The Luna's Fated Choice

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight: The Shadows Of The Past

"She's now sunk her demonic claws into Alpha Darius." The hushed growl of a pack member touches her sensitive ears. The mate bond has increased her hearing to a point Kiadaria can almost hear thoughts.

Suspicious eyes slant all around her as Kiadaria, the new Luna, stands in the midst of the pack members. The whispers of "witch" and "demon" can be heard almost in every single direction.

Darius strands by Kiadaria's side. The Shining Moon pack's meeting hall is buzzing with suspicion and rumor.

"He's been acting strangly ever since he met her and now that she's here, we may become cursed!"

Another whisper replies. "Well if she cursed the Rising Moon's Alpha, it's one hell of a curse because he is the most successful Alpha with the most successful pack."

Darius can't believe his ears and eyes. The way the pack turns a cold shoulder to Kiadaria was not expected. He's frustrated at the reception knowing they don't truly mean harm but are loyal to him. They've heard the rumors surrounding Kiadaria and Joshua and worry for their Alpha. In one way it warms his heart that his pack worries for him but in another the question is his authority and the right of Kiadaria to be Luna.

Kiadaria can't believe the rumor has grown so large and follows her to even to The Shining Moon pack. She works to hide the way her feelings hurt and the frustration of such a lie to continue to live against her.

Darius puts a hand on her shoulder and the warm syrupy feeling of the mate bond floods her nervous system offering some relief. His gentle show of support allows her to know he isn't affected by the whispers but doesn't shield her for the effects of them.

"Fucking demonness!" Some spits out and the words vibrate through the walls and hall.

For a moment, the emotions are tearing her mental up but Kiadaria is a seasoned luna and has faced bigger opposition in the Rising moon pack. The Rising Moon is led by a culture centered in logic and cunning.

"You!" She bellows out. "What is your name?"

The young attractive woman, maybe twenty two, raises her chin in defiance. "I am the wolf Lyra."

Kiadaria smiles a deadly smile that mirrors the chill Alpha Joshua is known for. She was his un official mate and Luna for a little more than a decade now. She can match his coldness. "Very interesting conclusions you have come to. " She can tell that Lyra fights against cowering. So her voice takes on a haunting chill and calm. "I would love for you to explain how a mere singular wolf could possibly manipulate our Alpha? I think we all know Alpha Darius to be capable of making his own decisions."

Lyra lets out a gentle snarl knowing she can not truly challenge the powerful Luna before her and it makes the Rising Moon warrior in Kiadaria laugh at the younger wolf's weakness. "Change can be difficult, especially for the feeble minded. I know that my intentions are pure and my right to Luna is true. I will not bow to your doubts and outright lies against my character. I am your Luna and I am a pillar of leadership, strength, and logic."

Now the pack appears to falter on their stance as some, especially the women, admire the strength of the Luna. There aren't many luna's that hold the qualities that Kiadaria has cultivated through being Joshua's unofficial mate and Luna. Women now wish to become more like their new Luna.

Lyra's eyes flash. Kiadaria deadpan stares at the foolish woman knowing one chomp will remove the weak girl's arm from her torso. Joshua has shown that sometimes loyalty and respect comes by violence and Kiadaria will not hesitate to make an example of the disrespectful member.

"Of course Luna Kiadaria." Lyra's tone is sickly sweet. Kiadaria doesn't like it. " There is no disrespect intended but merely overzealous passion for our Alpha. Shining Moon loves our Alpha and I simply meant that you as Luna is unexpected. We had all hoped for a stronger alliance to be made within the pack and an outsider from such a polarizing pack is a very surprising change."

Kiadaria doesn't answer right away and senses the way it sets everyone on edge but she aims to make Lyra so uncomfortable. With her voice portraying nothing but perfect neutrality, she narrows her eyes and locks onto Lyra. "I see. And so...instead of respect for fate and the mate bond, you somehow believe our strong and capable Alpha's judgement to be...tampered with?"

Lyra almost whimpers and none probably heard, but Kiadaria's superior hearing thanks to the mate bond. She recovers. "I don't understand what it is you are getting at Luna Kiadaria."

Kiadaria raises an eyebrow as Lyra's response is very telling to the motive of the other wolf. She smiles thinly. "I think you know exactly what it is I am addressing. However, hear me clearly, the Alpha is MINE. His judgement is clear and the decision is FINAL."

Darius is agitated besides Kiadaria. "ENOUGH!" He roars with the Alpha command. "Lyra, you have a place and you need to find it. You have duties and none of them qualify you to challenge an Alpha or a Luna. Kiadaria is MY MATE. She will not be challenged or disrespected. Anyone who will not bow to the Luna will find themselves forced to bow or face me." 

Lyra is as stiff as a board. Her eyes are watery and it's as those the words physically whip her body. She can barely be heard as she bows her head. "Yes, my Alpha. I apologize Luna." 

Kiadaria can sense heartbreak in the other woman. Lyra fights to remain strong but Kiadaria can see the way her bottom lip trembles. It's as though an invisible weight slums Lyra's posture.  Kiadaria knows that Lyra's feelings are more than pack loyalty but it's not something she worries or cares about. She wont push the issue. 

As the pack disperses Kiadaria doesn't spare Lyra another thought. Already her mind goes to her role as luna and the tasks to complete. "Darius, I need to meet with all wolves that patrol. I also want to ensure that we have strong boundaries and that the wolves that stay at the border are  at peak shape in case Joshua sends the Rising Moon warriors here. We need to make a warrior class and begin new training with me at the head. I don't think Alpha Marcus prepared you guys to ever fight Rising Moon being that we were sister packs for so long, but I worry that becoming your mate and Luna will up the possibility of physical conflict." 

Darius' eyes shine with respect and agreement. "Of course, we can inform the beta and the omega immediately. We can organize today and I will accompany you to the borders."

The rest of the day is spent in meetings with the beta and omega. The best fighters are discussed and those who have specialized skills. They put wolves into groups to prepare who will become the warrior class, who will patrol and who will stay put at the borders. The beta and omega take over those tasks and Kiadaria and Darius review the pack's defenses. Kiadaria loves the way they work together and the way Darius is open to her input. She doesn't have to make him believe he thought of the ideas himself and he praises her mind openly.  She feels good about the decision to be his Luna. 

It is becoming evening as they head back to the pack and the Alpha house. "I think you're amazing. I am so proud of you and how you've handled everything today."  His voice is smokey with a hint of admiration and attraction. 

Kiadaria feels her response and thinks that soon she will bring up the marking ceremony.  It is the next natural step. Normally mates would have made love and become marked, pretty much within moments of meeting. Their situation has been an odd one. 

"It has been great working with you. The pack is still warming up to me and I don't think things would have gone so smoothly today without your intervention and partnership." She replies warmly. 

"You are an amazing Luna. You stand firm under pressure and stay focused and efficient. Most luna don't even train or get involved with the warrior side of things, but you're about to strengthen our defences in ways that haven't been seen in decades."  He grabs her hand and they both feel the white hot electric pull of the attraction feeling of the mate bond. 

They feel the unbreakable and powerful pull to be one. They feel the mirrored passion swirling in the loins of one another. "I couldn't do it without you. We are a team." 

Today, the pack has been challenged as they stand on the tethering of distrust and acceptance but tonight the Alpha and Luna are certain: they want to consummate their mate bond. 

(Weekly update 1/2 August 6th, 2024)