Tonight is my Lunasgiving, i also turn twenty one today, and i'm filled with excitement.
Tonight i finally become Luna of the pack like my mum was. I miss her so much my heart aches sometimes even though i don't remember much of her.
I jump up and head downstairs, in search of Dune, my boyfriend.
The ceremony is about to begin and he's nowhere to be seen. I absolutely want him by my side for this, i love him, and i hope we are blessed by the moon goddess as we aren't mates.
The whole pack knows this, it is quite common to be with someone who isn't your mate amongst ordinary members of the packnot everyone is so fortunately blessed by the moon goddess, it is however uncommon among lunas, alphas and betas as due to our natural leadership positions we are believed to be more favoured by the moon goddess.
This is our chance to present a united front to the whole pack.
I'm turning the corner when someone bumps into me, a tray full of drinks falls and red wine splashes onto my dress.
I groan and look down to see Lucinda, our housekeeper crouched on the floor with a sly looking smirk, she's my step mothers little minion. She steps closer to me,
"You'd do well to watch where you're going, luna" she says in a condescending manner.
I duck my head, cheeks turning red. Just ignore her, i think.
I turn around and bolt back to my tiny room in the attic, this is just great. The dress i have on is the only decent thing in my wardrobe.
"So much for proving myself to the pack" I sigh softly pulling on a drab old dress and leaving my room.
I'm walking past father's study when i hear sounds, grunts and giggling. What could that be?
Walking forward, i press my ear to the door, they must not have locked in because i tumble in and i'm met with the biggest shock of my life.
My sister and the man i love, intertwined on my father's desk, lost in their own world, i feel my fragile heart shatter into a million peices.
They must not notice me yet because they carry on. Dune is kissing her neck while she runs her fingers through his hair,
"Say you love me babe, only me" Shelenda moans, "Tell me she means nothing to you."
Dune chuckles, "Baby, you know we're getting rid of her tonight, i have never loved her and i never will. She's just a meager substitute, meek as a lamb, easy to use and manipulate. She disgusts me."
I let out a broken sob, falling to the floor and their eyes fly to me.
I expect remorse but they both start laughing instead.
"H-how could you?" i whisper, a broken sob coming from my chest
"All this time, this is what you've been doing behind my back?"
"Took you long enough Annie, you are so dense" He chuckles.
"Did you really think i could love you?" He comes to stand in front on me, Shelenda saunters forward, resting her head on his shoulder and laying her palm on his chest.
"You look disgustingly pathetic, Anita." she purrs, raking her nails across his chest. "I am glad, however, that you seem to finally know your placeon the ground like the lowly mutt you are and have always been."
"You're weak, insufficient, less than. Did you honestly think you would become the luna? that you could rule this pack? you don't and have never had what it takes" she stalks forward and grabs my face, her grip threatens to crush my jaw and her eyes turn black as she resists the urge to shift.
I sink into myself, whimpering as tears spill down my cheeks. I try to struggle out of her grip but she's too strong. She throws me backward and i crash into the wall, i groan in pain, curling up into a ball.
"P-please s-stop" i cry, but they aren't done with me yet.
Dune grabs my hair, it's long enough for him to wrap it around his fist, he pulls me out and down the stairs, each step digs into my back.
Combined with the strain from my hair it's unbearable.
"Why are you doing this? Dune i love you!" he grips my hair even tighter, i start to hear the sound of voices as we're almost outside where the whole pack is gathered to witness what was meant to be my lunasgiving, my sobs grow louder.
It's over, it's all over. I'll never be Luna of the pack now. Werewolves pride themselves on their strength and value it above nearly all else, if the pack perceives me to be weak they will never let me lead them, never respect meblessed by the moon goddess or not.
Dune sweeps his arms towards the door "Baby, would you do the honours?"
Shelenda pecks him on the lips. "Gladly,"
She grabs me by the collar and pulls the door open, she throws me out into the courtyard where the pack is gathered and there's a collective hush as all conversation stops and they take in the spectacle before them, it looks like i just tumbled out, there's no evidence of Shelenda's involvement.
I sob loudly and in this moment i hate myself for my weakness, i am the rightful Luna, i should be able to defend myself but my shameful secret prevents this.
Shelenda is right, how could i ever lead this pack?
"Well well well, what do we have here?" Dana, my step mother says "If it isn't the weak little omega"
The crowd gasps as the implication of Dana's words sink in. "
I am the rightful luna of this pack!" i mean this to sound authoritative but it comes out weak, like a petulant child whining when things don't go their way.
Dana and Dune burst out laughing clutching thier stomachs like i've made the most hilarious joke on earth.
Where's father? I think, my stomach sinking into my gut.
"Behold, members of the moon walk pack. Males, females and pups. Your luna!" Dana laughs hysterically, grabbing me by my hair once again and lifting me up for all to see.
I dangle uselessly from her hands, my tears have now trickled down to a slow stream. Why is this happening? Why me? A low murmur runs through the crowd
" We don't understand!" one person shouts
" What exactly is happening here? we demand to know!" another says.
"You have no right to treat our leader this way!" Dana chuckles,
"I understand that this might be shocking for some of you. But i think we are all missing one vital point" the crowd hushes and Dana glances back at me with an evil glint in her eye.
"I am sure we are all aware of our origin story. I don't think i need to recount it entirely i'll leave that to the moon priestess as that's her area of expertise. Werewolves are descendants of the great Lycans. We are all blessed by the moon goddess with the ability to shift at birth and that ability manifests in each of us at five years old. We are strength, personified. We expect alot from each member of the pack individually, and those expectations are amplified even more so for our leaders."
"You are outraged at our treatment of your supposed leader. But this is a mere test of her non existent strength. It's a bit odd isn't it? how she dosen't defend herself? how can she be expected to defend the pack if she can't even defend herself?"
A low murmur runs through the crowd. A warrior steps forward, a female.
"Who here has ever seen her shift?" I gasp, my breath seizes. My secret is out.