New Moon Rising
Fifteen hours later, I crossed into Northern territory.
I had secured a position as a language instructor at the academy where I had once studied as an exchange student. The administration had arranged everything–I needed only to arrive
with my belongings.
Settling into my faculty apartment and activating a new communication crystal, I finally allowed myself to relax completely.
By my calculations, Karl and Natalie should have received the surprise I’d carefully prepared
by now.
I activated my old communication crystal one last time and saw news about Karl’s pack spreading throughout the wolf territories.
The video showed Karl standing in his ceremonial attire, watching expectantly as a vehicle approached the sacred clearing.
When the door opened, Natalie emerged wearing the white ceremonial dress meant for me.
Before Karl could speak, the crystal projector behind him activated automatically, displaying the collection of images I had compiled–a thousand photographs documenting Karl and Natalie’s relationship over three years.
The assembled pack members looked at them with expressions ranging from shock to understanding, while Karl’s face grew paler with each image.
After the presentation ended, wolves from neighboring packs had already begun spreading the story, uncovering Natalie’s true background and past indiscretions.
Many came forward with their own accounts, and Karl’s reputation suffered tremendously.
I deactivated that crystal and checked the surveillance spell I’d left in our former den.
Karl had found the wedding gift I’d left for him.
The termination report from the clinic and a formal mate–separation agreement bearing my signature.
On the crystal image, Karl clutched both documents, his eyes red–rimmed.
Finally, he collapsed to the floor as if his strength had abandoned him, howling my name over and over.
I terminated the spell without hesitation and destroyed the crystal.
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New Moon Rising
+30 Bonus
After returning to my birth territory, I quickly adapted to my new life.
Beyond teaching, I began exploring the wilderness, visiting places I’d always wanted to see but never had the opportunity to experience.
I had devoted myself entirely to Karl, becoming what he later described as “a nagging female” and “a housewife who only knew how to cook and clean.”
But before him, I had been an ambitious young wolf with achievements in my field. He had never appreciated that part of me.
With Karl gone, I understood that loving myself was paramount.
As I adjusted to my position at the academy, I reconnected with Nate, a beta wolf I’d known during my student days.
Finding an old packmate in foreign territory was comforting. We quickly became companions, often making trips into the mountains for climbing and skiing. I felt an unprecedented lightness in his presence.
With his recommendation, I joined an international pack collective as a translator.
During one particularly busy period, I was sent to a neighboring territory where our contact was from Karl’s pack.
I froze when I saw her, taking a moment to compose myself.
“Fiona, it’s been a while.”
Fiona stared in surprise before smiling broadly and pulling me to sit beside her.
. “I never expected to see you here,” she said, her voice warm with genuine pleasure.
I explained my position with the collective, and after listening, Fiona sighed sadly.
“You made the right choice leaving Karl’s pack. Things aren’t what they were.”
“After the failed ceremony, Karl disappeared for a month. When he returned, he began crafting ceremonial jewelry named for his ‘true mate, Isabelle.‘ The pack council is in turmoil–they say he’s been touched by moon madness.”
I listened quietly, finding no emotional response stirring within me.
Fiona eventually departed, and I organized my notes before heading home.
It was winter solstice night, and the streets were alive with celebration.
Walking slowly back to my apartment, I noticed a small package at my doorstep.
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New Moon Rising
As I picked it up in confusion, a trembling voice spoke behind me:
“Isabelle, I’ve finally found you.”
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