Riley's Point of View

"Sit with me, child." I passed by the kitchen window and heard Grandma Elena call out. "We need to talk."

Her silver hair was braided with wildflowers when I sat down with her at the old wooden table. The herbs she was brewing into tea perfumed the air with secrets and moonlight. My wolf stirred restlessly at the scent.

"Is this about my Alpha trials?" I inquired, sitting down in the chair across from her. "Because Dad already gave the lecture on not taking pity."

Grandma Elena gazed into my face as if she were reading a book in her wan eyes. She'd always been able to read more than anyone else. I'd wondered in the past if she knew what I was thinking before I did.

She whispered, "This is about the festival," "Riley, things change with the Harvest Moon. Significant changes that impact generations.

There were unexplainable butterflies in my stomach. "What kind of changes?"

"The kind that question all that you think you know about yourself." Grandma Elena filled two teacups. "The kind that causes you to choose between duty and destiny."

The tea tasted of wild berries and moonlight. Her words gave me shivers but warmed me from the inside out. Riddles irritated me, especially if they made my wolf pace nervously.

"I'm afraid of you, Grandma. What's happening at the festival?"

"I'm not sure, actually. I see shadows on the moon instead of clear images. She reached across the table and took my hand. "Granddaughter, I sense a decision coming. One which will forever alter our family.

The kitchen was warm, but her fingertips were cold. I rubbed them gently, trying to get her to just say whatever it was. My head hurt from all this beating around the bush.

"What if I make the wrong choice?" I said.

"There is simply a list of decisions; there is not a right or wrong decision. Some decisions, however, are more difficult to walk than others. Grandma Elena's eyes widened. "Sometimes the heart knows things the mind will not accept.""

The front door closed before I could catch a glimpse of what she was about to do. "I'm back!" Jake's voice called out. Although he did sound strange. I was dubious about how they seemed happy.

"Where has that boy been?" Grandmother Elena said under her breath. "He's been disappearing every day this week."

I had also noticed. Jake would disappear after breakfast and only return in time for dinner. He just shrugged and spoke of something else whenever anyone asked him where he had been. He was not the sort of person who kept secrets.

"Maybe he got himself a girlfriend," I suggested. "He has been acting very dreamy."

"Hmm." Grandma Elena didn't sound so certain. "People do crazy things when they're in love. Recklesshings.

With pine needles covering his clothing and his sandy hair dishevelled, Jake stood in the kitchen doorway. I hadn't seen him smile that broadly in months. He was having a good time doing whatever he'd been doing.

Grandma Elena, hello. Riley, hello. He took an apple from the bowl on the counter. "What are you two discussing?"

"The festival," I muttered, observing his reaction. "Are you excited about it?"

Jake's smile hesitated for a second. He looked at me and then at Grandma Elena and back again. Yeah, sure. It'll be okay.

"Dad says all the packs will be there, even Red Canyon.", I said it casually. "He wants me to stay away from them altogether."

Jake said, "That's probably a good idea," but his voice was tense. "No point in going out of your way to find trouble."

Grandma Elena was also keeping a close eye on Jake with her piercing eyes. She knew something, too, I could tell. Normally, the first one to utter something negative about the Steeles, Jake was apprehensive about the topic today.

"Jake, sweetie, where have you been hanging out during the days?" Grandma Elena gently asked. "Your mother is worried."

"Running just along the trails. Getting prepared for the party. To avoid more questions, Jake took a large bite of the apple. "I should go shower."

Before either of us being able to say anything else, he quickly exited the kitchen. I turned to glance at Grandma Elena across the table. Something was clearly incorrect.".

As I talked, "He's lying," "Jake doesn't do hours of trails daily. He detests exercising.

"That boy is concealing something big." Grandma Elena took a reflective sip of tea. "I can smell it on him."

Jake had been smelling different lately, now that she brought it up. Like fresh air, like pine trees, but like something else also that I couldn't place. Something which, rather than warning my wolf, made him interested.

"Should I follow him tomorrow?" I asked. "See what he's really doing?"

"No, child. When the time comes, some secrets are told. Grandma Elena put her cup down. "But at the festival, beware. People will do what they never would have dreamed under the full moon."

I shuddered. "You're really scared of something, aren't you?"

"Riley, I know you fret about decisions. I know you fret about hearts desiring the wrong things. She looked at me with weary eyes. "I fear history repeating itself."

"What do you mean, history repeating itself?"

Grandma Elena simply shook her head and occupied herself with removing the tea cups. It's not my place to tell some stories. At least not yet.

I recognised that look, but I wanted to press her for information. There was nothing that would get Grandma Elena to talk when she did not want to talk. Still, as I returned to my bedroom, I had her words ringing in my head.

Decisions have repercussions on generations yet to come. Hearts that desire things that they ought not. History is repeating itself.

What was it in my family's history that she feared would occur once more?

I sat on my bed and gazed at the ceiling while I pondered Grandma Elena's warnings and Jake's odd behaviour. With six days to go before the festival, nerves were on edge.

My best friend Sarah sent me a text message, and my phone buzzed. "I am so excited about the festival! Maybe I'll finally meet my soul mate."

I typed to reply, "Maybe we both will." But I felt a pang in my chest of fear even as I wrote it.

What if my partner wasn't from our pack? What if he wasn't even from a pack that we were allied with? I was ill with concern over the thought, but I couldn't let it go.

I dreamed that night I was wailing to some unseen person across a valley. A voice wailed back in the dream, lonely and sad but somehow, somehow familiar. My pillow was wet with tears I had no recollection of shedding when I awakened.

Jake left before breakfast the following morning. This time, I was determined to follow him, even though Grandma Elena warned me not to. I had to find out what was making him so secretive and jubilant.

I tracked his scent through the woods, staying back far enough that he wasn't aware of me. My stomach twisted with worry as his path led toward the border of our land. What was Jake doing near enemy territory?

At the edge of a new meadow, the scent ended. There was no sign of Jake, but I could hear voices shouting from the trees opposite me. Jake's was unmistakably one of them.

My blood ran cold as I heard the second voice.

It was a Red Canyon accent and young, and male.

Asher's Perspective

 "Asher, please.  You have to go to the festival.  As I walked towards the kitchen, Maya grabbed my arm.  "Promise me you'll be there."

I stood there and gazed at my small sister's face.  She was chomping on her lower lip the way she always did when she was keeping something a secret, and her brown eyes were fixed on me with concern.  Maya never demanded anything of me.

"I'm coming, of course.  Dad already mentioned that the entire pack would have to leave.  I scowled at her strange antics.  "Why are you so anxious about it?"

"I'm not worried.  I just. I want you there, okay?" Maya clung to my arm harder.

"Promise me you won't leave early or go find a hiding spot in the woods like you always do."

Maya was too accustomed to me.  I always did my best to miss pack meetings when I could.  For my preference, there is too much strutting around and brawling.  But her current expression tightened my chest with worry.

"What's wrong, Maya?  You're being odd.".

"Nothing is happening.  I just need my brother to accompany me to the festival.  Her smile attempt was tense.  "This evening is going to be significant.  amazingly gigantic.".

Connor had arrived without knocking before I could question her on what she was saying.  As my Beta, he did this all the time, but today he was doing it differently.  He smiled too much, as usual.

"Hey, both of you.  You're discussing the festival?  As if he owned the mansion, Connor flopped into a chair.  

"I'm looking forward to it.  It will be. interesting."

I couldn't interpret the expression Maya bestowed upon him.  I was left out of the silent discussion they appeared to be having.  Left out, my wolf growled in agitation.

"Connor, any idea why Maya's being so weird about this?" I asked.

"I'm not being weird!"  Maya talked too loudly.  "I just have the impression that this year's festival will be special.  That's all.".

Taking a seat in his chair, Connor gazed at us both.  "Asher, I actually did have a question for you.  Who from the Silver Moon packs is attending the festival, do you know?

The question was a surprise.  Why should I know?  And why should you care?

"Just wondering.  I've heard that their Alpha of the future is here.  Connor's eyes assumed a strange look.  "Blackwood, Riley.  Ever see her?

The title made my stomach curdle at an odd angle.  Although I'd never known there was such a thing as a Blackwood wolf, my wolf began pacing agitatedly upon hearing the name spoken aloud.  As if he somehow recognized it.

"No, I never saw her before.  And I don't want to."  The lie was simple, but it seemed awkward.  "Why are you asking about enemy wolves?"

"You do know who your enemy is?  My dad was always saying that.  Connor's eyes never left his shrug.  "I'll bet she'll be searching for a husband at the festival."

Maya jumped up from her chair and made a strangled sound.  "I need to go.  Asher, I'll catch up with you later.  Remember my words about the festival.".

Before I could stop her, she had quickly left the room.  More bewildered than ever before, I stared after her.  While Maya had been odd the entire week, today was the worst.

Connor stated, "Your sister is concerned about something."

"Any idea what?"

"No, and it's killing me."  I sat down beside him.  "She always disappears throughout the day and comes back with an unknown smell.  like somewhere else."

Connor raised an eyebrow.  "Somewhere else like where?"

"I can't figure it out.  I don't know that smell.  I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache coming on.  "Do you think she's in trouble?"

"Maya?  No, she is too smart for trouble.  Connor stooped over.  Talking about the festival, however, I think you should go.  And not just because your father issued the command.

"Why?"

"Because it's time you started thinking of finding a mate."  Connor's smile returned to its artificial appearance.  "You'll be Alpha someday.  You need a solid Luna by your side.".

I should have been thrilled at the prospect of finding a mate.  But lately, I've felt empty inside whenever anyone brings it up.  Like I was waiting for something particular that I couldn't identify.

"I'll meet my mate when the moon wants me to," I replied.  "I'm not going to rush things."

"What if the moon's already made the choice for you?" Connor's voice grew quiet.  "What if your mate is closer to you than you think?"

He'd spoken the words in a voice that sent shivers down my spine.  "What are you talking about?"

"Nothin'.  Talking to myself.  Connor jumped out of his chair.  "I should get going.  But, Asher?  Be careful at the festival.  Fate has a sense of humor that's wicked sometimes.".

Before I could even ask him what he meant, he also left.  People were speaking in code, it seemed, and I was left all alone in the kitchen.  Maya pleaded with me to go to the festival.  Connor had strange questions about Silver Moon wolves.

Maya texted me, and my phone buzzed.  "Never trust one person completely.  Not even ones that you feel like you know."

I gazed at the message until the letters became blurry.  What was my sister warning me about?  Why did it sound like a warning, and why?

I ran that day to relax.  I always thought better in the forest.  Even the heavily used paths seemed unusual today, though.  As if something was lurking in the darkness, staring at me.

I was where I usually am, looking out over Silver Moon land.  The strange scent was stronger today, but the mountains were just as they always were.  Wild and sweet, and it's calling me to my heart.

 I gave a soft howl before I even realized what I was doing.  Not angry or aggressive, just. lonely.  I had no idea why, but I had to hear that answering bark one more time.

The response came quicker than anticipated.  My wolf let out a howl of recognition.  The voice was closer today, but it was certainly the same voice as the other time.  As if the person had descended from the high mountains.

My heart began pounding.  I would get to see the Silver Moon Pack in person at the festival in five days.  Would I ever have the chance to figure out whose lovely, creepy voice that was?

I was excited and frightened at the idea.  If Dad found out that I desired one of the Blackwood wolves, he would kill me.  I was powerless to resist, however.

Dad was extremely positive at dinner that evening.  He was discussing the festival as if it were an opportunity to highlight the best of Red Canyon.  Maya just kept glancing at me apprehensively while she picked at her meal.

"The Silver Moon Pack thinks they're better than us," Dad said.  "But wait until they meet our young wolves.  Especially you, Asher.  You'll show them the face of a proper Alpha.

"What if I don't want to show off?"  I asked.  "What if I just want to attend the ceremony and then come back home?"

Dad's good humor disappeared.  "Boy, you'll maintain your responsibility to this pack.  That includes reminding everyone how powerful we are.

Maya shook her head a little and kicked me under the table.  I heeded the warning and said nothing.  But I couldn't ask any of the questions going through my mind.

I discovered Maya packing a small bag in her bedroom following dinner.  For a moment, she appeared much younger than twenty as she gazed up at me, her eyes filled with tears.

"Maya, let me know what is happening.  I am afraid of you."

"I'm not ready to tell you yet.  But it will all be different after the festival.  She brushed her tears off with the back of her hand.  "Just trust me, okay?"

"I always do."

"Even if I do something that's betrayal?"  I barely heard her voice because it was so low.

"Even if Dad never forgives me?"

My blood ran cold.  "Maya, what will you do?"

 She glanced at her backpack before turning and standing in front of me.  "I am going to put love before hate.

 even if it means ruining everything.".

Riley's POV

 Father whispered, "Stay close and keep quiet," as we made our way to the designated meeting spot.  "Victor Steele is coming, and I don't have any faith in him not attempting something."

Pack gatherings had taken place beneath the ancient oak tree since I was born.  Scars of furious wolves from generations past were carved on its enormous trunk.  I felt like walking into a trap today.

"Why are we meeting him in the first place?"  Even though I knew the response, I questioned nonetheless.  "The festival committee could have done the particulars without the Alphas."

Dad's rage, barely contained, was bunched up in his jaws.  "Because that snake wants to talk about the festival's 'security problems.'  He most likely intends to make some trouble and would want to test our mettle."

Even when I viewed the Red Canyon wolves, I was able to smell them.  My wolf snarled with automatic disdain at the odor of them.  I remembered everything that Dad had taught me concerning our foes.

As if he owned the tree itself, Victor Steele emerged from behind it.  He was dark-haired, tall, and had cold blue eyes that made me think of winter storms.  His son Asher would have been the shorter guy standing next to him.

My air tightened with tension.  Asher Steele was not the sworn enemy I had anticipated standing before me.  He was hesitant and had soft eyes, as if he didn't want to be here any more than I wanted him to be.

"Marcus," Victor said, his tone replete with false cordiality.

"How good to see that you haven't died yet."

"You won.  I notice you're still as ugly as ever."  

The tone in Dad's voice had been frosty.  

"Let's proceed.  What do you want?"

Like outlaws in an old western, the two Alphas faced each other across the open area.  

I could see waves of hatred rolling over them both.  

The air had become heavy and hard to draw into the lungs.

Victor said, "I want to talk about the plans for the festival."  "Specifically, how we're going to prevent our young wolves from doing something. stupid."

"My wolves are intelligent enough not to intermingle with Red Canyon trash."  Dad's fists were clenched.  "But I can't promise what happens if your wolves cause trouble."

Victor's smile was cutting.  "Oh, Marcus, I don't object to fighting.  There are other kinds of. mixing that worries me.

 My skin crawled at the way he spoke.  Asher squirmed uncomfortably next to him and turned his face away from Dad and me.  He didn't seem as displeased as I was with this interview.".

"What do you mean?"  Dad insisted.

 "Festivals are where young wolves learn things.  things about mates and bonding with wolves who are not appropriate.  Victor's eyes clashed with mine for an instant.

 "We both know what happens to wolves who mate outside their pack."

I had to grab Dad's arm so he couldn't attack when he stepped forward.  "Are you threatening my daughter?"

"I'm telling you facts.  Some attachments are just. unacceptable.  They must be dealt with straight away when they occur.  Victor's voice fell to a whisper and was lethal.  "Forever."

My blood rushed cold through my veins.  He was referring to the killing of wolves that mated with packs of enemies.  I grew sick to my stomach at how easily he spoke of it.

 I said to him, "You're referring to murder," before I could find another phrase to say.

For the first time, Victor's hard eyes turned to me with intense examination.  "Little girl, I'm speaking of holding the dignity of our bloodlines.  There are some things that don't have a price tag.

Dad yelled out, "Quiet, Riley."  But I could also sense that Victor's words did something to fluster him too.  "Victor, even you would not do that."

"Wouldn't I?" Victor's smile expanded.  "Marcus, I have insurance policies in place.  Plans for handling issues before they become disasters.

Dad's face went white.  "Insurance policies?"

"The kind that see traitors get the punishment they deserve.  the kind that maintains the power and honor of our packs."  Victor gave his son a quick glance.  "Asher has a lot of experience with loyalty, don't you, boy?"

Asher seemed on the verge of vomiting.  He continued to stare at the ground while shaking his hands.  It was apparent that he didn't agree with whatever his dad was saying.

Asher muttered, "I know some things matter more than old grudges."

Victor struck him with a backhand so vicious the sound rang off the trees.  Asher lurched but did not struggle.  Part of me wished I could rescue him because of the pure agony in his eyes.

 Victor growled. "You don't get it," Victor retorted.  "But you will.  You'll know exactly what happens to wolves who lose their status after the festival.".

Dad was becoming increasingly angry as he watched this exchange.  "Victor, what do you mean?"

 "Marcus, I'm looking ahead.  a future in which our packs are kept apart and untainted.  As if he had just tried to kill his own son, Victor readjusted his coat.  "I suggest you plan ahead."

 "I don't need to plan to take care of phony problems."

"Oh, but you do."  Victor's voice had turned silky smooth.  "Because I know that you've already been making arrangements for your own insurance.  With certainty. third parties."

Dad froze solid.  That expression on his face, as if he'd been caught doing something awful, was one I'd never seen before.  "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't you?  Those midnight sessions you've been attending?  The ones where you talk about ultimate solutions to time-worn issues?"  It sounded like shattered glass when Victor laughed.  "We're closer kin than you'd care to acknowledge, Marcus."

I felt sick to my stomach.  Was Dad secretly having a meeting with someone?  Ultimate solutions?  My wolf, sensing a danger that I couldn't, began to pace uneasily at the words.

"Victor, you're trying to fish.  I haven't made any deals.".

"Have you not?  If I tell you the deals I've made, you won't hate me."  Victor took a step forward towards Dad.

"The kind of deals that bring this feud to a final end once and for all."

Asher gazed up at what his father had stated.  I could detect genuine fear in his eyes, and his face went pale.  His own son was scared of whatever Victor was planning on doing.

"Both of you should stop," Asher stated.  "Nobody's safety is the aim here.  It's about keeping your own resentment going.".

"Silence!"  Victor let out a bellow.  "You'll have your place, or I'll teach you one the hard way."

Dad glared at Victor as if he'd never seen him in his life.  Actually, you've done it, haven't you?  You've made a deal with them.

"Made a deal with who?"  Both Alphas disregarded my protest.

Now Victor's smile was evil.  "Yes, I have made plans.  The kind that guarantees the Silver Moon Pack's total annihilation.

 "And I've made my own plans," Dad said quietly.  "The kind that guarantees Red Canyon is left in ashes."

As the two men looked each other up and down across the clearing, I knew that their conversation had shifted from pack war to something else.  They were discussing something far more grave.  Something that required assistance from the outside world.

I said, "Dad," tremblingly.  "What bargains are you discussing?"

But a scent drifted into the clearing before Dad could move.  Human scent, yet somehow wrong.  Destructive, cold, and metallic.

Victor smiled as though he'd anticipated it.  "Right on schedule."

They arrived men in military attire, their boots thudding through the scrub.  They marched like drill soldiers and carried silver swords.  The commander smiled in a manner that sent shivers through my flesh and his eyes were empty.

"Gentlemen," the head of them stated.  "I think we should discuss business."