“The Oracle of the Goddess made the decision and chose the next mate for the new Lycan King, Callisto del Amathea.” The Priestess' voice echoes stately and graceful through the High Dome, decreeing the fate of one of the fifty mateless young wolves.
Ever since the new Lycan King ascended the throne and bloodily took the crown from his father's head, all mateless young wolves, nobles or commoners, have been summoned to the High Dome. And just like the other times, one of them will be chosen to be the new Lycan's Queen.
However, despite the flashy title, this one can be considered a death sentence — that's because the hatred that Lycans have for Werewolves is well known. The hostility between the races is sung even in lullabies. For a wolf to abandon its customs and beliefs like this… to leave their home and move to a completely hostile place, where their suffering is most likely craved… It's frightening. Unfortunately, even if these wolves’ rebel against the decree and try to escape… their families are hunted down and jailed, considered traitors.
That's why several of the candidates are on the verge of fainting due to the delay in announcing the name of the lucky one.
Rhea is just passionless, looking intently at the Priestess in front of her. She's a woman with a slender body, and this can be seen from the light clothing that barely covers her pale skin. The Priestess' hair is so white and sparkling that it looks like strands of silver, so long that it drags the ground at her delicate feet.
But what really draws Rhea's attention are the Priestess's eyes — which are so white and blank, it can barely see the irises and pupils. She's completely blind. And they say this is the price she paid for being a human capable of seeing the Moon Goddess herself…
“Rhea Calirianne.” The Priestess called the name, completely interrupting Rhea's thoughts, who found herself mesmerized by the attention on her. “The Oracle has chosen you as the rightful partner of the 47th King of the Lycan Realm, Callisto del Amathea.”
There's silence in the hall, but Rhea can hear the relieved sighs of those who were not forced to marry the new King who, despite being young and newly crowned, has a cruel reputation.
The Lycan Realm is a brutal place in its own, but Callisto managed to make a name for himself by dethroning his own father, displaying the former king's head as a trophy. His personality is said to be as cold as the harshest of winters. That his eyes are as sharp as his claws… And there are also those who say that Callisto's pheromones are so strong and intimidating, that he's able to make alphas throw up, and even the most experienced ones can shiver.
“Everyone is allowed to go back to their rightful homes.” The Priestess' voice echoes through the hall again. The place is huge and bright, as if its walls were made of crystal. There's a fifteen-candle chandelier hanging from the ceiling just above a statue of the Moon Goddess holding a full moon. At her feet is a huge fountain of turquoise water, which is slowly flowing from the statue's eyes, like eternal tears. Right now, Rhea feels as if her tears will perpetuate for eternity as well. “Except for you, Rhea. Please, stay here with me.”
It doesn't take long for everyone to leave, after all, they can't wait to return to their peaceful lives, away from all the danger that could await them. And when they're finally alone, as if her voice reverberates even more through the empty spaces between them, the Priestess speaks again… “Rhea, my unfortunate child… I had hoped that you wouldn't be chosen. Your life has never been easy, given the curse imposed since your birth. But the Oracle chose you, and I'm afraid this is the fate that awaits you.”
Yes… Rhea really is an unfortunate person. Unlike those of her kind, who begin to shift from the age of five, Rhea couldn't do it. During every full moon, werewolves can help but shift. They're unable to avoid the transformation, but they manage to hold consciousness as the age comes. Rhea, however, never managed to shift. It was when she reached ten years old that she first met the Priestess.
By living with humans too much, werewolves have adopted some characteristics of human society, such as monarchy by blood. Instead of living together in packs, like the Lycans, which preserved their bestial characteristics, the Werewolf Kingdom divided the territory into duchies and marquisates. Still, a werewolf's pride is his wolf's strength. No wonder Rhea's father, Duke Calirianne, considered the strongest alpha in an entire generation, surpassing even the King of Werewolves itself, couldn't accept that one of his daughters was broken.
Duke Calirianne sought the Priestess to cure his daughter's ailment when Rhea reached ten years old and was still unable to shift — that's when Rhea found out about her curse.
The Priestess said that Rhea is not able to shift because she doesn't have an inner wolf. She's not a human, as she can also sense pheromones and understand telepathy between the wolves. But still, she's not a wolf either… at least, not like the others of her kind.
There was nothing to be done, this was her curse after all.
Because of this, Duke Calirianne, and everyone else began to exclude her. They completely isolated her and stopped paying attention to Rhea. But that all changed when she turned sixteen… when the first signs of puberty start to show in wolves. Since then, she became more sensitive to pheromones… until a full moon came and so did her heat.
Even if Rhea didn't have a wolf shape, she still experienced their heat. Although, when the day came, the symptoms went away like they had never come before. And every time the full moon rose in the sky and the werewolves were forced to shift… Rhea went into heat. Every single time.
That way, she understood the real reason why she's cursed. And four years passed since then.
Well… maybe this is for the best… In the Lycan Kingdom, no one will be affected by me… Rhea thinks, curving her knees into compliance. Yes, it's better that way…
“Rhea Calirianne. Your duty is to remain at Callisto del Amathea's side until your last breath. Under the authority imposed on me, I fulfill the will of our Goddess by announcing this union. Now, the bond between you two will be unbreakable, unending and strong enough to span the ages. From this day forward, I state that you, Rhea Calirianne, belong to Callisto del Amathea, as this Lycan now belongs to his new Luna.” The Priestess extends her hand to Rhea, and gives a subtle smile. “That you be able to overcome the differences of your ancestors and strengthen the bonds between both species so that, once again, the People of the Moon become one. Do you accept this vow?”
“From this moment on, I accept this bond, and abandon my name and origins to fulfill our Goddess's will.”
The carriage swung over a root of an old, centuries-old oak tree, making Rhea jump uncomfortably inside. It's been a few hours since she left the High Dome, which is in the center of the Sacred Forest, considered neutral territory.The south beyond the Sacred Forest is called the Bestiary Continent — where all the most feared creatures exist. And after the War, when the Lycans were banished to the south because of their extremely violent behavior and for denying their origins, they had to rebuild their territory in those arid lands, almost abandoned by the Goddess.Now, Rhea is passing through the Sacred Forest, heading south, where she will live for the rest of her days. She has never visited the Bestiary Continent because the rumors about it are terrifying. In fact, Rhea was barely able to visit her own land, as she was locked in her chambers most of her life. She's a cursed child, after all.As the carriage passes past the centuries-old oak trees, an intense sunlight shines through
The palace doors open for Callisto to enter the main hall. Even those who are already used to the sight are surprised to see it that way. His abs are completely stained with blood, as are his hands. There's even a bloodstain on his face, making those around him even more fearful.Everyone has drooping shoulders and bowed heads because Callisto's eyes alone are extremely terrifying. The yellow that glows in the irises, even when untransformed, is enough to bring nightmares to the most sensitive ones. But the real problem is Callisto's pheromones, which prove that he has been taking lives a while ago.“Callisto… could you stop those pheromones? You're scaring everyone.” Skôll calls out to him, arms crossed. His blue eyes also look as cold as glaciers.Callisto cleans the blood stain on his face and controls the pheromones, eliciting relieved sighs from the others, who quickly leave the room to leave them alone.“So… how are things in the far south?” Skôll studies him attentively, seeing
Two girls who appear to be Rhea's age approach, wearing white dresses that contrast with the beauty of tanned skin; they're also short and with thin straps, with fabrics as light as silk; after all, the sun is intense, and the heat is almost suffocating. Even though Rhea searches for the lightest clothes she's brought in her luggage, they're still too hot.They approach and make a stiff reference, copying the one Rhea made when she first arrived. She suppresses a sweet smile at the girls' efforts to make her feel comfortable. But this is no longer necessary. From the moment Rhea was chosen to be Callisto's Luna, she decided to leave behind her kingdom and her customs.It's not like she cares too much about where she came from too… since the beginning, all those people have caused her is pain. Why would she hold so tight to a rose when the thorns are bleeding her hand? Its beauty does not make up for the wounds made by it.“My Queen, the King ordered us to come and help you get dressed
Rhea is led into the main hall by the twins in complete silence. The long corridors have long arches at their sides, like a path through a garden of green grass and colorful, fragrant flowers, and her blue eyes search through every detail. From there, it's possible to see a small waterfall that falls from the mountains and makes a pond further on. Even though the Bestiary Continent is a place of dry land, this garden reminds her a bit of her home.She shakes her head, putting aside those whining thoughts that insist on catching her off guard. Sooner, she's facing the huge double doors that are being opened for her passage. On the other side, an immense hall is displayed, and at the top of a platform made by a few steps, is a big black throne, which resembles the head and paws of a wolf. Sitting majestically on it, is Callisto.Now properly dressed and cleaned of blood, he's wearing a long white coat with gold details. And even though Callisto doesn't look so savage anymore, his presen
Three days pass quickly, and before Rhea knows it, the moment when she will finally be accepted as Luna de Callisto arrives.When Rhea gets to the garden that where the Bonding Ceremony will take place, she feels a chill inside her dress. It's the same she first spotted when she went to the royal hall.The nights in this place can be quite cold, considering the heat that prevails during the day. But the reason for the chill isn't the breeze that shakes her black hair, which has only a tiara, but the several smells that mix together, making it almost suffocating. So many powerful pheromones…The guests organize themselves around a path of white petals, which Rhea walks along, dragging her long silk dress that marks every curve of her body, including her hard nipples from the cold and anxiety. There's nothing but the light fabric on her body, which unlike the other clothes, covers more skin than expected, despite the bare shoulders. If it weren't for the long gloves, everyone could have
A great party has been organized for the guests to enjoy in one of the halls of the castle. The platform features two thrones, like the ones in the previous hall, although this place is much more luxurious. Rhea can't help but be dazzled by the amount of gold and precious stones in this land. It's said that the Bestiary Continent is extremely rich because no human has been able to leave it alive. Despite this, the Lycan people seem to live very well among these walls and mountains.Rhea, seated on the throne, takes a sip of the delicious wine, which envelops her in its aroma. As she's still wearing her smooth dress, with Callisto's cloak over her shoulders, she watches as the guests enjoy themselves and talk loudly. A truly lively folk.In her kingdom, the balls were filled with rules. It was easy to feel suffocated, with extremely tight corsets and breasts almost sticking out. Sharp looks, ambiguous words… It was always tiring. But here, in this atmosphere… Rhea can't help but smile.
Rhea can still feel her heart beating strongly. Ever since she left the royal hall beside Callisto and followed him to his quarters, she feels a mixture of feelings and adrenaline pulsing strongly in her veins. And when the image of Callisto in his wolf shape returns to her mind, a shiver runs through her body… She had never seen a wolf as big as his.And even now, in that room that's impregnated with Callisto's pheromones, she can't relax. Especially when he removes his cape and reveals his back full of diverse scars. Callisto puts on baggy pants, then turns to Rhea, who again lays her eyes on the huge scar on his chest… and on the eight packs.I'm already starting to feel funny......Her attention is quickly diverted when Callisto's voice sounds soft, so different from when they were in the hall, “I'm sorry if I startled you. I didn't mean to lose control.”“It's okay…” She hugs her body.Noticing her discomfort, Callisto brings his hand to the back of his neck, searching for the ri
Callisto is sitting at the table, watching quietly as Rhea delicately cuts a piece of meat and brings it to her mouth. He takes a moment to appreciate how her lips open and move, and how she sometimes licks them in subtle ways. Even though they're considerably apart, each at one end of the table, he's able to smell the soft scent of jasmine that makes his chest warm. Rhea notices and raises her eyes, staring directly into Callisto's, and they keep up eye contact for a few moments. The silence is already starting to become uncomfortable. Since Callisto ran away last night, after the Bonding Ceremony, they have not exchanged a single word. Still, occasionally, their eyes meet — only to him look away the next instant. She puts down the silverware gently, without breaking eye contact. She brings the wine-filled glass to her lips, keeping her blue eyes locked on his. As she knows, he's watching the way her throat moves, swallowing the reddish liquid that, even without touching his lips,