Before I could move, someone shoved past me hard, nearly knocking me over. I stumbled forward, instincts kicking in just fast enough to stop me from falling. When I glanced up, a big, muscular guy with blond hair was walking past, along with his friends. He shot a look over his shoulder, and it was pure venom.
“Watch yourself,” he said. “Or better yet, stay out of the way.”
I gained my balance, rage sparking inside of me at the hateful tone like a Pavlovian response. I’d had more than enough of my own pack members talking to me like this my whole life. I’d come here to change that, to find the connection I’d been missing, and my first interaction with another pack member was someone who thought it was okay to treat me like the Cancer pack did. Fuck that.
“Watch where you’re going,” I snapped back. He’d already been walking away as if he didn’t expect me to say anything back to him, but at my words, he paused and turned back fully, eyes smoldering.
Damn, he was attractive. I found myself checking him out, even though I doubted we’d get along if he talked to strangers like he had done to me. He was tall, muscular, and sun-kissed, with blond hair that was right on the verge of being long and wild. He obviously spent a lot of his time throwing his weight around outside.
He looked me up and down, and then peeled his lips back in a snarl. “You’re the outcast in the Cancer pack, aren’t you? I’d recognize Harrison’s eyes anywhere, and you have your human mother’s hair.” He said the word human like it was dirty. Ah, yes, another reminder of home. Whichever pack he was a part of, I made a mental note to never associate with them.
I lifted my chin and faced him down. “And you’re just another bully who thinks it’s okay to pick on anyone you believe is beneath you. I don’t need your name. Your actions speak loud enough.”
Mira’s hand caught mine and tightened at the words. It was a silent warning. Careful. I didn’t want to be careful. Whoever this prick was, he could have a piece of my mind.
A low growl went through the group of males gathered around the guy, and the tension became palpable in the air. So much for keeping the peace. I’d managed to break it moments after stepping onto the campsite.
“Hey,” Mira said, stepping in front of me holding her free hand out in supplication. “No fighting here, remember? We’re on neutral ground.”
The guy shook his head, disgust pouring off of him almost tangibly. “You’re lucky we’re at the Convergence. Anywhere else, and I would have given your half-human friend there the beating she deserved.”
Something inside of me died at the words. I’d hoped that outside of the Cancer pack, my heritage wouldn’t be as big of a deal, but here I was, dealing with the same prejudices I’d encountered on a daily basis. I was never going to escape this shit, was I?
The guy gave me one more disgusted once-over before walking away. The other males fell into line with him, almost as if he was commanding them. This male was high up in the ranks of his pack, and it irked me that dicks like him got to be in power so often. With a sigh, I pushed the encounter out of my mind. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to deal with him again.
Wesley jogged up to us, worry plain on his face. He put a hand on my shoulder and stared after the shifters. “What just happened?”
“Nothing,” I grumbled, tugging Mira forward. “He was a prick, I told him to shove off. The asshole didn’t know how to say ‘excuse me’ instead of ‘move out of my way’.”
“You shouldn’t mess with him.” Wesley’s hand tightened on my shoulder, going from comforting to a warning. When I glanced over at him, his eyes were serious. “That’s Jordan from the Leo pack.”
As I watched the retreating group, they turned off of the main path where the Leo banner was planted into the ground, an instant confirmation of Wesley’s words.
“Well, Jordan from the Leo pack needs to learn some manners,” I grumbled, turning away. “No matter how much he doesn’t like me, I’m still the daughter of an alpha. I get that Leos and Cancers hate each other, but this is the Convergence. We’re all supposed to be getting along. Trust a Leo to try to bring our clan rivalry into this.”
“You don’t get it,” Wesley said, his brow furrowed. “That’s Jordan Marsten. Next in line to be the alpha of the Leo pack. He’s not someone you want to fuck with. Stay away from him.”
That explained how he’d known exactly who I was. I shrugged Wesley’s hand off. “I’ll stay away as long as he leaves me alone. I want nothing to do with the Leos.”
When I was just a baby, the Cancer pack and the Leo pack had waged a war against each other until the other packs intervened and made them call a truce. There wasn’t a clear victor, and because of that, there was never any concrete resolution. The animosity still hung around between our packs like a dark cloud.
I’d spent my childhood listening to Dad rant about the Leo pack and its alpha. Apparently, Dixon Marsten was constantly plotting ways to undermine us, or better yet, take over our pack entirely. I didn’t know if it was fact or just Dad being paranoid. Both alphas refused to let the past go, always blaming anything bad that happened on the rival pack, and it perpetuated the old hatred. Dad was always scheming, half of his energy devoted to trying to deal with the Leo pack, once and for all. Almost every meeting he had at the house had something to do with gaining allies against the Leo pack or trying to get the neutral packs to join us. There were other rivalries among the rest of the twelve Zodiac packs, but no one had as many reasons to hate each other as Leo and Cancer did. Even the elements were natural enemies—fire and water.
I shook my head. I hadn’t been old enough to remember the worst of the war, so I didn’t understand the dynamic as well as other pack members did. I’d never seen the Leos actually do anything to us in years, but the scheming and manipulating and hatred continued. Maybe it was because I was an outcast of the pack, but I’d never understood why bygones couldn’t be bygones.
I followed Mira and Wesley to the Cancer banner. People were setting up tents almost everywhere we walked. The Convergence started tomorrow, during the summer solstice, and most people had arrived already, though some would trickle in during the night. We were lucky that the Convergence was relatively close to Cancer territory this year. To make it fair, the Sun Witches changed locations every time, rotating between six different spots so they didn’t show favoritism among the packs. At the previous winter solstice, the Cancer pack had to leave an entire day early just to make it on time, and they’d driven through the night.
As if thinking about the Sun Witches had conjured them into being, I watched as six women in flowing robes walked past. Shifters melted out of the way for them, falling silent and bowing their heads in respect. I could almost taste the difference in the air as they glided by. I sneaked glances at them as they passed, though it would have been better to just keep my eyes on the ground.
All the packs worshiped the sun god Helios and the moon goddess Selene, and the witches were concrete evidence of a connection to the divine. I’d never seen one in the flesh, but I’d been raised on tales of their astounding power as everyone had. They were allied with the Zodiac Wolves, unlike the Moon Witches, and it was terrifying to think what would happen if they weren’t.
One of the witches turned to look at me as she passed, her eyes such a pale color they seemed to absorb hues from the very air around her. My breath lodged in my throat, pulse pounding wildly. I couldn’t break her gaze. Something twisted inside of me, trying desperately to get out. It felt as if I’d been caught doing something wrong and my body was compelling me to shout it from the rooftops.
The moment passed, her eyes sliding over me almost as if I wasn’t there. My breathing eased, and the strange feeling vanished. I glanced over at Mira, who didn’t seem to be affected the same way I was. Maybe it was because I was half human? I shook my head and tried to put the weird feeling out of my mind. Maybe I was just being paranoid.
I sent a silent prayer after the witches anyway. They had a better connectio
n to the gods than I could ever hope for and thus could twist fate around to their bidding. Whatever god might hear me, please let me be mated with someone in a pack that will treat me well. I just want my life to be better. It was a simple thing, so simple. Couldn’t I have this lucky break after years of being stuck in my own personal hell?
And if I didn’t get a mate… Well, at least I’d have my wolf and would be able to defend myself better. I’d become stronger and quicker, and if I was stuck in the Cancer pack, I could outrun and outsmart everyone who wanted to hurt me.
It would have to be good enough.
Chapter Four
I woke to Wesley shaking me. I hadn’t even remembered falling asleep the night before. We’d all been up late setting up tents and getting everyone settled, and then Mira and I had watched the other shifters for hours, before finally crawling into our tents and passing out.
“You said you wanted to see the Sun Witches bless the babies,” Wesley said when I groaned in protest. “It’s almost time.”
“I didn’t realize it would be this early,” I grumbled as I dragged myself out of my sleeping bag. I was so not a morning person, even on the best of days. If it were up to me, I'd stay up all night and sleep the day away.
Wesley had helpfully let me know that the food tents were close to where the Sun Witches performed the rituals, and I was curious about the blessings since I’d never seen magic in action before. I met Mira outside, who looked almost as sleepy as I did, her dark eyes still clouded and missing their usual spark. Despite her tiredness, she had a grin at the ready, and I couldn’t help but match it. Today was the Convergence, and everything would change.
It could only go up from here, right?
The smell of cooking bacon and eggs wafted from the food tents, and the low murmur of conversation let us know we were headed in the right direction. I grabbed Mira’s arm, excitement overtaking any apprehension, and before either of us knew it, we were lined up to get some breakfast along with dozens of other shifters I didn’t recognize.
I didn’t even pay attention to the food I was grabbing, too focused on the line of people bringing their newborns one at a time to the group of silent Sun Witches, all dressed in warm-hued robes as they stood in the bright morning sunlight.
Mira and I found a spot on the grass nearby while a Taurus female stepped forward. I paused, a piece of toast raised halfway to my lips, as the Sun Witch pulled the baby into her arms, cradling it gently. It fussed for a few moments, but the Sun Witch softly hushed it, putting her first two fingers on its forehead. She closed her eyes and murmured something, too quiet for anyone to hear. There was a slight shift in the air, like something settling, and a soft glow surrounded them both, like a beam of sunlight falling upon them.
If the Sun Witch didn’t bless the child, it would fall prey to the Moon Witch curse and turn feral at full moons. It was important that every baby was blessed, or they’d spend the rest of their lives in agony, going mad at the full moons, waking up without remembering what they’d done while they were shifted. This way, once our wolves were unlocked, we’d remain in control the whole time, without the Moon Witch curse turning us into the rabid monsters of myth.
Three more babies were blessed, that shift happening every time in the air. It wasn’t the fiery hands and sparks flying out that I’d imagined in my daydreams, but this subtle magic was almost as awe-inspiring. The female shifter would take back her child each time, smile down at it, and walk away with a dreamy expression on her face.
Mira nudged me. “Come on. We’ve seen enough. I think one of them is giving us dirty looks.”
I glanced over at Mira, and then followed the jerk of her chin. It was the same Sun Witch I’d noticed looking at me yesterday, her colorless eyes caught directly on me. I swallowed, throat suddenly dry, and got up quickly, brushing the grass off my jeans. The same, panicked feeling followed me as we headed back to the food tents to throw away our paper plates.
“What are your plans for today?” I asked. I hoped she’d want to go exploring with me, but Mira was always more social and liked spending time with other shifters, rather than in the woods. I was wary of other shifters, always worried they’d accost me rather than befriend me—and I was almost always right. Mira was a full-blooded shifter, had her Cancer powers, and didn’t have the same smart mouth that I did. She could worm her way into anyone’s heart with her easy smile.
One option was to stay and listen to the trade talks and watch packs squabble over things, but I had no interest in that. Mira didn’t either. She’d never been involved in pack politics, and I didn’t see her suddenly finding a long-lost interest in it. That was practically what I listened to on a daily basis living in the alpha’s house, and it sounded like a huge headache. I was thankful that the title of alpha was never going to fall on my shoulders. It wouldn’t fit me well at all, and Wesley was better suited to the job. He could keep a clear head during arguments, and that was essential to making it as an alpha.
“We could go explore,” I said, motioning to the forest. I’d read up on the site of the Convergence weeks before we were headed here, planning out hikes in my head. There was a set of falls I was excited to see and wanted someone to share the view with. “The forest is beautiful out here.”
Mira wrinkled her nose. “But there’s no ocean. You know I only like nature when it’s next to the water. I think I’ll stay here, try to make friends.” She leaned in and whispered to me conspiratorially. “Who knows, maybe I’ll meet my mate.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, even as I rolled my eyes. “Out of the hundreds of people here? That would really be lucky.”
“Well, it is the Convergence. All sorts of strange things might happen.”
With that, she flounced off, leaving me standing by myself near the food tents. I quickly tossed my plate, noting the strange looks from some of the other shifters. I didn’t want to draw any more attention than I already had, and I knew if anyone said something rude to me, there would be trouble. I remembered the tight grip Dad had on my arm a few days ago as he hissed the words into my ear.
If you cause any trouble at the Convergence, I’ll cast you out of the Cancer pack myself. And he had the power to do that, which was the worst part of the threat. I didn’t know if he actually meant it or if it was just empty words to keep me in line, but I wasn’t about to find out.
I quickly walked back over to my tent, nodding to everyone I made eye contact with. Most of them I didn’t know, but the Virgo alpha sent me a smile that bolstered my mood. Maybe everyone didn’t hate me here. Maybe there was a chance I wouldn’t remain an outcast for the rest of my life.
I pulled on my worn-out hiking boots that Wesley had gotten me for my last birthday, the second-best present I’d ever gotten, the first being my camera. I grabbed my phone to take some photos too, cursing Brad and Lori under my breath again, before stepping outside.
Dad was walking toward the tent, deep in conversation with the Pisces alpha, gesturing around as if he was plotting something out, and I quickly slipped away. I made my way back toward the cars, checking over my shoulder just to be sure he hadn’t caught sight of me. He was focused on everything else right now, but it would be my luck that he’d catch me at the wrong moment and force me to stay by his side. I didn’t want him to ask me where I was going because he’d say it was important that I stay here in case he needed me. For what, his own personal punching bag? I thought as I shook my head and continued walking quickly. If he’d had it his way, he probably would have confined me to the tent. No one would note my absence though. I knew that much. He spent so much of his time talking about Wesley that most packs forgot he also had a daughter, and a half-human one at that. It was an impressive feat he’d managed, almost completely erasing me from the minds of the other packs.
I found the trail head without a problem, and as the noise of the Convergence faded away, my shoulders relaxed. Out here in nature, I could be myself without any fear of repercussions. I could take
pictures and hike, and no one would yell at me for simply existing.
I pulled out Wesley’s old, cracked phone and took a picture of the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves. It was a beautiful day, not a single cloud in the sky, and I wanted to take advantage of it. There wouldn’t be anyone out here except me. Everyone else was conversing with their friends from other packs, and humans were warded off by a spell the Sun Witches had cast across their lands. I could finally relax.
The further I hiked, the more at home I felt in this strange forest. It wrapped around me, comforting in its embrace, and I found myself smiling as I walked. The sound of rushing water grew louder, and before I knew it, I was crossing the stream. I was almost at the falls.
A few minutes later the falls came in view, the water feeding into an almost perfectly round turquoise pool. The sight took my breath away, and I felt the absence of my camera even more than I had on our drive here. I’d never be able to justify the sight with a phone camera, no matter how much editing I did.
I was so taken aback by the beauty of the waterfall that I didn’t notice the large, naked man crouched at the bank until he moved. I took a step back, shocked to see another person out this far away from the Convergence. The graceful way he moved screamed shifter, but I couldn’t see a pack mark anywhere on his exposed skin, and it was all exposed. His clothes were a pile at his feet, and his big, muscular body was fully on display. He was turned away from me, giving me a full view of a back corded with muscle and an ass so firm it begged to be slapped. Not to mention arms and thighs so thick they put the trees around us to shame.
I watched, unable to look away from his hands sluicing water over his hard body. His hair was dark, and water trickled down it onto his broad shoulders like a caress. Every inch of him was tan, and he looked like he spent more time away from civilization than in it, and was right at home in the forest. If I’d seen him in a city, he would have stuck out like a sore thumb.
Moon Touched (Zodiac Wolves: The Lost Pack Book 1) Page 3
