Alpha Riven

Chapter 3

When Elara finally got out and joined the party, she stood at the door to the great Hall, heart hammering in her chest!

The party looked like it had been made for Sera.

There was pink everywhere!! The linens and ribbons and towels were all various shades of pink.

Not a hint of the black and white that Elara preferred.

And yet, Elara smiled.

When Morgana began the prayer of blessing, asking the moon goddess to bless and increase Elara's years, she nodded in solemnity. Ever the picture of the perfect Luna.

When Alpha Lucan stepped up to the raised podium and everyone hushed in respect, Elara smiled.

"Today, marks the beginning of so many things. The day of the death of our former alpha, my father. The day our very own Luna Elara, was born even though it came with it's own concerns, and now, a new addition to our ever-growing family, my new concubine, Sera Danor."

The auditorium first went into a chill silence, everyone's eyes turned towards Elara's direction, almost like they were asking for her opinion on it.

The silence turned into low murmurs with everyone's eyes and lips moving.

"Do your duty, Luna. Smile" Morgana said from behind Elara's chair through her partially closed teeth, it sounded like she had her own smile on already.

So Elara smiled.

And then everyone clapped, smiling back at the Alpha while people waved at Sera as she walked up to the Podium to stand behind the smirking Alpha.

Even when Sera moved forward to stand beside him, on her position, Elara smiled.

Even when the alpha kissed her on the forehead, Elara smiled.

And when they hugged with broad smiles on their faces, Sera winking subtly at Elara's mate, Elara smiled even when her heart was breaking inside.

Even when she could feel her wolf howling in pure agony, Elara smiled. She would smile all the way to her cold, hard grave even when strange emotions bubbles in her chest.

"Conceal. Don't feel. Don't let it show. Don't prove them right, Elara. Smile. Hide... Pretend... Smile" she whispered to herself as she turned and walked towards her room.

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

Elara had barely walked into her room before Morgana was hot on her heels, admonishing her. Correcting her in her usual way.

Elara reminded herself that it was all in love, and it was Morgana'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, Morgana!! The alpha-"

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

Morgana stomped, walking deep into Elara'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?" Morganas eyes flashed at being interrupted. Even Elara was shocked that she had been angry enough to cut Morgana mid speech, but she went on.

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

Morgana looked deep into Elara'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 Elara watched her cape flutter in a phantom wind.

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

Elara knew she had fallen into a dream as she looked at the large moon that appeared in front of her.

The moon had never looked so white...so big... So ethereal.

It looked like Elara was standing right in front of it. She pulled her hands forward, reaching out to touch it. "Fireheart"

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

"Fireheart"

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

"See, Fireheart. See."

"See? See what?" Elara'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"

Elara 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!!!"

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

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

The next morning, she found Morgana so they could prepare for the alpha ball.

"It had hurt me to no end when the alpha had stopped me from practicing my combat skills."Elara 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 in battle, you know"

"What if you get hurt? What If you die? Or worse still, what if you win and come out victorious?" Elara could not believe her ears.

"... How would our Alpha keep his face in shame amongst his peers? How would he cope, knowing that a woman saved him and his people, and not just any woman...you."

Elara stared at Morgana like she had grown 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 and you are useless on the battlefront. Let it go." Morgana said before picking up the sitting chart and walking away.

Elara walked away from the meeting room she had been in with Morgana.

Not that Elara 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 Elara accompanied by Morgana.

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

As she walked 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!!" Elara 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.

Elara 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.

"Elara Martinns, Luna of the night light pack. And you are?"

"Luna... Interesting. Call me Riven."

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

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

Elara 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. Elara'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."

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

"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, Elara Martinns, I believe I would be seeing you at the banquet tomorrow"

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

"Your eyes say you would not be there... You should find a way, Elara, if you want to know the truth about the prophecy and your hair"

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