3: THE HUNTERS MOON

ALPHA RYKER

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over Crescent moon as it faded away. Darkness took over the former radiance of the day in sharp comparison to the man we were to honor again tonight. 

I stood on the wooden terrace of my family's forest cabin, watching my pack mates dance around the bonfire, while chanting songs as the priestesses led them in dirges reserved for occasions like this. While this was just the beginning of tonight's hunt festival, we waited upon the darkness for the highlight—the hunt. 

I watched the belly dancers wiggle their bead adorned waists synchronously to the beats of the native drum—women to be bedded after tonight's hunting feat. City girls on other days, seduced into submission by a little primitive hunting prowess. A deer or a wild boar and they'd be warming my bed. I brought either of the two to each hunting festival—not that my bed had ever been cold. 

 The Hunt was only celebrated at the appearance of the Hunters moon as a form of initiation for the hunters, and Deltas of our pack. It was well anticipated, especially by the youngest of the pack, most of which had found their wolves the year before. Some wanted it for trophy, and others wanted it for the generous amount of meat.

 It was a joyous celebration, however, this year took a somber tone. Despite the bustling and charged air, I reeled in the aftermath of my father's death. One minute I was away on business, and the next my father was gone, leaving me with the heavy mantle of ascension. 

“How are you holding up?” Caden, my best friend, asked coming to stand beside me on the terrace, bereaved of upper clothing.  

“I need more time. Couldn't he just wait for a day or two?” It's been eight days since my father passed; five days since he was laid into the earth; the last day of his funeral rites, and, I had repeated this phrase over and over. 

I needed more time. 

“I think you've been ready for this moment since the day you were born” Caden said calmly, just as he'd said from the second time I had repeated this phrase. 

We both stood in silence, watching the people dance in what looked like a transition from city life to bohemian style. The festivities continued, and soon the night came heavy upon us, signaling the climax of tonight's festival. The Hunt festival wasn't just about the merry, and all. In times like this, it was a rite of passage, and according to the horn of the Crescent moon, Alphas were sent home with games and feasts. 

 The Priestesses who were currently inside the temple performing the last rites where my father had breathed his last, would come with a game request my father wanted. Not that I didn't know this already, he wanted a deer. 

Flickers of electric lanterns from afar caught my attention, and then their chants followed suit. The Priestesses trudged towards us, dressed in white silk dresses. Two of my trusted Zetas, Calum and Reid, joined me on the terrace, shirtless like Caden and the rest of the other hunters. 

“Did you have the women pack extra pants?” I asked Caden, as I began unbuttoning my shirt, I handed it to Reid who swiftly took it in, and returned as though he never left. 

“Yes. Mother handled it," he replied. I nodded, then descended the stairs to meet the women who were coming towards us. The dancing had stopped, and the crowd had joined in the new chant. 

I caught several feminine eyes ogling me, some even gasped upon gazing at my rippled body. It was expected, I took time into achieving my desired body type, and I reveled in the unchanging effect it had on the females. I look good, and I know it.

“It's time for the hunt” The chief priestess, Kerala, said stopping before me. I stepped into a body of Elders, and divinities, the music hitting a Crescendo. The women soon resumed dancing, their bodies moved like animals with endoskeletal structures; unbelievable twists and rapid curls, it was exhilarating, the men cheered and growled, the fire bristled around us, and the night air became supercharged. 

As I matched into the dense forest, amidst the whispers of shadows, escorted by several wolves of ranks, I could feel the sadness within me disperse. I began to come to terms with several things. It wasn't the first hunt I had led, but this was the first hunt I would be leading as the new Alpha of Crescent. I might have needed a little more time, but…

“Are you ready?” Caden whispered beside me as we scrunched, touching the earth beneath us. 

 I was born for this. 

“Yes” I pressed on the earth, and in a snap, I became Conri Aragon. 

I hung the bloodied deer I had caught around my shoulders as I emerged from the thick forest. The moment the waiting crowd caught sight of us, they erupted into rapturous melodies. 

I had honored my father, and had once again secured my birthright. 

The festivities continued, laughter and howls intermingling under the glow of the Hunters moon. I found myself detaching from the merriment, and soon I was wandering the outskirts of the celebration arena. As I strolled farther away, I heard the nocturnal bird hoot from afar. The night air was cool against my skin, and the leaves rustled softly, welcoming me further into the woods. 

My mind wandered with my feet. The feeling of responsibility like an anvil upon my shoulders. I felt the urgent need to connect to something, to someone, anyone. As I strolled further, a sharp rustling of dry leaves swept past my ears and a strange whiff caught my senses, sending me on high alert. I saw a body of fur run past, so swift, I almost doubted what I saw, but my sense of smell was unmistakable. 

“Who goes there?” I called out, my voice sharpened by an assertive authority. The rustling settled quickly, but the scent remained. A few seconds later, a soft sound, like dry leaves squashed under a really light weight, caught my attention. I turned swiftly to the direction that the almost distinct sound had come from “Show yourself!” I ordered, walking towards it in a practiced stealth. 

As I approached a slightly covered area of the forest, I caught the silhouette of a human. At the careful observation of the structure —curves, I could tell it was a woman. 

“Come out!” I ordered her, stopping before the shadowed area. The silhouette stood upright, yet unresponsive. My thoughts strayed to a story my father had told me about shapeshifters who came in the form of women and lured you into dark areas to eat out your heart. I didn't believe him, and I didn't even know why I had thought about that. 

The silhouette didn't speak, but simply titled her head, and I could feel her eyes assessing me. I didn't like the fact that she didn't obey my command, and there was no way I would walk into the darkness to discover her, or whatever it was. 

Then, she stepped towards me. Just one step into the partial glow, and I registered a few things in one swift glance. Shiny hair; fiery like fire, shiny eyes; brought to life by the faint glow around the area she'd walked into, and one last shocking detail—she was naked. 

I stepped closer with the aim of determining who she really was, and why she was here at this time. Naked. “What are you—” I began to ask when a bellow erupted from behind me, cutting through the tension. Mason, one of my pack members, came staggering towards where I stood, his hands firmly wrapped around a giggling woman. The moment they noticed my presence, they both halted in their tracks, shocked to find me there. 

“Eh—Alpha—Alpha Ryker” Mason stuttered awkwardly. The woman with him bowed so low as though to kiss the ground. 

“Mason” I acknowledged him briefly, then glanced back to where the naked woman stood just a second or two ago, but she was gone. Swallowed by the night or whatever had brought her here. I turned away, slightly disappointed. 

“I—er—I didn't know you'd be here” Mason continued, still flustered. 

“And I wasn't expecting to find you here” I remarked, staring pointedly at him and the woman who now looked as though she wanted the ground to swallow her up. 

“Yes—yes—we’d leave,” Mason said, then turned to leave. 

“You don't have to” I stopped him. Judging from their looks and the swollen part of his pants, he needed relief, and I wasn't going to cockblock him. “I'm done here” I added, walking past him and his companion. 

When I returned to the group, Elder Lowell was busy with his tales about the Mighty Alphas of the Aragon dynasty. I had heard this tale all my life. I knew of my ancestry. I came from a bloodline of demigods who had turned a curse into power, and had conquered territories in both our realm and the human world. I had been made aware of the large shoes I needed to fill, and the last thing I needed tonight was another reminder. Being an Aragon was enough. 

“Where did you go to?” Caden asked upon seeing me. He had finally worn a shirt. I shrugged, talking the stairs back up into the house. The Elders feast would begin soon, and soon enough I'd be plunged into the deep sea of pack affairs. I needed a quick wash, and fresh clothes that didn't smell of deer blood. 

“Had to clear my head,” I said to him. 

“Mother wants you to—”

“Alpha Ryker!” a strong baritone croaked. I stopped in my tracks, as I recognised the owner of that voice. I turned, as Elder Aaron took the steps I had just ascended, a young beautiful woman clinging to his arm. I paused, watching the people approach me. Elder Aaron's slow steps wasn't what held my attention, rather the gorgeous looking brunette with captivating blue eyes dressed in a sexy silver dress held my full attention. And I kept on staring because I liked what I saw. 

“Matchmaking alert” Caden breathed beside me.

“You know her?” I whispered underneath my breath 

“That's his granddaughter, Lauren.”  

Lauren. 

“Alpha Ryker” the old man panted. 

“Elder Aaron” I nodded to him.

“Have you met my granddaughter, Lauren? She just returned from the western packs.” He sure didn't waste any time.

“Alpha Ryker, my condolences” Lauren spoke in a voice so smooth as silk. 

“Thank you,” I offered a small smile. I liked beautiful things, and the woman before me was beautiful. She offered a shy smile, her lashes fluttering coyly. 

“The feast is about to begin,” Caden said beside me. 

“It’s a pleasure meeting you,” I said to the granddaughter, nodding to her grandfather. I threw one last glance at the beautiful woman, debating a strike. I was still mourning my father, and I couldn't engage in any sexual practices at the moment, so I quickly shelved the thought. I would revisit it later. “Excuse me.”

Dinner took forever to be over. Surprisingly, I found my thoughts straying to the woods, and the naked woman. There was something about her, and even if I didn't believe in mystical meetings, or my father's story, I couldn't help the feeling that our meeting wasn't a coincidence. 

And the more I tried to shake the feeling off, one thought remained prominent . The foreboding that I would be seeing that woman again. 

And, soon.