shadowboom Unveiling

Chapter 2

little-angel POV

As the eve of the Shadowboom Unveiling approached, my excitement mingled with a sense of worry. I could hardly contain my anticipation, but a nagging fear crept in, making me wonder if I could endure the wait any longer. The burning desire to discover my destined mate consumed me.

"Mom, did you hear that?" I asked, jolting awake as the whinnies of the horses pulling Full-moon's cart echoed through the house.

Sky-pearl, my mother, stirred beside me. "Yes, it sounds like your father is back," she replied, her voice filled with sleepy confusion.

We hurriedly stumbled out of bed and made our way to the front door, desperate to see Full-moon, my lumberjack father, after his long day of selling orisier wood in the neighboring villages.

"I'll put the horses in the stable," Full-moon grumbled, his face etched with a perpetual scowl, as he walked past us.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Was it too much to ask for a warm greeting from my father? Nevertheless, as Sky-pearl my mother opened the door, we both tried to hide our grievances and she asked him how the sales had gone.

"Hey honey, how did the sales go today? Any luck?"

"How do you think they went?" Full-moon snapped, slumping down on the worn-out sofa. "I'm tired, the prices were lousy, and the villagers barely paid attention. It's always the same."

Looking directly at me, he said, "I regret that Sky-pearl, your mother, did not give me a boy instead of you, little-angel, a pathetic girl. I doubt I will be able to support our family for a long time." His words shattered me, leaving me broken and vulnerable.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I confronted him, my voice trembling with emotion. "Why would you say something so hurtful? Am I not enough for you? Don't I deserve your love and support, regardless of my gender?"

My mother, standing beside me, pleaded with him gently. "Please, don't say that again. Your words carry immense weight, and they deeply affect our little-angel. We need to stick together as a family and support one another through thick and thin."

My father looked at her with contempt then looked away, still nervous.

I sighed inwardly, realizing that his bad mood was not going to lift anytime soon. But I couldn't let his negativity dampen my spirits.

"Do you think the Shadowboom Unveiling will bring us some good luck, Father?" I asked, hoping to lighten the atmosphere.

My father raised an eyebrow, his scowl momentarily fading. "Luck, eh? I don't believe in such things. But who knows? Maybe it will surprise us this time," he said casually.

However, deep down, I knew he secretly hoped that Moongoddess would choose me a rich mate during the Shadowboom Unveiling scheduled the next day.

Today was the Shadowboom Unveiling, an event that had all the young eighteen-year-old werewolves of our pack waited impatiently.

As Sunshine, Sunrise and I walked through the village, we could feel the collective joy in the air. The townsfolk were buzzing with excitement, exchanging playful banter and teasing. It seemed like everyone had a stake in this ceremony, as if the outcome would somehow affect the whole village.

We couldn't help but tease each other about who would be assigned as our mates.

"Nervous, Little-Angel?" Sunshine nudged me playfully. "I bet your mate will be the richest of them all."

I laughed nervously, hoping deep down that my mate would indeed be wealthy enough to please my parents. But more importantly, I wanted him to be handsome, kind and above all humble.

As the evening approached, we gathered around a massive wood fire, the flames flickering and dancing in the cool night air.

I sat with my friends, Sunshine and Sunrise, who shared similar apprehensions about their future mates. Sunshine, always the optimistic one, said, "I hope my mate is someone who loves adventure just like me. I want to explore the world together, running wild under the moonlight!"

Sunrise, on the other hand, was more practical. "I just want a mate who will be loyal and supportive," she said. "Someone who understands my dreams and will stand by my side through thick and thin."

"I'm sure we'll each find our perfect match, guys. Just wait and see," Sunshine said with a reassuring smile.

As we continued discussing our hopes and fears, the moment we had all been waiting for arrived. An elder, a strong and dignified figure, stepped forward, signaling the start of the ceremony. The village fell silent as he began to speak.

"Tonight, we gather around the sacred fire to witness the Unveiling of our destined mates," the elder declared, his voice carrying through the crowd. "May this fire represent the eternal flame of love and unity within our pack."

As we awaited the moon goddess's unveiling, a sudden thunderclap pierced the air, signaling her magnificent presence. In a breathtaking display of splendor, she descended upon us, her ethereal aura captivating our senses, her radiance shone brightly in the darkness.

The whispers of the crowd grew hushed as all eyes turned towards her.

The moon goddess greeted us with her ethereal voice, "Greetings, my beloved pack. It is with heavy heart that I that I note the passing of your Alpha , Alpha Cyrius , However, I am here tonight to unveil the new Alpha that I have chosen for you all."

The crowd listened intently, holding their breath, as whispers filled the air. Who would she choose to lead our pack?

As the tension mounted, the moon goddess's gaze fell upon Sone-heart, and a collective gasp rippled through the pack.

The moon goddess continued, "After careful consideration, I have chosen Stone-heart to be your new Alpha."

I couldn't believe it. Stone-heart was the most arrogant and selfish wolf in our pack, and the thought of him being our leader made me sick. But everyone else around me erupted in applause, hailing the new Alpha.

Stone-heart stood up from his seat, preening in his newfound power as if he was born to lead.

I rolled my eyes nervously, wondering how our pack would fare under his rule. As he caught my gaze, he gave me a teasing smile, as if to say, "See what you're missing by pushing me away."

Sone-heart approached the moon goddess, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, Moon Goddess," he said, his voice laced with pride. "I will lead our pack to greatness."

The moon goddess placed her hand upon Sone-heart's shoulder, granting him the authority he coveted. The cheers and acclamation from the pack filled the clearing, celebrating this new era under his leadership.

I rolled my eyes nervously, annoyed by his arrogance and the attention it garnered.

I couldn't help but feel disappointed by the moon goddess's choice. But as she spoke, it became clear why she had chosen him.

"Stone-heart has proven himself valiant and courageous. He will lead this pack to success and glory." Moon goddess said.

Despite my doubts, I knew that we had to give him a chance. For the sake of our pack, we all had to rally behind our new Alpha and support him in his leadership.

I watched as the moon goddess began revealing the mates of the people . Some were overjoyed, smiling and embracing their newfound partners. Others, however, shed tears of disappointment as they realized they weren't matched with who they had hoped for. The air was filled with mixed emotions, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the scene unfolding before me.

Amongst the chaos, I noticed Sunshine, my closest friend and sister-like confidant, being rejected by her attribute mate. A pang of sorrow shot through my heart as I saw her tears fall freely. Trying to offer comfort, I took her trembling hands in mine and whispered, "It's going to be okay, Sunshine. You're stronger than this."

Sunrise, her twin sister, knelt beside us, her soothing voice reaching our ears. "Don't worry, Sunshine. We'll find a way through this together." I admired the deep bond that radiated between them, and it gave me hope for my own situation.

As the moon goddess finished her task, she began to depart . Desperation welled up within me, and I couldn't let her leave without an explanation. Gathering my courage, I called out to her, my voice quivering. "Wait! Please, Moon goddess, you forgot me!"

To my surprise, she turned back towards me, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "You, little one? I thought I had completed my task. What can I do for you?"

Her response filled me with both hope and confusion. "I'm still without a mate. Can you please help me find mine?" I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.

The moon goddess regarded me with an enigmatic expression before uttering words that made little sense to me. "Seek the light that shines upon the darkest shadows, where knowledge and acceptance converge. There, where lifelines intertwine, you shall find the key that unlocks your destined union."

Confusion clouded my mind, But before I have time to ask a question she leaves.

I was trying to keep myself together after finding out that I didn't have a mate. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, pitying me. It didn't help that my parents were angry with me and rejected me as their child.

"Little-angel, how could you embarrass our family like this?" my mother said coldly.

"I didn't do anything wrong," I replied defensively.

"It's a shame that our pack has a member without a mate," my father added.

Sunrise and Sunshine didn't say anything, but I could feel their distance and see their pitying looks. It felt like everyone had turned their backs on me.

I went back home, feeling more alone than ever. But then, I saw Stone-heart and my parents sitting together, laughing and chatting. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and sadness. Stone-heart had always loved me, but I never paid attention to him. And now, he was the alpha of the pack and had the power to make me his mate.

"Little-angel, come here," Stone-heart said as he noticed me.

I approached them, feeling anxious and scared.

"I know we've never been close, but I've loved you for a long time, Little-angel," Stone-heart said, his eyes softening.

I didn't know what to say, but I felt my heart racing. I knew that my parents would want me to accept his proposal, but I couldn't force myself to be with someone I didn't love.

"It's okay, Stone-heart. I need some time to think," I said, trying to sound confident.

Once we were alond, my parents were overjoyed when they found out that Stone-heart, the powerful new Alpha, had decided he wanted to make me his mate. They couldn't understand why I didn't share their excitement.

"But Little-Angel, Stone-heart is everything a girl could desire!" my mother exclaimed, her eyes shining.

"He's strong, influential, and he loves you," my father added, a touch of disappointment in his voice.

I looked at them with a heavy heart, trying to explain. "But father, mother, I don't love him. How can I agree to spend the rest of my life with someone I don't love?"

My parents shook their heads in disbelief. "Love will come, Little-Angel," my mother insisted. "You can't pass up this opportunity for a brighter future."

Feeling the weight of their expectations crushing me, I reluctantly gave in to the pressure from my parents. As night fell, my mother prepared me for the next day when I would become Stone-heart's mate. Deep down, though, doubts and unease churned within me like a storm.

That night, as the moon illuminated the forest outside the window, a decision formed within me. I couldn't go through with this. I had to run away. Leave everything I knew behind to find my own happiness.

With determination fueling my every action, I packed a bag with supplies, ensuring every movement was as silent as the night itself, so as not to disturb my slumbering parents. As I crept out of our room, my heart raced with anticipation and a mix of fear and excitement.

In the first light of day, the guards were hot on my trail, their presence felt even through the dense foliage of the forest. Adrenaline surged through my veins as I pushed myself harder, my footsteps a chorus of determination. They were growing closer, their shouts echoing ominously through the trees.

Just as they were on the brink of capturing me, my foot slipped over the edge of a hidden crevasse. Panic enveloped me as I tried to regain my balance, but it was too late. Darkness swallowed me as I tumbled into the depths, my consciousness slipping away.