Luna's Troublematers

Chapter 1

Louisa's POV

Grand Hall. Elton Esther Royal Academy. Ivory City.

My name is Louisa Reeds and let me tell you the worst day of my life.

My worst day, like all worst days, started with something not so so bad before it went south.

In my case, it started with an award ceremony.

"And the Elton Esther Award goes to..."

Everybody in the auditorium turned their heads at me even before the principal, Mr. Finch announced my name.

"Louisa Reeds! Daughter of Jacob Reeds from the Blade Ridge Pack and Catherine Reeds from the Defiant Pack!"

His voice echoed in the large auditorium, accompanied by upbeat music, loud applause, cheering, flashlights, and, of course, admiration and affection from fellow students and teachers. Some of the students even transferred into wolves and started to growl.

Mr. Finch's mellow voice continued as I walked through the corridor and went up to the stage -

"The Elton Esther Award is awarded each year to the student who has achieved the highest overall academic record in a year. Miss Louisa Reeds is a trailblazing young woman who excels in all academic subjects as well as physical activities at our prestigious Elton Esther Royal Academy! She has achieved full scores in all her subjects!"

Mr. Finch's announcement was followed by more music, applause, cheering, flashlights, and, of course, admiration and affection.

Not so bad, right?

Just wait for it.

Standing on the stage, holding a giant medal and a wooden framed certificate in my hands, I scanned the crowd.

Among hundreds of enthusiastic, friendly faces, I couldn't find my parents.

No. My parents weren't there.

I felt a bit disappointed. But I have to say, I kind of see it coming.

I sent out invitations to both of them three days ago by @ing them on Growler, but neither of them RSVP'd.

They were on a three-day couple therapeutic road trip, as suggested by their marriage therapist.

They had a, well, unique relationship.

Ever since I was little, my mom had been telling me things like "never ever get married to someone like your dad".

Being the youngest daughter of Alpha Dire of the Defiant Pack, my mom was always proud of her social status... until she married her mate, my dad.

My dad, Jacob Reeds, was the youngest son of Beta Julius of the Blade Ridge Pack, which equals to... nothing.

I didn't think hierarchy in a pack mattered that much in the contemporary world, but apparently, my mom had a different opinion about it -

"Your future husband must be the son of Alpha! Do you hear me? Louisa Alouette Reeds! I don't want my daughter to become a laughingstock like I am! You will be the Luna of Alpha! Not the wife of a cook!"

Yes, a cook. My mom didn't mean it metaphorically.

My dad was a cook. His occupation had always been the subject of discussion among my mom's evil sisters. They would say really mean things in front of us, like -

"Louisa, do you know that ever since your mom was a little girl, she has always wanted to be a Luna and live like a princess in a giant castle?"

"Now she's really living in a giant castle, but only as a cook's wife!"