As y'all know, I put The Luna on hold after a family tragedy back in January. For those of you who don't know, which is most of you, my dog passed away. I was not home. She was my BEST friend. You can kinda see why I'd take some time off.
Anyway, I was ready to write again around mid March and was actually working on the next chapter. If you saw my announcement, you'll know that my chromebook broke. I can't open or close it without the right half just coming apart. The part to fix it is $70 and we don't have anyone to send it to to fix it. So, I'm getting some money to buy a new chromebook around my birthday? maybe sooner. My birthday is early June, so it'll be a little bit. However, I wrote a little something to hold you over (this was actually for an assignment, so it is COMPLETELY unrelated to The Luna)
If you don't know, there's a story out there called The Lady or the Tiger by Frank R. Stockton. In this short story, the author explains a semi-barbaric kingdom in which, if someone's been convicted of a crime, they were put into an arena in front of thousands and forced to choose between two doors. One door has a beautiful lady behind it, and the other has a vicious tiger behind it. If he opens the door with the lady, he must marry her on the spot. If he opens the door with the tiger... one can assume what happens. However, Stockton left the story on a cliffhanger. For this assignment, we were told to finish the story. Here's my ending.
Read The Lady or the Tiger
https://www.hollandcsd.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=5931&dataid=10329&FileName=The%20Lady%20or%20the%20Tiger.pdf
(sorry about the PDF form, it's all I could find. Also, please read that before reading my ending if you've never read it. Thanks)
THE LADY OR THE TIGER
PART II
(TW: death/murder, gore)
His steps never faltered as he crossed the arena towards a fate unknown to him. Of course, his lover knew what was to happen. The princess white-knuckled the arms of her seat, waiting with the rest in a tension-filled silence.
She watched him reach up to unlock the right door. She knew which thing lurked behind the simple wood. With unwavering, blind trust, he wretched the door open, confident with who—or what—he thought was behind that door.
The princess watched him stumble back a step, just as she knew he would. She watched him set his shoulders—and whip himself behind the door just as a large, furry thing leapt out. The beast had the appearance of a common tiger, but this was no ordinary big cat. She knew her father would never accept something that amicable. No, he'd opted for the most bloodthirsty, merciless animal their world had to offer. She'd expected no less from him.
She watched the king bellow with barely contained satisfaction as the beast prowled about the arena in search of her lover. The man in question slowly peaked his head out from behind the door. Just enough to catch her eye. His eyes conveyed a message of shock and betrayal. Quickly, so as to not tip off her father, she revealed her plan. Her lover's eyes widened again, this time in understanding. Then his focus returned to his colorful executioner.
Though she wanted nothing more than to watch him, make sure he survived, the princess's attention was needed elsewhere in order for her plan to work. Playing the part of a torn, broken-hearted young girl, she just barely touched her father's arm. The king looked down at his daughter, understanding and yet simultaneously being deceived.
"It's for the best," he murmured. The same thing he'd said before the trial. And while her face read heartbreak, she felt nothing but cold indifference. This was the man that had sentenced her lover to die, who had the audacity to laugh as an innocent man battled for his life. No, there would be no remorse.
The kingdom would be in an uproar, but it would be easy to cover it up. She was the princess, after all.
She gripped the cool metal with her right hand, her plan hidden by her dress. Steeling herself, she prepared for what was to happen.
No one saw it happen. With every eye on the man in the arena, it was all too easy. Her movements were smooth as silk and faster than a viper. She felt no regret, no sadness as she whipped the blade out. Only a cold, sadistic satisfaction as she watched it pierce his exposed throat.
The knife sliced through flesh the way it would through warm butter; easily, with little resistance. A smirk tilted her lips upward as her father's blood sprayed, painting her red. She felt the warm, sticky substance coat her hand as she dragged the weapon through his jugular.
Victorious, she turned back to her lover. She intended to kill the tiger and save him, ruling beside him.
To her anguish, she was met with his cold, dead stare.
So that's my assignment. I got a 100, in case you were wondering. I just thought I'd share it, let y'all enjoy it.
I've started a new draft. It'll likely come out either before or directly after the ending of The Luna. It's called Valkyrie's Story *for now*. It's about the life of my dog, Valkyrie. I thought her story needed to be shared.
Also I'm putting a poll out there. I've been thinking of pen names, and I have 3 options.
Valor R. Colt
Virginia R. Colt
Taurus R. Colt
Just comment what you think!
Thank you guys for beating with me!
~Reesie
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The Luna
Werewolf~*~* ON HOLD*~*~ Alex Arrowwood is the abused, muted daughter of an alpha. She and her two younger brothers must escape her original pack, and then things complicate even more. Now Alex must choose: her mate, or her family?
