1 Chapter One: Propagating Sorcery

The moon cast a dim red glow over the surface of Aysun. Daylight still stole the evening as dusk had just begun its ascent into the sky. The older werewolves took on their animal physique and howled excitedly as they went about preparing for the blood moon festival. Excitement clouded the air; there was still much to do and much to be enjoyed. It was a festival like no other and this one was especially special. Usually, the blood moon could be sighted only once in two years but this year the moon goddess was blessing them with two festivals within a month or so Maha their priestess had prophesied. The younger ones ran about half-naked, taunting and jesting amongst themselves. Velma watched them with reserved jealousy. If only she could return to her childhood when she was unburdened with the pressure of wolfing out and finding a mate. 

What had it been now? Four years since she was due to be born again by the moon goddess; to start life anew; to connect with a divinity that made her different from the humans. Now at nineteen, it seemed almost impossible and she knew she was going to have to live in misery for the rest of her life. No wereman wanted a woman who hadn't wolfed out. It was equivalent to getting married without seeing your menses. Besides when one had not wolfed out it could be interpreted as a sign of weakness; sometimes it was a sign that one had been rejected by the moon goddess as punishment for an ancestral sin; sometimes it meant that one's legitimacy needed questioning. 

Velma was not worried about spending the rest of her life alone; there was a certain peace that came with solitude. However, she despised the veiled hatred directed towards her family. Her mother especially suffered from petty gossip and most of her former friends had shunned her. To most people, she was a waste to her clan as there was nothing they believed her capable of.  She despised how everyone ignored that she was more than just a girl. It did not matter that she was a fine fighter and even better at her or that she possessed abilities many others did not. They accused her of sorcery as her gifts could not have been given to her by the moon goddess. 

She sighted her mother approaching so she stood up quickly and camouflaged among the decorators. If her mother saw her doing nothing her mother would nag her.

"Mother, you've just returned?" Velma smiled hanging a festive light on the window.

"Ah yes," she sighed. "Myrtle would be home soon. She followed the Cartman to bring in the goods. The road is crowded."

"Would she be able to manage on her own?" Velma asked, quite concerned for her younger sister. On busy days like this, rogues were bound to prey on the situation to perpetuate nefarious activities. In recent times there was a gang that derived pleasure in stripping persons off their clothes down to their undergarments.

"She'll be fine," her mother answered. "She wolfed out and found a mate at the last blood moon. All she has to do is call for him."

Her mother dropped the basket she held by her waist. "If I were you, I would have good reason to be concerned."

"Right," Velma muttered, not missing the subtle hint. "At least I'll be able to manipulate them for as long as I can hold out."

"Get over yourself." Her mother, Esmeray scoffed. "A few mind tricks won't do you any good. And do not go about propagating such nonsense lest you be accused of sorcery."

"I know Mother," she sighed. "I just wish for guidance. I wish to know what's happening to me. I want to be able to harness the gifts I have."

Esmeray dragged her daughter into an empty outer house extension, "Do not cause problems for our family and the pack with your selfish desires. You will not learn to harness such."

"Why can't I?" Velma stared at her mother incredulously. "At least make sense of it to me. What sorcery? I'm evil? I have this gift from the moon goddess and—"

A finger against her lips silenced her. "Speak no more of it. I would not say it again while I live." 

"Mother!" Another voice called out. It was Myrtle. "I have returned. Have you heard the news?"

"No dearest." Esmeray smoothed her dress. "What about?"

"The forte would be open tonight for everyone." 

"You don't mean it," Velma said with widened eyes. 

"I am putting on my finest clothing right away!" Her sister giggled as she hopped away. "It's going to be wonderful."

"Now remember what I told you," Esmeray said to Velma once Myrtle was out of earshot. "Do not go about propagating what is not."

"Yes, mother."

*+*+*+*+*+*

It was getting darker by the minute. The carriage bumped along the road now and then. Certainly, it was quite an uncomfortable journey for Velma and her family but not as uncomfortable as the tingling sensation at the back of her ears which had begun to spread across her body.

She'd felt that way before, around the same time last year. Then, she'd fallen into a trance and saw bloodshed, wolves without their heads or bodies littered in Aysun. She'd confided in her mother but the fear that took over Esmeray's countenance told her she was not to speak of it again. So now, while under the scrutiny of not just her mother; but her sister and father she hid her discomfort as well as she could. She prayed silently to the moon goddess that there would be no trance this time— at least until she was alone. 

"What goes on in your head?" Myrtle asked— nothing ever going unnoticed under her keen eyes. 

"Nothing." Velma cleared her throat and sat still. 

"There's a bit of blue fur arou—" Myrtle began but kept quiet abruptly. She furrowed her eyebrows and stared intently. "Oh it's nothing, I must have been seeing things."

"It must have been from her coat," Their mother answered. 

Velma said nothing. She turned to her left and wished she wasn't seated in the middle so she could enjoy the scenery of the countryside as it faded away into the city. Her mother's large hat obstructed her view and constantly made contact with her eye.

Finally, a chorus of howls could be heard. They had reached the open forte gates. A myriad of wolves roamed the entrance of the forte, welcoming those in carriages as well as the were men and women who ran the long journey.

"Maybe you should have stayed home," Esmeray said to her daughter. "You might feel out of place seeing as everywere—"

"It's not too late for me to go back," Velma smiled for she had plans of her own. 

"Mother!" Myrtle pouted. "It would not be fair, every—"

"Shh," Their father Lord Creon, glared at her. "It's not safe for her to go back on her own."

"I'd rather be home," Velma shrugged. 

"Just stay out of sight and try not to draw attention to yourself or our family," Esmeray said. "And remember."

"Remember what?" Myrtle asked.