Not Just a Luna

Chapter 7

"Wolfsbane."

I gulp as father speaks those words, replying to my question as we eat breakfast. 

"But, Alex won't die, will he?"

"It's very unlikely. He had very little and he's a strong boy." This is all my fault. It was my drink that it was in. Depending on the dosage, even a sip of the stuff could be the end of him.

"Anyway, you're 17 today. A real wolf." Father's face expresses what could almost be a smile. "We aren't like humans, the way that we change on our seventeenth birthday is amazing. You'll now be faster, stronger but more importantly, you can find love."

"Don't you mean mating?" I ask.

"Exactly." I don't see how it's real love if it's been decided since the beginning.

"What if he rejects me?" I question, wondering how father will react.

"He won't. Who would miss the chance to be the Alpha?" Father answers, and I smile bitterly. If that's all he'd want me for, why would I ever want him?

"I could always do that..."

"What, Violet?"

"I could be the Alpha... Then we don't have to worry about my mate or anything."

Father frowns, "You're a girl, Violet. It doesn't work that way. You'd do better as a Luna, anyway."

I don't respond, as I want to argue but I don't want to be in trouble. Maybe if I stay in everyone's good books today, they'll let me go see Alex. Father has already seen him. He won't let me, though.

"I have a present for you, by the way." Usually, I'd get excited but today I can't. I just can't.

"Oh, okay."

"Don't you want to know what it is?"

"I guess so," I respond, looking through the kitchen window, instinctively looking for Alex, as he comes over for the morning. I scowl slightly as I remember that he won't be coming.

"Here." Father hands me a small box. I already know what is in it. I should care for it more than I do, but as I open the box I don't feel anything but dread.

I see the silver locket, that had once belonged to my mother. And my father's mum, and his grandma. The slightly blue coloured moon signifies what it means.

"Thanks, but do I have to..."

"Excuse me? That has been passed down in our pack for over a thousand years. That is the original Luna locket!" Father yells, furiously. So much for keeping in his good books. "Does that mean nothing to you? You're the youngest to ever own that, aren't you proud?"

I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. All it shows is subservience and an old tradition. One day, the only piece of jewellery I hope to own is the ring around my father's finger. Like that would ever happen.

"I guess so. Sorry, father." I mutter as I realise that my outburst was uncalled for. I guess he was trying to do something nice. Although the only reason I have this is my mother's death, so I doubt that I should be proud of it.

"It's okay, Violet." His voice softens. "I understand that you're worried about Alex."

I stay silent, not knowing how to reply. Of course, I'm worried about him, but not like father would understand. Right now, I want to be with him more than ever. The only person who'd ever help when I was anxious was Alex.

"Anyway, I have to leave now. I would try to spend the day with you, but with the Blood moon tomorrow, we still have to prepare. Tomorrow, we'll talk  more about your job, okay?"