Raven
"I'll do it," Axel said.
But he had barely spoken when the woman who seemed to be the Luna shook her head. She pointed instead at the young man with dark hair.
"Rex is the eldest. He'll do it," she said with such finality in her voice that I would have been surprised if anyone still dared to argue.
To be honest, I didn't care who did it. I would have preferred if no one offered at all, but it was either that or death. The choice was clear.
A blade was produced, and the Luna walked toward me, handing it to me as I continued to kneel on the ground with tear-streaked cheeks.
"Cut your palm and say the oath," she instructed in a steady tone.
I took the blade from her and nodded slightly. I knew what to do. I had seen my father make others take oaths before.
As I lifted my head, I was surprised to see a flash of deep hatred in Axel's eyes. The look vanished quickly, and it was not enough to distract me from what I needed to do.
I sliced my palm open and began to speak.
"I, Raven Wilde of the Mistvalley Pack, solemnly declare, with the Moon Goddess as my witness, that I will never tell another soul about the pack I came across—"
"Bloodmoon Pack," the Luna interrupted.
I nodded and began the oath again while they all stood around me, watching and listening carefully.
"I, Raven Wilde of the Mistvalley Pack, solemnly declare, with the Moon Goddess as my witness, that I will never tell another soul about the Bloodmoon Pack."
Rex, the dark-haired man, did the same. He cut his palm and allowed the blood to stream down before walking over to where I knelt.
There was no particular expression on his face as he grabbed my hand and pressed it against his, allowing our blood to mingle together.
We spoke the final words at the same time.
"By the Goddess' will."
It was expected, yet still surprising, when I felt a strange heat spread from my arm to my chest. The sensation pulsed through me briefly before fading.
"It is done," Rex declared.
He pulled his hand away, and I was not surprised to see that his palm had already begun healing. Mine had not. The wound remained open far longer than his.
"Thor will show you your way back," the Luna said shortly after, a satisfied expression settling on her face.
I continued kneeling on the ground for a moment, breathing in relief at the knowledge that I would not be killed.
Slowly, I scrambled to my feet.
Before I could speak, Axel stepped forward.
"I'll come with you too," he said, moving closer and offering a hand to help me up.
I accepted it and rose unsteadily. For reasons I did not quite understand, I felt relieved by his presence.
I bowed my head respectfully toward the Luna before stepping closer to Axel, who insisted on leading the way. Thor followed behind us as we walked into the forest.
The deeper we went among the trees, the more uneasy I became.
I glanced back at Thor with fearful eyes.
For a moment, I was convinced they still intended to murder me.
They tied a cloth around my eyes, blindfolding me. Then I felt myself being lifted off the ground.
The wind rushed against my face as they carried me swiftly through the forest. The speed was shocking, and I clutched tightly without thinking.
Eventually we came to a stop.
My blindfold was removed.
I blinked several times in surprise as I realized where we were.
We stood beside the small river that marked the edge of my pack's territory, near an area where the sentries rarely patrolled.
"How?" I gasped, stunned that they had found my pack so easily. Fear crept into my voice.
This time, Thor answered.
"You smell very nice. It was easy to trace your scent back," he said casually.
I stared at him for a moment before slowly nodding.
Turning back toward the two men, I realized once again how easily they towered over me. Their arms were thick with muscle beneath their tunics, and even dressed simply in trousers and cloth, they looked powerful.
Their hair was unusual as well. Axel's red hair stood out sharply, while Thor's blond hair caught the faint light filtering through the trees.
Axel's eyes were darker, while Thor's were a lighter shade.
"I guess this is goodbye then," I said quietly.
Thor nodded once and stepped back, making it clear that he was already preparing to leave.
Axel, however, stepped closer to me instead.
My eyes widened in surprise when he reached out and slid his fingers lightly through the ends of my dark hair.
"You haven't reached your moon age yet?" he asked.
I stared at him, shocked that he somehow knew I had not yet become an adult—had not yet reached the age where I could take a mate or be assigned one.
"We'll see each other again," he said.
There was a strange hint of longing in his gaze, as though he did not truly want to part.
I slowly nodded and murmured my thanks.
The pain in my palm had mostly faded, though the scar from the oath remained.
I was still watching him when his expression suddenly changed.
He frowned.
The next moment, both Thor and Axel transformed into their wolf forms.
Before I could even react, they dashed away into the forest.
I stood there for a moment, stunned by how quickly they disappeared.
Then I turned and began walking toward the pack lands.
I had barely gone far when I saw figures approaching.
My sister appeared first, followed by my brothers.
They stopped when they saw me.
For a brief moment, relief flashed in their eyes.
Then it vanished.
Annoyance, anger, and open fury quickly replaced it.
"Where have you been?" Brandon, my oldest brother, shouted as he stormed toward me.
I lowered my head, but it did not save me.
His hand struck my face, snapping my head to the side.
Pain exploded across my cheek. I grabbed my face as tears filled my eyes, the faint taste of blood spreading in my mouth. I swallowed it quickly, knowing better than to make a sound.
Brandon raised his hand again, preparing to strike me a second time.
But Leon spoke.
"She has to meet Father right now. You can do that later," he said, a faint warning in his tone.
Brandon hesitated before lowering his hand.
Instead of feeling relief, dread filled my chest.
Fear tightened around my heart at the thought of meeting Father.
"Why?" I asked weakly. "Why do I have to meet him?"
My siblings might not be able to tell where I had been.
But Father…
If he looked at me, it would be a miracle if he did not know.
I opened my mouth, preparing to lie.
"I—I feel sick," I began.
Leon didn't even respond.
He simply stepped forward, grabbed me, and lifted me effortlessly before tossing me over his shoulder.
Brandon scoffed beside us, while Lilian sneered as she fell into step behind him.
Leon carried me down the path that led back toward the pack.
Back to Father.