11 The Creator's Oath (Ch.11)

Zariah could hear the powerful drumbeats echoing across the Alpha's domain in a sonorous rhythm,

The beats told of an ancient tale of battles and bloodshed, of pain and death, of love and loss.

A tale woven through centuries of rich history of the Crimson wolves, the wolves of the elements, the Creator's first blood, the true blooded Lycans.

Zariah's eyes fluttered closed, the familiar sounds of the drum beat warmed her heart, Zariah had never expected she would get to hear this beat again.

And yet here she sat, the rich and uplifting war beat of the Crimson Moon Pack strengthening her soul as easily as it reached her hearing.

To Zariah, she clearly recalled all the pain and destruction of the past and so each and every moment still felt surreal.

"Alpha? The element lords await your arrival."

Allen's voice drew Zariah out of her thoughts, Zariah shook her head slightly and rose to her feet, heading out of her quarters.

The drum beats signified the beginning of the festival of the Crimson Moon where the coming of age ceremony would be held and Zariah soon arrived at the large clearing.

Zariah's feet froze right at the edge of the clearing, her throat clogging up as she took in the large bonfires and coloured lanterns dangling,

The young wolves danced around the bonfires, their loud and carefree laughter filled the clearing as they sang and danced to the drum beat,

The young warriors playfully tackled each other, rolling about in the sand , while others cheered them on from all around,

There was an element contest going on somewhere in the crowd as two fire wolves manipulated the fire from the bonfire, creating beautiful images mid air,

The older wolves who had come to witness the coming of age and partake in the Crimson Moon festival sat on the wooden logs, chatting amongst themselves as they watched the fun fare with delighted eyes,

The young pups ran around chasing fireflies, weaving between the legs and paws of the older wolves,

Thousands of Crimson wolves covered the vast clearing that stretched for as far as the eye could see and they all looked so happy, so free...so alive.

Zariah bit her lip harshly to reign in her overwhelming emotions, her face conforming into a calm expression as she walked into the clearing.

The drum beats stopped immediately as the wolves cleared the path, bowing low as Zariah walked past them.

"Alpha Zari!" A voice exclaimed and Zariah paused, turning her gaze to see a little bundle of energy who had just escaped the restraining hold of his parents, he dashed towards Zariah excitedly.

Zariah lowered herself to a knee and caught the chubby little pup just as he leaped into her arms,

"Alpha, we are so sorry..." The pup's mother began to explain but Zariah shook her head.

"It is alright Jen, I believe yourself and Chad need some alone time to enjoy the festivities, I will look after Jake for the night." Zariah said with a suggesting smile,

Jen blushed visibly as Chad laughed heartily and pulled his mate to himself, giving Zariah a grateful nod.

Zariah chuckled quietly as she rose to her feet, the arms of the pup wrapping tightly around her neck.

"See mommy?! I told you Alpha Zari was in love with me!" The little pup boasted in a loud tone that sent the entire clearing erupting with laughter.

"Am I now?" Zariah asked in amusement as she continued on her way to the elevated dais where her seat was placed along with that of the element lords.

"Alpha Zari, I have something exciting to tell you!" The little pup exclaimed in Zariah's arms and Zariah nodded.

"Alright little one, just let me give my speech and you can tell me all about it." Zariah replied as she exchanged greetings with the element lords.

Zariah then placed the little pup down on her chair and then turned to face the clearing filled with Crimson wolves who all stared back at her with expectant gazes, their eyes filled with admiration and reverence.

"The Crimson Moon graces us, tonight we celebrate the creatures touch, we celebrate our lives and history, we celebrate growth and purpose but most importantly, we celebrate the sacred mate bond."

"Beneath the rays of the Crimson Moon, many shall be guided to the other half of their soul, beneath the rays of the Crimson Moon, many shall take the Creator's oath and swear their fealty to the Crimson Moon Pack but till the moon rises...let the festivities continue." Zariah concluded.

The drum beats resumed as the Crimson wolves cheered and resumed their celebrations.

Zariah headed to her seat and lifted the pup into her lap, before accepting a goblet of wine handed over to her by a young wolf.

"So, what is it you have to tell me?" Zariah asked the pup in a tender tone as she took a small sip of wine.

"My brother already found his mate this morning, it turned out to be Katie a few doors from our home and she had been there all along! Isn't it amazing?!" The little pup exclaimed in excitement, Zariah was quiet for a moment before nodding slowly.

"It is amazing." Zariah murmured in agreement as she observed the festivities, couples entangled in passionate embraces and possessive growls here or there indicating someone had found their fated.

Zariah lowered her eyes, instead focusing her gaze on the contents of her silver goblet, twirling it slowly in her grasp.

"Can I also find my mate tonight? Mommy and Daddy always say finding each other was the best thing to ever happen in their lives." The little pup asked eagerly.

"Did they now?" Zariah asked in a quiet tone,

"Yes Alpha Zari, do you think they were right?" The little pup asked curiously, Zariah shrugged casually.

"Why ask me?" Zariah asked,

"That's because Alpha Zari is our leader, Daddy says Alpha Zari's words are law and that Alpha Zari is always right!" The little pup stated as though the answer was obvious.

"Sometimes... even the leader can be wrong too. Your parents are both amazing people, if that is what they have told you, you must listen to them." Zariah replied.

"And Jake? You will find your fated someday also... but not today." Zariah said, tussling the pup's hair adoringly.

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The Crimson Moon finally rose from beneath the horizon and the young Crimson wolves each knelt before their Alpha and took the Creator's oath.

"Tonight you will make the most important decision of your life, to take on a mark that binds you to the Crimson Moon Pack for eternity."

"It is a path of honor, of unyielding loyalty, of duty and above all, it is a path of no return. Once you have sworn the Creator's oath, you may live and die only for Crimson Moon."

"Once you have sworn the Creator's oath, the safety and well-being of Crimson Moon rests upon your shoulders...a great responsibility and sometimes a heavy burden."

"And so I must know, if this truly is what you want? If you are unwilling to walk this path, you may step back immediately." Alpha Zariah's voice echoed through the clearing as she gazed down at the young Crimson wolves kneeling before her.

A short moment was given and when none of the wolves stepped back, Alpha Zariah nodded.

"Then you may step forward and under the rays of the Crimson Moon, accept the creator's mark." Alpha Zariah said in an imposing tone.

"By the creator's oath, I bind my soul, life and body to the Crimson Moon for all eternity." The young Crimson wolves swore an oath of a lifetime,

Alpha Zariah's hands glowed a bright blue, encased by the Creator's flame as she stretched a hand out to the young wolves.

The blue flames encased the young wolves entirely, yet they were not burned, instead a strange and overwhelming power filled them from within, their bones, muscles, veins and arteries enlarging as a shift was forced.

The cracking and reforming of bones resounded clearly as each of the young wolves shifted, the mark of the creator glowing on their chest, marking their translation into adulthood.

They could now be deemed worthy to take on pack responsibilities and share the burden of the pack.

The young wolves tilted their heads back, howling to the Crimson Moon and the rest of the pack shifted into their wolf form, joining in the howl.

The crimson wolves all turned to their Alpha, awaiting her to lead the pack run, yet there she stood, still in her human form.

"Allen...you lead." Alpha Zariah's orders astonished her pack members but they did not argue as Allen leaped forwards, shifting mid air, his muscular build landing in all the grace and elegance of a Beta wolf.

Zariah watched the pack dash into the woods, yipping and growling in excitement and when they had all disappeared from view, Zariah's calm expression collapsed to reveal a broken gaze.

Zariah staggered backwards, her heart contracting in pain at what she had just realized.

"I...I can't shift..." Zariah whispered in a tone of pure agony.