Like a Luna

Sable's POV 

"Better." Kael said and gave a small nod. It wasn't much, but strangely, I wanted to hear him say it again.

The next exercise was considerably worse. He stood directly in front of me, his eyes fixed on mine. "Kneel." The command struck my body immediately and my knees trembled, and I felt an overwhelming urge to obey. I clenched my teeth, fighting the pressure as the mark on my neck began to burn.

I wanted to kneel and every instinct in my body seemed determined to force me down but I remembered Richard, Celeste and Rhett. I remembered all the times I had lowered my head because I had been made to believe I was inferior. Not again.

My legs shook violently, but I remained standing and Kael watched without speaking. Ten seconds passed before the pressure disappeared.

"Good." He said and I managed to smile. It felt like the first genuine victory I had experienced in years.

At eight, I was sitting at the breakfast table with a plate of eggs and toast in front of me and unfortunately, Kael had no intention of allowing me to enjoy my meal peacefully.

He placed three thick folders beside my plate.

"Your next lesson." He said ayI stared at them with disgust. I just wanted to sleep and rest my sore joints. 

"Do I get to eat first?" I asked, almost rolling my eyes at him. 

"You can eat while reading." I sighed and opened the first folder. Inside were photographs and brief profiles of several council members.

"Elder Marris, Elder Vance and Elder Oriel," Kael explained. "You'll meet them tomorrow. Their opinions will influence whether the council accepts you as my Luna." I examined the photographs carefully.

"What should I know about them?"

"Marris dislikes weakness. Vance has little patience for dishonesty, and Oriel considers disrespect an unforgivable offence." I picked up a pen.

"Anything else?" I asked, already getting tired of the lessons. My legs were aching terribly but I know that this is the price I need to pay for my protection.

"Learn their personalities. Pay attention to how they speak, what they value and what they expect from someone in your position."I began taking notes.

Studying had always been something I enjoyed, and although I had never attended medical school, I had spent years imagining what it would be like to become a doctor. Organising information, identifying patterns and remembering important details came naturally to me.

Within minutes, I had divided the pages into sections. Kael watched me from across the table.."You're taking this seriously." He said and I smiled a little. 

"Would you prefer I fail?" I asked, raising my brows at him. 

"No." 

"Then let me concentrate." Something resembling amusement crossed his face. An hour later, he closed the folder.

"Let's see what you've learned. What does Elder Marris want to see?" He asked and I scrunched my nose. 

"Strength. He doesn't want a Luna who looks intimidated by the people around her."

"Good. Elder Oriel?" He fished in. 

"Respect. I should acknowledge her position without behaving as though I'm beneath her."

"And Vance?"

"Honesty. I shouldn't invent stories or pretend to know things I don't." Kael leaned back.

"Not bad." He said calmly and I smiled slightly. "Perhaps I'm not as useless as everyone thinks." His expression changed.

"Who told you that?" I looked down at my notes.

"People who have known me longer than you." I whispered and I'm sure he understood what I meant but he didn't respond immediately.

Instead, he came around the table and leaned over my shoulder to examine what I had written.

His scent surrounded me, cedar and something darker. I became painfully aware of how close he was when his thumb accidentally brushed the mark on my neck.

A strange warmth travelled through me and I sucked in a breath. Kael immediately straightened. "Focus, Sable."

I quickly returned my attention to the papers, pretending my heartbeat hadn't suddenly doubled.

"You have thirty-six hours to learn what most girls spend twenty years preparing for," he continued. I nodded.

By midday, I was beginning to think I might actually survive Kael's training but that confidence disappeared when Jax approached us with an announcement.

"Alpha, there's a vehicle approaching the main gate." Kael looked up.

"Who?"

"Richard Blackwood. He's accompanied by Rhett and Celeste." My stomach tightened.

"What are they doing here?" I asked, my palms already becoming sweaty. Kael turned towards me.

"Your first test as Luna." I frowned. "What?"

"You'll handle them. I'll watch." He said and before I could protest, he walked towards the courtyard entrance. I followed, my knees still aching from the morning's training.

When the gates opened, Richard stood outside with his arms folded. Celeste was beside him in a fitted pink dress, her makeup flawless and her hair styled perfectly.

Rhett stood slightly behind them,his eyes immediately found mine and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe hen Celeste laughed.

"Look at you! Is this what being Luna does to you? Your husband already has you working like a servant?"

I glanced down at my leggings and oversized shirt. There was dirt on one knee and a small stain of dried blood.

I suddenly felt underdressed but then I remembered Kael's words. Queens don't stay on the ground waiting for someone to feel sorry for them.

I stepped forward. "You are on Luna territory without an invitation." I spat and Richard's expression hardened.

"We came to see Sable." He said, looking into my eyes while I held his gaze.

"Then you should have requested an audience." His eyebrows rose.

"Don't forget who you're speaking to, girl." I felt my fingers trembling, but I kept my expression steady.

"You are addressing your Luna. Bow, or leave." Richard stared at me as though I had slapped him and behind him, Celeste's mouth fell open.

Even Rhett looked surprised and Richard eventually lowered his head in a stiff, reluctant half-bow. I had never seen him do that before.

Just then,Celeste suddenly stepped forward. "You think you're a queen now? You're still that half-breed mutt we pitied! Kael will throw you away in a week!"

My hand shook but I didn't flinch,I moved closer to the gate. "Then you have a week to learn how to kneel properly. Now get off my land." The guards immediately began closing the gates.

Celeste screamed something, but I didn't bother listening. When I turned around, Kael was standing behind me, his arms crossed over his chest.

He had watched everything and there was something different in his eyes, something I couldn't quite identify.

"Was that good enough?" I asked but he shrugged his shoulders. 

"For today." He said and he glanced towards the mansion. "Tomorrow is the council ceremony. Tonight, you need to look like you belong beside me."