The Moon's Chosen: The Howling Prophecy

LUNA

"Run!" Baba told me.

Yet again!!! Running was what I've done almost all my life. Soon enough, I became so good at it and it helped me. I felt different, and naturally, the pack shunned me as a werewolf who was quite ill and could not shift at the age of 20.

Concerning kinship, my ancestors were werewolves, Sterling, Svanaspeel, Frost, Ranger, Windwhistle, and Thorpe, all of whom married into powerful werewolf families. Relationships between these six family lines became commonplace as a result of their unique qualities that set them apart from the others.

My mother came from the Frost line. Her eyes, which seemed capable of freezing someone to death, are the purest blue. She exuded poise and grace wherever she went, her blonde hair always secured in a bun. My dad would always call her, a rare breed. Blaze descent was mine dad's. His eyes were the most inviting pair that I have ever seen. His honey-colored eyes glowed with love, and his smile was always so radiant and sweet, especially when it was directed toward my mother, my siblings, and me. Yes, my siblings were fiercely in love with one another and also very adversarial. Luigi is my tough older brother; Sofia is my sassy younger sister; and Fermi is the cutest little boy. My sister was remarkably similar to my mother. My brothers resembled my father.

Luna Valeria Blaze-the other one-is my name. Having ginger curls, hazel eyes, and plump, pink lips. I was different from the rest of the family, even though I had attractive facial features and a well-toned body that I tended to cover up. I always had a sickly, pale, and lethargic appearance. With the exception of speed, which I acquired over time from constant running, I lacked the characteristics shared by all other werewolves.

***

"What happened?" Fermi questioned in a drowsy tone.

"Grandma is pursuing Luna once more". With his brother in tow, Luigi answered, "You know how she is."

"She is just a terrible person posing as your grandmother. It is not Sissy's fault that she is not like the rest of us. Every time..." Sofia said.

"Please turn down your volume, Sofia!" Luigi said, staring down at his sister.

"What? It is the way things really are. Poor mum has to put up with her antics once more because she is allegedly incapable of raising a healthy pup". Sofia responded.

"Will Luna be okay?" Fermi asked, tears in his eyes.

Luigi put down his head and said, "She will always be, without a doubt."

"You are totally to blame for everything, you worthless girl! You have no idea how much I treasured that piece! The biggest embarrassment to this family is you! I am going to strangle you to death. Which Luna do you suppose you to be?"

The old shrew continued to hurl objects and yell. She exclaimed, "I regret saving you at birth!"

"Mother, that is enough. You are talking about my child in such a disrespectful way". my father retorted.

"You claim that child is yours? How does she resemble you or the woman you married? That woman has simply blinded you. How could Frost and Blaze have a child like that? Since you have always been a gullible person, you welcomed the girl child she had with one of her many lovers with open arms. She gave you the child because she knew you would always want one. Why do you act this way?" she screamed.

The conversations continued because it was the ideal way for me to avoid that woman's wrath. I made a secret place for myself in the forest, where I fled. It was never known to exist and nobody could. Everything I required, including clothing, food, snacks, and everything I wanted, was here. It was a comfortable and laid-back place. I took the snack from the old house and lay down on my bed to eat it. The only nice thing I had left over from the old house were the snacks, and I always took advantage of the opportunity to eat as much as I wanted. I laughed because I could only imagine her reaction if she ever discovered that I was the cunning thief in the house. Luckily, the old witch never caught me. Yes, I mastered the art of disguising myself and it has always been quite helpful.

Everything would come to my mother's end, and my father would undoubtedly support her. A couple so devoted to each other. Dad will have to grovel for her attention for a few days as Mum will not speak to him. He will have to beg for her touch because he cannot stay without it. My mother was difficult to break when she felt like it, especially when it came to my father, who would always find a way to get through to her. Even though it is not always simple, he is her mate for a reason. He needs to accurately and completely understand her.

"Where are you, Luna? Kindly stay safe and return home as soon as possible to see Mother. You know how she could be," Sofia texted me, cutting me off in my thoughts.

I put my phone away after texting back, "Yes, I will be home soon."

I was unable to gain entry to the Park Mind Connection. Every time I observed someone else using a mind link, I felt excluded. I was not involved, but it looked cool. Not only was it impossible for me to listen to other people, but I was also unable to take part in discussions and obtain information more easily. To help me and my siblings communicate, my parents bought me a cell phone. One thing that continued to give me strength was my immediate family's unwavering love for me. They never stopped showing me their love through their deeds, in spite of our differences and my perceived disability. You could never go to my mother and tell her about me or any of us; my father would defend me at all times. Similar to her, but far more talkative, was Sofia. Luigi never wasted words discussing these kinds of issues.

A happy intermediate family was, at minimum, a goddess's gift.

LUNA

While I lay there on the bed, I thought back to all the occasions when I caused my grandmother to argue with my parents. She always made them think of me as the "pup." If I were my parents, I am sure that at some point I would have given up on myself due to the odd looks and taunts they would have had to put up with every day because of me. particularly from their close relatives.

For the most part, my family is wealthy. Nearly all of our desires were within our budget. My mother worked in management, and my dad was the pack's beta. While I recently joined the medical team despite being shunned, Luigi was a member of the army. Fermi was in preschool, and Sofia was still in high school. I had what I considered to be an extremely rare opportunity to help with patient care. Nothing stopped the abuse, even though I was allowed in because my dad was the beta. For me, working in the hospital provided a sense of relief and diversion.

My phone's ringtone snapped me out of my reverie. Sofia called and asked to return home. Before leaving for the town, I gave my small neighborhood one last look. Nobody could ever find this place; not even my family was aware of its existence. Yes, I had a secret ability to make myself invisible, and I used it to hide from the odd looks, conversations, whispers, and outright insults from others.

I strolled home while my headphones were blaring. The smell of my mom's cooking filled the room as I pushed open the door, and I saw Fermi laughing and running after Sofia while holding his toy. My dad was not in sight, but the powerful footsteps coming from the staircase had to be Luigi's.

"Luna!" Fermi laughed and started to run away from Sofia, saying, "Save me from Sofia."

"You brat, come back here". Sofia yelled at him, "You have seen your savior and backed out."

He laughed, "You still could not get me," as he leaped into my arms carelessly, knowing that I would eventually catch up to him. "You are back, Luna," he said, giving me a big smile and a hug. He whispered, "Luna, I still love you."

With a roll of her eyes, Sofia remarked, "You finally know your way home. It is about time you took a stand for yourself. Do not allow your parents to always get the blame. You are not two; you are twenty. Moreover, I do not think she is an elder, so do not even begin to argue that silence is golden or that she is".

"Sofia," I muttered as she sauntered off, whispering under her breath, "Food's almost ready."

Without saying anything, Luigi just kept walking toward the dining room while glancing at Fermi and me. He was picky about what was served in the base and would much rather eat Mum's cooking. How picky about food was he, for a wolf?

With Fermi holding my hands, I made my way to my room. He was telling me about Sofia and everything that had happened as I was leaving the family home. As I changed in the bathroom from my work clothes to my home clothes, I sat on my bed and listened to him babble on. He would never stop talking because I was the only one who could listen to his endless babble. As he emerged, his hands held a thick hoodie that was waiting for me.

"What?"

"Don't think I didn't see the way you shivered as you came home. Moreover, you have a breakout behind your neck and that could lead to another breakdown. Putting this on can protect you from the cold and lessen your breakouts"

"Smart boy" I whispered running my hands through his full head of hair. I had to put it on because he won't allow me out without it.

We went downstairs and met Dad setting the table and Luigi followed behind carrying the food. I entered to meet Mum wiping her hands with the towel still putting on her apron.

"Mum"

"Luna," she said and hugged me. "You're okay baby. I never regret..."

"It's fine Mum. I know" I replied with a bittersweet smile and drew out of her embrace. We shared a conventional smile. Dad came in hurriedly and her face dropped. The couple fight once more. He didn't even recognize my presence because his all was on his mate.

"I'm sorry Darling. See I helped..."

"Of course, you have to. I work, you clean and vice versa. Marriage is a joint responsibility"

"Babe I..."

"Let's go eat Luna" and she intertwined our arms together. Dad forcefully ripped our arms apart and put himself between us while pushing me out.

"You!!" Mum's eyes blazed with anger

"Shhhh... darling.We're hungry" while calmly directing her towards the dining room to join us.

We all ate the sumptuous meal that was prepared with my parents throwing little jabs here and there at each other. Fermi gobbled the second plate of food and ate with all concentration. Sofia rolled her eyes at my parent's tantrums while Luigi ate without a care in the world.

"Eat up" I heard a voice whisper while putting food onto my food platter and it turned out to be Luigi

"Okay" and I concentrated on eating wholly.

I cleared the plates and washed the dishes at once while every other person retired to their various rooms. I felt a presence around me and I turned immediately to know who it was. Luigi.

"Aren't you done?"

"Almost"

"Be fast"

I hurried to rinse the latter off the plates. He held the towel for me to clean my hands. He turned to go and it was a cue to follow him. We entered his room and he motioned for me to sit on his bed. The bed was sturdy just like the owner of the bed.

"Luna"

"Luigi"

"You're different from the rest of us. You don't have the characteristics of the average wolf. And you're born into this family that is well known to an extent. Prodigy's belong here and are acknowledged for their contribution to the pack. Yet, you find your different self here. You possess absolutely none of these attributes"

"Luigi.." my voice weakened.

With his monotone voice, he continued how much I was different which pierced me greatly.

"At the end of it all, you're my sister. We'll start a way of training you to stand up for yourself. Especially towards our extended family. Not like I care about what they think but it's a necessity that needs to be established"

I was a bit shocked because Luigi never said anything about my well-being. I joined him by the window pane while a tear rolled down my eye.

"Don't cry, Luna. I sense a different wolf from you. My gut instinct tells me this, and it is usually accurate"

"You say different? Is it not already on display? I differ enough from others because I am unable to do what they do"

"Good different Luna, that is what I meant. When it comes to intuition, I am never wrong. Do not think I have not heard you cry at night or sensed your lack of confidence in yourself among us. Your eyes are perpetually sad and tired. You present a front, but I can see right through it"

His gaze seemed to be looking directly into my eyes, as though he was saying, "Always."

"I am aware that you venture out to a location where you can find a place free of whispers. Although I am not sure where it is, I am positive you understand exactly what I mean. I am able to see right through you. Always," he reiterated.

"Luigi..."

"If you are not ready, there is no need to tell me. It is always best to wait until you are ready to take action before acting on impulse. That level of power over you, Luna, that goes against your will, should not belong to anybody. So hold onto it until you are ready to inform me".

He took my hands and led me to his bed. He pulled out some ointments and some drugs for me to take as well. Without hesitation, I showed him my allergy and the areas where I was injured. Luigi was the closest person to me ever. More often than not, he had a deeper understanding of me. This was the first extended conversation he had with me. He was a man who took initiative.

"Do not forget what I mentioned regarding training. I will make sure it gets done".

"But, Luigi..."

"No but is allowed, Luna. Nobody, not even you, can wait on time. Now take control of this. There is going to be a change. I am not sure when, but you should get ready because I can feel it".

He then shut the kit and proceeded to his bathroom. That told me it was time to head out. Lying on my bed, I went over all Luigi had told me. My mind was filled with nothing but the truth, even though he thoroughly confused me.

Maybe, just maybe, I could try it.

LUIGI

I let the water cascade over my body in a bid to wash the worry off my body. I could sense it, my wolf gnawed at it also. Something was about to change. And Luna's name cried out. I had no choice but to follow my instinct to keep her safe. I could teach her what little I could to avert disasters in the future.

Since I was not scheduled to return to the base until later, I came in to change for the evening. Perks of having a Beta as your father. I had the freedom to come and go, but I made it my mission to never miss training. I could never have my responsibilities reduced. That was something my old man made sure of, and I was raised believing that. Exemplary in every way. I forced the thought of Luna to the back of my mind because I had a busy week ahead of me and it was keeping me from falling asleep.

Tragedy was all around me as I stood atop a rock. The sand and dust moved to the beat of the wind. They became entangled and obstructed vision. Blood flew into the air and onto the floor. The scene was filled with the sounds of vicious scratches, tearing flesh, and snapping necks. Every dangerous weapon was hurled, and arrows were flying everywhere. While observing the ongoing combat, I witnessed the rapid release of an arrow in my direction. Before I could even see its marks, a wolf leaped in front of me, broke the arrow so quickly, and killed the attacker. It snarled at me and cast bloodshot eyes on me.

"Pay attention, Andrea. It is as it is". With incredible speed, it fled and fatally struck two more wolves in front of me.

When the wild beast of a wolf that had defended me was revealed to me, I was horrified. It was the wolf of my father, Luca. I had no idea how similar the two would end up being. Luca was a far cry from my father, Dante. I never imagined that he would be so terrifying-he moved quickly but attacked with such accuracy and sharpness. I entered the battle early enough, and it ended in victory. Luca let out a howl, and a few familiar wolves approached him. He guided us to another, whose eyes gleamed fiercely and were spot on. Something that I was unable to comprehend surfaced behind it. It shot out from behind those eyes, blazing with fire. I was startled out of my dream by the howl.

I woke up drenched in sweat and it felt real. Even though Luca and the first wolf's eyes were frightening, the last one's fiery gaze penetrated my heart. I had the impression that I could burn without producing ashes.

The howling sound was reproduced once more. Training was about to begin. My sense of hearing allowed me to hear Theo howling. Theo was the pack's leader soldier. I quickly changed into my training clothes and headed to the pitch. It was neither very far nor very close. I entered at the beginning and joined them. It is difficult today as usual, but Luigi is capable of anything.

It was Finn, the second in command, who recruited a new group of soldiers today. They emitted pained groans as they were directed to perform various drills. Currently leading the new recruit training program, Finn was an extremely tough guy. Although I had no business getting involved, he was very violent during today's training. I was in no position of authority here, nor was I competent to speak or offer guidance. Given that he was acting so irritable and rudely towards everyone, I assume that he had not gotten laid yet. There was no hiding the sexual tension he was fighting. Psychopathic.

Not that I cared, but we did not like each other's guts either. He was capable of anything with others, but not with me. Being the son of the Beta added yet another benefit to my open disdain for his demeanor. It was just unfortunate that he was the one in charge today. I completed the final lap of training before realizing there was a heavy presence nearby. As it happened, my suspicions were confirmed when everyone stood to pay respect to the Alpha who had unexpectedly arrived. My dad moved behind him, grinning, as I watched. He never seemed to be unhappy, and I used to wonder if he thought he looked silly. How in the world did Alpha Eugene pick this man to be his Beta? With his innocent smile, he was so amiable to everyone in his vicinity. I could not get that horrible image of Luca out of my head. I thought about whether or not that's actually my father's wolf because it was so realistic. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to connect the two of them. It seemed so strange to me.

"Luigi," he said, nodding slightly and tapping my shoulder firmly as he went by.

I nodded slightly in response, saying, "Dad."

He was grinning broadly as he gave me a long, hard look. I was curious as to what kind of thoughts were going through his mind at that moment. He patted my shoulders once more and moved on with the Alpha and crew after a very brief moment.

After training, I finished up and was about to wash up when I heard a very familiar voice behind me.

"Luigi, why did you come here? You have developed past this point" Zylon asked

"When you see the Beta, let him know. Here, nobody is above training. This place is also not as bad".

"Well, that is for you".

After a short contemplation, I decided to inform him about Finn.

"Finn is present. It would be best if you avoided him".

"He is insane. What did the Alpha consider when elevating him to this position? Do you not think that my hands and his neck could make for a pleasant death?"

"Zylon, please control your thoughts and voice. Keep in mind that walls have ears."

"Are walls hearing things? The walls are people, and you are the wall in this situation. The unspoken issue surrounding my animosity towards him is this. We only maintain that façade out of respect for my Alpha and because I do not want other people to believe that I am a vicious creature that preys on the defenceless".

"Enough of him already. Let us proceed with the tasks for today".

Mischief was evident in Zylon's expression. I had no choice but to comply with his request to repeat that. Exhilarating but dangerous at the same time.

"Zylon..."

"Rylas is headed there already. Move quickly to avoid arousing suspicions".

"All right."

Following my entry to tidy up, we departed from the training area. We crept out of the building and drove off. We headed for the border when we noticed the panting man there. There was no hiding the rebelliousness in him; he looked so full of himself.

"You guys took so long,"

"Just fifteen minutes, Rylas. Quit being so arrogant".

"And anything could happen in those fifteen minutes, Zylon."

"Let us move forward quickly with this."

We crept away from the pack to rendezvous with our werewolf group. The Brotherhood was Rylas's term for them all. Within the sect, betrayal resulted in sporadic deaths and we were bound by an oath. The existence of this sect was never to be revealed to anyone. This sect included Alphas, Betas, Rogues, and even so-called bastards as well, sworn enemies. We all received the same respect from one another, so there was no discrimination of any kind.

Today was filled with conversations, good times, bonding, and idea sharing. I always looked forward to it as it was an enjoyable activity. When we finally arrived, Rylas quickened his pace to ensure that we would meet up as soon as possible. Zylon and I ran to catch up as well.

"Hey, dude!" The bearded man hugged Rylas and said, "You guys are finally here." I gave him a curt nod in response as he spoke with Zylon next to me.

Once inside, the place was a little boisterous. Others were trying to catch up, while some were drinking and others were laughing at jokes. Normal boy things. I simply grabbed a bottle, sat down in one of the side chairs, and used my eyes to look around. Rylas was one of the people laughing the loudest, while Zylon conversed with a few Alphas. He was practically in every place. To be honest, I felt honoured to be here, and I was appreciative that they welcomed me into their lives. I responded with an upward lip curve to the guy next to me who was talking about a funny incident that occurred during his pack fight.

I sensed that bastard's presence right away. He was in the shadiest corner of the space, and there was not a trace of life in his eyes. Adjacent to him, his Beta regarded everyone stoically with an intense look on his face. I think he sensed my look and gave me a similar look, albeit slightly smirking.

"Bastard," I uttered.

"We both are, Chase," he answered.

A grimace formed on my face. Although he was aware that I did not respond to that name, he continued to call me by that name whenever he got the chance.

"Chase, what brings you here?"

"Whoever found out about it is welcome to access it."

"Not you, Chase. You declared that you would not.

"But here I am, Louis."

His laughter was too quiet to hear, but he looked right at me. Though a small part of me was about to shiver from the competition, I returned it.

"Chase, why are you acting so serious?" with a narrowed gaze, he enquired.

"Because you remain unchanged. Grow up".

He muttered under his breath, "Boring."

He was everything he believed he was and more, and I had to give it to him because we had both come a long way. Louis was becoming increasingly like the Sect's leader, and he deserved it all. We struck up small talk when his friends arrived as well. A low growl drew everyone's attention. The primary task of the day came to an end, and the entire area fell silent. We clicked immediately, precisely, and without any problems. We split up after however long we had spent together.

Rylas, Zylon, and I ran as fast as we could. We were going to get busted soon. Luckily, we were not because Fermi, who for some reason managed to get in touch with me, reminded me in time.