Chapter 2

"Why did you choose to run the Volkten territory with me?" I asked as the Greasepaw mechanic worked on our vehicle, my claws tapping against the moonstone counter.

In my last life, this question had haunted me. My dam rarely left pack lands, let alone traveled to distant territories without my sire. There had to be meaning in this journey.

At my question, my dam's ears flattened against her skull. Her golden eyes darkened with unspoken pain, her scent turning bitter with regret. The hesitation in her body language made my wolf stir with curiosity.

Wait... My tail stiffened. Could my sire not be my true blood? Is my real father waiting in Volkten? Is that why she's taking me there now that I've had my first shift?

Years of listening to Lonewolf Ballads around the fire had clearly addled my brain - I was already picturing some dramatic Alpha reunion under the blood moon.

My dam's nostrils flared as she caught the change in my scent. She cuffed me lightly behind the ears, her growl laced with amusement. "Stop that. My wolf has only ever known one mate."

"The truth is," she continued, her voice dropping to a mournful howl, "your grandsire is fading. The moon sickness has taken hold. Your uncle reached out through the howl network - he wants to see us one last time."

"When I bonded with your sire, my whole pack opposed the mating. I was so furious I severed the blood ties... and never looked back." Her whiskers trembled with regret.

Just as I opened my muzzle to ask about my grandsire's pack, the delta mechanic approached, his grease-stained fur standing on end.

"This vehicle shouldn't be on the Thunderpath," he rumbled, wiping his paws on a rag. "The brake talismans are nearly faded to nothing. At high speeds, the stopping magic would fail completely."

"The engine runes are cracked too," he continued, showing us the damaged markings. "And worst of all - the fuel bladder is leaking moonfire essence. One spark and..." He made an explosive motion with his claws.

My dam's hackles rose. "Impossible! My mate just had the pack shamans bless this vehicle three suns ago!"

The old mechanic gave a world-weary snort. "I call the scents as I find them, Luna. Take it to the Alpha's mechanics if you doubt me - but don't say I didn't warn you when this den-on-wheels bursts into flames mid-run."

I placed a restraining paw on my dam's shoulder before she could argue. "Fix everything," I told the mechanic. "We'll pay in moonstones or fresh kill."

Turning to my dam, I let my ears droop in submission. "Remember the death pact sire made us sign last moon cycle? I thought it was strange then... but now the scent trail is clear."

Before I could finish, my dam's pupils dilated to black pools. Without a word, she stalked outside, her claws already extending as she punched in my sire's number on her howl-phone. The low, dangerous growl building in her chest promised that someone's blood would paint the moon tonight.