Rebirth for Revenge

Selene's POV

The wine tasted bitter this night.

I set the cup down on the ground and watched the red liquid swirl on the silver lip. Something was not right, but I could not quite put my finger on the problem. Our harvest moon hung full and bloodred in the sky over our revel, illuminated all in bloodshades. Even the laughter of my pack sounded harsher, keener, sharper.

"Luna Selene, would you assist Mrs. Davies?"

Tommy's voice snapped young Tommy out of his daydream. "Her arthritis is playing up again."

I smiled and placed the concern on the back burner. This was why I came. This was why I came here. "Of course."

The aged woman sat slumped on a wooden bench, her contorted hands clasped with pain. I sat down beside her and put my hands on her swollen joints. Heat surrounded me, the typical hum of my ability to cure ringing through my chest to my hands.

"Better?" I asked as Mrs. Davies uncurled her fingers in wonder.

"Much better, dear. You're a blessing to the pack."

They should have warned me with their words, but on this night, they carried an air of farewell. I pushed the odd thought away and fought through the crowd, bandaging scraped knees and calming headaches. My pack grinned up at me with honest love, my Luna who adored them all.

The grounds hummed with activity. Children darted back and forth between the vendors down the booths offering food as the adults sat in cliques, exchanging tales and ale. There was music with traditional musicians who had played for centuries beneath these trees. Everything was right, as it ought to have been.

Then why did my wolf's pacing restlessness burn within my breast?

"Here's my beautiful wife." His hard arms wrapped around my waist from behind. The pine and earth smell that was Corwin closed in on me, and a little of the tension leaked out.

"Your Majesty," I snapped back quickly, dropping down onto his immense chest. "Can't you attend some event or other? Mingle with pack elders, maybe?"

"All arguing over border patrols. Again." His lips kissed my ear. "I prefer it here."

I was standing in front of him in his arms. His gray eyes were their normal warmth, but I saw concern grooves etched around them. Being an Alpha was troubling him these days, and with pressure on our borders growing.

"Dance with me," I said, needing to force both our dark thoughts away.

He brings out the real one he reserved specifically for me. "Always."

We danced out into the center of the clearing where the other couples danced to the music. Corwin's hold was strong but gentle as he took my hand during the dance. With the exuberance of my pack and my husband's love, the unnatural sense of unease dissipated.

But the blood moon watched us as we danced, and I shivered at its chill gaze as ominous.

"Corwin! There you are." Beta Kane entered, always assured. Blonde hair illuminated by firelight gave him an appearance younger than he was at twenty-eight. "The council awaits word on the new accords on trade."

I felt my husband breathe on my temple. "Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

"Watch how Elder Morrison behaves after a couple." Kane's blue eyes snapped to me with an apparent concern. "Perhaps Luna Selene needs to nap. She appears pale."

I glared. "I'm fine

"Well, you are." Kane's smile never falttered, but the edge in his voice prickled shivers on my spine. "Just checking on our Luna to make sure she's all right."

Corwin squeezed my hand. "Enjoy at the festival. I'll hurry along." I watched my husband walk away through the crowd with his second-in-command. Kane and Corwin had grown up together, good men and faithful. But why did I always get the sense that he was checking on me when he did not believe that I saw him?

"Aunt Selene!" Someone young called out. Prince Marcus came striding towards me with his rakish smile, his brown hair disheveled by all the dancing. At twenty-two, Corwin's youngest brother had twice the charm as he did courage.