Are you prepared?He enquired and extended his arm. Molly shut the door behind them and grasped him more firmly than she had intended. He appeared oblivious, or perhaps he was simply too gracious to comment. “You look lovely,” he remarked, interrupting her anxious musings.
“Please refrain from teasing me,” Molly stated feebly as they proceeded towards the town centre.
“I would not contemplate it,” Colton stated.
Upon rounding the corner, they seemingly entered a completely different village. Torches illuminated the area more brightly than on a foggy day, and booths were arranged as if it were a market day. Food was being served on large trays, while gallons of beer and wine were being distributed to all who desired it. The crowd was so dense that she could scarcely discern the small platform positioned at the centre. Everyone appeared remarkably joyful, as if the previous night’s events—marked by death and assault—had never transpired.
“Do you perform this ritual during every full moon?””Molly enquired with astonishment.”
“Often, the storms are too severe for outdoor activities, prompting us to either relocate the celebration indoors or cancel it entirely.” Colton directed her towards the platform. “You have endured enough, so I will not demand any focus on you this evening.”
“Thank you,” Molly stated, exhaling slowly. He grasped her shoulders, compelling her to meet his gaze.
“I would prefer that you remain and observe, but I comprehend if it becomes overwhelming for you.” You may return to your room at any time.
Molly acquiesced, and he departed, leaving her at the front of the stage. As he ascended the platform, an unusual silence enveloped the previously jovial crowd. Shortly thereafter, others congregated around her while he remained composed. He uttered not a single word; it was as though they instinctively understood their roles and his expectations.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this evening we convene under the full moon with a revised agenda,” he stated once everyone was settled. “I have observed the changes within the pack for some time now, and I have endeavoured to exercise patience with those who have challenged me.” Ultimately, it is one of the most humane aspects of our nature to interrogate what we are informed.
Colton clasped his hands behind his back while addressing the audience. He paced the stage, stating, “I endeavoured to provide an opportunity for those who defied me to learn from their errors.” I endeavoured to be an equitable sovereign to all and to impose penalties solely when warranted. However, this evening I have been compelled to act. Individuals who have chosen to disregard my directives have exceeded acceptable limits, and I have exhausted my patience for them.
A subdued, anxious whisper circulated among the crowd surrounding Molly. They fell silent once more when Colton directed his piercing gaze at them. He raised his hand, and two men were compelled onto the stage, restrained at their wrists and ankles. They were her assailants: the older man from the previous night and Nathaniel. He emitted an odd, moaning sound, as if attempting to articulate but unable to do so without his tongue.
The elderly man had his head bandaged from the injury inflicted by her, yet he still donned the tattered garments she had last observed him in. Molly realised that the boy must have indeed perished if he was absent from the stage with them. She… she was uncertain about her emotions regarding this. Although she had acted in self-defence, resulting in his demise, she had nonetheless extinguished a life.
The back of her mind cautioned her that failure to act would result in her absence from this moment. He intended to murder her and inflict unspeakable atrocities upon her body beforehand. Individuals of his ilk were unworthy of existence. One can only speculate on the other women he had victimised throughout his youth.
These individuals have attempted and failed to incite a rebellion against me to usurp my authority. They have repeatedly ignored my explicit directives, but this instance nearly resulted in the loss of an innocent life. Molly wished to blend into the crowd as several gazes fixated on her. “This evening, they will finally face consequences.” However, prior to proceeding with that… Is there anyone present who wishes to advocate on their behalf?
His words conveyed an ominous tone, as though he was challenging someone to reveal their affiliation with the beliefs of these men. Silence enveloped the crowd; Molly sensed that everyone was collectively holding their breath in anticipation of what would transpire next.
No? “Excellent.” Colton extracted a lengthy, keen blade from his belt. “I am aware of our tradition to indulge our primal instincts during each full moon, but this evening I propose a novel target.”
Colton forced both men to their knees and dragged the blade along their shoulders. A trickle of blood accumulated at their necks as he applied additional pressure. “This evening, I have determined that there will be a reward for the victor of this hunt.” Molly sensed a surge of desperate exhilaration emanating from his words. “The winner will be appointed as my second until the subsequent full moon.”
A few gasps emanated from those nearby. Molly surmised that this would bestow upon someone a semblance of power previously unattainable. Power engendered desperation, inciting a primal hunger, and she sensed that energy flourishing in her vicinity.
