Chapter 20
Skye
The last two weeks of my life had been some of the most stressful but at the same time the most peaceful I had ever had. Living with Casey was eye opening. She had so much freedom to live her life the way she wanted to and I envied her that. I’d never had that kind of freedom but I was about to. If I survived the night of course.
And that was going to be hard. I had read up on the ritual and 1 knew it was going to be hard. If not impossible to survive. Tears had fallen from Casey’s eyes as she read alongside me. She had begged me to just run.
But I couldn’t do that. Prudie would hunt me down. The only way I would ever truly be free was if I took this rejection and started my life again far
from here.
“Please don’t do this.”
I lifted my eyes to my best friend and smiled. She looked so worried and I didn’t blame her for that, I was worried as well. Anyone with half a brain would be.
“You
know I don’t have a choice. The sudden realisation that I would probably never see her again cut into my heart like a knife. “I miss you. Rushing forward I enveloped her in a hug. She squeezed me back and out mingled sobs were loud in the quiet house,
“We will see each other again I promise. I’ll come and visit you and anyway I’m not leaving you. We will walk together.”
“You know that’s not how this is going to work.” I whispered because we both knew I would be escorted to the ritual. Probably in chains and under guard. It was all part of it. Something to add to the humiliation.
I didn’t care about the humiliation. I just wanted my baby to be ok. That was all that mattered.
“Well I’ll be in the crowd”
“I don’t want you to watch,” I stuttered.
“Well tough. You will need a friendly face. And don’t w
worry 1 have put a bag of your stuff
uff under the willow on the boundary” she added. “The one we used to sneak off backlands and så under when we were kids. Do you remember where it is!”
Of course I remembered. Those were happy memories for me. “My stuff? But that’s still at
She grinned. “I got one of the kitchen staff to grab some of it from your room. No idea if it’s any good but I’ve stashed it under the tree. You can rest there as well. It’s off of garrets land. You will be safe and you can-
“Lick my wounds?” I meant it as a joke but it came out a little sarcastic.
“Yeah. But I’ve put other supplies in that bag as well and my friends are waiting for you. You just need to get to them.” Casey stared at me and I stared right back.
Neither one of us had nothing else to say. We didn’t need words and there was nothing I could say that would tell her how glad I was that she was my friend.
From outside the sound of crunching booted feet snapped twigs and we came together in another hug as a loud pounding sounded on the door.
It crashed back the lock hanging off uselessly.
“We are here for Skye. The smallest of the enforcer said with a snarl. I had seen him before. He was related to Prudie which made sense because he was staring at me like I was the enemy.
“You mean” Casey stepped between me and them. Her uny frame dwarfed by their huge side. “The Luna”
“She’s not the Luna, she’s-”
“She is all of our Luna until this farce of a ritual takes place. You will show her the respect she is deserved.”
I wanted to tell her that it was ok but I couldn’t seem to form words. Instead I touched her arm and gently drew her backwards
“It’s fine I am ready,” I stepped forward.
“You need to put this on Luna” The tallest man nodded his head in a sign of submission. In his hands was a dirty grey robe. Stained and shapeless
Turning my back to them 1 yanked off the clothes that Casey had given me and pulled it over my head
It smelled musty and my nose wrinkled in disgust
Chapter 20
“There all done. My voice was stronger than 1 felt. It didn’t wobble at all so at least I sounded brave.
“Tim sorry Luna bur-
Chains dangled from his fingers.
“Oh hell no.” Casey launched herself forward
“It’s ok Casey. This is the way it has to be” Holding out my arms I watched as the heavy cuffs were locked into place tightly over my wrists. The sound of them clicking into place was so loud it sounded like the closing of a coffin lid.
I swayed and my knees buckled but I managed to keep my feet.
*1 am sorry Luna. I really am. The tallest of the men sent to escort me whispered and there was actual pain in his voice.
“It’s ok.” I forced myself to smile. “You are just doing what your alpha ordered,”
His eyes danced away. “What- well this is wrong.
“You have that right.” Casey added.
“I forgive you. Whatever happens now I forgive you-?” I waited for him to tell me his name but he didn’t.
There
was no time. The shorter one grabbed the chain and yanked me forward. Almost making me fall to my knees.
Definitely I yanked them b
am more than capable of walking.”
back.
My eyes sparking with anger. “I do not need to be dragged like a dog. I am n
His lips curled into a sneer. “Let’s get this show on the road then shall we Luna.” He added sarcastically.
Straightening my shoulder I stepped out of the cabin and lifted my face proudly. I wouldn’t shuffle and cower. I would be brave and-
“Goddess bless you Luna”
It was only then that I realised that the path we would take was lined with people. Lowly
ly members of the pack
the pack. The people I had grown up with. Another yank and I had to start walking. Chained and in rags 1 walked between them and tried to calm my hammering heart.
“This is so wrong-
For a second I closed my eyes.
yes. I had friends here, people who cared for me and I hadn’t even realised it and now I would never see them again.
When this was over I would be rejected, pack less and homeless but I would have my freedom.
“Be brave Skye.” The tall guard whispered again. “Show them what he didn’t get to say anymore as a cheer went up.
At first I thought the crowd was jeering me on but it took a second before I realised it wasn’t that at all. They were cheering me on. As one of them and as their Luna. It gave me courage
I began to walk as I passed them, each one of them dropped to their knees. Their heads bowed in submission. “Luna”
Luna! I guess that was what I was right now but not for long
By the time the full moon reached its peak tonight I wouldn’t be Luna. I would just be Skye again.
