the ritual- chapter 3

　

　

Luka


        The dreary weather is nothing unusual in the small town of Old Haven. As promised it is freezing cold in the early fall month of October. Although it has been morning for quite some time Luka can still hear the humans sound asleep snoring, unaware of the Supernatural World that lives among them. If the humans ever knew about Luka's kind, they would undoubtedly bolt their doors and never leave their luxury-style homes. That would do little good though since Werewolves are much stronger than the average human race. Fortunately for them Werewolves do not eat humans. Their meat is rotten and their blood a rancid flavor to the point of incessant revulsion. It is not known if the same is true for the other Supernatural. As far as Luka is concerned everyone else is on his or her own. After all, he has his own pack to look after.

       The streets are lonely roads with no sign of vegetation that go on endlessly for miles. Birch trees that surround the forest shield Luka from the outside world. His wolf is not a threat to humankind. He simply enjoys his privacy.

       There is a constant fog that hovers just above the ground. It could be because of the dense forest, or the clouds that never seem to go away. Whatever the reason, it makes it easier to blend in. There is no sunshine, just gloomy darkness that clings helplessly in the air with nowhere else to go. Neighbors tell stories of ghosts that haunt the town. Ghosts aren’t real, of course. Much like his kind, when you die there is no life after death. To Luca, such a thought would be considered ridiculous and a complete waste of time.

Humans don't stay out long after dark.

Maybe it’s because of the silly fable tales of vengeful ghosts. Luka thought indifferently.

       It is dead silent in the great halls of the mansion. There are no greetings of a good morning or pitter-pattering of feet on the waxed imported marble flooring. There is no crackling of fire wood in the grand fireplace of the study hall either.

       Luka silently watches as fog slowly creeps upon the stained glass window and etches itself permanently until a thin layer of ice is all that remains. Rain splashes hard against the window pane, making the petrichor a pleasant and refreshing distraction even if it only momentarily subdues his headstrong residual temperament. From what Luka can tell the high pierced wind rustles yellowish brown leaves to the unfertilized mossy ground. Luka grimaces at the sight of it. There will be no gardener to clean up mother-nature's aftermath. Rightfully so, no one is foolish enough to step foot onto the property.

       Luka's golden brown eyes dilate in the darkness allowing him to pick up every detail inside the room. To his trained eye nothing is left out of place. The sculptures are free of dust and debris and neatly placed on top of the tiered bookshelf. The computer screen is black and turned off. His desk is clutter free of paper and pencils; the many files that he has are organized by alphabetical order inside of the desk drawer. The furniture is polished making it seem brand new. There are no cobwebs in sight or pieces of trash left on the floor. Much to his pleasure, everything is just as he left it the previous day before. However, the clean ambiance does nothing to ease the tension slowly rising inside of Luka.

       Feeling slightly restless Luka paces back and forth while habitually counting each second that passes by on the bronze face of the antique grandfather clock. As he walks past the furnished clock it chimes four times with the big hand signaling it is, indeed, already four in the morning. Although Luka hasn't slept at all in the past twenty-four hours he is most definitely not tired. In fact, he feels more alive and acutely sensitive than he has in a very long time. And with the Full Moon soon approaching in less than twelve hours he will only become stronger. He can already start to feel the moons energy pulse through his veins. Because of his family lineage he is more hypersensitive to the effects of the Full Moon even though it’s still daylight outside.

       All Supernatural have their own affinity towards the Full Moon. Witches celebrate the goddess with their covens hastily chanting spells and casting charms, Vampires hunt their prey sometimes accidentally turning humans in the process, Pixies relish on the sacred day by haunting the living causing others bad luck, while Elves and Leprechauns cast good luck to keep the balance in order, and Fairies happily celebrate the fertility of the goddess by drinking their personal allotted assortment of Fae wine and doing the 'dirty' with each other. As for his kind, werewolves are known to ceremoniously hunt in packs feasting on wild animals found in the forest beyond. On all accounts it is a sacred time for the entirety of the Supernatural World. In a way it brings everyone together yet at the same time it shows just how different their beastly natures truly are.

       Distressed by the lack of recent events Luka casually leans against the hand carved mantel. His respected family crest was carved into it by hand with a chisel: A large wolf standing in the forest with armor resting by its front paws looking up towards the moon in proud victory. It took a couple of days to finish, but it was well worth the wait. The many businesses that Luka owns have the same family crest embedded around town. Simpleton humans are unaware that his family crest is also considered to be his pack seal. This way any non-pack intruders that step onto his claimed land will have to ask for permission in order to safely travel through on to another town.

       Even an Alpha takes orders from a more important group of Werewolves. The Council is made up of a group of Elders. They are respected and feared for a good reason. Any disobedience will only lead to bloodshed. An execution is made not just for the pack member accused but the whole pack as an entity.

From the moment Luka sent news to the Council his fate had been sealed. Unfortunately he put something into motion that cannot be undone.

       Yesterday Luka entrusted his second in command to bear a message for the Council. As protocol dictates Marco hasn’t tried to make contact. There wouldn't be a problem if weren't for the small fact that the window of opportunity was closing. And if Luka meant to see this whole ordeal through, which he so clearly intended on doing so, there was still much to prepare.

       If Luka's current dilemma weren't troubling enough, the moon is set to rise today of all days and Marco's presence is needed in order to complete the age old formality that is practiced among his people before any ritual can commence.

       There are no other packs on this side of the world, unless Marco came across one of the Rogue. Rogue are known to flee Alban and cross the border searching for a better way of life. Although it is safe to say 'normalcy' is far from their intentions.

       Rogues do not travel in packs. If they did they would kill each other. They are not tamed and do not know how to live within a pack or maintain the rules each pack lives by. Rogues are dangerous because they kill anyone who they encounter whether Supernatural or human. They have no conscience and they do not care about the Canine Lupus Laws. If Marco has encountered a Rogue he is more than equipped to care for himself. After all, he was named second in command for a reason. Below Luka he is the second strongest in the pack and trained to kill in battle.

       Outside in the hallway there is a loud commotion of fast-paced footsteps along with hushed murmured voices. Luka's sensitive hearing can detect a mans deep baritone voice and a woman's more lighter musical tone. Luka remains silent, intent on figuring out just what has gotten his people so riled up for.

       After a moment of silence the familiar scent of musk travels past Luka’s nostrils. Upon further inspection, Luka detects the slightest undertones of grass and dirt coming from the slit underneath the door.

Without a moments hesitation Luka opens the large wooden door. "Come in", Luka commands.

       The man standing in front of him lifts his head and exposes his throat as he crosses the threshold. It is the most polite and sincere introduction of obedience and respect that could be given. Of course, there wouldn't be any other way to greet an alpha.

       Luka studies the all too silent man sitting down on one of the many artisan leather armchairs positioned right across from his expansive desk. A desk that, according to his beloved fiance, is an incredibly hard to find antique from the 19th century.

The solemn-looking mans shirt is torn around the collar and his pants are stained. He must have gotten into a fight. And from that smug look on his face he won.

　

"It's nice out, brother. The perfect time for a hunt, don't you agree?" Marco light-heartedly asks.

Luka formally nods at the man. "It is."

       Eager to get things started Luka walks over to the cabinet and pours himself a heavy drink. He laces it with Type O Donor animal blood kept in a bag. Werewolves need blood to survive. There is no way around it. It is a simple fact. Just as humans consume food in order to keep satiated Werewolves drink blood to function properly. What is a Werewolf without it's strength? Not a Werewolf at all. Luka thought conclusively.

"What is word on the Council?" Luka inquires none too hastily.

"They have agreed to meet us come next Full Moon." Marco begins to explain but then stops abruptly as if something dire just occurred to him. "We must prepare for their arrival!" Marco looks at Luka with wide mirthful eyes.

Luka good-naturally laughs at the expression on Marco's face. Whenever Marco is not making an ass of himself he can be quite entertaining.

"Relax, brother. Everything is in order." Luka informs nonchalantly.

       Luka may have entrusted Marco with a message to the Council but he cannot have everything turn sour just because of one man. It is highly known that Marco likes to party with dirty humans and get high off on blood. Instead, he gave his third in command, Blaze, the responsibility of preparing rooms and transportation for the Council. When Luka ordered Blaze for the job he figured it was best to give Marco a much deserved break. From what Luka has heard there is a party tonight in the grove and more than not Marco will want to attend in true high fashion.

"The human, when is she to arrive?" Luka asks mildly interested by the change of subject.

       Sellers do not keep records of bodies that come in and out of the betting grounds. There are way too many of them to count and if Luka were to be brutally truthful about the entire situation they were expendable. However, Murphy is an unusual name for a female. Luka wonders if her looks are as unappealing. Although, in all honesty, it does not matter either way.

"Soon" says Marco. "Alastar and Declar are on their way as we speak."

The two familiar names leave a bad taste in Luka's mouth.

       On any other occasion Luka would not do business with Vampires but they came highly recommended. Alastar is the ringleader of the two. They started off as local buyers and made their way up in the underground community. They can find anything for the right amount of money. Unfortunately they also have a wild streak in them. That is what makes doing business with them so risky. They are Vampires and if anything they are greedy. If they try any funny business they will never see the rest of their money. That and Luka will kill them for two-timing him.

Pleased by the information Luka pats Marco on the shoulder. "Excellent! The Council will expect full cooperation."

"What if she doesn't play by our rules?" Marco wonders out loud.

       Luka takes a swig of his gin and tonic. The taste of stale blood lingers in his mouth. It is not fresh but it suites him just fine. "Then we will take care of her, like we did with the other one.", Luka says looking at Marco over the rim of his glass.

So long as the human named Murphy stays out of my way no harm will come to her. Luka smirked to devilishly.