JOURNEY TO BLOOD MOON HUNT

Chapter Five

The border between Silvermoon and neutral territory was marked by ancient standing stones.

Marina stood before them in the pre-dawn darkness, a travel pack slung over her shoulder and her heart hammering against her ribs. Behind her lay everything familiar: the birch forests of her childhood, the pack that had never quite accepted her, and the den that had been her solitary refuge. Ahead lay the unknown, and possibly her death.

"You have everything you need?" Elder Moonseer appeared from between the stones like a ghost, her white fur gleaming in the darkness.

Marina touched the pack, mentally cataloging its contents. Dried meat and journey bread, a waterskin, a change of clothes suitable for the Blood Moon Hunt, herbs for basic healing, and a small knife. Nothing that would mark her as a spy. Nothing that could not belong to any unmated female seeking a mate at the sacred ceremony.

"Everything except courage," Marina admitted.

Moonseer's expression softened. "Courage is not the absence of fear, child. It is doing what must be done despite the fear." She reached out and pressed something small and cold into Marina's palm. "Take this. My own moonstone, blessed by the goddess herself. It will not protect you from physical harm, but it will help center your mind if the bond magic becomes overwhelming."

Marina looked down at the smooth white stone, feeling its faint pulse of power. "Thank you, Elder."

"Do not thank me yet." Moonseer stepped back. "The path to Bloodfang territory passes through the Whispering Woods, neutral ground where wolves from all packs can travel safely. You will likely encounter others heading to the Hunt. Trust no one, Marina. Not every unmated wolf has honorable intentions."

"Understood." Marina tucked the moonstone into her pocket next to her scarred mate mark. The phantom ache of the severed bond still throbbed beneath her skin, a constant reminder of what she had already sacrificed for this mission.

"Once you cross into Bloodfang territory, you will be under their laws and customs. Do you remember what I taught you?"

Marina nodded and recited from memory. "Never challenge an Alpha's authority directly. Show deference to ranked pack members. During the Hunt, run hard but let the male catch you. Being caught is the point. And once a claim is made and accepted, the bond is sacred and unbreakable except by death or Alpha decree."

"Good." The moonseer glanced at the lightning in the sky. "You should go. You want to arrive at Bloodfang territory by midday tomorrow, giving you time to rest before the Hunt begins at moonrise."

Marina adjusted her pack and took a step toward the border stones. Then she stopped and looked back at the elder. "If I do not return"

"You will return." Moonseer's voice carried absolute conviction. "You are stronger than you know, Marina Nightwater. Your hybrid blood is a gift, not a curse. When the time comes, trust your instincts. Both the shadow and the light within you."

With those cryptic words hanging in the air, Marina passed between the standing stones and crossed into neutral territory.

The Whispering Woods earned their name from the constant whisper of leaves even when no wind blew. The forest was ancient and untouched by any pack's claim, governed by laws older than the modern clans. Violence was forbidden here. Any wolf who spilled blood in the Whispering Woods would be cursed, or so the legends claimed.

Marina hoped she would not have to test that legend's truth.

She traveled in human form, following the well worn path that led east through the forest. Other wolves had passed this way recently. She could smell their scent markers on trees and rocks. Bloodfang, mostly, but also traces of Goldenridge and even a few Shadowpaw wolves. All heading toward the Blood Moon Hunt.

The realization made her stomach clench with anxiety. She had known she would not be the only unmated female at the ceremony, but confronting the evidence of competition made it real. What if Silvain did not notice her? What if he chose someone else? The mission would fail before it even began.

"Focus," she told herself. "One step at a time. Get there first. Worry about the rest later."

The sun climbed higher as she walked, filtering through the canopy in golden shafts. Despite her anxiety, Marina could not help appreciating the beauty of the Whispering Woods. Flowers she had never seen bloomed in hidden clearings. Birds sang complex melodies. A stream ran clear and cold, perfect for refilling her waterskin.

She was kneeling beside the stream when she heard voices approaching.

Marina's shadow magic instinctively rose, ready to wrap her in concealing darkness. But she forced it down, reminding herself she was supposed to be a normal unmated female, not a hybrid with suspicious abilities. Instead, she stood and turned to face the newcomers with what she hoped was casual friendliness.

Three wolves emerged from the trees. All female. All young. All carrying the distinctive scent of Goldenridge Pack. Their golden fur and confident bearing marked them as wolves from the diplomatic clan, the pack that prided itself on maintaining peace between the territories.

The tallest of them, a wolf with amber eyes and sun streaked hair, smiled warmly. "Well met, sister. Are you traveling to the Hunt?"

Marina nodded, carefully noting their body language. No aggression, but a certain wariness. Evaluating a potential rival. "I am. From Silvermoon territory."

"Ah, Silvermoon." The second wolf, shorter with a rounder face, tilted her head curiously. "We have heard about the troubles there. The plague. I am sorry for your losses."

"Thank you." Marina kept her expression neutral, though internally she was analyzing their words. What exactly had they heard? How much did the other packs know about Silvermoon's desperation?

The third wolf, the quietest of them, spoke up. "I am Astrid Goldmane. These are my cousins, Vera and Soleil. We do not often see Silvermoon wolves at the Hunt."

Because Silvermoon wolves were typically too busy dying, Marina thought bitterly. But she forced a smile. "I am Marina. And you are right, it has been several years since any from my pack attended. But life continues, does it not? We cannot stop living just because times are hard."

Vera's expression softened with sympathy. "True enough. Well, Marina, would you like to travel with us? The woods are safe, but there is comfort in company."

Marina hesitated. Part of her wanted to refuse, to keep her isolated and avoid potential complications. But another part, the part trained by Moonseer's crash course in social manipulation, recognized an opportunity. These Goldenridge wolves could provide valuable information about Bloodfang territory and the Hunt's protocols.

"I would be grateful for the company," Marina said.

They fell into step together, the Goldenridge wolves flanking Marina as they continued east. For a while, they walked in companionable silence, each lost in her own thoughts. Then Soleil, ever curious, began asking questions.

"Is it true that Silvermoon wolves can see the future?"

Marina laughed despite herself. "Only the elders with prophetic gifts, and even then, visions are notoriously unreliable. Most of us just have better than average healing abilities and a strong connection to moon magic."

"And you?" Astrid asked, her sharp eyes studying Marina with unsettling intensity. "What gifts do you possess?"

Marina's shadow magic stirred, uncomfortable with the scrutiny. She chose her words carefully. "Nothing remarkable. Basic healing, decent tracking skills. I am more of a warrior than a mystic, honestly."

It was not entirely a lie. She simply omitted the shadow manipulation, the hypnotic voice, the hybrid abilities that made her dangerous and distrusted.

"Have you been to Bloodfang territory before?" Vera asked, steering the conversation away from personal topics.

"Never. I know it by reputation only."

"It is beautiful," Soleil said, her voice taking on a dreamy quality. "Wild and fierce, like the wolves themselves. Mountains and forests. Rivers that run fast enough to sweep away the unwary. The game is plentiful, the land is rich." She sighed. "If I could choose where to live based purely on territory, Bloodfang would be it."

"But not based on the wolves themselves?" Marina prompted, fishing for information.

Astrid answered, her tone measured. "Bloodfang wolves are intense. They value strength, courage, and loyalty above all else. They do not have much patience for diplomacy or subtle politics." She glanced at Marina. "If you are chosen by a Bloodfang male, be prepared for a mate who leads with action, not words. They are passionate, protective, and possessive."

"Possessive," Marina repeated, a chill running down her spine. That could complicate things considerably if she needed to maintain some autonomy for her mission.

"Especially Alpha Silvain," Vera added, then blushed as her cousins shot her warning looks. "What? Everyone knows he is attending the Hunt this year. Again."

Marina's pulse quickened. "He attends every year?"

"For the past five years," Astrid confirmed. "Since his previous mate, well, since he lost someone important to him. He comes, he observes, but he never claims anyone." She paused. "Though my father says the elders are pressuring him to choose this year. An Alpha needs a Luna, especially in troubled times."

Perfect. Marina filed away this information, already calculating how to use it. An Alpha under pressure to choose a mate would be more susceptible to the right kind of approach. And if Silvain had lost someone he loved, that emotional vulnerability could be exploited.

She stopped that thought, disgusted with herself. This was exactly what Moonseer had warned about: thinking like a spy instead of a person. Viewing Silvain as a target rather than a living being with his own pain.

"But that is what you are," a cold voice whispered in her mind. "A spy. A weapon. That is why they chose you."

"Are you hoping to catch the Alpha's eye?" Soleil asked, her tone light but her eyes sharp.

Marina considered lying, but instinct told her these wolves would see through it. "I would be honored if he noticed me. But I am realistic. I am sure there will be many worthy females at the Hunt."

"True," Vera agreed. "But you have something different about you. I cannot place it, but" She frowned, studying Marina. "There is something unusual in your scent. Are you" She cut herself off, eyes widening slightly.

"I am hybrid," Marina admitted, seeing no point in hiding what their noses had already detected. "Silvermoon and Shadowpaw blood."

The three Goldenridge wolves exchanged glances. Marina tensed, preparing for rejection or disgust. But Astrid simply nodded thoughtfully.

"That would explain the shadow magic I sense beneath your aura. Do not worry," she added quickly, seeing Marina's alarm. "I am sensitive to magical signatures, a Goldenridge trait. I will not mention it to anyone." Her expression grew serious. "But be careful, Marina. Some wolves are uncomfortable with hybrids. They see mixed blood as impure."

"I am aware." Marina had lived with that prejudice her entire life.

"Bloodfang especially," Vera said quietly. "They are very traditional about bloodlines. Pure Bloodfang matings are preferred."

Marina's heart sank. "Then I am wasting my time at the Hunt."

"Not necessarily," Astrid countered. "Alpha Silvain is traditional in many ways, but he is also pragmatic. If he is drawn to you, your heritage will not matter as much as whether you can be a strong Luna." She smiled slightly. "And hybrid blood often produces powerful magic. That is valuable."

They walked on, conversation flowing more easily now that Marina's secret was revealed. The Goldenridge wolves shared information about Bloodfang customs, warned her about wolves to avoid, and described the Hunt's basic structure. Marina absorbed every detail, grateful for their unexpected assistance.

As the sun reached its zenith, they stopped to rest and eat in a small clearing. Marina shared her journey bread while the Goldenridge wolves offered dried venison. They were in the middle of discussing the best strategies for the Hunt when a new scent drifted through the clearing.

Male. Unmated. Shadowpaw.

Marina's entire body went rigid. She knew that scent intimately. She had woken next to it for two years. She had thought she would never smell it again after breaking their bond.

Ragnar.

He emerged from the tree line with the fluid grace of a predator, his dark eyes sweeping across the group before locking onto Marina. His expression was carefully neutral, but she could see the calculation behind it.

"Marina," he said, his voice giving nothing away. "What an unexpected pleasure."

The Goldenridge wolves looked between them, sensing the tension. Astrid stood slowly, her hand moving to the knife at her belt. "Do you two know each other?"

"We were mated," Ragnar said before Marina could respond. "Until three days ago, when she broke our bond without explanation." He smiled, and it was a terrible thing, cold and sharp as broken glass. "I have been following her trail, hoping for a chance to speak privately."

Marina's shadow magic rose defensively, coiling around her hands like dark smoke. "There is nothing to discuss, Ragnar. What is done is done."

"Is it?" He took a step closer, and the Goldenridge wolves tensed. "Because from where I am standing, it looks like you are traveling to the Blood Moon Hunt. Looking for a new mate already." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "How very convenient. Did you even wait a full day before deciding to replace me?"

"That is enough," Astrid said firmly, stepping between them. "This is neutral territory. Whatever grievances you have must wait until after the Hunt."

Ragnar's eyes never left Marina's face. "Oh, I will wait. I will attend the Hunt myself, in fact. As an unmated male, I have every right to participate." His smile widened. "Perhaps I will even find a Silvermoon female worth claiming. I hear they are particularly beautiful when they are desperate."

The insult struck like a physical blow. Marina felt her wolf surge forward, ready to tear his throat out for the disrespect. But before she could respond, Vera spoke up.

"You should leave now, Shadowpaw. Before you violate the neutral territory laws."

Ragnar laughed and backed away with his hands raised in mock surrender. "I am going. But Marina" He met her eyes one last time. "We will talk. Whether you want to or not. There are things you need to know. Things about your precious mission."

He disappeared into the forest before she could react, leaving Marina cold with dread. How much did he know? What had he figured out?

"Former mate?" Soleil said sympathetically. "Those are always the worst."

"Are you all right?" Astrid asked, her hand on Marina's shoulder.

Marina forced herself to breathe, to calm the racing of her heart. "I am fine. Just surprised to see him."

But she was not fine. Ragnar's appearance changed everything. If he was attending the Hunt, if he was following her, he could ruin the entire mission. And his final words suggested he knew more than he should.

"Things about your precious mission."

How? How could he possibly know?

Unless someone had told him. Unless the Shadowpaw Pack had spies in Silvermoon. Unless

Marina's blood ran cold as the implications cascaded through her mind. If Shadowpaw knew about her mission, if they were aware that Silvermoon suspected Bloodfang of creating the plague, they could use that information to their advantage. They could manipulate the situation, could turn pack against pack while remaining safely in the shadows.

"We should keep moving," Astrid said, reading the worry on Marina's face. "The sooner we reach Bloodfang territory, the sooner you will be under their protection. Even your former mate will not be foolish enough to cause trouble there."

They gathered their belongings and continued east, but Marina's mind churned with new anxieties. The mission was already complicated enough. Now she had to worry about Ragnar sabotaging her efforts, exposing her as a spy, or worse, whatever worse might be.

As the sun began its descent toward the horizon, the forest gradually changed. The trees grew taller. The underbrush grew thicker. The air carried new scents: pine and cedar, rushing water, and something else. Something wild and fierce that made Marina's wolf sit up and take notice.

Bloodfang territory was close.

"We will reach the border within the hour," Astrid confirmed. "The Hunt grounds are just beyond. Are you ready?"

Marina touched the moonstone in her pocket, drawing what comfort she could from its faint warmth. She thought of the seventeen dead pups, of her pack's desperation, of the impossible task that lay ahead.

"As ready as I will ever be," she said.

But as they crested a hill and caught their first glimpse of Bloodfang territory, mountains rising in the distance, forests thick with game, rivers cutting through valleys, Marina felt the full weight of what she was about to do.

She was walking into the heart of a pack that might be responsible for genocide. She was going to seduce their Alpha and betray whatever trust he gave her. She was going to lie, spy, and potentially destroy an innocent wolf if Silvain truly was not guilty.

And somewhere behind her, Ragnar followed, carrying secrets and threats she could not begin to guess.

The blood moon would rise tomorrow night.

And nothing, Marina knew with absolute certainty, would ever be the same.