Chapter 47
1000 years ago.
As the moon hung high in the sky bathing the Eldermere temple in its soft glow, Nagia stood before the moon goddess’s statue. Her long golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her blue eyes sparkled and her beautiful face glowed as her heart thudded with both hope and trepidation. She wore a white robe that made her look like she was in clouds.
She was a priestess born under a rare celestial alignment, with a direct blessing of the Moon Goddess. She was revered in her village and the High priest favored her while all other priests valued her.
She was waiting for Alpha Vaslof, the strongest wolf of the North, under whom all the packs were united. She had met him a few months ago when he came to hunt in the forest surrounding Eldermere. Their connection was instant. “Mate,” he had growled and ever since they both couldn’t deny the fierce attraction, the fated love, that pulled them to each other with irresistible force
The High Priest of Eldermere temple had sensed their moon bond, and was more than happy to offer her to Vaslof in marriage.
“Naqia,” the High Priest said. “Are you sure you want to marry him?” he asked as if afraid of what might happen.
She nodded. “Yes, he is all I dream about,” she replied shyly.
He chuckled. “Vaslod will be coming any time now. Once he accepts you, I will free you from the duties of the temple. The High Priest had called
him for this purpose.
Her heart raced at his words. She looked at the flickering candles that she had lit in the temple for Vaslot’s welcome. The scent of incense filled the air. Any time now. Excitement thrummed in her body. After this day, she would forever belong to her mate. This was a bond made in heavens and forged once in a thousand years.
Heavy footsteps on the marble floor echoed in the temple. Naqis couldn’t contain her thrill and she rushed towards the grand chamber with the High Priest following her. When she entered the grand chamber, she saw Vaslof standing at the moonstone alur. And once again she was mesmerized by his beauty, the pure sirength and charisma he radiated. With broad shoulders, golden eyes and muscular build, he was evidently the most beautiful Alpha.
Blushing, she bowed to him immediately. “You honor me with your presence, Alpha Valot,” she said, her lips quivering, her heart pounding like a drum
He looked at her with cold eyes, and then glanced at all the priests of Eldermere temple who had flanked the High Priest. Seeing his cold demeanor, Nagia felt a chill run down her spine. She looked at the High Priest who had narrowed his eyes at Vastof.
Vaslof bowed to the High Priest. “You wanted to see me?” he said in a frigid voice.
“Alpha Vadof the High Priest intoned. “We know that Naqia, the blessed priestess of the moon goddess is your mate.” His lips curled up tenderly. “And so we would like to offer her as your mate, a union that occurs only one in a thousand years”
When Vasof didn’t reply immediately, fear bubbled inside her She clutched her robe tightly on the sides, waiting for him to say something. He had promised her that he would take her as his mate.
But Vastofnarrowed his gaze, arrogance and greed flickering in them. “She’s a priestess, but what power does she bring Unfortunately, I can’t accept her. Only a union with a strong Alpha bloodline would give me true strength. I cannot settle for less”
Naqia’s heart sank, as the chill of impending rejection settled in her bones. “No!” she whispered.
Turning his face toward her, Vaslof continued, “Hence, I Alpha Vaslof, reject my mate, Naqia, the priestess of Eldermere.”
His words cut through her like a blade. “No,” she gasped as she fell down on the floor, her mind numb. A mild tremor shook the temple as Vaslof severed the divine bond meant to be unbreakable. She felt intense pain and tears rolled down her eyes. The pain in her heart resonated through the Eldermere temple. It was a cry that reached beyond the physical realms, summoning the moon goddess.
In a bizarre twist of events, dark shadows emerged from the floor and crept around her. Her despair turned to fury. “How could you do this to me?” she cried in a trembling voice. “You rejected our divine bond, you betrayed the Moon Goddes
“Naqi“” the High Priest and others fell to their knees. “Don’t do that”
Thunder followed accompanied a bolt of lightning that streaked across the sky as the shadows started dancing wildly around her. It was as if the moon goddess was enraged by Vaslof’s betrayal. Suddenly, the moonstone altar cracked and blinding light spilled out
Vasof watched her in fear. She glared at him, her eyes flashing golden. “You’ve made a grave mistake, Vaslof. The goddess will have her revenge!” Saying that, she closed her eyes
Another thunder clapped in the sky, and a voice boomed in the sky. “Your sons shall wed, but their brides shall perish, for you have violated the bond given by the divine”
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Chapter 47
Piercing how emanated from the temple as priests started shouting for help and mercy. Vasiof looked on in disbelief, realizing it too late dat he underestimated the power of the divine bond he had severed.
The shadows began to swirl around her as she lifted her arms up to the sky. The shadows entered her, hissing and howling
“Nup” the High Priest shouted. “Come back, my child“:
But she was gone too far. The shadows coursed through her veins, the blinding light from the moonstone alar touched her and another tremor rocked the Eldermere temple. The pillars started breaking and crumbling, dust and debris filling the air. The ancient stones groaned. The pillary toppled as Naqia sat in the center, enveloped in the shadows and illuminated by the altar’s light
Vaslof stepped back in fear watching her with wide eyes as she accepted the transformation which bound her to the darkness and the moonlight. A few moments later, instead of Nagia there stood the first Shadow Wolf, amidst the ruins of the Eldermere temple. He snapped his head toward the priests and saw them also turning into shadow wolves, joining Naqia’s noe, untamed energy.
Suddenly, the voices whispered. “The bride’s bane curse is your destiny” and then everything went quiet.
Vislof couldn’t believe what happened just now. Bride Bune’s curse! Fear cruised through him for what he had done. How would this curse lift? “Naqia,” he whispered as he sank on his knees, staring at the place where she sat a few moments ago. Im sorry he rasped. “Please take the curse
back
But nothing happened. Dejected and panicky, Vaslof went back to his pack. He didn’t mention a word there, but he married the she–wolf he had chosen as his bride. When he marked and claimed her, he was happy to notice that the cune wasn’t effective. However, his bride died after giving birth to his heir, and that was the proof of the curse taking root
He cried and cried for the mistake be committed. He went back to the ruins of Eldermere with his pup to lift the curse, hoping that Naqia would forgive him. “Naqiaaal” be shouted her name. “You can’t make my pup suffer because of my mistake!”
As if hearing his plea, the shadows rose from the ruins and whispered, “Only a soul shackled will break the chain”
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