Alpha Kai

"You acted like a true Luna today. Even though you delayed and had the entire pack scrambling for hope." Freya said breathlessly.

Lyra had barely walked into her room before Freya was hot on her heels, admonishing her. Correcting her in her usual way. Lyra reminded herself that it was all in love, and it was Freya's duty to do so.

" Did you see? Did you see how they all turned to you? While you were being selfish, your pack needed you" she seethe. Her olive eyes glinting in the light.

"Selfish? I have never been allowed to be selfish my entire life, Freya!! The alpha-"

"-is a hot blooded werewolf! He is alpha and can take whatever he wants and you will do well to remember that!"

Freya stomped, walking deep into Lyra's room and facing her with the same disapproving look as before.

" You will have to stop comparing yourself with the alpha, My Luna. You are but a female, and a carrier of a-"

" - of a what?" Freyas eyes flashed at being interrupted. Even Lyra was shocked that she had been angry enough to cut Freya mid speech, but she went on.

"of a what, Freya?  A curse? A prophesy I know nothing about? Is that why I should accept being treated like this? Do I deserve this, Freya?"

Freya looked deep into Lyra's eyes, obviously a bit peeved and annoyed that the other woman had just interjected when she was speaking.

She knew not to push her too far at that point.

" Shower, rest your head, the alpha's banquet is in two days. We are to plan it together." and with that she was gone, walking out while Lyra watched her cape flutter in a phantom wind.

Lyra crashed into bed without bothering to take off any of her clothes.

    *************************************************

The moon had never looked so white, so big. It looked like Lyra was standing right in front of it. She pulled her hands forward, reaching out to touch it. "Fireheart"

Lyra snatched her hand back at the sound of ethereal female voice.

"Fireheart"

"Who is that?" Lyra yelled back at the moon in front of her.

"See, Fireheart. See."

"See? See what?" Lyra's heart beat forcefully in her chest. She looked around the darkness around her. She was talking to the moon!! Was the moon talking to her?

The large moon in front of her simmered and turned crystal clear like a mirror.

"See, Fireheart"

Lyra looked into the mirror and her mouth fell open.

She was looking at herself, or more precisely, an image that looked like her. She moved when she moved, turned when she turned, but it's hair, her hair was pitch black.

"Fireheart!!!"

Lyra jolted from her bed, panting heavily like she had just run a marathon.

Immediately, she rushed to the toilet and emptied her stomach.

        *******************************************

"Oh no!! we can’t let her sit next to him. They’d rip themselves apart, and then we would have to wash off all that blood that would the table linens.” Beneath her bright red temple robe with a large hood, Freya furrowed her brow, crinkling the tattoo of a Cresent moon on her forehead.

She looked down at the seating chart in her hand, crossed out a name and scribbled another one down.

Lyra had woken up and rushed to Freya, hoping to throw herself into work, anything to take her mind off of the dream she had.

The day had turned warm, the room a bit stuffy even with the breeze through the open windows. And yet Freya wore her heavy hood. Lyra had to commend her consistency. It wasn't like the robe, could stop people from staring at her body that her black dress put on subtle display.

Freya's slim waist was on display as her dress, was so form fitting, it looked like a glove on her. Hugging her curves in every single way, leaving nothing to a creative imagination.

Whenever she had to pray, she wore a red veil on top of the hood that went all the way to the floor.

The Voice of the moon goddess.

The first time Lyra had seen her in her prayer garb, she had found the image unsettling—that merely shading her face had somehow turned the bright, young female into an effigy, into something Other.

Thankfully, she did most of her prayers at the temple dedicated to the moon goddess, where she had lower priestesses under her that helped with all the pack rituals and prayers.

Occasionally, she even took the hood off entirely to let the sun play in her long, gently curling golden hair.    

“Seating people for an event such as this is like a game,” she said, sighing through her small nose. “All these pieces, all this werewolves, vying for power or dominance or a little of the alphas favor directed at them , willing to shed blood, if need be"

Werewolves may have evolved from wild men in the wild, but there were still intrinsically savage and bloody. Ready to result to war and force then have talks and agreements.

The werewolves weren't like the small minded, political nobility of the mortal world. No, if they feuded, it would end with someone being ripped to a million tiny pieces. Literally.    

"It had hurt me to no end when the alpha had stopped me from practicing my combat skills."Lyra said before she could stop herself.

"Are we still having this conversation? A woman is not needed on the battle front. Most especially The Luna of our pack!!!"

"It does not make any sense. Why can't I fight like everyone is who is trained does? I am trained, you know"

"What if you get hurt? What If you die? Or worse still, what if you win and come out victorious? How would our Alpha keep his face in shame? How would he cope, knowing that a woman saved him and his people."

Lyra stared at Freya like she had two heads.

"Luna, do not try to build your silly prideful portfolio on the grave of our Alpha's manhood and male pride. It is useless. Let it go." Freya said before picking up the chart and walking away.

Lyra knew she could fight alongside them, against them. Not that she had tried, they would not even let her near the training ground.

She was too watched—too monitored and judged. Why should the mate of the Alpha learn to fight if she was suppose to foster peace? 

Why would she practice combat, almost like she was preparing to fight against them, especially since she carried the mark of the prophesy on her head.

That had always been Freya's reasoning every time Lyra had brought it up.

Alpha Dorian too had not seen reason with her when she had mentioned it, so naturally she decided to stop. There was no need kicking dust and causing problems.

Lyra walked away from the meeting room she had been in with Freya.

They had rounded up everything including accommodations for the guest alphas that would be in attendance.

It was a conference of some sort. A gathering of alphas to plan out their usual alpha duties.

Not that Lyra was included in the decision or planning, she was always left out, relegated to pick out the color of flowers for garlands or the spoons that match the tablecloth.

Some of the alphas had already begun to arrive and had been led to their different rooms and quarters by Lyra accompanied by Freya.

As Lyra walked to her quarters, she could not shake the feeling that she was being watched.

As she waled through the corridors overlooking the large courtyard in front of the palace, she looked to the sky, it was still bright afternoon and no one would mug her in her own home, but she continued to throw small glances behind her just in case.

"Your hair"

"Oh by the goddess!!" Lyra screamed, stumbling backwards.

A strong tattooed, muscular hand immediately grabbed her before she could collide with the floor.

As the arms made she she was fine, they withdrew.

Lyra looked up to the owner of the hands, her eyes collided with piercing grey ones.

"Forgive me. I did not mean to scare you" the owner of the hands and eyes said.

"Lyra Martinns, Luna of the night light pack. And you're are?"

"Luna... Interesting. Call me Kai."

"I've never heard of an Alpha Kai before" Lyra said, stepping back from him.

"Really? My name always raises eyebrows and turns heads. You've been very sheltered, my Lady."

Lyra almost blushed at his insinuation. Truly, she had never left the pack grounds in the five years since she came to this pack. She had no connection with the outside world. Lyra's attention snapped back to him when his eyes kept roving around her and settling on her hair.

"Martinns, you said. I have always wondered what happened to Alpha Martinns daughter. And yet, here you were all along, hiding in plain sight. Interesting indeed."

Lyra did not like how he spoke like he knew her. He also spoke in riddles, like some ancient being.

"Is there something you would like to say to me, I don't appreciate the murmuring to yourself while I'm right in front of you" she snapped.

His eyes lit up immediately at the spark and irritation in her voice.

"Feisty too. Wonderful. Well, Lyra Martinns, I believe I would be seeing you at the banquet tomorrow"

Lyra doubted it, but she did not need to tell him that.

"Your eyes say you would not be there... You should find a way, Lyra, if you want to know about your hair"

And with that he was sauntering off, like he had not just tilted Lyra's world.