COY’S POV

What the heck is going on with Xolo? He’s never late—well, not until recently. The man lives by rules, yet suddenly he's falling asleep and running late for something he's been planning for months.

I hope he has a very good reason to be this late.

The report that Mic and Tlax handed me is nothing to be happy about, there are reports that at least two more women have disappeared under the same circumstances.

‘Young, unmatted, Lycans, close to be of age to shift. That’s all they have in common, the ranges of physical characteristics are so diverse, the locations of the disappearances have not seemingly a connection, non of them knew each other nor had anyone in common. It was like these abductions were unrelated; Except for one single creepy detail. The fucking amaranth seeds that were left behind; like some kind of sick exchange.’

Walking through the streets of the market, trying to blend in is an easier task for me today as many alphas have been arriving since the early morning as my own alpha should have…

A festive ambient can be seen; colorful decorations hanging from the trees, columns and through the whole path of the death and reaching the base of the Moon’s pyramid.

From there, a tapestry of flowers adorned the steps from the base to where the temple is at the top.

The tapestry is impressively beautiful, white flowers as a background and a Nahual in the center, created by thousands and thousands of beautiful yellow flame gazania flowers, which from the distance they resembled like real fire flames adding to the beauty of the tapestry. I was impressed with the skills of the artist that came up with this.

I’m sure that it wasn’t an easy task, as the Pyramid has at least a couple of hundred steps leading from the base to the top of the platform. These steps are arranged in several tiers, reflecting the pyramid's layered construction and ceremonial purpose. Goddess I so missed this place.

As I sipped the fermented pineapple cocktail handed to me by a beautiful merchant, a flood of childhood memories surged through my mind.

The taste was familiar, a reminder of simpler times, before the weight of the responsibilities had settled on my shoulders before having to follow my destiny, even though when my purpose has been lost.

When I was born, the destiny was already written for me, I was to become a beta, the hand of the alpha, but more importantly the protector of the Luna, when the time came. Since the moment of my birth, it was already written and sealed, so, I was been prepared for that.

< Flashback >

At the young age of three, my parents took me to the royal palace, there was a big event so we needed to attend to pay respect.

I was bored but I wasn’t allowed to leave the area. Mom was in a side room along with other women.

Father was with a bunch of other men smoking and talking.

Shamans were singing and praying while I could hear yelling from where my mom was.

I was so scared, I ran to my dad grabbing his finger in search of protection.

He looked at me, with a warm smile, lifted me in his arms and said;

“There is nothing to be afraid my son; there, a miracle is happening, and with it, the first step of your mission will begin.”

I didn’t understand my father’s words, but at the same time all the fear creeping inside of me abandoned my body.

After what it felt like an eternity, all the noise became silence, a moment later, a baby cried, followed by cheers and happiness on everyone’s faces.

Father hugged me and congratulated me as if I had won a prise of some kind.

A min after; someone yelled ‘Ome! Ome!’ and just like that, everyone got silent, the faces were of tension and sadness.

The cries of the woman were louder this time, it was obvious that she was suffering.

Mi father’s expression was troubled, nervous. He let go of my hand and asked me to stay where he had left me, and walked approaching to the wise men and sorcerers appointed on the other side of the room, his hand patting the shoulder of a big, strong man whose face was darkened by obvious fear plastered on his face.

It was hard to believe that a man as huge as him could ever be able to fear to anything or anyone.

Just like the first time, a sudden silence, followed by another baby crying, this time louder, stronger than the first one. But this time, there were no cheers, no happiness but stoic faces.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

From the other room I could only hear the voice of the woman demanding to see the babies.

Then more crying. then nothing.

I was so curious about what had happened, that for the first time, I disobeyed my father’s command, and I sneaked into the room where my mom was.

At least 20 women were there, tending to the lady lying on the bed; but I didn’t walk to my mom, who was right there, a couple of meters to my left; instead, I slowly kept walking to a ‘cloud looking’ large bed covered with fine cotton clothing.

I could feel everyone’s eyes following me, the lady that was on the bed asked for help to stand up, she followed me while being helped by 2 women.

When I reached the bed, I climbed to it and curled myself on the side of the baby that was peacefully sleeping there.

The new mother instantly started crying, smiling ad crying there is. She turned to my mom and hugged her.

I was 3 years old but that I will never going to forget.

< End of flashback >

Our families had been together since then, my family had been blessed with the task to be the hand of the Alpha god, none other but the most feared and the one no one wants to face. We were given very important, yet, very difficult mission, a mission that many times have been ended in loneliness, pain or even death.

“Coy… Coy… BETA!” I heard a loud voice through mind link, pulling me back from my thoughts.

“Yes! Sorry, I’m here”

“Where are you?”

“Where am I? you, are asking me, where am I? I’m where I supposed to be, where the fuck were you?”

“Don’t even start with me, I had to fix a big mess at the pack house, so I’m really not in a mood.”

“What mess? What happened? Are you alright?”

“I’m ok, Pili lost her fucking mind and… never mind that is not important right now, do the ceremony already started?”

“Of course already started, I can hear it, the platform is packed with people, it’s sunset already, you know.”

“Where exactly are you?”

“I’m dining at the base of the pyramid, on the market side.”

“What? Why aren’t you hiding? Are you insane?” Xolo’s voice was a mix of shock and anger.

“Hey, today is the only day when I can be out and no one would suspect a thing. Remember, all the alphas and betas are here. This place reeks with a powerful aura right now,” I explained, trying to calm him. “Ok, stay there I will find you, any news?”

“Not the ones you want to hear.”

“Fuck!”

That Pili is in serious problems if she managed to delayed Xolo that bad…

Where is that beautiful merchant? I really need another cocktail.

Lifting my cup to call a server’s attention without having to be very visible, I see the beautiful merchant approaching me, holding with both hands a big jar with the fermented beverage.

“I have never seen you in here before Sr.” She said looking to my eyes while pouring the liquid in my cup.

“That is because I have never been here before, my parents were invited to come, they send me instead in hopes that I can find my mate.” I lied.

“Oh, well it is a shame that you haven’t find it in here, but maybe you will have more chances if you go up to the platform, or inside the temple.”

“Yeah, I just don’t like big crowds, why there is so many people there anyway?”

“Oh, you didn’t know? That is because today, the alpha princess is hosting the ceremony, after 5 years being absent. Many people haven’t seen her before; there were a lot of rumors about her, but one thing is for sure, everyone says that her beauty is beyond parallel and that is why the emperor hid her, because of the fear of someone trying to take her away from the pack.”

“Really? Do you know her? Is she mated now?”

“No, I have never seen her, and as far as everyone says, she is still to gain her lycan.”

“Huh? That is weird, why is she hosting the ceremony being that young?

“Well…” She said getting closer to me whispering.

“Our Luna returned to heaven, 5 years ago, there was an attack, many people died, Luna Kini tried to save her people but she got killed protecting her youngest. O-or at least that is what people say.

The princess is the only female with royal blood left, so she has to take the role our Luna should have.”

“I see, well it seems that the princess is like a rare jewel for the pack”.

“Oh yes my lord, rumor has it that the emperor was going to give the throne to the princess after his death but after the terrible incident with the Luna the emperor fell il and changed his mind, now everyone believes that the Youngest is the one to inherit the throne.”

“Umm, seems that a lot of things happened in here since the attack. Do they ever find the perpetrators?”

“Yes and No, the…”

-“Hey, you, cut the chitchat and come back to work, the dishes are not to be washing themselves!” An old fat man yelled from the back of the dining to the server. Highly likely the owner.

“Sorry my lord I have to go back to my duties; enjoy the banquet and I hope you can find your mate” She said with an honest smile and returned to the dinner’s kitchen.

The sun is almost gone, I can see the reflection of the full moon starting to glow at the back of the pyramid, adding to the exquisite view.

The whimsical view, the oranges, purples and reds of the sunset are mesmerizing and the drums and bells marking the ceremony rituals are enticing, I can feel my lycan begging me to come out to the surface, but, if in my human form I’m already compared with a giant, I don’t think it would be a good idea to give a heart attack to a good dozen of locals.

I don’t know why he feels so agitated to get out, we had a great run this morning.

Sniffing the air, I can sense that Xolo is close, oh boy, he is taking his time. Good, I almost never have the chance to enjoy myself.

My fingers are drumming on the table at the same rhythm of the drums being played at the temple, I noticed the change in the rhythm to a more fast one, I didn’t pay attention at first until it was too obvious.

This wasn’t part of the banquet’s dance ritual, this drumming was not a spiritual connection with the deities and ancestors, this definitely was a life sacrifice offering. What the fuck is going on in here?

I practically jumped from my chair, to run to the pyramid’s platform; the drums resounding more and more furious every second.

I ran in the pyramid’s direction; when I saw a black shadow passing me, so fast that I could barely see him running in the same direction I was going.

Xolo, running on his human form, beating me to it.

When did he become that fast?

A second later, silence.

“Oh, no, this is ‘no bueno’” I thought to myself, I ran too to the pyramid while I let my lycan to come out to the surface, running behind Xolo.

Party time!