Chapter One
Red. Bright red.
Renae stares shellshocked at the colour of the fire dancing around her, the ashes of the once twirling embers settling like the sinking dread that filled her. She could hear the gasps of the crowd, her pack members in disbelief that an additional Semino had been chosen on top of the normal 3.
Red. The colour symbolizing her newly assigned role in the pack – a Semino. She was now one of the pack’s official breeders, the lowest ranked role any female in a pack would never wish to have.
It wasn’t possible, she thinks as she stares through the fire, meeting her the pained gaze of the pack’s Seer, her adoptive mother Nereida. She was meant to be her apprentice and become the pack’s next Seer, adopted or not, as most pups of Seers – especially females – would be traditionally assigned. Dread seeps deeper into her as Nereida avoids her eyes, turning her gaze back into the dancing fire before her. Had she known? Was this why she was never willing to teach her the ways of a Seer?
From her periphery, Renae sees her best friend Nox’s horrified expression and Brendon’s arched brow, a small smirk at his lips, before firm hands reach through the fire from behind her to grasp her upper arms, dragging her out of the Seer Hut.
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[A few moments before]
It was the day of the Partes Legendo, held annually on the last day of the year where the fate of every werewolf in a pack who turned 21 was decided. It was a ceremony not to be missed, and most – if not every pack – would ensure their Seer Hut could accommodate the entire pack to the best of its abilities. Pack members clamoured for a good spot round the circumference of the hut to overlook its centre, where surrounding the fire sat the young werewolves in accordance to their birthdates, eagerly awaiting their destined role. Overlooking the ceremony was a raised platform where Alpha Remus of the Calussa Pack would take his place.
Renae and the other young werewolves sat in trepidation as the fire cast by Nereida, the pack’s current Seer and Renae’s adoptive mother, revealed what their duties would be for the rest of their lives. Each person had their own dreams and aspirations, praying for the colour of their choice. There were many different colours representing different roles in werewolf society. The Warrior Wolves’ smoke was bright green, while the Healer’s smoke was a misty blue. If the wolf was to be an Educator the smoke would be yellow, while a Magister would see orange. Foragers would see a light pink and Cooks, a steel grey. Each colour meant something different, and the assigned role matched the bloodline, characteristics and personality of the designated werewolf.
But there were some roles others deemed lesser, such as that of a Semino, the Pack’s breeders and what many considered to be the lowest ranked role a female werewolf could ever receive in a pack. It was their job to breed wolves for their pack with mateless wolves who had yet to find their mate by the time they are 25, or were Warrior wolves who had either lost their mates in rival pack wars or to ‘rogue hunters’ – the few surviving humans in the world. Before they are confined to a Semino den for the next few decades of their life, the pack’s Head Healer would conduct a health check on all of them to determine how fertile they were and remind them of the requirement as a Semino to birth at least 30 pups for the pack within 25 years.
As a Semino, you became nothing more than a broodmare for the male pack members. No one, least of all Renae, wanted to be a Semino.
But Renae knew what her colour would be – a royal purple. There was no doubt she would become a Seer just like Nereida as typically, all pups of a Seer’s were trained in the magical arts and followed in their parent’s footsteps. Seers were fated to become the oldest wolf in the pack and were the only ones bestowed with witch blood as descendants from the union between one of the original werewolves in the Council of Elders and a witch. It was because of this that their main responsibility is to determine the roles each werewolf of age would play in their pack through ancient arts. Most pups of Seers, especially daughters, would be traditionally assigned to continue the role of the next Pack Seer, and Renae figured it would be the same for her, regardless of whether she was adopted or not. After all, it was a role she had coveted throughout her life.
Renae clapped loudly for the next wolf to approach the fire. It was her best friend and packmate’s turn to learn her future role in the Calussa Pack. Nox was beautiful, charming, and energetic. She had gorgeous auburn hair, big brown eyes, and a light dusting of freckles spread across her nose. Nox winked at Renae, and they shared a grin.
Nox was the daughter of the pack’s Beta, and despite the loftiness of her role, she was humble and kind to those she befriended. But she was also fierce and daring, much more so than Renae ever had or could be. She wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a Warrior Wolf who would scout, guard, or hunt live prey. When Renae joined Nox on their practice hunts see could see that Nox was in her element. Renae could never bring herself to actually kill something even though it was supposedly instinct, but she enjoyed seeing the glee on Nox’s face when she made a kill.
Nereida gestured for Nox to approach the fire. She was a tall matron and was admired throughout the pack and even within the werewolf community for her substantial connection to the magical arts. She smiled reassuringly at Nox as she approached. Nox kneeled in front of Nereida.
Without another word, Nereida waved her arms over the fire. Renae heard her mutter a chant in a language that was unfamiliar to any of them. Herbs were spread over the fire, and the smoke began to rise and wrap itself around Nox. Almost instantly, the smoke became a Warrior green. Renae struggled to contain her excitement for her best friend. Nox would follow in her father’s footsteps and become a scout, guard, or hunter for their pack. It was precisely what Nox had wanted.
Nereida helped her to her feet, and the pack howled their approval. The two friends’ eyes met through the smoke, and Renae shared her joy, smiling proudly.
Renae was eager to get to her turn, but as the youngest 21 year old present, she would be the last.
It was Selina’s turn next. Another female of the pack, and one that took pleasure in the misfortune of others. Selina was pretty. She was tan and had golden hair, her eyes were a hazel brown and she had the biggest crush on Brendon, the son of the Calussa pack’s Alpha and future Alpha-to-be. It was the reason why Renae and her were never friends, as Brendon was the object of both their affections. But then again, almost all eligible she-wolves had a thing for him. He was attractive and charming, a warrior destined to lead. You’d have to be stupid to not want him.
Renae had always tried to keep her crush on the Alpha’s son as subtle as possible, because the others like Selina who wanted him were vicious and she didn’t want to get in a fight. She was a pacifist, it was one of the many reasons she wanted to be a Seer. Renae never wanted to go to battle or be a part of the violence that entrenched everything werewolves did. Selina was one of the most aggressive she-wolves when it came to her crush on Brendon. She latched on to him and hung onto his every word. If Renae was less kind, she would consider that behaviour to be a bit pathetic, but she understood the appeal. To be the future Alpha’s mate would mean she would be safe and powerful with the most eligible of the men in the pack. Selina just especially had a hatred for Renae because Brendon always flirted with her.
When the smoke rose around Selina, it was shocking to see it was red. Renae couldn’t help the feeling of relief that washed over her. Selina was the third Semino picked, and typically only three were chosen per year. The same could not be said for Selina, who was aghast at her destined role and yelled at Nereida to recast the flames.
“I’m the Delta’s daughter! I should never hold a rank this low! You can’t take Brendon away from me! I’m supposed to be his fuckin mate!! Recast your stupid flames you fuckin bitch!”
Murmurs from the crowd rose as Selina continued screaming and resisting the two guard wolves who had reached to pull her up and out of the hut to be prepared for her role. Some looked to the pack’s Delta, Selina’s father, who was struggling to hold in his grimace. Alpha Remus and Brendon remained impassive, looking almost bored as Selina was dragged out, her whines and screams fading away. Renae almost felt bad for her. While it was true the role of a Semino was exempted for wolves of higher rank and bloodlines like the daughters of Alphas and Betas, a Delta’s daughter was not always so lucky. Though technically Selina got exactly what she wanted, full sexual access to Brendon – since the Alpha and his heir were entitled to Seminos, especially if they hadn’t found or lost their mates. They traditionally had the right to take the virginity of all of the new Seminos. Renae cringed at the thought.
As Nereida gestured for the next wolf to approach, she was shocked to see that wolf’s fire turn purple – the next Seer. Wasn’t it supposed to be her? Renae felt some looks thrown her way and she tried to meet Nereida’s impassive gaze which staunchly remained on the flames and the next wolf.
Finally, it was her turn and she saw Nereida gesturing for her to approach. Her mother’s beautiful long hair was so grey it was almost silver. But instead of the assuring smile she expected, she saw sadness lingering in her mother’s blue-eyed gaze.
Renae’s palms were clammy from nervousness, but she didn’t have to be nervous now. Did she? The last Semino was picked. The Seer was picked. There weren’t exactly many roles left. So why was she filled with a gripping dread? It was almost like she picked up on her mother’s uneasiness.
Renae stood, adjusting the edges of the golden dress she had carefully pressed the night before, and walked over to bow before her Alpha before standing in front of her mother. Renae smiled at her, but it wasn’t returned. There was a tightness to her mother’s face that Renae was confused to see. What was wrong?
The herbs were thrown and the chant was recited, words she had heard Nereida repeat over the past years and mere seconds before flowing around her like the embers and flames that encircled her.
Red. Her smoke was red.
