Chapter 29: The full moon

It was late in the evening as the night slowly covers the sky with its darkness. There was a slight breeze in the air which cools the area from a boisterous tone in the afternoon to a peaceful and calm tone in the evening. Among the darkness, there was one lone moon, illuminating its brightness down on the ground. It was eerily beautiful as it looks down at the shifters gathered around deep in the woods. It was time for the full moon to appear. And everyone in the pack have gathered to await the coming of the full moon. There were many kinds of emotions that accompanied these, such as excitement, fear, anxiety and happiness.

The shifters have gathered in a circle where they were all in their werewolf forms, standing on their hind legs. Their furs glimmered in the dark from the night dew falling from the nearby leaves. Their eyes glinted with exhilaration and anticipation as they awaited the full moon. However, they were also on guard, to ensure that there were no bystanders, intruders or rogue coming in to disrupt the ritual. Although, accidents were inevitable, it doesn't hurt for one to be cautious. They, too, wished for less accidents for this shifter ritual.

They were deep in the woods, far from the town, yet near to their own residential areas. The area was actually used specifically for the shifting ritual as it was closer to the sighting of the moon. And it was also appropriately secure with the trees covering the area, out of prying eyes. Though, there were some shifters who like to use the area to roam around in their werewolf form. The air was much cleaner here as well. Hence why they like to use the area.

Inside the circle, the soon-to-be shifters stood there, as they too await the full moon. Again, many kinds of emotions consumed them; fear, anxiety and worry. Yet, no one was as excited as the one who stood fearlessly facing the Alpha. He stood in front of the soon-to-be shifters, with his arms crossed across his chest. It was like, he was the leader for the soon-to-be shifters.

On the other side, the Alpha stood inside the circle as well, with the elders and the other shifters behind him.

The two Kendall males stood, facing each other, legs apart. One with a strict look on his face while the other with a smug smile on his. Both with their arms crossed across their chests.

Lachlan's frown grew deeper. "Confident, aren't you?"

Erick smirked. He patted his chest loudly. "Yep! Thanks to the pep talk from Dane. He had helped me to calm down."

His father just cocked an eyebrow and kept quiet.

Inside, he was actually grateful for Dane's help in this. Earlier, no matter how hard he and Luella tried to console Erick, Erick was still worried about the shifter rituals. It probably wasn't that good of an idea to let the pups learn about the shifter rituals and what had been happening. But then again, if they do not know the story behind it, they might encounter some problems during the ritual. It was just that Lachlan did not expect that Erick was a worrywart. He probably need to trained Erick to be more confident.

Lachlan inwardly sighed. 'I probably baby-ied him too much. And he can be quite naive, as well,' he thought sadly.

Sneaking a look behind him to where Paccia stood, holding her broom, he thought that it was actually a good idea to send Erick under Paccia's guidance. Although, there were concerns and disagreements from the other elders, over him sending Erick to Paccia for her teaching, all because of her being a witch. But Lachlan always believed that it does not hurt that Erick should learn more outside of the pack. Not just being a shifter but rather as an all-rounder. At least, he will mature physically and mentally.

Lachlan turned to look at all the soon-to-be shifters who had gathered around behind Erick. "Are you ready?" he shouted.

"Yes, Alpha!"

He turned again to face the shifters behind him. "Get ready! The full moon is about to shine fully in few seconds!" he announced.

He was answered by roars and growls from the shifters.

"Elders, take your position," Lachlan further instructed.

The elders quickly took their position, each at a different spot in the circle.

Just as the elders have taken their position, the sky started to darken more. Clouds slowly scattered away from the moon, like a curtain opening. The little stars that dotted in the night sky, were gone, in an instant. The solitary moon which stood alone began to brighten bit by bit. The air around the area began to feel more tense and stiff. The shifters moved to a defense mode, getting themselves ready to ensure nothing will happen. There were two lines of shifters. One line faced the soon-to-be shifters and another line protect their backs, in case of attack from behind.

The elders started to take their clothes off and shift. Paccia herself began to levitate in the air, the mark on the corner of her eyes glowing as she used her magic. Her face looked solemn as she looked down and around her. Her eyes scanned throughout the whole area to detect any intruders.

Only Lachlan stood alone in the circle, shiftless. He wanted to wait until the moon finally reveal its full shape. He felt confident in his pack that he did not think that he would need to shift. If it comes to worst, he will only allow his alpha wolf, Willem, to let out its alpha aura.

The air grew even more tense as everyone in the area felt the pressure and stress from waiting for the ritual to start. Their nerves were so tight as the strings of a bow. The waiting was agonizing.

A few minutes later, the wait was over.

The full moon has finally graced them with its presence.