A LUNA'S BANE

-Luna Ava.

South Pack.

I send up a silent prayer towards the heavens while glancing out the window at the moat.  

In a month or two, I would be causing a great scandal. I was inadvertently going to bring disgrace upon my Pack. 

I stared straight at my reflection in the mirror, my mind blank. I keep wondering why this impromptu meeting has been called. A long line of Alphas kept streaming into the Pack. No matter what was happening, I knew that I was connected to it in some way. I could feel it. 

I was next in line for the position of the Alpha. It was two months till the Carmella, and I'd not yet found my mate. I was going to suffer for being the freak of the Pack. 

This was a big crime. Anyone who ever happened to pass their eighteenth year without finding their mate, here in the South Pack, was considered an anomaly. They were always banished, while the unfortunate ones ended up being killed. I swallowed hard at the thought. 

A knock on the door jerked me away from my thought. "Come in," I said in a placid tone, sensing it was my mother. I watched in the mirror as the door swung aside and true to my expectation, it was her. 

"What took you so long" her voice was stiff. She leaned closer to me and looked at me from hair to toe, disapprovingly. 'You should go see some of the guests while they arrive" 

She was like that a year or two ago when my wolf refused to show up. It was the first time in my life that I'd felt so embarrassed. 

My wolf showed up later, but there was no need for it by then. Any wonder then for this behaviour now that I couldn't find my mate? Another trouble was slowly brewing. 

Everyone began to despise me. I'd always be ridiculed and tormented emotionally, but it never crossed the four walls of the Pack House, which was the Alpha's palace. 

It would be a great shame if it got into the ear of the rank and file that the Luna was close to eighteen and had not yet found her mate. Which was what my father was fighting to avert. 

"I don't even think I know any of them, does it matter? And what are you and father up to ?" I responded after a moment's silence, pulling a long face. 

"It's for your good. I'm not the cause for your being mateless. But know that you must never oppose whatever that is to happen at the hall" her tone was acidic. I could see resentment and unwavering disgust radiate from her. 

"Just stop all of this mother, you'll give yourself a nose-bleed" 

Sensing an onslaught, she gave me a burning look and turned back to leave. She was red in the face. On both counts, I wanted to get angry at her but I felt pity and anger instead.

I was an heiress, as chosen by the Luna. And you don't just get those things handed over to you here in the South Pack. To ascend the throne, one was also to be with a mate. 

A ray of ease fell on my heart when I recognized a bunch of girls who stood in the doorway, waiting to see me before the meeting began. 

'Hey!' Althea, daughter and heiress to the Bane Pack wrapped an arm around me. They all continued to reassure me that I would definitely make my way out, and find my place here in the Pack. We all spoke about our different Packs. It eased the tension that was building up but it all seemed to shatter whenever the thought filtered into my head and stuck my belly. 

We were cut off when I heard someone scream my name. The anxiety returned, but pleasantly. I didn't have to look before I knew who that voice belonged to. I knew that voice as well as I knew mine, It was Archie, my sister whom I had not seen for five years. 

Pushing to my feet, I was sprinting towards her in a trice. We both collided and our hug lasted for what felt like the five years we've been apart. She'd been my only source of inspiration and hope before she left for her mate's Pack after she'd been found, mated and marked. 

Arcie was a damn goddess. No one could deny how freaking gorgeous she is.

"O my God" she said and kissed me "I missed you so much. Look at you…" her eyes widened in awe as she regarded me with approbation and spoke in bated breath. I had to laugh because it seemed that she would pass out if she didn't breathe soon. 

"Welcome," I said, gazing dreamily into her eyes, short of words. 

She waved in the direction of the other girls and they all waved back, with bright smiles on their faces 

"I'm so sorry I haven't come before now" she grabbed my hand and took me to a corner of the room. It was there that she whispered to me. 

"The girls all know about it, so I see no reason being secretive" 

She turned to their direction and regarded them sternly. I could see the mark of her mate's lupine canines. They were in contrast with her jet-black hair. "You never know with them, sometimes it's not even safe to trust yourself" 

I nodded at her and asked "Do you know what this is all about? Do you know why every Alpha is attending this gathering? Father wouldn't just throw a ball for nothing, not when I'm giving him a serious headache. Not when the Carmella is near" 

"Well, I was about to ask you the same. But if you ask me, I'll tell you there is no other reason than for you to find your mate. Pray he's not up to something else, and pray you to find your mate if that's his intention for this gathering. Mother spoke to me earlier about our meeting before the ball, said something will need to address. How about the boys, where are they at?" 

"Don't know, we rarely talk to each other these days. Ever since Carmella passed and I couldn't find mate, they've been mad at me" 

"Nonsense! This must all stop. How can everybody…"  

Then there was another knock on the door. Our heads tilted towards the doorway. The knock repeated itself in the same formal pattern-two knocks and three seconds of wait. 

Arcie left for the door. A scraggly bald servant, already in his garb, stood there. He bowed curtly and relayed his message: "The Alpha seeks your presence at the Grand Court, together with her majesty and heiress, Luna Ava" he turned in my direction and bowed curtly. 

  

"He will be glad if you don't keep him waiting" with that said, he bowed a second time, turned and left. 

"After you," Archie said. She looked in my direction and shrugged. 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 

"Sit, ladies" My father gestured Archie and me towards seats of very regal and incorporating carved legs. There must have been thirty guests, even people I'd never known. Butterflies have their end-of-the-year party in my stomach as all eyes are trained in my direction. I nearly trip while making my way towards a special seat, reserved for me. 

"Thank you" I bowed slightly before I sat. I felt a foreboding for just no reason, my heart raced wildly. I looked in Arcie's direction and my eyes met hers. Mind-linking me, she asked me to calm down. 

"Good day everyone" my father intoned. His voice was deep, loud and clear. His oily skin shone with perspiration under the soft light.  

"Good day" 

Alpha Stefan whom we referred to as the "big general" came towards us, he carefully laid down what looked like a golden scribe and left. 

"Without wasting much time, I'd like to bring you all into light about why I have called for this gathering" my father began heatedly. He allowed a moment of silence during which he flipped through the pages. 

"On behalf of the Pack, I'd first like to say "Welcome" to you all. You have no idea of how gratified we are that you all honoured our invitation. Thank you" 

Another moment's silence. 

"We all must be aware of my daughter's predicament. In a month or two I'll step down as king. And it is customary here that every heir who is to succeed the Alpha must have a mate by their side as paired by the Luna. Ava is one of us, she is an heiress, and must therefore have a mate." 

My heart continues its race. It gets worse now, seeing everybody look in my direction. I stifle out a yawn and slightly bow to hide my face from the unnerving gaze. 

  

"Our patience have run thin and we cannot wait any longer for the Luna before she pairs my daughter with her mate. As a result, we decided on another option to save us from the looming embarrassment and shame…" 

  

I looked up to see why he'd stopped. Alpha Stefan bent low and whispered into his ears that Alpha Richardson had something to say. They mind-linked each other as I watched. When they were done talking, my father cleared his throat to address the issue. 

  

"We must not be foolish. We all heard about what happened to the Packs beyond the South Coast. They were so foolish to have not acted on time. They kept waiting for the right man, and what happened? Their Pack have been taken captive because of the shame they brought upon themselves. We cannot keep waiting for the Luna before we decide for ourselves. 

Given that, I'd like to bring to our notice that we've begun preparations for my daughter and heiress, Ava, to be wedded." 

An unseen blade seemed to strike my belly. The anxiety that'd been mounting for so long fell. And in its place was perplexity and anger. I stared vacantly into the space before me as I watched everyone clap. 

"And her mate…" 

I got shocked. They'd even chosen a mate for me. I turned in my father's direction and stared at him.

' And her mate is Alpha Theo of the Blackwood Pack.' the intensity of the clap rose as Alpha Theo stood and looked in my direction with a face void of expression. 

The blood beat in my brain. The beast of the north? That monster! The man who'd single-handedly slain every woman he'd married. The same man who'd killed his father for being soft. It was clear to me at this point they wanted me dead. 

I look at my mother who had a triumphant smile curled up in a corner of her lips. My sister looked apologetic. She mind-links me to remain calm. But no! 

I simply stand from my seat and storm out of the room. 

"Behave yourself Ava" my father mind-linked me. 

I felt I was gonna throw up. So I hurried. Luckily I got to the restroom on time. When I was done,  I straightened myself and began to cry. This was all they wanted. To see me sad and broken. 

I turn when I hear somebody hiss. It was my brother, Alpha Norris. You never knew with him. He was unpredictable. 

"See what good it does you!" I seemed to be epileptic at this point. I began to cry, I could not help it, but more from anger and embarrassment than pain. I said to Alpha Norris my brother, "Are you all going to let him do this to me?" 

He dropped his cigarette to the ground and smiled instead, "No, I don't believe I will. I think its time I, myself, told you the truth. You're a nuisance. You're a wild beast that needs to be tamed" his lips pulled out a malicious smile. 

My eyes widened in shock while I gradually took faltering steps backwards. My every hope died at that instant. Grief tore through my heart and shredded it into unrecognisable pieces. 

Andre ran in. He raised his voice and said, "Ava get back to the big table, everyone is waiting. Ava! Do you hear me talking to you? Oh my God,  she's shifting." 

Norris pulled out a short Pistol and cocked it with his thumb and with both hands, pointed it towards me. 

He said, "Trying to shift at this point will be the biggest mistake you will ever make, you mateless fool." 

Andre stared down at me with unwavering disgust and smiled. 

He said, "I thought you were on her side all this while. But please,  you are not doing us any kindness here. Do you think you are doing the right thing? I can tell you are doing the wrong thing. Let's beg her and see what she does." 

"Beg my ass" he scoffed out a mirthless chuckle and pointed the gun towards Andre "You will not tell me what to do with her. Do you understand me!" 

Andre said, "Calm down. That will do,  Norris. There is no need for that." 

My lips trembled at the drama. They wouldn't dare to fight me or my wolf, because we both were just deadly. I could single-handedly take on a whole Pack and beat them to a pulp. 

But Norris was angry and he only said, "Get your ass back to the Grand Court woman." 

"You will not tell me what to do" I fired back in a manner that threw him off balance.  I could smell fear slowly building within him. The thought alone was heavingly,  seeing Alpha Males wet their pants just by being threatened. 

I was shifting.  I could feel my entrails recoil and snap. I could feel the rage and sadness merge. I wasn't having it any longer. 

That was when Archie ran in, panting.  She froze seeing the gun. And following Norris's line of sight, her gaze fell upon me. Then back to Alpha Norris and me again. 

"If she dares to shift,  I swear by the Luna I will blow her fucking brains off. Trust me" he snarled. I'd never heard him speak in such an acidic tone. 

But it was too late, I reckoned. I heard Arcie scream. 

"Ava no!"