Page 129 of Beneath the Blue Moon

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What the fuck is going on? Ethan’s right; this is no

ordinary storm. I grip his hands so tightly, I’m probably cutting off both our

circulation. Clara is chanting away, seemingly oblivious to everything. Cloud-to-ground

lightning strikes again, hitting a tree next to us. I almost jump into his arms,

but our hands are tied. The wind howls, getting stronger. Clara is fighting to

keep her book open. My hair whips around my face, making me wish I had put it

in a ponytail. Out of nowhere, a whirlwind envelops Ethan and me and we’re lifted

into the air.

“Ethan!”

“Hold on!”

He tightens his hold on me, and I grab his wrist as best I

can as we’re both lifted by the swirling vortex. I realize we’re not spinning,

but going straight up. Lightning cracks again, and an electric charge runs

through my body. Did I just get struck by lightning? No… it seems to be coming

from Ethan. He’s gritting his teeth. It’s as if there’s some force flowing

through his body and into mine. I throw my head back as the charge intensifies.

My whole body is shaking. I can’t talk, can’t even scream. I watch as the

swirling black cloud in the sky spins faster. A lightning bolt shoots from the

center, and I just know it’s heading straight for us. It strikes the ground

beneath us and then I feel us being slowly lowered. Our feet touch the ground

and the whirlwind disappears. So does the cloud, the lightning, and the wind.

The night is calm and clear once more.

What the hell was that?

He raises an uncertain brow. Some old wolf magic?

You don’t know? You mean it’s never happened before?

No.

The mutterings from the crowd reach my ears, and I look over

at them. Everyone is shocked and somewhat scared. Even his mother. She’s

staring at me like I just sprouted wings. Wait… I didn’t, did I? I look behind

me just to make sure. Okay, I’m good. Clara finishes reading and closes her

book.

She turns to the crowd, arms raised, and proclaims, “Kneel

before your alpha pair.”

Everyone falls to their knees, heads bowed. She turns back

to us with a huge smile. After she bows before us, she removes our binding then

motions Charlie, Anna, and Brick forward, who kneel before us. Ethan places his

hands on Brick and Charlie’s heads and motions for me to do the same to Anna.

They begin reciting their oaths, and I feel another charge run through my body.

It’s subtle, but this time, it’s coming from me and being passed to Anna. She

trembles beneath my hand, and I look over at Brick and Charlie. The same thing

seems to be happening to them. By the time they’re done with their oaths, the

charge has gone. And just in time, too. I feel the twitches beginning. We

probably have a few minutes before the moon is full.

“Rise.”

I glance at Ethan as he issues the command. When he nods to

me, I turn to Anna.

“Rise,” I mimic him.

That sounded strange. Not authoritative or alpha-like like

Ethan.

Don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it.

Yeah, I’ll just practice on you.

Oh, minx… I hope you’re prepared for the night ahead.

No, Sir Alpha. I hope you’re prepared.

His eyes flash yellow, and he smirks just as I hear the

sounds of wolves changing behind us. Clara rushes forward, handing Ethan the

prophecy book.

“Read it. It will tell you all you need to know.”

“I’ll just run to the truck and put this away. I’ll be right

back.”

“Okay.”

The twitches begin to intensify, but this time feels

different somehow. Am I getting used to it or is it because I’m an alpha now?

By the time Ethan gets back, his shirt is ripped, and his eyes have changed. He

stops mid-run and arches backward with a growl. If I’d blinked, I would have

missed his change. And what a change it was! He looks nothing like himself.

He’s bigger and more ferocious-looking than before. This is not Sheriff.

I hear gasps and shrieks from the ones who haven’t changed yet.

“Oh, my God, Ethan! You look like something out of a sci-fi

movie.”

Before I can say anything else, a force pulls me backward. A

small tingle runs through my body and before I know it, I’m on all fours. I

didn’t even feel the change.

I see what you mean. You look different, too.

What’s going on?

You heard the prophecy. I can’t wait to discover our new

powers.

I get powers, too?

Of course. Come.

He leads me back to the altar, and we stand before our pack,

side by side. I try to emulate his posture. They all lower themselves to the

ground in submission. Ethan howls and they scatter in different directions. He

turns to me with a gleam in his eye.

Now, Madame Alpha, you were saying something about being

prepared?