Bound in Ash and Moonlight

-MOONSHADOW PACK TERRITORY, AETHERIA-

A flutter of nervous excitement danced in Madeleine Blackwood's stomach. Today was the day. Her mating ceremony. A day she'd dreamt of since she was a little girl when she attended mating ceremonies and witnessed the love between mates and the affection between them.

She'd spent the morning flitting around her room, not being able to stay still. She had done her hair countless times because she kept running her fingers through it and biting her nails in anticipation.

She carefully arranged the small collection of wildflowers she'd gathered that morning. She had always found them to be calming, and the action reminded her of her childhood with her mother. She wanted everything to be perfect. More than anything, she wanted to make her father proud.

Alpha Titus Blackwood, a man of strength and unwavering resolve, had always held high expectations for his daughter.

Madeleine, despite the gnawing insecurity that sometimes whispered she wasn't enough and the feeling her father resented her for being responsible for her mother's death, desperately wanted to live up to his expectations and win his approval.

And then there was Philip. Just the thought of him made her heart race. Everything about him drew her and her wolf. She knew she was hopelessly in love with him, and she believed, with every fibre of her being, that he loved her too. From the moment they had met, they had known they were to be mated, and today would be the day all her dreams came true.

"Maddy, you're going to be late for the ceremony," her father's voice echoed from the bottom of the stairs, pulling her from her daydream.

"Just a minute!" she called back, quickly grabbing her worn leather boots.

She glanced at her reflection in the mirror – a slender figure with raven-black hair and eyes the colour of a stormy sky. She wished, not for the first time, that she was more... striking and confident like her best friend, Rebecca. Rebecca had fiery red hair and an ability to draw and hold the attention of everybody in any room she entered. They were two opposites, but that's what made their friendship work.

She pushed the thought away, preferring not to focus on her insecurities. Today was about Philip, about their future. She rushed downstairs, a smile plastered on her face.

Her father stood at the door, a flicker of concern in his usually stern gaze. "Today is the mating ceremony, and you still choose to be late."

"Well, technically, I'm still early. I have over an hour until dusk," she replied, trying to lighten the mood.

She balanced precariously on one foot, tugging on her boot, then switched to the other. She knew her father didn't approve of her casual attitude, especially on such an important day, but she couldn't help it.

She walked out of the house, closed the door behind her, and climbed into the back of the waiting wagon. The wagon rumbled along the path, the silence between Madeleine and her father thick with unspoken emotions.

Madeleine played with the hem of her dress, her gaze fixed on her hands.

She looked at her father from the corner of her eyes, watching his every movement.

"Father," Madeleine began, her voice barely a whisper, "are you... are you pleased with how things are going?"

Titus glanced at her, his expression unreadable in the fading light. "Things are proceeding as they should, Madeleine."

"It's just," she hesitated, a small frown creasing her brow. "It all feels so... big. So many people."

Titus sighed, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "It's natural to feel a little overwhelmed."

"I know," she said, her voice small. "It's just... I just want to make you proud."

Titus's hand landed briefly on her shoulder, a fleeting gesture that offered little comfort. "Today is a big day, Madeleine. Focus on the ceremony. Everything else will fall into place."

The wagon stopped, and she stepped out into the crisp evening air. The grove was alive with activity, werewolves milling about, their scents mingling in the air. Some were on guard duty, and others were arranging the wood for the bonfire and preparing the tables for the wedding feast.

She walked towards the tent designated for her to change into her ceremonial clothes, her heart pounding in her chest. Inside the tent, she quickly changed into the simple white dress she'd chosen for the ceremony. It was plain, but it was her favourite. She felt a pang of sadness as she thought of her mother, who had passed away years ago. She wished her mother could be here today to share in her happiness.

As she passed a nearby tent, she heard muffled sounds of moans and gasps. She picked up the scent of cedarwood and it reminded her of Philip. She recognised the earthy scent of arousal, and a blush crept up her neck. Wolves. Even on a day like this, some things never change. A small giggle escaped her lips.

As dusk approached, the grove filled with pack members, their whispers and murmurs creating a low hum in the air. Madeleine watched as the elders arrived, their presence commanding respect. She felt a surge of pride. Her father was a respected leader, and she was his daughter.

Suddenly, she heard a rustling behind her and turned to see Rebecca approaching, a sly smile playing on her lips. Rebecca's hair was slightly tousled, a few strands clinging to her forehead, and her lips looked fuller, almost swollen. She smoothed down her dress, a subtle flush rising on her cheeks.

"Maddy, are you ready?" Rebecca asked, a playful smile tugging at her lips and her voice a little breathless. She gave Madeleine a quick once-over. "That dress...it's very you."

Madeleine laughed softly, smoothing down the simple white fabric. "What's wrong with it? It's my favourite."

Rebecca shrugged, her smile still in place. "Nothing's wrong with it. It's just...plain. You know? For such a big day, I just expected something a little more... wow." She twirled, showing off her own richly embroidered gown.

Madeleine's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. "It's comfortable," she said, lifting her chin slightly. "And it's white like it's supposed to be."

Rebecca giggled, linking her arm through Madeleine's. "Of course, of course. You always were one for tradition, besides that's just a personal choice. Come on, let's get this show on the road. I can't wait for the mating ceremony to begin."

"Me neither," Madeleine replied, a genuine smile returning to her face.

"Did you know the pack elders would be present?" she asked, glancing around at the growing crowd. "This seems a bit sudden."

"Well, Philip is the next alpha, and he's about to get mated," Rebecca said, her tone matter-of-fact. "They're probably coming to pay respects to their new leader."

Madeleine's heart skipped a beat. Philip, the next alpha? She hadn't known. A wave of pride washed over her. Her Philip, her mate, would be the leader of their pack. She could hardly contain her joy. "That makes sense," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

"Your dad is planning to step down from the alpha position today after the ceremony."

"A lot of things are going to change, huh?" Madeleine asked, a small frown creasing her brow.

Rebecca threw her a sidelong glance, her smile widening. "You have no idea, Maddy."

Madeleine and Rebecca walked towards the centre of the half-circle, where the ceremony would take place. Madeleine's heart was pounding in her chest. She could feel the eyes of the pack members on her, their whispers like a gentle breeze. She saw her father standing near the front, his face unreadable. She offered him a small smile, but he didn't return it.

As she reached the centre of the circle, Rebecca subtly detached her arm from Madeleine's and moved away, leaving Madeleine standing alone. Confusion flickered through her. What was going on?

Then, she saw him. Philip. He walked into the circle, his presence radiating power and confidence. He was even more handsome than she remembered. Her heart swelled with love. He walked towards her and took her hand. His touch sending a shiver of excitement through her.

The Moon Oracle, whose presence commanded respect, entered the circle and took her seat. She looked from Philip to Madeleine, her eyes piercing. "You are to be mated," she stated, her voice resonating with power.

Madeleine's smile widened. Finally, the moment she'd been waiting for.

But then, Philip spoke, and the world tilted on its axis. "I wish to be mated to another, Oracle."

-MOONSHADOW PACK TERRITORY, AETHERIA-

The words hung in the air, sharp and cold, like shards of ice piercing Madeleine's heart. Her smile faltered, then crumbled completely. She looked at Philip, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Philip, what... what are you saying?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

A ripple of murmurs went through the crowd. Werewolves shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between Madeleine and Philip.

Philip released her hand, his touch now feeling like a burn. He looked at her, and Madeleine saw something in his eyes that she'd never seen before. It wasn't love. It wasn't even indifference. It was... revulsion.

"Did you actually believe this ceremony was for you?" he asked, his voice laced with cruelty. He let out a harsh, humourless laugh. "Did you honestly think I would ever choose you?"

Madeleine's breath hitched. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. She couldn't understand. All the assurances, the whispered words of affections, the promises of forever. Had it all been a lie?

He turned away from her, his gaze sweeping over the assembled pack members. "My fellow pack members. Elders," he began, his voice ringing with authority. "I stand before you today to ask you one simple question. Why should I be mated to Madeleine Blackwood?"

He gestured towards her, his expression contorted with disdain. "Why do we call her a member of our pack? Why do we call her a werewolf? Is it because she's the daughter of the Alpha? Is a wolf that cannot shift, really a wolf?"

His words were like daggers, each one twisting deeper into Madeleine's soul. She was different. She'd always known it. While other werewolves could shift into their wolf forms, she couldn't. She was... flawed. Defective. She'd tried so hard to hide her shame, to pretend that it didn't matter, but Philip's words ripped away the facade, exposing her deepest insecurities to the harsh light of judgment.

The crowd murmured, their whispers now louder, more pointed. Madeleine felt their eyes on her, their gazes filled with pity, disgust, and something that looked like satisfaction.

"Philip, what is going on?" she pleaded, her voice choked with tears. "What are you doing?"

He turned back to her, his face a mask of cold indifference. "I'm doing what should have been done a long time ago," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "Getting rid of a useless and defective piece of crap."

Madeleine gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. The words echoed in her ears, each syllable a hammer blow to her heart. She took a step back, her eyes wide with horror. "What do you mean? You love me, don't you? You said so. You're my mate. What's going on?"

Philip barked out another laugh, devoid of any warmth. "Love you? I don't even hate you. I'm just repulsed that a being like you exists, and I almost bonded myself to you."

"You're lying," Madeleine screamed, tears streaming down her face. "Why? Why are you doing this? I know you. You won't hurt me." She clung to that belief, to the memory of their shared moments, the stolen kisses, the whispered promises. Surely, that couldn't all have been a lie?

"You know me?" Philip sneered. "If you do, you'll know I feel nothing for you. You're not worth having any feelings towards."

Madeleine's world was crumbling around her. The man she loved, the man she believed loved her in return, was standing before her, his eyes filled with repulsion, his words laced with cruelty. The future she'd imagined, the forever she'd dreamed of, shattered into a million pieces.

"Enough of this," a voice boomed. Titus Blackwood stepped forward, his face a thundercloud. Madeleine turned to him, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest. Surely, her father wouldn't let this happen. Surely, he would protect her.

But as she watched her father approach the Oracle, the hope died a slow, agonizing death. Titus Blackwood stopped in front of the Oracle, his gaze filled with not anger, not disappointment, but something way worse. Cold, calculated indifference.

"That... thing," he said, pointing at Madeleine, his voice devoid of any warmth or affection, "is no daughter of mine."

The words, spoken with such cold finality, echoed through the grove, each syllable a nail hammered into the coffin of her heart. Her father, the man who was supposed to love and protect her, had disowned her. Just like that. As if she were nothing more than a discarded toy or a broken piece of furniture.

"Hear me," Titus continued, his voice ringing with authority. "I hand over the title of Alpha to Philip Grey. He will do with the aberration as he sees fit."

A collective gasp swept through the crowd. Madeleine's head snapped towards Philip, her eyes wide with terror. He would do with her as he saw fit? What did that mean? The implications were terrifying.

The pack members erupted in cheers, their howls of approval deafening. Madeleine looked around at the faces she'd known her whole life, faces that were now contorted with bloodlust. They were celebrating her downfall, her rejection, her misfortune.

Madeleine stumbled back, her legs trembling. She felt as if she were trapped in a nightmare, a cruel and twisted dream from which she couldn't wake. She reached out a hand towards her father, a silent plea for help, for understanding, for love.

"Dad, what are...?" she whispered, her voice choked with tears.

Titus turned towards her, his eyes cold and hard. He raised his hand, and before Madeleine could react, he struck her across the face. The force of the blow sent her sprawling into the dirt, pain registering from the blow and the impact with the ground, but it was nothing compared to the agony in her heart.

"You are no daughter of mine," he stated, his voice flat and emotionless. He turned away, his back to her, and walked towards the other pack members, leaving Madeleine lying in the dirt, alone and abandoned.

The world swam before her eyes. She could hear the cheers of the pack, the triumphant laughter of Philip, but it all seemed distant, muffled, as if she were underwater. She felt numb, disconnected from reality. How could this be happening? How could her life, her dreams, her love, be shattered so completely, so brutally?

The Moon Oracle, who had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal, finally spoke. Her voice, though soft, carried an undeniable weight of power silencing the crowd. "To whom will you be mated?" she asked Philip, her gaze unwavering.

Philip, his face flushed with triumph, stepped forward. "To the one with whom my wolf is most at peace," he declared, his voice ringing with confidence. "To my true half, Rebecca Grimlock."

He extended his hand towards Rebecca, who stepped forward with a triumphant smile, her eyes gleaming with malicious glee.

Madeleine watched in horror as Rebecca took Philip's hand, their fingers intertwining. They stood together, facing the Oracle, their bodies close, their eyes locked. The picture of perfect, destined love. A love that Madeleine had so desperately craved. A love that had been ripped away from her in the blink of an eye.

The Oracle nodded her consent. "I will bless the union," she said, her voice echoing through the grove.

Madeleine stared in shock at the Oracle. How could she bless them? How could she condone this cruelty? What about her? What about the bond that was supposed to exist between mates? What about the love that she had believed, with all her heart, was real?

"Who will be the witness to your consummation?" the Oracle continued, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.

Rebecca's smile widened, her eyes locking onto Madeleine's. "Madeleine Blackwood," she said, her voice dripping with venomous sweetness.

"I refuse," Madeleine screamed, her voice raw with pain and anger. "After all this, you expect me to watch as he... as he..." The words caught in her throat, choked by tears and disgust.

"You have no choice," Philip replied, his voice laced with a cruel taunt. "It is an order from your Alpha." He let his eyes shift to their golden yellow, his aura heavy with Alpha dominance, and his voice resonated with power. "Obey."

Despite her inner turmoil, despite her hatred and disgust, Madeleine felt her body respond to the Alpha's command. She had no choice. She was bound by the will of the Alpha. Her own desires, her own feelings, were irrelevant.

With a heavy heart and with tears streaming down her face, Madeleine followed Philip and Rebecca towards the marriage tent. She knew what was going to happen inside, and the thought of it made her stomach turn. She couldn't bear to witness their intimacy, their consummation, the final, brutal confirmation of her rejection.

Madeleine felt her heart break again as she watched Rebecca kiss Philip. She tried to turn away from the sight but she couldn't fight the pull to obey the Alpha's orders.

She watched as Philip bit down on Rebecca's neck, drawing blood and marking her as his own.

Rebecca looked up at Madeleine, her gaze filled with malice and spiteful satisfaction. Rebecca locked her gaze with Madeleine's as she bit down on Philip's neck and marked him as hers.

Madeleine cried out with rage and pain as she attacked them both, fighting off the pull of the Alpha's command. Philip turned and caught her by the neck before her attack could be completed.

He gave her a cold and emotionless smile as he squeezed, hindering her breathing. Madeleine felt the life leaving her body as she beat at his arm.

Philip let her go and she sank to the floor, the world around her fading away with the moans from the consummation she was being forced to witness ringing in her ears.

So, this was it. Her whole life and her dreams, gone. All because she was different. A curse. An aberration. A defect.

Hearing those words from Philip's mouth had broken something deep within her. Something she believed would never be fixed again.

-MOONSHADOW PACK TERRITORY-

Madeleine woke to an empty tent. The sound coming from outside the tent told her that the wedding feast was ongoing.

She stood up groggily and walked towards the tent flap drawing it back to look outside. She saw Rebecca and Philip illuminated but the bonfire as they cuddled next to each other. She felt a wave of nausea and hate at the sight and dropped the tent flap.

Madeleine looked around the tent and saw a knife on a desk. She was going to leave, no matter what. She picked up the knife and walked towards the back of the tent and tore through it. She climbed out of it and headed off into the woods.

She knew what would happen if she stayed. She'd be forced to spend the rest of her life witnessing what she lost because of what she was. Or rather because of what she wasn't.

It wasn't her fault that she was different. She didn't know why she could not shift. If she could change it, she would. But it seems she was brought into the world for the sole purpose of suffering. So, if she was going to suffer, she would do it on her own terms.

Madeleine headed further into the woods. She knew where she was headed; the border of the pack's territory. She didn't care if she was labelled a rogue wolf. Who would even care?

She arrived at the border and crossed it. She was in neutral territory now. Hopefully, no one would notice she was gone until the next morning. She had to get to the border of Lunaria, the werewolves' territory.

She would get as far away from them as she could. She touched her palm to her cheek and her throat and the images of the people whom she loved the most hurting her played through her mind in clear details. She strengthened her resolve and kept going.

Madeleine heard her stomach rumble and realised that she hadn't eaten all day. Not that she could bring herself to eat now.

Madeleine knew she had been running and walking for hours and that daytime was approaching quickly.

She looked up and was glad to see the border markers of Lunaria. The Moonshadow Pack's territory was the closest to the borders and she was glad for this. She would disappear. She would not let herself be forced to live and watch Philip and Rebecca as a couple.

As she was getting close to the border, she heard a cracking sound followed by a searing pain at the back of her head. She stumbled and wavered on her feet, disoriented and scared that her efforts to escape had been in vain.

Madeleine felt herself being lifted off her feet and she was tossed into the back of a cage. She watched in confusion as her masked assailants lifted the cage, moved with quiet efficiency across the border and placed it onto a wagon.

Trapped once again. Her fate, being decided by others.

******

-FORESTS OUTSIDE LUNARIA, AETHERIA-

She fought her dizziness and attempted to remember the path they were taking but they had diverted into the forests on the opposite side of Lunaria and she hadn't regained her bearings.

They drove into a clearing in the forest and stopped.

"You shouldn't be wandering around. It makes it easy to get in trouble," one of her captors laughed as they picked up her cage and put it down.

"Fuck you." Madeleine touched her palm to the back of her head, noticing the blood from the blow. "At least, give me something I can use to stop the bleeding."

"You're a feisty one, aren't you? That'll change soon," was the reply.

Madeleine touched the cage and realised it was enchanted. "Explains why I didn't sense them. They're using magic. Fucking bastards," she muttered to herself.

Another cage on the other side of the clearing rattled and shook, a shrieking sound coming from it. She couldn't see what was in the cage but its cage was a lot larger than hers and whatever was inside didn't like the idea of being captured.

The assailants approached the cage and banged against it trying to quiet the creature.

"Hey, leave it alone," Madeleine shouted.

"Mind your fucking business. You should be more worried about yourself," was the response from one of them as they continued banging against the cage.

Madeleine watched as one of them used magic to subdue it.

"We need to sell the griffin as soon as possible. We can't keep moving it around," the spellcaster said to the others, obviously drained from the amount of magic required to keep the griffin subdued.

Madeleine's eyes widened in surprise. A griffin. She had heard stories about them when she was growing up but nobody had ever actually seen one. Or rather, nobody had ever believed anybody who had claimed to see one.

"Load them up," a voice commanded, pulling her from her thoughts. "We're leaving now."

Both cages were loaded up into a bigger wagon and they moved deeper into the forest.

Madeleine felt her wolf sit up. She sensed danger and she knew the danger wasn't coming from the poachers or the griffin.

The griffin started rattling its cage again as if it sensed the same thing she did.

Madeleine's next moments were a blur. One minute she was in the cage trying to pinpoint where the feeling of danger was coming from and the next minute, her cage and that of the griffin were thrown off the wagon and she felt the enchantments on it wear off.

She hit the door of her cage, busting it open. She ran past the griffin's cage where it was trying to break open its cage without succeeding.

Whoever it was that was attacking them was either there for her or the griffin. She wasn't going to wait to find out. As she got farther away, her wolf clawed at her to return and help the griffin escape.

"Oh, fuck this," Madeleine cursed under her breath as she turned back and ran towards the griffin who had stopped trying to break the cage.

As she approached the cage, the griffin started its protests again.

"Calm down. I'm trying to help you," Madeleine retorted as she began prying at the cage.

The clearing went quiet, the only sounds coming from the griffin and her trying to open the cage. She turned and saw a hooded figure walking towards her with a sword.

Madeleine kept pulling at the cage door. "Open dammit," she screamed as she tore the cage door off.

The griffin jumped out of the cage and charged the hooded figure.

Madeleine watched and expected the griffin to attack the person but stopped short of the figure.

"Hello, Anya." the person said as the hood was pulled back to reveal a man underneath. "I've missed you, girl."

"Okay? That's my cue," Madeleine whispered as she turned to leave.

"You move and you die," came the voice, keeping her rooted to the spot.

Madeleine turned to face the man as he walked towards her, her gaze fixed on the sword.

"You plan on killing me either way, aren't you?" Madeleine asked, resignation in her voice.

"You're a smart one," came the chuckled reply.

"Spare me?" Madeleine asked tentatively.

He stopped and tilted his head to the side. "Now, why would I want to do that?"

"I saved your griffin?" Madeleine shrugged, slowly inching backwards.

"Firstly, I saw you run away and come back. Who says you're not one of them? Secondly, the instruction was to stay put," he said, as he lunged at her with his sword.

Before the hit could land, Madeleine was pulled up into the air by the back of her shirt by the griffin, the sword barely missing her legs.

The griffin put her down and put herself between Madeleine and the mystery man.

"I see," he said, as he let go of the sword and it vanished into thin air.

"So, you have magic," Madeleine stated from behind the griffin.

"Yes, I do and you're a werewolf."

"Some would beg to differ," Madeleine responded, her voice low.

"Come on, girl. We're leaving," he said as he turned away.

"Well, bye then," Madeleine said with a wave of her hand.

"That includes you, love," he stated.

He began walking away and Madeleine stared at his back, shock and disbelief registering on her face.

"Nope."

He stopped and turned to face her, his face devoid of emotion. "You can come willingly or I can tie you up and toss you on Anya. Your choice."

"Um... I don't know you and you're asking me to leave with you? No, thank you."

"Ropes then," He stated as he started walking towards her.

"Why should I come with you? You just tried to kill me, you psycho."

"But I didn't. And Anya won't leave you even if I do," he shrugged.

"So you're doing it for the griffin?"

"You're also a stranger to me, love."

"Fine," Madeleine huffed, crossing her arms. "But I'm not going willingly. You try anything funny, and I'll..." she trailed off, realizing she didn't have much to threaten him with.

Her gaze flickered to the griffin, who was watching them. "I'll tell your bird you're a terrible person."

He laughed. "Anya knows I'm a terrible person. It's part of my charm."

He snapped his fingers, and a length of rope materialized in his hand. "Now, are we doing this the easy way or the hard way?"

Madeleine glared at him. She knew she was making a terrible decision. This man was clearly dangerous, possibly insane, and definitely not to be trusted. But the alternative was even less appealing.

"Fine," she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. "But if you try anything..."

He cut her off with a smirk. "Just get over here, love. The sooner we leave, the sooner you can start regretting your life choices."

Madeleine hesitated, then took a deep breath and stepped forward. As she reached him, he raised the rope, and before she could react, he looped it around her wrists, pulling it tight.

"Hey!" she protested, struggling against the sudden restraint. "What the hell? You said..."

He ignored her protests, his eyes suddenly focused on something in the distance. The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a look of grim determination.

"We have company," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous.

Madeleine followed his gaze and saw them. Werewolves emerging from the trees, their eyes glowing with an eerie light. And at the front of the pack, she saw two figures that made her blood run cold. Rebecca and Philip.

They were looking directly at her, their faces a mixture of anger and... something else. Something that looked disturbingly like triumph.

They were here for her and if the expression on their faces was anything to go by, they didn't care if they got her dead or alive.