CHAPTER 1: Out of Water

Mira’s POV

"Be careful!"

Before my senses responded, I heard the yell for a brief moment. My wolf pushed forward so quickly that my heartbeat faltered, raising the hairs on the back of my neck.

Something flew through the air at the same moment that I whirled around without thinking too quickly for human vision, but not too quickly for mine.

Just before the arrow could pierce Aria's chest, I raised my hand and clasped my fingers around it.

Ramona gasped, Aria yelled, and for a split second, everything around us was silent as if the breeze had stopped breathing before everything suddenly came back to life.

"My Luna!" Aria's eyes were trembling as she gripped her heart. "Oh my god, did you just... did that just..."

Ramona got up so quickly that her chair nearly toppled over.

What was that reflex, Mira? How did you...?

My guards rushed in from all sides before she was done of course, late. With their swords drawn and panting heavily as if they had just ran across the entire pack grounds, they formed a circle around me.

"Are you harmed, Luna Mira? What took place? One of them made a demand.

I lowered my hand and held up the arrow, saying, "Relax." "Just a random shot."

There was silence on the training pitch. Mid-drill, soldiers froze, and suddenly a commander and a young recruit ran towards us. The unfortunate child appeared to have seen a ghost, but in reality, it was me. He was unable to look me in the eyes.

The captain made a deep bow.

"I'm very sorry, Luna. The young man misfired. It was irresponsible, unacceptable, and...

"It was an accident," I interrupted, grinning a little. "Captain, nobody died."

"That doesn't justify such carelessness!" Grabbing the child by the collar, the captain had him bow. "Make amends with the Luna!"

The youngster shuddered.

"I apologise, Luna Mira. I didn't intend to... I had no idea. I truly apologise.

"Hey," I whispered softly as I moved in closer. "Raise your head."

With caution, he did.

It's training. Errors occur. For this reason, it's named training day rather than perfection day. I glanced at the skipper. "And before you frighten the boy away from the pitch forever, stop yelling."

The captain tensed up.

"Yes, my Luna."

"Well. Now return to what you were doing, but the next time, make sure the targets are pointed away from the women.

The troops continued their drills when he gave a harsh nod and pulled the child back to the training line.

At last, Aria let out a breath.

"My life just flashed before my eyes, I swear."

Ramona laughed tremblingly.

"Flashed? My spirit departed from my body and returned with a luggage.

I chuckled.

"Everything is dramatised by you two."

As we left the training area, Ramona remarked, "No, Mira... seriously." How did you manage to catch that arrow? You would be an incredible fighter if you weren't a Luna.

For a brief moment, my smile became more intense.

"If only." I whispered.

Naturally, she was unaware. As we made our way to the gardens, Ramona spoke, while Aria kept looking about as if another arrow could suddenly emerge from a bush, but my thoughts were wandering.

Ramona was correct. I had the potential to be a fighter. One of them was me. Just once. Before everything was different. Before service, I was bound to a throne rather than a battlefield by politics and a mate connection.

I forced myself to calm down and ignored the thoughts. They had claws, so I didn't enjoy revisiting the past.

We made our home in the gardens, which were peaceful and free of flying debris. Ramona claimed that the dramatic sound effects she used to repeat the moment I caught the arrow improved the narrative.

I gave a snort.

"I didn't jump ten feet into the air with glowing eyes, Ramona. I simply pivoted and managed to catch it.

She protested, "You turned faster than wind."

I laughed and murmured, "Here we go."

Aria gave a nod.

"My Luna, she is correct. You moved in a manner similar to...

Ramona taunted, "like someone who still trains in secret."

For a little moment, I froze. She was making a joke. She had no meaning and no knowledge.

I gently waved her away and whispered, "Please." "My body wouldn't hurt every time I got out of bed if I trained in secret."

They laughed, and I allowed myself to laugh with them despite the fact that, deep down, I still yearned for the excitement of battle, the adrenaline that comes with fighting, and the sense of purpose I used to have.

However, that was no longer my life. I was Evergreen Pack's Luna Mira. A title that felt more beautiful than it actually was.

Ramona and Aria departed after an hour, and I made my way back to the pack house. As I walked towards the royal room, singing to myself, the hallways were still. Suddenly, I heard voices. I decreased my pace and felt deep, serious, and anxious.

Inside, my mate and Alpha, Kael, was seated on his throne. He appeared as anxious, irritated, and aloof as he has been lately. I heard the remarks while a number of elderly people sat around him, their looks stern and anxious.

"Lycan King Killian..."

“invasion..."

“border movements..."

My stomach fell. The words were not insignificant. Words like those have the power to split the serenity in two.

I stayed out of the room. I remained out of sight. The elders would stop talking, Kael would shut down, and I wouldn't learn anything if I entered. I became remarkably adept at listening in silence.

Suddenly, Kael looked up and saw me across the hall. He continued to speak, but his voice trailed off and his eyes remained taut and vigilant.

When our eyes met, we used to grin at one another, but now? We now had the impression that we were two wolves separated by a fog.

I nodded slightly to him and carried on. There's no need to interrupt or act as though everything is well.

Magnus, my five-year-old son, was already battling sleep like it owed him money by dusk.

He hugged his plush wolf and muttered, "Mommy." "Tell me a tale."

I tucked him beneath the cover and said, "You'll be asleep before I finish."

His eyes moistened as he yawned so much.

"No, I won't."

He began to snore quietly two minutes into the narrative.

I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead before stealthily leaving. Kael had yet to return from his meetings, anxieties, threats, and elders; they were now his evenings.

I entered our bedroom and made my way to the balcony. From this vantage point, the pack appeared serene, with wolves roaming around, patrols switching shifts, and lights shining in the homes below.

I held onto the railing. Peace was meant to bring me joy, yet occasionally... I missed the war cry, the fire, and the sensation of clawing my way through peril while knowing exactly who I was. A fighter, not a Luna imprisoned in manners. I felt like a fish out of water!

With a sardonic smirk, I said to myself, "Almost wishing for a war." "How awful can I be?"

Perhaps I was awful, or perhaps I was simply really bored. As I closed my eyes and let the night breeze to caress my face, a chilly sensation encircled my wrist.

A icy hand clamped around me from behind, causing me to gasp and swiftly jerk back.