Lupercalia

From the stage, I look out over my pack.
All the mated wolves are trampling with impatience; this is Storm Forest's biggest event. It was instituted by my great-grandfather Alpha Vladimir. The pack was already strong under his leadership but for strategic reasons that had more to do with keeping the pack safe and our position of power, we had to hold the edge over the others. And for that, warriors and intellectuals were needed. More pups and sending out mated wolves to human universities were the spearhead of his policy.
And it was the right decision.
Storm Forest is not only the largest but also the strongest worldwide. Only the Lycans from the Kingdom in Canada can beat us. Last year alone, an additional one hundred and fifty new pups were born from this festival; if we can double that this year, the pack's growth is stable and hopeful. Wolves are horny creatures, so I trust we will succeed again this year. Jace takes care of the formal announcements and sets out the rules strictly. Only mated wolves may participate and violence is prohibited. Mating is done only with one's own partner.
I also look at the group of she-wolves who are all in heat.
The traditional healers in the pack gave them all a potion they had been taking for the last two days. The elixir increases their fertility and awakens their heat to the full extent. They were sequestered in cabins in the forest for two nights and only came here this morning to start the run to the cave. At our destination, there will be an offering ritual, whereafter, I will give the signal for the hunt. The she-wolves get a head start and then their mates go searching for them. Exciting and romantic. The atmosphere of sex in the air is almost palpable. After this festival, the bond between the couples evolves stronger and families become happier. This is also one of the reasons that there is rarely a rejection in my pack between fated mates. That's why it was not surprising that Rain's departure, which the pack considers being a rejection, would seriously affect my authority and image.
Then it is time for the start of the main affair.
I walk to the front, the pack goes wild. A massive howl sounds as almost everyone shifts into their wolf. It is an amazing sight, the different colors of fur running through the place with joy and anticipation. Brown, cream, and black in all color shades stand before me. "Storm Forest, are you ready for this new Full Moon experience? The Lupercalia cave awaits," I roar through space. They answer all at once, hundreds of wolves howling with all the power they possess, ready to begin this event they have waited for so long.
"Then let's go. I'm sure everyone has enough energy for the run now," I joke and shift in seconds. Jax is a large black wolf, when he goes on his hind legs, he looks like a monster. His head has some similarities to that of a Lycan since one of my ancestors, descended from the Kingdom, was a second cousin of the King. So the traits continue in posterity. I leap forward and standing in front of the group with Jace and Kenrick beside me, I give the starting signal. Like an arrow leaving the bow, we shoot forward, a horde of wolves on a mission.
When we finally arrive at the cave, there is already a goat and a large basket with all kinds of fruits waiting. It is suddenly quiet, everyone is now concentrating on what lies ahead. Elder Antony performs the rituals, in collective prayer, we all call on the Moon Goddess to bless us with prosperity and fertility. When the sheep's throat is cut, a smoke fire starts out of nowhere that scorches the beast. Slowly the fleece burns off and then the skin. This is the symbol that the sacrifice of the pack has been accepted by Selene. When the fire dims, the kitchen servants take the meat back to the packhouse to cook it further for the participants when they return hungrily from the chase. Sacrificed meat always makes us stronger and purifies our souls.
The end of the sacrifice is accompanied by an incisive howl to the full moon.
Storm Forest shows its appreciation. And then arrives the moment the mates waited a long time for. I shift back to human and smile as I look at the eager stares. Some are still in wolf form, but others prefer the chase in human. The she-wolves have already positioned themselves at the tree line, waiting for my signal. To my horror, I see Rachel standing there as well. My face turns into an icy mask. Her audacity is boundless.
"Jace!" I roar, glaring at my Beta standing beside me. "Is Rachel mated?" I inquire about the obvious.
Both Jace and Kenrick jolt their eyes toward the women at the frontline and notice the she-wolf standing there. "No, she isn't. At least not until an hour ago," Jace now angrily growls as well. His wolf threatens to shift; Jace hates it when his orders are not followed properly. And on stage, he had clearly stated the rules and now Rachel has dared to act differently. "Alpha, Kenrick, did either of you give permission for her presence here?" he verifies dumbly, but I know his wrath will be merciless at our denial. I let out a menacing growl in response. "I don't," I hear Kenrick declare furiously as well.
Jace shoots forward and in the blink of our eyes, he has Rachel by the throat.
"Did you dare break the rules, Rachel? What was unclear when I stated that unmated wolves were not allowed here? Were you deaf?" he bursts into the woman's face. Rachel gasps terrified she shakes her head. Jace sniffs her briefly. "Alpha, she's in heat. She also took the elixir from the shaman. Damn, this woman is causing so much trouble," he exclaims without turning back to me.
I frown at this information.
An unmated she-wolf in heat is unusual. The shaman's potions are stimulating heat, it's not natural. However, only mated she-wolves get into this condition. But then I remember Rachel's words earlier. She had indicated to expect me to chase her this year. Despite my rejection of her, she still made all the preparations. But I can't let her join; all the mates here have their partners. Allowing a female wolf in heat in the same forest could cause all sorts of friction, now and during the upcoming Lupercalia festivities. . If mated wolves get to Rachel, it could jeopardize the continuity and purpose of this event.
"Do with her what you feel is right," I answer my two rankings and turn to the group waiting for me. After the signal, the remaining she-wolves sprint into the forest. Sideways, I see Jace and Kenrich leading Rachel away. When the women's ten minutes are up, I flag the men on to begin the chase. Never before have I seen wolves disappear into the woods at such high speed.
When the last one is gone, Jax and I run straight to the packhouse, to our empty, cold apartment. The whiskey is our only company tonight. ...