should know."

Yes. We do.

Because we're all chess pieces in their game.

I should know very well.

A god took my very soul.

Isn't that right, Hecate?

Hi guys! yes! I finally updated it? How's life in general?

I hope everything is fine with all of you.

And I wish you like this chap :3

Fun fact: There are different names of Full Moons of each month, for the whole year!

VOTE.COMMENT.SHARE.

Love,

ladypaperback