Blood Moon: Lunar Eclipse

Logan

My father’s head lie in the box.

The wolfsbane so strong it smeared his usual woody scent.

I felt myself momentarily zone out. The pure anger and seething rage was incomparable to anything I had felt before.

Fenrir had killed my father and the soldiers I had sent out with him. The evil, soulless Alpha had taken away someone who could never be replaced.

I felt a delicate, small hand caress my shoulder; trifling sparks electrocuted through me, but it was nowhere near enough to subdue my boiling rage.

Until I heard that earth-shattering scream filter through the hospital.

My mother. She was awake.

I darted through the room, hearing a flurry of footsteps behind me.

I came to my mother’s room, where, mere moments ago, she lay motionless. Now she stood, hunched over as though her insides were torn open. Her eyes flooded with tears as her distraught wails made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and my blood run an icy chill.

She noticed me, facing me with red and swollen eyes, “I can’t feel your father… the mating bond has been severed…

“He’s…

“He’s dead,” every word she spoke seemed as though she fought an internal battle with herself to get out. I ran to her just as her legs gave out and cradled her on the cold tiles floor.

“I will make him suffer, I promise,” I spoke with irrefutable promise.

Two days later…

The following days came far too soon. It took a while for my mother to settle. Once she did, we bought her back home. Clara said it now made sense; she fainted because the mating bond had been severed. It wasn’t uncommon. I couldn’t understand how I had missed the signs. Yet my father was strong. I never doubted him for a second, and that would be my biggest regret.

“Hey, how is she?” Ariella asked, coming into my office, two coffees in hand.

“Still refusing to leave her room,” I spoke sourly.

“I don’t blame her Logan. His scent is the only thing that will come close to soothing her. I don’t know what I would do if…” she paused. “Have you thought about the funeral?”

“Tonight we will hold his funeral. Fenrir must still have his body, but he will still get the send-off he deserves, as well as every other wolf who accompanied him,” I spoke dryly.

“Ok, I’ll make sure to let the pack know,” she nodded solemnly before heading towards the door, but she haltered just before. “None of this is your fault Logan,” she spoke softly, then left.

I did blame myself. I should have been the one to leave.

My biggest internal battle was struggling to see Fenrir’s plan. He asked for the meet yet was planning on a massacre. It didn’t make sense unless he was hoping to take me down.

He thought I was weak. That the best time to strike would be when the pack obtained a new leader.

Oh, how wrong I would show him he was.

Ariella

Logan had been cooped up in the office for two days straight. He barely slept or ate. And I couldn’t blame him.

I was helping, as well as Ethan, Hailey and Aleksi, the pack as best we could. I spent most of my time in the training grounds unless I was helping with pack business or checking in on Logan.

Noah is training to become the new Zeta. He received permission from Logan a few days ago. Aleksi saw the potential in Noah, but a Zeta must be loyal, through and through, to both the Luna and the Alpha—something Aleksi recognised in him almost immediately.

Now, all we could do was wait for Logan’s next play. We all knew Fenrir was not an easy feat, so going about destroying him would have to be done dexterously.

I made all the arrangements for the funeral.

The hours ticked by like ice melting in a snowstorm. The pack was quiet, mourning the loss of their previous Alpha.

The tranquil lake lay before me as I observed the pack standing on its outskirts. Logan’s father, Enzo, was laid to rest in a small, wooden makeshift boat adorned with Aconitum, the original form of wolfsbane, along with other exotic and rare flowers.

The boat resembled a large floating wreath, its delicate petals and leaves intermingling with each other, creating a beautiful yet sombre sight. It was as if the boat was a temporary vessel, carrying Enzo’s remains to the afterlife while also serving as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life. The boat floated effortlessly on the water, camouflaging the dark contents it held within, a poignant and fitting tribute to a life that had come to an end.

Vera stood between Gamma Nikki and Gamma Michael, who were practically holding her up on unsteady legs, whilst Logan and I stood on the small wooden platform that reached out into the lake.

As per tradition, Ethan, Hailey and Aleksi stood behind the Gammas whilst the rest of the pack stood behind them in seamless silence.

The full moon reached its peak, signalling the time had come.

I stood still and observed Logan’s every move as he manoeuvred the small, crudely made boat towards the calm waters of the lake. He reached for the bow and arrow beside him, carefully igniting it before pulling the string back. Now a fiery streak, the arrow flew towards the centre of the boat, hitting it with a deafening thud.

My eyes were glued to the scene before me, unable to look away as the once peaceful sky was now filled with a chaotic mix of bright magnetic flames and thick black smoke. The cries of pack members echoed through the air, their ceremonial chants only adding to the overwhelming sense of loss that hung heavy in the atmosphere. My vision blurred as my eyes began to sting with unshed tears, the weight of the moment almost too much to bear.

Logan stood motionless, his face void of any emotion as he watched the once grand boat crumble into nothingness before our eyes. The ceremony was complete, leaving nothing behind but rubble and ash.

It took Nikki and I to take Vera back inside the packhouse. Once she reached her room, the sobbing and pleas continued, even as we tucked her into bed. It was only when she closed her eyes in exhaustion that we left.

Nikki turned my way, giving me a gentle hug, which I gladly returned.

“Thank you, Luna, for all you have done. I’ll watch her for tonight. You go spend some time with the Alpha. Goddess knows he needs you too,” she said tenderly.

I nodded, giving her a weak smile, and slowly walked away. The little reserve of energy I did have was slowly wasting away. But I couldn’t sleep, not yet.

I walked towards Logan’s office, knowing everyone would already be waiting there.

“What’s going on?” Hailey asked, unsure of the sudden gathering.

“I have a meeting with the Lycan King tomorrow. Ethan and Hailey, as my Beta’s, you will become acting Alphas in my absence.

“Aleksi, I want you ready to leave before sunrise. Bring a dozen warriors along for protection,” Logan spoke authoritatively.

It almost sounded as though the old Logan was back, but deep down, I knew he was pushing past his pain for the pack’s sake.

“Alpha,” Aleksi asked respectfully, “I wish to bring along Noah Reed, the young boy I am training as next Zeta. I believe this experience will be very beneficial for him.”

“Very well,” Logan said before dismissing everyone.

I walked towards Logan, planning to position myself behind him, but before I knew it, his burly arms stretched out and snatched my waist, hauling me onto his lap. He was so much larger than me that even sitting down, he was slightly taller.

I felt his recently tense muscles unwind and his breathing become softer. I hadn’t spent much time with Logan since… that night, let alone touched him, so this little contact sent my emotions on overdrive.

“So we’re meeting with the King? Why?” I asked as a distraction for myself. Logan nuzzled his head deeper into the crook of my neck.

“It’s to ask for permission to go to war with Fenrir,” his voice slightly muffled.

“Why do we need permission?” I asked. Fenrir didn’t ask for permission to kill several of our warriors and Enzo, so why should we?!

“If we don’t, the King could send his army of Lycans to annihilate the pack. It’s not allowed for packs to go to war without permission. Otherwise, the King gets involved,” he replied.

“But Fenrir…” I began, but Logan interrupted.

“I know Fenrir acted first, but he could say my father was trespassing, so he acted in self-defence; it’s his land, he can do whatever he likes. Besides, he’s been doing this for years. I hate to say it, but the man isn’t stupid.”

“But what about all the other packs he has destroyed or taken over?” I voiced, my anger simmering.

“There was no one to report back to the King. He either killed them or had them join his pack in fear,” Logan finished. “I don’t want to talk anymore, just… let me sit and enjoy you,” he said as his arms snaked around me in a near-suffocating embrace.

We sat for a while, just enjoying each other’s company, until I felt a large hand cup my cheek. Before I could open my eyes, I felt soft lips entrap mine. It was soft, full of emotion and needy.

Logan stood from the chair and placed me on the desk. The kiss grew hungrier, the tension in the air grew thicker. I felt his warm hand slither up my shirt as the other reached for the button on my jeans.

With regret, I stopped the kiss and placed my hand on his to prevent him from going any further.

“Are you sure Logan?” I asked breathlessly. I bit my lip in anticipation of his answer. I wanted this so much that I could feel my wolf internally scolding me.

He leaned forward, his lips inches from mine. “I need you Ariella,” he spoke in his sultry, husky voice.

That was all I needed to hear.

I ripped off his shirt as he did the same to mine, unclipping my bra in the process. His hands reached down and tore my jeans. I could have sworn I heard a tear, but I couldn’t care. Right now, I only wanted Logan, and he needed me just the same.

Before I knew it, his lips gorged on my mark. A callous hand gripped my flailing neck to keep me in place as a growing need began in my core.

I heard the rustle of his belt, and in a flash, I dropped to my knees. He smirked and entangled his hand in my hair as he guided me to his tip. I had never done this before, yet I instantly felt like I knew what to do as I wrapped a hand around his girth and proceeded to lick the escaping juices off his tip.

All it took was for a needy moan to escape my mouth as his hand tightened and his length plunged into my throat. He was too large to take entirely, so I used my hand to clench his remaining length and stroke. He groaned and began thrusting into my mouth. He was gentle at first but soon picked up speed, violently smashing against the back of my throat. I controlled my breathing as pre-cum tickled the back of my throat, causing me to gag.

Before long, I felt his cock begin to swell. Using my free hand, I caressed his balls. Seconds later, an explosion of juices filled my mouth. I suckled, making sure to swallow every last drop.

I peered up at him, my eyes watery from the constant gagging, my mouth numb from the intense thrashing. He pulled out, his cock sticky with my saliva. His face was relaxed, relieved, something I hadn’t seen in days.

Without warning, he slung the remaining object off his desk before picking me up as though I was weightless and bending me over his desk. The cold wooden counter somehow soothed my heated skin. My breathing was erratic, filled with anticipation and excitement.

He tore through my underwear and spread my legs wide before thrusting inside of me. My pussy was already prepared for him as he thrust deep and mercilessly. I instantly felt that bottomless heat from within grow at a rapid pace. It didn’t take long for an orgasm to ripple through me.

Coming down from my high, I felt a hand latch onto my dishevelled hair and pull back, forcing my front to separate from the desk. My neck itched with a stinging ache, but not in a painful way, in a way that made me want him to hit me harder. I wanted him deeper.

And he did.

I felt another orgasm creep up on me. My pussy tightened around his thrashing cock. I could barely hold in the moan I wanted to release so badly. But the thought of others hearing somewhat embarrassed me.

Logan sensed my inner conflict, so he bent forward, and just as my orgasm reached its peak, his elongated fangs pierced my mark. I screamed out his name, utterly oblivious to my previous concern. The shooting sparks of ecstasy sent my body into a frenzy; I could no longer stand; the only thing holding my weight was the desk and Logan’s hand entangled in my hair.

That’s when I felt Logan’s length begin to thicken just before his load released inside of me, and a gruff roar surrounded the room.

Logan’s hips slowed, his hand released from my hair, then he picked me up and slowly walked towards the sofa in his office. He sat down first, laying my limp body on top of his. The cold winter air failed to bother me; my skin was flushed red hot, so I invited any cool temperature that came my way.

A few minutes passed as we lay there, content in each other’s presence. I wanted to ask about tomorrow—the meeting with the Lycan King. To say I was concerned would be putting it lightly.

I had heard stories of the mateless King who radiated power so terrifying the very air around him felt suffocating. No one knows how old he is; Lycans could live for hundreds of years. And the fact he has yet to find his mate only makes him that much more fearsome.

I could only hope tomorrow goes the way I hope it will.

I heard the soft purr of Logan’s breathing. I peeked between my lashes as I saw his resting form. He was sleeping. I couldn’t help but smile, finally seeing him get some well-needed rest.

I rested my head back on his firm peck. I decided to rid my thoughts of tomorrow. By the sounds of things, I need as much respite as possible. Before we know it, we could be in the midst of a war. A war that could change everything as we know it.

However, deep down, I couldn’t help but sense that something was coming for me. Whether it be dark and sinister or the potential salvation we need…

I don’t know.

That stirring heat in the pit of my stomach, the flicks of energy slowly surging through my veins, waiting for the moment to be summoned. To unlock something I never knew even existed. Something that runs so deep and arcane it would break the very foundations on which I was born.

And that something would reveal itself far sooner than expected.