The Beast's Virgin Claim

I step up on an unsteady stool that Moira clutches tightly onto and work to hook one of the pieces onto the tree over the nail that has been bashed into the bark. When I had discussed my idea of presenting what the pups made to our guests and suggested it to Phobos I did not know where to hang them so he made some of his warriors' hammer nails into the trees so that way we could easily display them. An unrestrained smile paints my face as I think about him, he is always prioritizing me over anything else and it brings forth a sense of delight I cannot describe.

"A little more to the right." She murmurs and I gradually tilt the canvas to the right. "Yes, that is perfect, Luna."

Stepping down from the stool I hold onto the next piece that Moira hands me. "And whose is this?"

"Argus." She chortles with a shake of her head.

"He is really good," I utter with amazement as I study his work. He is the best among the rest the way he has painted with perfection, not even a single drop of colour has escaped the outline of the sketch. "He wields the brush well."

"He has always been artistic but after you came and made the pups dive more into art it is all he does in his free time. He has more supplies than the rest Phobos made sure to purchase more for him."

"What?" I ask. I know how much Argus means to my male and his doing is acceptable. But if the other pups find out it would bring about trouble for the little one. Envy never works well in peer groups.

"He said that Argus holds the same light you harbour when you draw or paint." I swallow with a twinge of uneasiness at her truth. Phobos told her that? I thought it was something about me that was meant to be treasured only between us. Or did he say this because he wanted to encourage Argus?

"Your male has talent much more than I held at his age. You should support him to grow further, Moira." Her smile vanishes from her face and is immediately replaced with unhappiness.

"If it was up to me, I would guide him towards the path of builders. He could make houses for the wolves as our pack keeps growing but he is stubborn. He wants to be like his father. He wants to be Phobos's top warrior and that terrifies me."

"Why?"

"I lost my mate in a war he died protecting Phobos. I cannot lose Argus he is all I have. Countless times I have tried to make sure he witnessed no brutality no death or gore but these things are buried deep in our roots. And all these violent things he has grown accustomed to with each passing year. I do not want him to go the same route as his father."

"Have you spoken to him about this?"

"It is too late he has made up his mind and I cannot do anything now for Phobos has set his claim on him as the next potential heir." There is an inaudible hitch of my breath to her words and I freeze in my spot my eyes still glued to the piece but my ears are perked up and on high alert. I had shied away from speaking to Moira on this matter I could not do so. Rather I did not want to.

"And it does not please you." A statement echoes from my lips. A question disguised as a comment. I wonder if she can sense my tension...my discomfort.

"Yes. Not even a bit, a warrior maybe I could live with that. But the next Alpha? Never. Argus is not born of Alpha blood he would not survive. But Phobos has given me no choice I must submit to his order for after all it is for the sake of our pack." She sighs and the excitement I held for tonight is quick to suffocate and die as a cloud of darkness takes control of my heart.

"And what would you do after he becomes Alpha? You are still very young, would you search for another mateless male to become his?"

"I do not think I can ever fall in love again." She whispers her eyes welling up with uncontrollable tears as she gazes up into the sky.

"Is it because the memories of your mate still haunt you?"

"Most times yes. But I am afraid to fall in love with another I want to protect my heart."

"You would rather be alone?" I ask feeling unsettled as the grief she holds the loneliness that shackles her reflects the juvenile me.

"I find that being alone is much better than losing someone." She utters and I cannot help but agree with her. Sometimes along the journey of life, I am sure most have at least once felt this to be true.

Once Moira and I finished putting up the pups paintings all over the pack I took a swift look over the grounds and decorations and made sure all was set and ready. The young females were in their tents preparing themselves for the traditional dance and the warriors had assembled at the main gates. Our pack wolves were seated in their designated spots they are not allowed to greet the Alpha and Lunas at the gates only Phobos and I would. We would then guide them inside to the main event where the tents are placed and from there the formal introductions would take place.

"We have a few minutes left, I will head in and get ready with Phobos. Make sure to enjoy the celebration and keep Argus by your side."

"Of course, Luna."

"Also you would look beautiful if you put your hair up. Why is it that you always have it down? It shields your features." She swallows tensely to my words and gives me a shake of her head in denial.

"I just prefer having it down," Moira replies with concern which brings forth confusion within me yet I only give her a nod of understanding in return.

Climbing up the stairs that lead inside to my home I seal the door noiselessly behind me. "Phobos?" I call out to him bewildered by the gloominess of the cottage for all the lights have been switched off. An eerie silence has enveloped the place except for the soothing ticking of the clock hung up on the opposite wall. Has he already left for the gates? But he wouldn't do so without taking me with him.

Advancing further into the living room I scour the place hunting for him my eyes accustoming to the lack of light.