Harvest Moon Novels & Stories

I was busy at the party. I had sent Jake to collect Jayla. Janet was clinging around my arm like always. But she looked radiant. She wore a gold mermaid gown off the shoulder. Her blonde hair flowing down her back. Red Ruby diamond earrings hanging from her ears, finished by the biggest red ruby around her neck.

"My sweet girl. You look so tired. Are you working too hard at that new corporate job?" "I'm fine, Mom," Selina chuckled, leaning into the woman's warm touch. "Just missed your cooking." "Well, you won't have to miss it tonight," Faith declared proudly, tying an apron around her waist. She turned to check the pantry and let out a disappointed sigh. "Oh, goodness. Tina, I told you we need fresh garlic and heavy cream for the stew! You girls live on instant noodles and takeout!" Tina, lounging on the couch with her phone, rolled her eyes playfully. "Mom, it’s raining outside!"

They just made sure there were witnesses when they hurt you. I pressed my fingers against the tender spot as I hauled another crate of dried meat from the storage shed to the preparation hall. The Harvest Moon ceremony was tomorrow night, and everyone with tainted blood had been conscripted for setup duty. Because heaven forbid the precious high-bloods strain themselves arranging flowers and hanging lanterns for their own celebration. "Need help with that?" I didn't have to turn around to recognize Theo's voice, warm as summer rain and twice as persistent. "I've got it."

Plus, the harvest moon was vastly approaching, and I wanted nothing more than to celebrate it with those I loved. The harvest moon one of the three biggest moons we had. And while I did love seeing the moon up close, I always had an unsettling sense of doom. Like something would happen during one of the super moons and I didn’t know why. Now I kind of did. My prophecy. My dreams. Our need to end things with Kian and the Elders all reasons for me to worry.

I already know where this conversation is going. “The Harvest Moon Ball is next month, how wonderful.” “You’re both coming,” she says, looking directly at Adrian and me. Adrian nods easily. “Of course, it’s an important time for our packs.” My father leans back in his chair. “The Harvest Moon Ball is when fated bonds reveal themselves. Special time of year.” I roll my eyes slightly. As if we all didn’t know. “Dad.” “It’s tradition,” he replies calmly. My mother smiles softly. “Everyone’s been waiting to see if you two are fated mates.”

The last thing I wanted was to fall in the rough, rocky water below and be swept out to sea. Once seated I gazed out at the dark horizon. The glow of the moonlight glistened off of the crashing waves, silver strings against the stormy grey water. Glittering stars peppered the deep blue sky, winking at me as they danced in the darkness. I traced constellations with my eyes, thinking back on the stories Mains had told me about each one and it's creation. The moon was full and bright, the hints of a golden tinge dancing on the edges. The harvest moon was only two nights away, due the night of the festival, and as was the rest of my world, I saw it making its prep

Lunaya. We picked up our bags and headed out into the small clearing in front of the dining hall. The snow had stopped falling through the night, but the ground was covered in knee deep fresh powder and the wind was harsh against my bare cheeks. It was still dark and too early for the other pack members to be awake. Pappi stood holding onto Hina’s arm, as they said their goodbyes to Elaine and the warriors. Alyse and I stood to the side to give them some privacy. It didn’t take long for Elaine to embrace Hina, kiss Pappi on the temple and turn to walk over to us. The other warriors joined her, and we all started to make our way out of the village. I stopped at the edge of the tree line and t

She smiled sweetly, “We would all lay in the grass at night, we will count the stars, connect them, look for whichever star would shine the brightest… we would watch the moon, you see.” November’s quiet laugh was hollow and sad, a bittersweet feeling shared with her husband. Leonidas stares back at the red blood moon when November pointed at the moon. “The moon for us is the most beautiful kind of star. We could stare at it for long hours, praying and wishing for guidance and a better life.” Her gaze blurred, she laughs brokenly, “God, Leonidas, I miss them.” Leonidas pulled her closer to his chest. “Where are they?” he asked quietly.

We turn at the same time to see Luka stepping out from the forest, his gold-tinted curls blowing about his face, his brown eyes wide with wonder at the sight of the river. He walks past, still not seeing us. Darius and I look at each other, then scramble up to follow him. Luka stops at the top of the river embankment. He passes his hand over his eyes. When he drops his hand again, he opens his eyes and they are a milky grey colour. The glow disappears from the sky and in the darkness a full moon rises. Not just any moon. I recognize this moon. So pale, so clear, it appears as if behind a layer of ice. The first full moon of the new year. The Wolf Moon.

The existence of the mark proves that something happened between him and someone else. The two go to see the prince who still slumbers. They dare not wake him from his sleep but prepare his bath and outfit for the day. There is not much celebration in the morning and noon because the rising of the harvest moon shall come tonight. It is the highlight and last part of the Harvest Festival.