The Luna Warrior

I stormed up the grand stairs of the palace, making an angry beeline towards my room. My mind was seething and I’m sure it was written all over my face as members of my pack slinked and scampered into the shadows every time I neared them. None of them wanted to accidentally cross my path of destruction that I was on.

“ARGHHHHHHH” I growled, as I reached my room and slammed the huge wooden door behind me, which wasn’t an easy feat considering how heavy it was.

But I was a she-wolf of old royal blood, who had just had her dreams dashed of taking over my parents' kingdom and the title of Alpha - once my father was ready to pass that title on.

I always knew it was just that, a dream, but there’s no harm in wishful thinking and goal-setting for the future.

I was the eldest daughter and technically it should have been my birthright to take over for my Father as his new Alpha when the time came for him to step down.

However, my fantasy world was conveniently shattered a week before my 18th birthday, at a “family dinner” that announced my younger brother, Ezra, was to be named the next Alpha. I was to be thrust in the middle of a ball as a pawn for a political marriage to strengthen an alliance.

I understand the notion of old royal traditions, but they were well outdated and it was time to change them. My father's deceit, tricking me into thinking he was training me to be the next Alpha over the years had me raging with a dry anger that made my heart ache.

The old bastard just let me think that, of course, so I wouldn’t argue when in reality he was grooming me to be the perfect Luna for when it came time for him to use me for his own gain.

He had chosen his battles wisely and I had unfortunately just lost the war.

There was a knock on the door. Before I could say anything my elegant Mother floated into the room and sat down on the edge of my huge king bed.

Alethia Henley was every inch royalty, the perfect Luna and stunning from head to toe. Everyone respected her, including me. She never demanded it, but she had a powerful aura around her that just drew you in.

I inherited my shiny, sleek black hair and deep brown eyes from my Mother. We also had the same tanned skin that many shifters had, since we all preferred to be outside surrounded by nature. Really, I was just a younger version of her - possibly a little less poised and a little more reckless due to my lack of life experience.

“Aurelia, my love.” She began as she patted the bed beside her, silently asking me to sit down.

I walked over and as soon as I sat down my emotions from the last half an hour broke loose, and a tornado of feelings exploded as I leaned in and rested my heavy head on her shoulder. I felt my whole body shake as the sobs escaped my lips.

“I’ve negotiated with your Father.” She stated and my head shot up, wondering if I heard her correctly and I felt a glimmer of hope sparkled in my eyes. My tears evaporated as quickly as they began.

She took a deep breath in and continued, knowing full well that I probably still wasn’t going to like what she said.

“Your Father was going to choose someone for you at the ball, but I’ve convinced him to let you choose for yourself.”

“And what if I don’t choose anyone?” I retorted, the words spilling out of my mouth a tad more snarky then I would have liked. My poor mother was just trying to help me out and soften the blow, and I immediately felt a pang of guilt.

“You will have until 11pm to choose, otherwise your Father will proceed to announce his pick of a suitable husband for you at midnight.”

Of course. I should have known that it wouldn’t have been that easy.

“Ok.” I sighed, defeated and officially worn down.

“Ok?” My Mother questioned, cocking her head to the side in curiosity at my response.

I shrugged at her.

If my Father was going to pick and choose his battles wisely, then I needed to start doing the same. I might be feeling a bit silly about the whole thing, but I definitely wasn’t stupid.

“Ok.” She repeated softly before kissing the top of my head and swiftly walking back out of the room.

The ball was to be held next Saturday and my 18th birthday was the following day.

I felt a lot of resentment towards my family after tonight, but my old man wasn’t all bad. I knew even though he, deep down, had my best interests at heart, he was still using me for his own personal gain.

I would find either my betrothed, or, best case scenario, my mate, who would then be there for support on Sunday when I shifted for the first time.

I grimaced at the thought.

What was supposed to be one of the happiest times of my life - coming of age, meeting my wolf, shifting for the first time etc - now had a dark cloud hanging over it.

On top of the pressure of what was going to be the most important and somewhat intimate day of my life that came with the first shift, I also had to share it with a total stranger.

How great was my first date going to be with my chosen husband - whether it was my pick or my father's choice, sitting back and watching my bones snap and heal, and snap and heal until my wolf made its grand entrance into the world.

I rolled my eyes before hugging my knees to my chest for a moment as I started feeling something I’d never really felt before - vulnerable.