Luna Queen

Chapter 2: The First Meet

                    Cassandra Stewart liked to sing, and she was good at it. Not good enough to make a career out of it, but good enough that people didn't mind her singing. She often performed in school during several events. On the night of her best friend's eighteenth birthday, she was sitting in the garden, away from the grandeur, humming to herself. She was happy.

She was done with school and she would now be going to the college she had chosen years ago. She had worked extra hard to ensure that she would get in, because it was uncommon for humans to go to college. It was close to home, so, she did not have to move out and leave her mother alone. Things were working out for her exactly the way she had planned. While she was contemplating her life ahead, there was a very prominent Lycan taking a stroll.

                    Christopher Lupus did not have the liberty of planning his life. It was planned for him before he was born. As the only child of the Alpha King, he was the sole heir to the throne. In a year and a half, when he turned twenty-two, he would be crowned, left to manage the twenty-five divisions. He did not mind that, though; he only wished he would find the woman who would rule beside him soon. What he did not know was that his wishes coming true meant hers going down the drain.

                    Cassandra saw the silhouette a man walking towards her, and by the physique, she could tell that he was either a werewolf, or a gym-obsessed human. Since he was not familiar, it was easy to deduce that he was a guest today, and hence, definitely a werewolf. As he neared her, she realized that he was familiar. Everyone who was remotely connected to the rest of the world knew this man.

She rose from her position, stumbling slightly, and bowed to him, intending to make a quick exit. But he had different plans. He seemed to be interested in making conversation.

"Good weather, isn't it?" He asked. Not habituated to making small talk, nor wishing to offend the Prince, she smiled and nodded.

"You may sit down. No need to inconvenience yourself," he added.

"That's alright, sir. It is quite late, anyway. I should be heading home," she responded.

"I suppose you are not a guest tonight. Where do you live? Why are you here?" The Prince was taught to read body language, and hers made her drunkenness obvious. He could barely contain a small laugh when he saw her like that. He was feeling like all his dreams had come true.

"I live behind the manor. My mother is the housekeeper. I was just enjoying some open air." Her words brought his happiness to a stop. She was human, he realized. Could she be a good Queen? Would his people accept her?

His prolonged silence made Cassandra uncomfortable. He was staring at her like he was examining her.

"I should get going now, Alpha. It was an honour meeting you." She bowed to him and was about to leave, when he stopped her.

"You seem drunk. Allow me to walk you home."

                    Cassandra walked with the Prince by her side. Her hands were clasped in front of her, fidgeting. The action did not go unnoticed by him. He wanted to say something to comfort her, but he did not know what. Never was he at a loss for words, the way he was in front of this tiny woman. Should he dare tell her what she was to him? Could he even afford to accept her? He had to think of the pack. The pack came first.

"What is your name?" Christopher was ashamed he had not asked earlier.

"Cassandra Stewart, sir."

"I am Christopher. Pleasure to meet you." Perhaps, a casual conversation would make her comfortable.

"I know you, sir. Everyone does." Why was he being so casual?

"I thought it humbler to introduce myself, rather than assuming." He smiled at her. "What do you do?"

"I just finished school. I am going to college in the city soon." Her pride showed in the way her face shown. She was excited about college. Christopher was in a turmoil. Could he take this joy away from her and whisk her away to a place where she may not be accepted?

"That sounds interesting. What are you planning on studying?" He wanted to know more about her. He wanted to know everything there was to know.

"Accounting. I'm trying to take some classes on Social Justice, though. They have some interesting programmes there." She was a little less uncomfortable now.

Christopher walked slowly, slower than she was. He was not ready to part from her yet, for he had decided not to tell her about the bond they shared. "Accounting is nice. I studied it briefly to gain an understanding of the subject. I liked it very much." The last part was a lie. He found accounting uninteresting.

Cassandra noticed how he had ignored what she told about Social Justice. She was hoping that would lead to a conversation about injustice. He seemed nice and considerate. She wanted to put in a word about human oppression, but she did not know how to bring it up.

Christopher, again, tried to initiate a conversation. "What did you drink tonight? Celebrating something?"

"It was just some cheap wine a friend brought for Alice's birthday. I'm friends with her."

"Alice. Isn't the ball in her honour? If you are a friend, why are you not in the party?" he was genuinely curious.

This was the opportunity Cassandra had been waiting for. She contemplated how to complain to him without offending him, while also ensuring he feels some sense of responsibility. "Mr and Mrs Newman do not approve of socializing with humans. I am used to it. Most people treat us like that. It is all I know of life."

Cassandra had done what she intended: highlighted the ostracizing of humans, while also not holding the royalty responsible for it, although they definitely were. The law did not discriminate. The people did. She was not sure how the royalty could alter it, but with power comes responsibility, and she firmly believed that they were at fault, even if not directly.

Christopher felt sad. He thought about his Destined living so close to her friend, yet, not being able to attend her birthday ball. He thought of how her entire life had been this way. He said the words that he had not uttered in a few years. "I am sorry you had to endure this."

She had done it! She had voiced her concerns and the Prince apologised! "Please do not apologize, Alpha. You are not directly responsible for it."

His eyebrows rose in shock. He understood what she was implying. She held him responsible for it, but he could not defend himself, because he agreed with her. While Cassandra felt a weight lift off her shoulders, Christopher felt heavy with guilt. He already felt like he had failed his mate.