The Luna’s First Morning

Morning arrived with the distant sound of bells echoing across Shadowfang City. For a few peaceful seconds, I remained beneath the warm blankets, disoriented by the unfamiliar room surrounding me. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the silver curtains in a gentle glow that reminded me of moonlight caught between dawn and day.

Then reality settled over me, I was no longer Samantha Walker of Silvercrest. I was Luna Samantha Ashbourne of Shadowfang.

The title still felt foreign and then a quiet knock sounded at the door before Iris entered with Nina following closely behind. Both women carried trays laden with breakfast and neatly folded clothing.

“Good morning, my Luna.”

Their cheerful smiles were genuine enough to soften the heaviness lingering in my chest. “Good morning.”

Nina placed the breakfast on the small table beside the window while Iris carefully arranged a dark blue gown embroidered with silver thread across the bed.

“The Alpha requested that you wear this today.”

I walked over to examine it, the craftsmanship was exquisite. Tiny silver wolves had been woven into the sleeves, while the flowing skirt carried delicate patterns resembling moonlit vines.

“It is beautiful.”

“The Alpha personally selected the colors for the Luna’s wardrobe.”

My fingers paused against the fabric “He did?”

Iris nodded “He ordered them several weeks before the wedding.”

The revelation surprised me more than I cared to admit. A man who insisted on separate bedrooms had still taken the time to ensure his future wife would have a wardrobe worthy of her position.

The contradiction unsettled me maybe perhaps duty meant more to Damon than affection ever could. While Iris arranged my hair, Nina spoke with the excitement of someone eager to share good news.

“The entire city has been preparing for today.”

“What happens today?”

“The formal presentation of Shadowfang’s Luna.”

I met Iris’s gaze through the mirror. “I thought the wedding had already introduced me.”

“It introduced you to the nobles.” She smiled gently. “Today, you meet the people.”

That felt far more important and within an hour later, I stepped into the eastern corridor dressed in the blue gown with my mother’s moon pendant resting quietly against my heart.

Edwin waited outside my chambers “You look every bit the Luna, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

He smiled warmly before leading me through the manor. As we descended the grand staircase, I noticed dozens of servants already moving efficiently through the halls. The moment they saw me, each of them paused to bow respectfully before continuing their work.

No fear appeared in their expressions, only quiet respect. I acknowledged every greeting with a smile and some looked pleasantly surprised while others exchanged curious glances after I passed. It occurred to me that perhaps previous Lunas had not greeted the household staff personally.

The dining hall stood open when we arrived and Damon was already seated, reading several reports while finishing breakfast. He looked up briefly as I entered and for a fraction of a second, his eyes lingered. Something unreadable crossed his face before his expression returned to its usual calm.

“You are punctual.”

“My mother believed leaders should never keep others waiting.”

He folded one report before setting it aside “A useful habit.”

I took the seat opposite him and the servants quietly served breakfast before withdrawing once more. Unlike the previous evening, the silence between us no longer felt entirely uncomfortable. Perhaps familiarity was beginning to replace awkwardness.

“You have a full schedule today,” Damon said after taking a sip of coffee.

“I expected as much.”

“The elders wish to introduce you during the morning assembly.”

I nodded.

“Afterward, you will inspect the healing sanctuary.”

My attention sharpened immediately “I would like that.”

“I thought you might.” He reached for another document. “The steward informed me that herbal medicine was one of your strongest fields.”

I blinked “You asked about me?”

“I reviewed your records before the marriage.”

The answer was practical, professional but still it meant he had cared enough to learn something beyond the political agreement.

“I spent many years studying under Silvercrest’s chief healer.”

“So I read.” His gaze lifted from the papers “Shadowfang’s sanctuary is well supplied.”

“I’m glad.”

“But there is always room for improvement.”

A small smile touched my lips “I couldn’t agree more.”

For the first time since our marriage began, the conversation flowed naturally, it was not intimate, it was not romantic instead it was simply two leaders discussing responsibilities. Oddly enough, it felt like progress.

A loud knock interrupted breakfast as Gabriel entered carrying another bundle of documents.

“Alpha.”

Damon accepted them without complaint “Anything urgent?”

“Only one matter.” Gabriel hesitated before continuing. “The western patrol detained three rogues near the northern border.”

Damon’s expression hardened instantly “Were they armed?”

“Yes.”

“Any casualties?”

“None.”

“They’re being questioned now.”

“I’ll deal with it after the assembly.”

Gabriel nodded before leaving and the warmth that had briefly settled over breakfast disappeared almost immediately.

Duty called and it always would. Once breakfast concluded, Damon rose from his chair. “The council square is waiting.”

Outside the Alpha Manor, an enormous crowd had gathered. Hundreds of pack members filled the central square while warriors maintained orderly lines around the raised stone platform where important announcements were traditionally made.

The moment Damon appeared, cheers erupted across the plaza.

“Alpha Damon!”

“Long live Shadowfang!”

The admiration in their voices was unmistakable and he acknowledged them with a simple nod before climbing the platform. I followed a step behind and as soon as the people noticed me, curiosity swept through the crowd.

“That’s our Luna.”

“She’s younger than I imagined.”

“They said she doesn’t have a wolf.”

“I heard she’s kind.”

“I heard the Moon Goddess chose her.”

The whispers blended together until Damon raised his hand and silence settled almost instantly “My people.”

His deep voice carried effortlessly across the square “You welcomed me as your Alpha many years ago.”

The crowd listened attentively.

“Today, I ask you to welcome the woman who now stands beside me.” He turned toward me “This is Samantha Ashbourne.”

Hearing my new name spoken aloud stirred unexpected emotions.

“She is your Luna.”

The crowd erupted into applause as some smiled warmly while others watched cautiously. A few elderly women wiped tears from their eyes.

Damon continued “Her authority within Shadowfang is equal to mine in all matters concerning the welfare of our people.”

A murmur of surprise spread through the gathering as such public acknowledgment was uncommon. He wasn’t merely introducing his wife, he was establishing her authority before the entire pack.

“If my Luna gives an order within her responsibilities,” Damon declared firmly, “you will obey her as you would obey me.”

The cheers that followed were louder than before and I turned slightly toward him, surprised by the unwavering certainty in his voice. For someone determined to keep emotional distance between us, he showed no hesitation in defending my position publicly.

When the applause finally settled, Damon stepped back “The Luna wishes to speak.”

Every eye shifted toward me and for a brief moment, nervousness tightened my chest. Then I remembered my mother, I remembered Silvercrest, I remembered every ordinary wolf whose voice was too often ignored by those in power.

I stepped forward “My name is Samantha Ashbourne.”

The square remained completely silent.

“I know many of you have questions about the woman your Alpha married.”

A few smiles appeared.

“I cannot promise perfection.”

Several people exchanged amused glances.

“But I can promise this.”

I looked across the sea of faces before me “My door will never be closed to those who seek help.”

The crowd grew still.

“I believe the strength of a pack is not measured by the power of its Alpha.” I paused briefly. “It is measured by how safely its weakest members can sleep at night.”

Silence lingered for only a heartbeat before thunderous applause swept across the square. Men raised their fists and women smiled openly while children clapped with excitement.

As I looked across the crowd, my eyes briefly met Damon’s, he was watching me with an expression I had not seen before, it was not affection, it was not admiration, it was something quieter and something closer to respect.

Neither of us noticed the cloaked stranger standing unnoticed among the crowd, studying me with unsettling intensity before quietly slipping away through the busy streets, carrying news that Shadowfang’s new Luna had arrived exactly as the prophecy had foretold.