The Choosing Ritual
SHADE
“Sunshine,” our father, the alpha of the Thunder Moon, began. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I called you here.”
I stood at attention behind my sister’s chair, my back straight and hands clasped behind me as she sat before him. My father barely acknowledged my presence as he beamed at Sunny, but it no longer bothered me as it had when I was young.
This was the way it was. The way it was supposed to be. I was forever indebted to them for the pain I’d caused, and my penance was undying loyalty and service.
“It isn’t often that I’m summoned to your office,” Sunny responded. Has there been another threat from Dark Moon?”
The Dark Moon Pack bordered our territory to the north. Their leader, Alpha Huxley, was a brutal wolf, power hungry and determined to take over our lands by any means necessary.
He’d already made several attempts on my father’s life, but now that Sunny was of age, he’d shifted his approach. His requests for Sunny to be his chosen mate had gone from thinly veiled threats to outright kidnapping.
His last attempt had been an absolute failure, his warriors returning beaten and empty-handed. Unfortunately for them, they’d tried to take the wrong twin.
It was only a matter of time before he tried again, and though I didn’t relish causing any wolves pain, protecting Sunny was my job. I couldn’t fail her or my father.
“No. Nothing like that,” our father chuckled with a wave of his hand. “It seems that Alpha Caelan of the Harvest Moon Pack is ready to take over for his father, but he needs a mate. His efforts to find his fated mate have been unsuccessful, so he’s decided to undergo a choosing ritual.”
A choosing ritual hadn’t occurred in a long time, most wolves preferring to wait for their fated mate.
However, high-ranking wolves would occasionally be forced by the Elders to choose a mate from the unmated females from theirs and any surrounding packs. Particularly if the mating was essential to the pack’s survival like with the role of an alpha.
“As I’m certain you’re aware,” our father continued, “solidifying our alliance with Harvest Moon would be a huge benefit to our pack, making us strong enough that Dark Moon would think twice. And I think we have a good chance for you to become hischosen mate. Your mother was always very close to the luna of Harvest Moon.”
He paused at the mention of our mother, his eyes flicking to me.
I straightened, baring my neck in submission as a low growl issued from between his clenched teeth. My father would never forgive me for ripping away his fated mate. Though he’d chosen another, the loss of my mother still pained him whenever he was in my presence.
She’d been killed in a rogue attack when Sunny and I were seven after she’d followed me to the border when I was upset. I was stupid. I was reckless. And it’d led to the death of the only person who’d ever truly loved me. For that, my family had never forgiven me. And neither had the Moon Goddess who’d cursed me for my mistake.
Though to be fair, his dislike for me stemmed from well before that. He detested having a daughter who was different. Even before my curse, I was something to be ashamed of. A freak to be hidden away. As far as he was concerned, Sunny was his only child and it’d been that way for as long as I could remember.
“Harvest Moon has requested that everyeligiblefemale be sent for the choosing,” he began again, returning his attention to Sunny. “You’ll be the only candidate from our pack, Sunshine. No one else would be worthy.”
His eyes flicked to me as I stared blankly ahead. I’d never be considered an appropriate mate for a high-ranking wolf like Alpha Caelan. My father would sooner see me die alone than suffer the shame of such a humiliation.
Honestly, I felt relieved. I knew nothing about mates other than the bits of gossip I’d picked up from my sister and her friends.
Who would even want a mate like me? I was an omega. My rank had been stripped from me after my mother’s death along with my last name. Not to mention…cursed.
No, it was better that my father didn’t claim me. I would accompany my sister as her guard like I always did, doing whatever it took to keep her safe. She was most important. Honoring my duty to her and my father was a way to atone for my past sins.
“Sunshine, I can’t stress how vital it is that you’re made the luna of Harvest Moon,” our father continued. “Not only would you make a fine mate for Alpha Caelan, but our pack’s survival may depend on that alliance.”
His eyes narrowed as he turned his attention to me again. “Shade, your assignment is the same as always. Keep your sister safe at all costs and do everything in your power to help her win Alpha Caelan’s favor. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir,” I replied.
“Don’t fail me,” he growled, the threat of what would happen if I did clear in his tone. “Now, go help your sister prepare. You’re dismissed.” ***
That night, as I lay on my pallet outside Sunny’s bedroom, I pulled a faded, crumpled photo of my mother from where I kept it hidden in my pillowcase.
I stared at it, softly whispering to it as I told her all about how we’d be traveling to Harvest Moon for the choosing ritual and how Sunny could be named luna. I hoped she was excited forher daughter as I promised to do everything I could to help her succeed.
“Good night, Mom,” I said, tucking the photo beneath my head before I lay back and stared at the ceiling.
