The Twelfth Moon || ✔️

6. The Castle In The Middle

The Castle was like a picture someone had plucked out of my best dreams. The stones were made of a silverish white, that reflected the rising Sun's light in the most beautiful way imaginable.

All kinds of plants grew alongside the walls, roses in all the colors I could think of, wisteria in a purple so pure, and lots more that I did not recognize.

Lined with silver windows everywhere, I longed to see it from the inside. The sunlight coming through those windows must be an absolute wonder of the world.

A ditch circled it, containing the clearest water I'd ever behold. There was a charming wooden bridge leading toward the front doors. The doors were immense, made out of a light-colored wood that matched the bridge before it, and full of intricate carvings that must have taken ages to complete to perfection.

I wondered if anyone had ever attempted to paint it, or if even the best painter in the world would not try it, knowing they would fail miserably to get the beauty of this place contained within the strokes of a brush.

Beckett nudged me forward and we marched, heading to that castle. I was so taken aback by the sight in front of me, my body ignored the urging hand that found its way to my lower back, claws extended just enough in warning. 

We were greeted at the front doors by a male wolf, dressed in a light blue robe that flowed down to his feet, revealing sand colored footwear. The gown was made of a blue so light, it resembled our Moon. I instantly knew he was one of the priests that lived here, that now did not belong to any pack anymore. But he wasn't a rogue either.

No, he belonged to our Moons, as did the other priests and priestesses.

The priest welcomed us with a gentle wrinkled smile, that made even the skin around his eyes curve, and guided us inside towards a large room, decorated with the silver windows I had just seen outside. Sunlight streamed in through those windows and lit up the room. It was magical, and the air felt so fresh. I found myself needing to stay here for the years to come. I understood why some wolves decided to reside here permanently and join the priesthood. I wasn't sure I wouldn't have done it if I had had the powers to do so.

As we entered the room, I saw the ten other Alphas gathered on one side of the room, Beckett headed towards them.  This meant we were the last to arrive and we must have kept everyone waiting. Beckett didn't seem to care, but it made me feel squeamish, uneasy. Even more unnerved than I already was--and that surely would not come across all too well.

The other two wolves that had joined us were instructed somewhere else in the Castle, they were not allowed to participate in the Ascension ritual. I was glad the holiness of my liberation would not be further stained by Fire Moon's remains. 

As soon as I entered the room, I was told to join the other young wolves that waited anxiously across the Alphas. As I reached them, the priest began talking, not waiting before I had fully reached my fellow Wolflings. The Ascension had to begin soon, and Beckett and I had kept them waiting. There was no more time to waste.

"Blessed morning, Wolflings and Alphas. We welcome you to the Castle in the Middle, where our Moons bless each one of us." As he spoke, a few more priests and priestesses entered the room. All dressed in that same, beautiful gown. Males and females alike, all wore the same. For there was no distinction here, no packs or Alphas. Only wolves that honored our Moons. The priest continued after he smiled at his companions.

"All the Wolflings that wish to ascend have now arrived, along with their Alphas. There are eighty-seven Wolflings, blessed by Sariranyasa, Moon of Death, here tonight to Ascend." The priest looked each one of us over, and I did the same.