By the Light of the Moon (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane DuPrey : http://cf.ltkcdn.net/makeup/images/slide/87561-426x500-green-eyes-11.jpg

The moon was full above the forest canopy. There was a chill in the air from an early fall, but the woman that walked along the sandy banks of the river was dressed as if it were summer. Her white gown rustled in the breeze, her long brown hair trailing down her back unbound. Her green eyes were heavy with a sadness that seemed too intense for her 25 years.

Serena Jane had never wanted the life that she lived. Married for five years to a man that she didn’t love, the longed for the days in her childhood that she had run free and without responsibility. She had been born into a family with old blood and even older money. Perhaps that would have been alright had she been normal. The DuPrey family held some of the oldest wolfen blood in the world. She was one of the few pure bloods that walked the Earth and it had made her and her brother incredibly desirable when it came to marriage.

She had been twenty when she met the man that would be her mate. Dante Smithson was powerful, handsome, and the leader of one of the largest clans in the world. The moment she had met him, she knew that she was destine to be his wife. At first, Serena had thought that they could make it work. She liked him, he was kind to her, but there was something incredibly cold about the man that claimed her as his. It only took two weeks after their mating ceremony for her to realize what a mistake she’d made.

Appearances were important to Dante. They lived in an obscenely large mansion on the outskirts of a large city. Her hair was always tended to, her wardrobe never had anything like blue jeans or t-shirts in it, and her makeup was impeccable. If she ever let it slip, Dante punished her with public humiliation. When she was in her wolf form, her sandy colored form was expected to be cleansed to perfect as well.

All of that she could have lived with. It might have been a sad existence, but she would have dealt with the disappointment. The final straw came the night after a large social gathering at the mansion. Pack members had come from far and wide to toast Dante on his acceptance onto the Council of Elders. He was the youngest member to ever be accepted and she was genuinely happy for her husband. She’d dressed to the nines in her new white gown, silver heels on her feet and her hair unbound and left loose to trail down her back. Silver earrings with moonstones that had been given to her on her wedding day finished her outfit.

Dante had disappeared halfway through the celebrations and people asked where he had gone. She made her excuses and left to find him. Entering the bedroom, she hadn’t expected to see her mate in their bed with an omega. The brunette was making enough noise to raise the dead and her husband grunted and moaned above her. Serena felt her heart whither away in that moment, her wolf itching just beneath the surface of her skin as she watched the two of them for as long as she could bear. Mates weren’t suppose to find comfort with another. Didn’t their bond mean anything to him?

She had fled from the mansion, embarrassed and unable to face anyone. Her wolf threatened to appear at any moment and she struggled so hard to keep it under control. She didn’t want to go back home. The pain was just too much. Somehow she found herself in the woods, on the bank of the river that flowed deep within. Kicking off her shoes, she was determined to end her misery once and for all. As the water lapped at her ankles, she sucked in a deep breath and wondered if she had the courage.

 

[raiguy]

Samuel Evan Riley was the second son of the most powerful man in the United States. Well, at least the most powerful wolfen leader. His father held the head council seat in the largest council in the U.S. Sam Should have been happy for this, as it meant he had ample selection for mates, as well as his choice of anything he desired. Yet he found no pleasure in the life he lived.

He was the second son, the forgotten son. His older brother Robert would inherit leadership of the Riley clan, one of the oldest clans in the world. His father's great-great-great-great grandfather had started the clan, bringing together outcasts. Only when wolfen blood entered did his father rise to prominence some 500 years ago. With the influx of wolfen blood, his father saw the benefits of keeping the clan open to all those with wolfen blood.

Sam was an alpha, but not a pure alpha. That belonged to the DuPrey family. They were all pure wolfen, with a distinct lineage. While the DuPrey family sought pure blood families, his clan took all comers. It created a crux in the power of the council, especially with the addition of this new Dante Smithson.

Ever since he had married Elder DuPrey's daughter, he had been vying for a position. Now that he had it, tensions were already running high between the two clans. Sam just sighed, walking through the street towards the wood. It had become a past time for him. No one noticed his comings and goings, or what he had accomplished for the day. He had power by name, but not by birth.

He stopped along the bridge, flicking pebbles that he had picked up into the water. He wasn't paying much attention, lost in reflection, when he saw her in the white dress. She was gorgeous, but at the same time looked so sad. As Sam continued to watch, she suddenly kicked her shoes off after reached the water's edge, looking like she was ready to take the plunge into the icy water.

While it was true those with wolfen blood would not age, they could still be killed like any mortal. He immediately knew that she meant to do that. Without warning, Sam took off running, shouting out to her, "Wait! Please don't go into the water!"

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane felt the first tears start to fall down her pale cheeks as the icy water rose to her knees. Why had her life taken such a harsh turn when all she wanted was love and acceptance? Was she so unimportant to Dante that he was willing to bed an omega? She felt the wolf beneath her skin, threatening to break free from the sorrow that was about to swallow her whole.

Distantly she heard a voice and she panicked. She didn’t want anyone there to save her. She knew that Dante had probably sent someone after her after he’d realized she was gone. She wasn’t about to let him win, she thought to herself as she glanced down at the wedding ring on her finger. Never again would she let him treat her like she was a low life.

With a deep breath, Serena Jane closed her eyes and tipped forward, splashing against the surface of the water. She gasped, taking in a large mouthful of the freezing forest stream. The water bit into her skin, chilling her to the bone and instantly making her joints ache. She flailed, her legs tangled in the long skirt of her gown as her hair swirled about her head.

What was she doing? Why was she doing this? Her wolf fought against her human side, pushing hard against her skin in a bid to save her from a watery grave, but for the first time in her life, her human side was winning out. This was the way that it had to be. There would be no more pain in a few moments. She just had to hold out…

 

[raiguy]

Sam saw her tip forward and knew that this was going to be bad, and quickly. The water was taking on a chill with the early cold snap, and always ran a little cold, having come from the mountains. Without thinking about it, Sam shifted, letting the wolf out.

It felt like white hot, searing pain for about 10 seconds as his body underwent the rapid shift to becoming a wolf. He knew that those with wolfen blood transformed into much larger versions of the arctic grey wolf. As he completely the transformation, he shuddered, releasing the excess energy from the change.

Sam jumped into the water, paddling out to where the girl was rapidly sinking. He dove under the water, quickly grabbing at the material she was wearing with his teeth. He started pulling, but the material ripped. Thinking quickly, he swam under the girl and used his body to carry her as he swam to the surface.

He knew that he was going to be cold when he shifted, but quickly dragged the girl on his back to the shore. He shook the water from his coat and settled down on top of her to warm her up. It was the best he could do, as suicides were highly frowned upon by the council. He hoped that she would live, but with the lack of breathing and as cold as she was, he was worried that that wasn't going to happen.

 

[heartofcourage]

There was a moment when everything around her seemed to cease. Time stretched outward as her heart started to slow. Serena Jane felt the pain start to disappear, the world zeroing in to a pin prick of light. This was it, she thought to herself. This was the end…

Then everything stopped. She felt the water start to churn, something grabbing onto the delicate material of her dress. A loud rip reached her ears through the water and she bobbed beneath the surface. What in the world was happening, she asked herself. A large body suddenly pressed against her from the bottom, fur pressing against her skin as she was pulled towards the surface.

No! No, she didn’t want to be saved! She started to struggle but found she didn’t have the strength. Lying on the back of the large creature, Serena Jane knew that all of her plans had been foiled. Who had saved her and why? She was trembling, panting and coughing as she tumbled onto the sandy banks yet again. The large, damp body of a wolf was soon lying on top of her, keeping her pinned to the ground and warming her chilled body.

She whimpered, the noise very much like a pup begging for attention from its mother. Being near another wolf, her own was calling out for help, asking for what her human counterpart couldn’t.

 

[raiguy]

Sam growled softly, starting to warm up as he felt the human beneath him warming up as well. He could now feel her trembling, as well as making noises, so he knew she would live. He let out a sigh before standing up and shaking his wet clothes off. He settled back on his haunches and looked at the female, wondering why she decided to try to kill herself.

He shook his head before yawning. He knew that he couldn't shift in front of this human, otherwise the secret of his clan would be revealed. He stood up and started to lope into the forest, hoping he wouldn't be followed. It would be a long night if he was, as the shift back from wolf to human always left his sore and a little grouchy.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane lay on the sandy bank of the river, shivering as the warmth from on top of her body moved, leaving her open again to the cool night air. Her eyes slowly opened, her head lifting to look around for whatever had pulled her from the water, but she found that she was alone. It had been a wolf, that much she was certain of, but she wondered which member of her pack had dared to touch her and risk Dante’s wrath.

“Wait!” She called into the woods around her. “Don’t go yet.” Her voice was hoarse, gravelly and trembling.

She wanted to know who had helped her. She wanted to ask they why. Pulling herself to her feet, she reached to pull the tattered remains of her gown back over her breasts, holding it in place with one hand as she continued to look around the now silent area.

 

[raiguy]

Sam groaned as he shifted back into being human. He was happy that his clan had found out how to shift and keep the clothes they had on. Otherwise he would have had to walk all the way back to his room naked, and with how cold it was going to get when night fully set, it would have been no fun at all.

He shuddered again, the lingering effects of the shift finally stopping. He didn't know why it happened, but he knew it had something to do with the ability for his clan to keep clothing while changing.

Sam wondered who it was that he had rescued. He knew she had to belong to a clan, but didn't know which clan. He at least knew she didn't belong to his clan, but otherwise, he wasn't sure what clan she belonged to. He quickly tried to put it from his mind, knowing that it wasn't really any of his business after rescuing her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane was panting, listening to the quiet of the woods as the breeze around her grew chilled again. She blew out a shaky breath, trying to center herself as she brushed back the damp locks from her forehead. Where had the thing gone that had saved her? She was sure that it was a wolf and if it was one of Dante’s pack, she was sure to catch hell for what she’d just done.

She let out another whimper, tears pricking her eyes as she thought about going home. She didn’t want to go back to her husband’s home and she knew her father wouldn’t let her come back to his home. She was literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. The pain of those thoughts made her shiver and she sobbed again, trying to think of a way out of her current situation.

Before she knew it, the prickling sensation of her wolf coming to the surface was upon her. It had felt too much pain and it was taking over before she did something else rash and unpredictable. She let out a yelp and moaned in pain as her body curled and moved, rearranging until she stood in the remains of her gown, her sandy colored wolf howling into the night with a mournful sound.

 

[raiguy]

Sam heard the mournful howl, his inner beast suddenly perking up and taking over. Without warning, his inner wolf took over, violently shifting him from human to wolf much faster than he was used to. He was left standing groggily on four paws, with his hair plastered to his back from sweat.

He should his great mane and then howled back to the other wolf, not knowing why, but figuring to let it know it was not alone in its mourning. He just hoped that it wasn't one of the new Elder's pack, otherwise things might escalate. He hadn't liked this Dante Smithson, and knew that if his pack found an outsider, blood would be spilled.

He howled back before moving back into the forest, taking his time and sniffing the air, detecting a strange scent, but one that barely stank of that Dante's scent. He sat back on his haunches and waited, yelping quietly, wondering if a response would come back to him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane heard a howl in return and she growled, whimpering into the cool night air as she practically begged the wolf to come to her. She howled again, a stiff breeze ruffling her fur as she stepped closer towards the water, her tattered dress and jewelry left behind on the sandy bank. All of the jewels in the world wouldn’t heal her broken heart and they were tainted by the knowledge of what Dante had done in their marriage bed.

 

[raiguy]

Sam howled quietly, waiting. He couldn't go further without fear of encroaching on another clan's grounds. He was already on the edge of the common land, and any further and he'd end up really encroaching. He had already done it to save a woman, and as a wolf, he would be sure to be identified and sanctions brought before his father. Instead, he made it to the edge and howled softly, trying to let this other wolf know that they had to come to him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane’s ears perked up at the sound of a returning howl. The man that had saved her was waiting in the woods for her to cross the lines of her pack’s boundary. She let out a whimper and trotted towards the bridge, her thick claws clicking on the stone path as she sniffed the breeze to figure out what her trail should be.

She whimpered again, listening to another howl before she turned towards his position. In the light of the moon, she could see the wolf sitting patiently and waiting. Her own wolf started to wag her tail, panting as she continued on her journey towards the being that had saved her.

 

[raiguy]

Sam howled again, looking at the wolf that seemed to be approaching. He sniffed, and knew it was the girl he had saved. He waited patiently again, watching her trot towards the bridge. He continued to look around, seeing if anyone else was following her.

He watched as she reached the border for the clans, and then waited. He yipped at her, waiting to see what she would do. He wasn't going to do anything, but could tell she needed a friend, and wanted to see if she wanted to stay with him as company.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane didn’t even think about crossing her clan’s lines. She just wanted to be with someone who didn’t take her for granted. The moment her paws were planted on the other side of Dante’s boundaries, she knew that her life was going to change forever.

She approached the other wolf, slowing down to show him respect. As she got closer, she slowly lowered herself upon the bed of fallen leaves that surrounded the forest this time of year. She then flipped over onto her back, showing him her belly in a show of submission and to tell him that she wouldn’t be aggressive.

It was always important in her family and in Dante’s clan to show that she was not there to cause trouble. If she didn’t, she very well might have found her throat ripped out by a threatened Beta.

 

[raiguy]

Sam looked on as she showed that she was submitting to him, and coming in peace. He padded forward and then sat next to her, before laying on his belly and shuffling forward. He licked her belly, and then her neck, and lastly her face, to show that he accepted her submission and also welcomed her.

He sat up on his haunches and waited for her to do the same, before moving forward to sniff her more thoroughly. He could tell that she was an alpha, much like him, only she was an Alpha's alpha. She was pure, whereas he was a little mixed.

He sat back and let her do the same to him, trying to hold still so he didn't appear threatening. He knew that once she smelled him, she'd know what clan he was from, and probably be thought of and looked upon with disdain.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane lay on her back as he sniffed and finally accepted her, licking her belly and her face before he sat back and offered her to do the same. She rolled back to her feet, shaking off the leaves that were clinging to her sandy fur. She whimpered and yelped as she leaned forward to sniff this other wolf.

She was surprised to smell the Riley clan on him. He was a strong wolf, one of the Alpha’s inner circle, and the smell of him was absolutely amazing. She sniffed beneath his ears, under his throat, and nuzzled against his snout before she took a step back and panted.

If Dante knew she’d been with a Riley that night, he most certainly would have imprisoned her. He didn’t tolerate members of his pack socializing with the rag tag pack that bordered his own.

 

[raiguy]

Sam moved towards her and sat with her, yipping softly to tell her that she had the lead. He would follow her tonight, wanting to please her and make her happy. He wagged his tail and panted, before starting to trot around.

He was sniffing the bridge as he waited for this wolf to figure out what she wanted. He couldn't tell her, but just wanted her to be happy. He was sure of that.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane watched as he wagged his tail and panted, yipping at her to lead the way. She cocked her head to the side, her tongue lolling from her lips as she regarded this strange wolf. She had never known an Alpha male to let another lead the way. Her wolf was overjoyed at the opportunity to run wild and free.

She yipped and growled at him, her tail wagging and disturbing the leaves beneath her. She thrust her hind quarters in the air, yipping at him again with a playful tone. Then, she turned and ran through the trees, howling at him to join her.

 

[raiguy]

Sam took off after this wolf, happy to be doing something fun. He would have otherwise been left to fend for himself because his family had other things going on. Instead, he was chasing after this exciting new female, seeing what she was like and what she wanted.

He yipped from behind her, and then drove himself forward, suddenly catching right up to her where he leaned in and nipped at her ear playfully.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane growled playfully, yipping at the wolf that was chasing after her. As he leaned in and nipped at her ears, she shook her head, growling again as she changed her direction and took off through the woods, the other wolf chasing behind.

This was heaven, she decided. The wolf hadn’t saved her from the river and she’d died. That was the only thing that she could really think of.

 

[raiguy]

Sam growled and took off after this wolf. She seemed so playful and energetic. It was a far cry from the human he saved minutes ago, but in truth now seemed like a lifetime ago. He wondered if she was thinking the same thing, or if things were still going to be going downhill for her.

He yipped, before catching up to her and suddenly tackling her to the ground. He growled playfully before pinning her on her back. He bathed her face with his tongue before taking off, knowing that she had to chase him and try to return the playful fighting.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane yelped playfully as she was tackled to the ground, his tongue lashing against her snout as he pinned her on her back. She was panting, her wolf so full of joy and feeling as she stared up at the wolf that was giving her all the attention that her husband never had. As soon as he let her up and ran off through the woods again, she knew that she would give chase.

Speeding through the forest, she yipped and growled after the other wolf, calling to him as she chased after the scent that was left behind. Out of nowhere, she was surprised when another wolf appeared from behind the thick trees, baring its teeth at her and growling in the most vicious way. This wolf most definitely saw her as a threat on his territory.

She stopped, digging her claws into the soft undergrowth. Lowering her body to the ground, she whimpered and folded back her ears, staring at him as she wondered if he’d rip her throat out as Dante’s men would have.

 

[raiguy]

Sam doubled back when he heard a growl. He found the wolf he was chasing cowering on the ground in front of a stray. He suddenly bristled, looking at this wolf, knowing it didn't belong here. This was common land, not a part of any pack, and by the ancient pact, could not be claimed by any wolf.

He stiffly moved between the wolf and this intruder. He knew he had size over the intruder, seeing that this was at best a beta. He waited, before seeing that the wolf wouldn't back down. He suddenly sprang forward, skipping aside as the wolf lunged with it's jaws.

He sank his teeth into the scruff of the wolf's neck and hauled it over onto it's back, where he easily slid over it, growling into the wolf's face, cowing it. He backed off, keeping himself between this intruder and the wolf from earlier as the wolf slunk away, blending into the night and going away from the pack areas.

He looked down at the other wolf, then moved forward, licking her softly to let her know it was okay. He was happy they were in their wolf forms. He was unrivaled when fighting as a wolf, having spent most of his life as a wolf, yet as a human, he was failingly weak when it came to conflicts resulting in physical altercations.

He sat back on his haunches and waited, letting the wolf get back to herself, before he would try anything. He didn't want to just jump from a fight to playing again until she was ready. He scratched behind his ear, knowing that he had been bitten by some bug while running through the woods.

 

[heartofcourage]

Serena Jane continued to cower as the wolf she’d been playing with came back and over powered the other wolf, sending him back into the night and away from them. She was panting, a little afraid, but as he sat in front of her in the most nonchalant manner, she supposed that it was all okay.

Lifting her head up as he scratched behind his ear, she let out a whimper, cocking her head to the side as she looked back in the direction of where they’d come from. Dante would kill her if he found out she’d been on the other pack’s property. He would probably kill her for having another male’s scent on her. At that moment, she really didn’t care.

Pushing herself to her up, she stretched out her body and shook out her fur, yelping and motioning back the way that they had come. It was probably time that she start considering about returning home.