THARGELIA FESTIVAL (MOON RITUALS)

THARGELIA FESTIVAL (MOON RITUALS)

Amanda’s POV

It was the custom of the twelve packs in the Wolf Kingdom of Calabar to gather yearly precisely during the wolf moon. The wolf moon falls on the seventeenth day in January.

It was an auspicious month and everyone looked forward to it. Our ancestors believed that when we honor the gods, they would bless the land, and protect our territories from attacks from other supernatural kingdoms and human hunters. Most wolves find their mates on these auspicious days, infertile couples are blessed and the festival also unites the twelve-packs and prevents hostility amongst them.

However, out of the twelve packs, only eleven packs participate in the festival. The only pack that did not join the festival was the Shadow pack. They stopped being a part of the festival since Alpha Blake took over as alpha of the shadow pack, he stopped attending the events with his subordinates. No one questioned his decision because he was feared and there was some rumor that he did black magic which no one could prove.

The Alpha of the other packs unanimously tried to avoid the shadow pack and Alpha Blake no one wanted to openly challenge him, they all feared starting a war with his pack. The shadow pack was the strongest among the twelve packs. It was believed that Alpha Blake had no fear of the gods, while some said he was the devil, others believed he was up to no good. But, no one dared to confirm if the rumor was true or false.

However, the shadow pack's lack of involvement did not stop the other eleven packs from observing the festival, in fact, every year the success rate of the festival becomes higher. We also rotated where the ceremony would be held. To allow every pack to act as a host

This year the Blue Moon pack which is also my pack will be hosting the  Festival.  The ceremony usually starts two days before the main event. The main event is the Luna ceremony where mated wolves are marked, we also perform some liberation on the mated and marked couple which binds them more together. It is believed that the liberation liquid poured on the couple is the blood of a year-old lamb with no defects mixed with some rare herbs.

After the two days ceremony which is marked in each pack. The packs would appoint some delegates to represent them at the main ceremony.  The delegates sent must include the Alpha and his beta, some of the high-ranked officials, and a few low-ranked members, also included, are the wolves that have reached mating age but are not yet mated. The age you are expected to find the scent of your mate is usually eighteen and above, then all those selected in each pack would now make a trip to the Pack chosen for the main ritual.

Firstly the night before the Thargelia ritual, the luna ceremony would take place. It was the only day chosen for the alphas to mark their lunas. The alpha cannot mark his Luna on any other day, the rule also applied to the female alpha too.  The luna would then be presented to the wolf Kingdom, it was important as the lunas had huge responsibilities to the packs too.

During the Luna ceremony, other mated wolves can also mark their mates but only after the alpha must have marked his Luna except on occasions where there is no alpha getting mated.

The Luna ceremony was something we all looked forward to in the kingdom. Especially if the alpha is marking his mate and this year an Alpha male would be marking an Alpha female for the first time since almost a century ago. 

This year's  Luna celebration was supposed to be mine. I was supposed to be marked by Alpha Williams during the ceremony,  but unfortunately, it was canceled at the last minute.

I am now left with the duty to announce before the Gathering that the ceremony would not be taking place. The thing about this year's Luna ceremony was this since two alphas were involved, it was decided that no other couples would be marking their mates. It was once in a lifetime occurrence and the council in charge of the ceremony decided that only Alpha Williams and I would be the sole celebrant.

I shudder to think of what my fate will be tonight. To announce the cancellation at such last minute. 

“ I curse you, William,” I murmured to myself as I made my way toward the Auditorium where the ceremony was scheduled.

Everyone had already arrived and was seated in their allocated seats. I missed their arrival because I was nursing my broken heart but now I  have to face my worst fear.

 As I walked into the hall,  everyone stood as an act of respect for me since they were all gathered in my territory,  except for  Dimitri who remained seated and smirked at me as I walked past him. He was a good friend of  Alpha William and I knew he would stand by his friend. I never got along with him even when I was still betrothed to William, now that we have broken up I wonder what he has planned for me. He never hid his hatred for me but openly challenged me whenever he was near. 

I try to keep my head high, pretending Not to hear the murmuring going around in the hall.  As soon as I got to my seat and sat down, every other person did the same.  As the alpha of the Blue Moon pack where the ceremony was taking place,  I was expected to make a speech and declare the event open.

 Even though I was unsure of myself I stood up to make my speech “It is my pleasure as the alpha of the Blue Moon pack to welcome you all to this year's ceremony. On behalf of myself, my father, the council members, and my subordinates I declare the event open.”

Everyone clapped except for a few. “What is the purpose of tonight's event, Alpha Amanda?” I heard Dimitri shout 

I turned to him,  confused by his statement. 

“Don't act as if you don't know what I'm talking about,  you were supposed to be having your Luna ceremony tonight,  and alpha William is nowhere in the crowd.  so tell us what is happening.” he rose from his seat and stared down at me.

I hated this fool, how could he be so malicious, he did not even pretend to wait for some time before challenging me. Forcing a smile, I said, “It has been canceled.” I took a deep breath "Alpha William and I are no longer a couple."

There was a hush sound in the hall immediately followed by everyone talking at once. 

“How can you be the alpha when you cannot keep a man,” Dimitri said with a loud voice. "This is beyond ridiculous, a female alpha ruling over a pack." He mocked

“Enough of your nonsense Dimitri. Amanda is still the alpha and you are a guest here.” my father shouted at him. He always got my back and today he made it known again.

“She is not doing a good job then. Your pack has the highest number of females and most are unmated." Dimitri challenged

“And so what, they are more trained warriors than most men. And you know that it is the goddess that chooses a mate for every one of us." my father was infuriated, I could hear the strain in his voice.

“We could still allow those that have found their mates to perform their marking ceremony today even though we had not planned on it,  it can still be done. Getting rejected is not foreign to us. It can happen to anyone” Alpha Czar said, his pack was the black forest pack and he was the only alpha that took Dimitri in even though he was rogue, giving him a place to live.

“That is a good idea”, an elder in my pack said. I could see the relief on their faces to have to shut Dimitri up and save my pack from the shame my broken engagement caused them.

The unmarked mates were called out and asked if they would like to take part in the Luna ceremony. Two pairs accepted immediately while another pair rejected the offer since their families were not around to witness it happen.

“ What a waste of time.” Dimitri shouted, “Seems you want to distract us from how alpha Amanda is unable to take care of her pack.  Just to save face, you want your guests to mark their mates on the day set aside for Amanda.  If there is an unforeseen attack,  tell me how she will be able to defend her pack against it.”  he sneered at me.

“ Are you challenging me to a fight?”  I asked angrily. 

“ And if I was,” Dimitri smirked. “Anyway,  I won't waste my time fighting a woman who can barely find a mate.”

 Quick laughter erupted around us. From the corner of my eyes, I saw my father flinch.

 I drew out my sword and took a fighting stance. I was not going to allow Dimitri to troll me and disregard my father, and my pack's honor.

“Fight!, fight! fight!..” the voices around us roared.

“You will regret ever asking for his.” Dimitri barked at me.

I glanced at my father, worried that I might have taken the wrong step. my father always warned me about my quick temper. But he gave me a nod of approval, this boosted my morale even though I knew Dimitri as a rogue had a better experience and a better chance to win, I would not give up without a fight. 

We left the hall and I went into the field,  the rest of the guests formed a circle around us.  I could see the lust for blood in some of them and I knew they wanted mine, not his.  I attacked first, gave Dimitri a blow with the tip of my sword, and felt satisfied when his lips started to bleed. 

“Is that the best you can do?”  He wiped the blood away with his hand and howled.

I lurched forward and tore his arm with my sword.

His smile disappeared and he struck me hard, and I fell flat on my buttocks. I felt dizzy and tried to focus.

“What a loser, you are not worthy to rule yourself, talk more of a pack.”

“No wonder alpha William rejected her.” someone said in the crowd

“She is weak and ugly.” I heard a lady say, and her friends giggled loudly.

Unable to bear the shame, I ran as fast as I could into the woods, blinded by the tears streaming down my face,