Chapter 1: Monday Morning
Kiadaria sipped her coffee, staring blankly at her schedule for the day. As the unofficial Luna of her pack, her days were filled with a mix of pack business and personal obligations.
Today's itinerary included a meeting with the pack's beta to discuss the upcoming full moon ceremony, a training session with the pack's younger females, and a visit to the pack's elderly members to check in on their well-being.
But despite her busy schedule, Kiadaria's mind kept wandering back to the strange, unsettling feeling that had been following her since adolescence. It started when Joshua, her childhood friend, declared her the "unofficial Luna" of their pack. At first, it seemed like a harmless joke, but as the years went by, Joshua's behavior became increasingly erratic.
He would show up at pack gatherings, always lurking in the shadows, always watching. Kiadaria tried to brush it off as mere obsession, but deep down, she knew it was more. Joshua's claim had awakened a primal fear within her, a sense of being hunted.
As she begins her day, Kiadaria can't shake the feeling that her life was a delicate balancing act. She is a leader, respected by her pack, but beneath the surface, she is still that scared, vulnerable teenager, haunted by Joshua's unsettling gaze.
She finishes getting ready for the day, and Kiadaria catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her long, dark, and wavy hair cascades down her back like a waterfall of night, and her piercing green eyes gleam in the morning light. Her oval-shaped face and full lips give her an ethereal beauty, but Kiadaria rarely notices. Not because of low self esteem, but because her beauty is a reason that Joshua is so possessive and sometimes cruel. She is too busy being the pack's unofficial Luna, too busy trying to keep Joshua at bay.
She stands tall, her 5'9" frame radiating a quiet strength, honed from years of leading and protecting her pack. Her pear-shaped figure, with its curves accentuated by her narrow waist and fuller hips, gives her a sensual, feminine presence. Her smooth, golden-brown skin, a warm blend of her African American and Puerto Rican heritage, glows with a soft, inner light. The subtle hint of her Puerto Rican abuela's features - the slight curve of her nose, the fullness of her lips - mingle with the rich, tones of her African American roots, creating a unique and stunning beauty. Kiadaria's beauty is more than skin-deep. She has a fierce inner spirit, a determination that drives her to survive and thrive despite Joshua's relentless pursuit
As Kiadaria dresses for her day, she can't help but think about the weight of her unofficial role as Joshua's Luna. She never asked for this position, never sought to be tied to him in any way. Yet, here she is, bound by a fate she didn't choose. The irony isn't lost on her - she has no official mate bond with Joshua, no sacred tie that would normally unite a Luna and her pack leader. But try telling that to Joshua, who seems to believe that his claim on her is enough to make it so. Kiadaria feels like she's trapped in a never-ending cycle, forced to fulfill the duties of a Luna without any of the protections or privileges that come with it. She longs for freedom, for the ability to forge her own path and choose her own destiny. But for now, she's stuck in this limbo, forever tied to Joshua's whims and fancies.
As she turns away from the mirror, Kiadaria's gaze falls on the small, delicate tattoo on her left shoulder blade. A crescent moon, symbol of her status as Luna, shimmers in the light, a reminder of the weight she carries, and the danger that lurks in the shadows.
"Hey, Kiadaria! You're the real Luna of our pack," Joshua said, his eyes gleaming with an unnerving intensity as he grasped her hand. Kiadaria, only twelve at the time, felt a shiver run down her spine. "You're the one who truly understands me, who gets me."
As he spoke, Joshua's grip tightened, his fingers digging into her skin like claws. Kiadaria tried to pull away, but he held fast. "You're my moon, my guiding light," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "Without you, I'm lost."
Kiadaria's instincts screamed at her to flee, but Joshua's words struck a chord deep within her. She felt a thrill of excitement mixed with fear as he gazed at her with an unblinking stare. "I'll always be here for you, Kiadaria," he promised, his voice dripping with an unsettling fervor.
As he released her hand, Kiadaria felt a sense of unease settle over her. She couldn't shake the feeling that Joshua's declaration was more than just a harmless joke – it was a claim, a possessive mark that would haunt her for years to come. And as she looked into his eyes, she saw the faintest glimmer of obsession, a spark that would grow into a raging fire, consuming them both.
Kiadaria looks away from her Luna tattoo, taking a deep breath as she steels herself for the day ahead. She's getting ready to face Joshua, to put on the mask of the obedient, dutiful Luna he expects her to be. But her heart rebels against it, yearning for freedom and autonomy.
She smooths out her hair, trying to tame the tangled mess that reflects her turbulent thoughts. Her eyes flash with frustration as she thinks about the day's schedule, packed with meetings and appearances that Joshua has orchestrated. She feels like a puppet on strings, with him pulling the marionette's handles.
She slips on the silver necklace he gave her, the one with the tiny moon pendant that symbolizes her role as his unofficial Luna. It feels like a shackle, a constant reminder of her obligations. She tries to shake off the feeling, telling herself she's being dramatic, but the weight of her responsibilities settles heavy on her shoulders.
She takes one last glance in the mirror, the person staring back at her a pale imitation of the one she wants to be. She's trapped in this life, caught between duty and desire. But for now, she'll put on the act, play the part of the loyal Luna.
However as she looks over her itinerary for the day, she sees that there is an update for the neighboring Shining Moon pack. Alpha Marcus has stepped down over the years as his age advances and given more responsibilities to his son Darius. Darius has been officially given the alpha title and will be visiting their pack today to make his introduction as Alpha of Shining Moon pack to Joshua.
Her breath catches as she reads the words: introducing the new Alpha of Shining Moon pack...Alpha Darius.
For some reason she feels today will not be as ordinary as they have leading up. She has no clue what is in-store.
YOU ARE READING
The Luna's Fated Choice
Loup-garou"Trapped between two alphas... Kaidaira has been tormented by Joshua, her pack's ruthless alpha, since she was a teenager. But when Darius, a mysterious and handsome alpha, arrives with a claim to her heart, Luna's world is turned upside down. As sh...
