Yes, Your Highness (18+)

07

It was only weeks later when I started hearing people talk about how their hunt went when they came back that night. Saying how they were running through the woods to see snow up on the mountains, but when was that news? The mountains are always covered in snow because they are as high as the clouds themselves. The whole pack was sitting around a big bonfire while everyone had told spooky ghost stories like it was nothing. But one thing made me wonder the most. When Sasha spoke up, she told the tale of an alpha who had been exiled from his own land. Listening to her stories has always been the greatest for me as a young pup.

"Oo, spooky," Samara replied, looking at me with that mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I would smash that." She pressed on. I rolled my orbs at her, and she responded with another look that replaced the one that she just gave me. It was sass. If that could even have a glance. I burst out in laughter, hearing Hedrick, who used to be our alpha. Saying how the story goes that an exile lived on top of the mountain, and beneath it was a village. It reminded me of last year when I asked if I could go on the hunt with my parents, and they denied me. I ignored the memory. Like every other day. I chose to ignore those thoughts.

Was I still planning to run away? To escape? When I finally found my honest world. No. It was all a lie. Or was it? I was confused. I didn't know what I wanted.

Riley was giving me his word that he would take care of me as he claimed me as his Luna. Whatever that meant. But I knew that the title Luna meant another word for queen, I know the title means moon goddess.

But I'm beyond that.

"It's said by many that he had been one of the most ruthless deities who had been exiled from his own." Sasha went quiet, and the only thing I heard next were these words: "wandering to find another pack to conquer." Her words hung in the air, and it made me feel tense. After that, all I could hear was nothing. Nothing but the quiet of the night. Looking over and seeing my parents. Riley was either in his own little world or planning on doing something.

Rajah broke the silence by saying something that made me flinch in my seat: "It's also said that he is now looking for a mate to claim his own. To bear his pups of chaos." He had to be joking, right? Who would call it that? I asked in my head, and I swore my wolf was howling to get my attention. If I could find this mystery shapeshifter, he would be my escape. Rae was howling at me through the dark.

"So you're saying that he needs a Luna?" Piped up a young pup. He had to be at least ten. I look over at him. "By the sounds of it. Yeah." I answer. Riley wrapped his arm around my shoulder and planted a kiss on my head. Whispered, "Don't think that running will solve anything," as a joke. I huffed in response. Shoving his face away. "No. I already admitted that I wouldn't. Riley." I say, looking as serious as I could. He smirked and had me stand up. He settled me in his lap.

I still wanted freedom. But I'm only doing this because it was arranged. Sighing heavily and everyone looked over at me. It was starting to make me feel weird. "What? A Luna isn't allowed to have a breath of fresh air?" I asked, my voice laced with attitude. And Hedrick, being the jackass that he was, was glaring at me with that same look as the one he held on his face the year before. He with that sly grin. I suddenly felt a growl leave my lips. It was directed at him, and he noticed it right away. "Don't you dare bear those pearly whites at me, girl." He said through a silent snarl. "Hedrick. You should know by now that it was you who thought it was fun to play matchmaker and pair me up with-" I went to speak just to be cut off. "Ah, ah. Come now." Riley stood up with me in his arms, and I could only ever think to glare at his father.

Whom I, mind you, hated the most more than Riley. Sasha stood up with her husband, my brother, and followed us back. "Well, we're headed back. If you scaredy cats want to stay and tell ghost stories, be my guest." Sasha mentioned, while Rajah was over by our parents. Kissing our mother on the cheek and shaking our father's hand. As well as Hedrick's. "Keep watch over the fort, yeah?" Hedrick questioned, and Rajah agreed. "Will do." But I then notice him pulling my brother closer to him just to whisper something I didn't hear. I saw his mouth moving, but I heard nothing. I only imagined what Hedrick was saying. My wolf howled louder at me through the dark again. Then and only then did Riley make his way back to the house with me in his arms. Sasha was walking alongside us with Rajah following behind. I wonder what that asshole said to him?

It was only many hours later that the sun was about to come up. Over the mountain, I could see crows flying and disappearing behind the trees. Oddly, I wasn't sure how I was able to see that far. But I could imagine that it was my wolf, Rae, who could. Explains a lot. I heard Riley snoring, and I rolled my eyes. "As if you could keep me from running." I mouthed; it was almost verbal. Everyone was asleep. So this was my chance to get up. I took this opportunity to do so. Quietly moved away from the bed to make my way over to the door. Opening it as silently and slowly as I could. When I was finally downstairs, I made sure no one else noticed me. I was glad I had done this sooner. Taking a breath. Opening the door to the outside, I was greeted by the cool breeze. I closed the door behind me and stretched myself out wide. I had to make sure I wouldn't get caught, so I had a good look around the village for anyone who was passing by.

Now was the time. For me to truly feel free. I was the Luna of my people. This was now my kingdom. I started a short jog. When I passed the gates of the village, I started to do a full-out run. Making sure not to drop my clothes anywhere close by. I entered the woods and ran. My wolf howled happily at me as I shifted, and my clothes fell from my frame. I picked them up and paced toward the mountain. Panting softly. The breeze got colder, and the colder it became, the more I panted. I found myself in a cave and settled there for a few minutes. 

I traveled the mountains more, and without thinking, I jumped over a deep hole in the ground that I mistook for a tree root. I slipped and dropped straight into it without warning. Gripping the branches with my jaws. Realizing I had dropped my clothes. I growled and felt the adrenaline rushing through me. My wolf was excited for this opportunity. Freedom has never felt so alive for me before. This was my first time outside of my own home. Other than the time when I went with Sasha to the mall. But I knew if I was caught out here, it could be the end of me. So I hope Riley won't mind that I went out for a bit. Climbing back up onto the surface only to come face to face with a big black bear. I didn't know that black bears were up here. It looked at me, and its eyes seemed a bit too human to be just what it was. I hear it huff in response to my presence. Moving itself away. Probably to find shelter.

Before the sun fully settled in the sky. I made my way back to the village. Only to see Riley waiting there for me with a solemn look on his face.

"Where were you?"