© Claimed By Him ~ Elektra Orfanos

"Luna sit down." Father ordered as soon as I arrived down stairs. Well good morning to you to. I glared at my ancestors on the wall awaiting for them to snicker and cackle like the Devils they were.

The earthy dining room only made me sleepy again, I miss the days of when nightmares didn't haunt me. "No I planned on eating breakfast while swinging on the chandelier." I said sarcastically and didn't dare look at his expression as walked through the doorway.

I did hear a light scowl from mum but when I glanced up seeing her seated at the end of the table opposite father I noticed she wore a small smile. She looks a little more radiant today for one thing her face is glowing with excitement, her dark hair is showing light brown highlights with it tied up and braided, both of her hands are around her teacup and she's tapping her fingers against it subconsciously.

I have never seen her look so happy which made curious.

I have no problems with her betraying dad in fact I am all for it. I know that's a horrible way to think and I'm sure many children would be horrified by the idea of their parents betraying their vows and whatnot. But I am old enough to see they don't want each other anymore. It used to disturb me when I was young but now I just understand.

When there's no love, then that's it there is no more to be said. I came to terms with it a long time ago. I wonder if Ella has realised yet?

"We've been invited!" He bellowed proudly and Ella squealed excitedly.

"What?" I asked confused sitting at the table next to dad as he read over some letter. Ella leaped up from her seat and leaned over his shoulder with a big smile on her face.

"The masquerade! We've been invited to the masque!" She screamed again.

If my ears could they would cry out in pain. "I knew I should have stayed in bed..." I groaned rubbing my hands over my face. I'm slightly disappointed because it's not like mother to get excited for parties and if this is the reason she's cheerful that means no romantic scandal. Can't complain that my life is boring though... "What's this Masquerade?"

"Do you ever pay attention?" Ella threw at me horrified.

I rolled my eyes. "Is that a trick question?"

"Girls." Mother shut us up and I stood up to help our servent serve breakfast while Ella excitedly went off about this ball. I can't sit down for this otherwise my head might just explode.

"Duke Crowly will be there." Ella giggled. I groaned.

My mother asked. "And his cousin Duke Bloomwood?" "

"Of course he's a Duke to." I muttered.

"Oh I can't wait!" Ella started dancing around the table her burgundy gown flying around her.

"It's too early for this much fun."

"Since when were you against fun?" Mother questioned amused.

"Since when were you for it?" I asked just as amused.

"Dance with me Luna!" Ella sang pulling at my skirt.

"Ah! Just let me put the plates down." A light rap on the door made me flinch and I placed the the pile of plates in the middle of the table and walked to the corridor watching our maid step out to the front door. "It's alright I get it." The person rapped a little more forcefully on the door once I reached the knob and I creased my brow. Who would be here this early in the morning?

"Marilyn!" I gasped in shock. She attacked me in one of her bear hugs crushing me tightly to her and I groaned in pain. "Mari... What are you doing here?" She pulled back but still gripped tightly on my shoulders.

"I'm bored." She shrugged. "Since when do right people touch doorknobs?"

I laughed and let her inside. "We're just having breakfast."

"Good I just ate." She said confusing me.

"Wait are you going to eat or...?"

"Just try and stop me." She whispered back then greeted everyone with a loud hello that rang around the house. I led into the finding and Ella and dad froze.

Mother stiffened but beamed up at the sight of Marilyn's.

I took in what Marilyn is wearing and realised why everyone's eyeing at her strangely. She's in a lacy white dress with gold trimming and gold bangles on her arms. Kind of Grecian, she even has her styled half up-half down falling in golden waves like a Greek goddess.

"Now I know where my daughter gets her goddess-like style." My mother commented and I can tell she adores the outfit.

"Oh thank you Comtesse Mystique." She curtsied.

"Just call me Arielle. Luna you didn't tell me your friend was coming."

"I didn't even know you were coming." I tilted my head as I stared at Mari suspiciously. She didn't look at me which just concerned me a little.

"I'll get the cooks to make you something, here take my seat."

"I swear every time I come over I fall in love with your mother more and more." Mari whispered sitting down.

"Interesting attire Ms Codin."

"Made it myself." She said pridefully.

"I can tell." He replied causing me to sigh. Mari didn't notice or at least didn't seem to care. This I could tell disappointed him. "I trust you have proper etiquette and don't sneak off late at night like my pride and joy over here."

"You put your trust on the wrong people." Mari replied bringing a glass of orange juice to her lips. "I'm a wild cat."

~*~*~

I sat at my desk while Mari relaxed on my bed propping her head up in her hands. We did the usual girl talk: boys, gossip, boys, fashion and ladida. For about half an hour and within that I noticed her nervous behaviour. The twirling of her hair and the fidgeting... Is she worried about something? Maybe Valerie told her about the wolf thing and she thinks I'm going to go after him again.

Which I am but she can't know or I'll never hear the end of it.

"Why are you really here?" I didn't ask but damn I badly want to. Intimidating her won't work I'll have to improvise.

I dipped my quill into the bottle of ink and continued writing. "Did Valerie tell you?" I asked as casually as I could.

"About what?" She asked dryly.

"About the wolf."

"Which wolf... Oh right uh yes I believe she did." I glanced up staring at her through my lashes and she nervously twirled her hair with her finger again. "It's not true is it?"

"I found him well-he found me."

"You must have been terrified." She said dramatically. Her expression didn't match the shock in her voice.

"I was... Until we talked." Her reaction astonished me. There was no scream of terror, no shocked expression no fainting from horror.

She shook her head as if she was about correct me. "That's impossible. He's a werewolf he only would have been able to communicate with you if he was in his human form which I'm sure we all know that on a full moon that's not possible." I dropped my quill.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"Luna every full moon... Every full Luna ha!" She laughed at her joke and I cracked a grin for the sake of it. She continued, "a 'wolf-man' transforms. That's why they're never found in day time because they're human by then and walking among us." She's cool, she's calm. It's terrifying.

Stunned I shouted. "What?!" Human? Turning into a wolf? I did not know that is what werewolves were I just assumed they were big wolf monsters! Demons. I tried to envision Alpha as a man but even then I saw a monster. A large man with bright gold eyes, fangs instead regular teeth and dark-black hair.

"Why are you shouting this...?" She gasped and slapped her hand over her mouth. "I wasn't supposed to tell you that."

"What do you mean? Why do you girls keep things from me?" I shouted outraged and slammed my hands on my desk.

"It's nothing personal," she sat up looking at me sympathetically and bit her lower lip. "But you're kinda crazy."

"Be serious." I snapped.

"I am." She kidded. I glowered. "Alright well Valerie believes you'll do something foolish so that's why I came. To make sure your head is in the right place." She's acting as if I should be put in an insane asylum. Maybe I should be... No.

No I'm not crazy I'm just creative.

"My head in the right place?" I repeated hurt even though I've been called worse. Much worse but I still stood and stared at her angrily.

"Don't be offended."

"How can I not be offended. You just called me crazy."

"Oh Lu." She said softly.

"Don't you Lu me." I said through gritted teeth.

"Don't be mad at me I can't bear it if you're mad." She sobbed hiding her face in her hands.

I rolled my eyes. "Save the waterworks Mari that trick only works on men and the guards of the palace."

"Are you implying the guards aren't real men?" She asked peeking through her fingers.

"Stop trying to change the subject. Marilyn I need your help. If you know about this beast then I'll need to know all the information you know." I declared sternly.

She sighed defeated throwing her hands down in her lap. "Luna..."

"I won't let you leave this room." I threatened.

She made a dark laugh and dropped her hands to her side standing up. "Alright listen to be perfectly honest I actually think you can solve this... Situation." Her voice sounds different. It sounds deeper and more serious to her usual chirpy tone. She's treating this as if it's no real tragic issue. I don't know what scares me more, Alpha or the fact that Mari is treating Alpha as a simple pest she needs to get rid of. "Valerie and Satine think it's suicide but if the wolf has taken an interest in you. Then you have the upper hand." She crossed her arms and grinned deviously.

"What are you saying?"

"I believe in you and... With a lot of persuasion I think we can all defeat this man."