"Maybe the wolf is in love with the Moon, and each month it cries for a love that it will never touch."
q§n

15th Century

End of Hundred Years War (1453)

Blood Moon Shadow Pack

   "I can't take it anymore! Goddess, it hurts so much!"

   "Luna Selene, the child is coming. Please hold on a little bit more."

A series of screams echoed outside the Queen's chamber. Everyone was anxious and at the same time delighted - an heir will finally be born. Luna Selene was able to conceive after endlessly visiting Oracles and trying all methods from the best healers of the Kingdom. The child is believed to end the uprising from rogues who doubted the King's rule because of his inability to present an heir and the result of the war.

   "Is my son out yet?" King Richard asked as he paced back and forth in front of the chamber's doors.

   "Patience my Alpha King," Lord Archibald, the King's head adviser tried to calm him. "You'll be able to see your son anytime soon,"

   "I have waited for eight years, Archibald. The war has ended and I can't wait any longer. They'll stop scrutinizing my rule once I rub my son's birth on their faces. I-"

The Alpha King's words were interrupted by a baby's cry through the door. Moments later the pack healer slowly came out of the Queen's room, with a worried expression.

   "How is my son? Is he okay?" he asked, agitated. He tried to enter, but the healer halted him.

   "My King, the Queen, and the child are fine. She needs to rest. It was a difficult childbearing. Please... I beg you to be gentle."

   "I don't care about Selene, that's what she's here for. I've asked for my son. Now if you don't get your face out of my sight, I'll have your head on a platter before this night ends."

   "I understand... my King," the pack healer cowered in fear.

Tension filled the room when King Richard furiously made his way to the Queen's bed, giving the nurses a threatening look. Everyone silently scurried as if they have forgotten to breathe.

   "Move! Show the child to me!"

   "Richard... she has your eyes," Selene said as she cuddled the child in her arms. King Richard was awed by the scene, but his head instantly snapped once he heard what she said.

   "A she? What do you mean?!"

   "Our, our daughter..."

"What do you mean our daughter?!" Richard snarled while looking at the abomination wrapped in front of him.

He already failed the Royal Family when he couldn't find his true mate. Desperate, he chose Selene and introduced her as the one to appease the Dire Council. It is clear in the Ephemeris that a male of the Royal bloodline cannot be mated twice. A Royal's firstborn will and will always be a male, and they're the only ones who can succeed to the throne. Selene cannot conceive again. All of the Oracles and healers said so.

   "No. No. No. That's not mine," a confused Richard hissed.

Selene began to sob as she gestured the healer to take the baby and show it to the King.

   "What do you mean she's not yours? Look at her. She looks exactly like you,"

Richard growled. His wolf was taking over.

   "Don't let that wretched thing near me!" He gripped Selene by the throat and slammed her on the floor. She tried to get up by reaching for the bloodied sheets on the bed. Richard dragged her while grabbing a fistful of hair then forcefully making her stand. Not satisfied enough, he slapped her so hard the impact flung her across the room.

   "You filthy woman. I took you to the palace and made you a Queen. I have mated with you, and this is what you give me? I should have a son! Not a DAUGHTER!!!" Richard's roars shook the whole estate. "That is not mine! You think you can deceive me!?"

   "But... but... she's yours. I didn't have anyone else. Only you."

Selene choked and wept weakly on the floor. Blood flowed in her sore legs and wounded head. She tried keeping her eyes open, hoping for the Kings' mercy.

Richard crouched then clutched her face as he looked directly into her swollen eyes.

   "You are no longer Queen. You are a disgrace," he said then shoved her face on the cold marble floors. He made his exit, trashing everything on his way.

  "My daughter," the queen whispered not caring about the chaos the petrified people were causing around her.

  "My child...forgive me, " she sobbed then as she succumbed to eternal darkness.

The ringing bell snapped me back to reality. I can hear the kids whine while organizing their desks and chairs.

   "Why is it that every time we reach the best parts of the story that stupid bell ruins everything?" Tanya complains while wiping her nose and apparently, her tears as well.

I chuckled while fixing my bag and looking at the emotional pups in front of me. Hmmm. Puberty. "Run along now, you don't want your parents and your pack getting worried."

   "Ronnie? will you come back next week to finish the story?" Mikey, my five-year-old student asked, pulling my jacket. "I want to know what happens to Selene."

It's refreshing to be able to volunteer at this local shelter every weekend. Parents would drop their pups for workshops and other activities especially when their packs are busy. It's on the neutral lands far from the secure borders of our territory. I have gotten close to some of the volunteers and the kids, especially Mikey. Every visit became quite intriguing because of her comments and questions. It has been a long time since I felt connected and interested. Being here keeps me sane, and somewhat...ordinary and alive, away from the responsibilities that my beloved friend, Moon Goddess has graciously given me. Plus, I get to teach the subject I know very well, History.

   "Yeah, I'll try to come next weekend," I said while taking her small hand. On our way outside, she stops midway then pulls my jacket again.

   "You know," she shyly whispers "I wish I could meet the King and tell him to love Luna Selene and their daughter. They are precious. He shouldn't be so cruel," she added with a gloomy look on her face.

That's another thing, I envied her innocence and purity. I sighed then ruffled her wavy hair. "Go, your mom's waiting for you."

She giggled then bounced happily to her mother. My heart clenched at the scene in front of me. I would've smiled knowingly at its familiarity if I had remembered how mother's touch feels. I looked away from them. I can't risk unearthing the feelings I have kept and long forgotten.

I shake my thoughts off while I walk to the finely chiseled man waiting at the shelter's entrance. He seems to be getting impatient as he runs his fingers to his wind-swept dark hair, which was thick and lustrous. He's draped in a long white polo with rolled sleeves, the collar played about his neck in the autumn wind, showing a bit skin on his chest. It hugged his lean body perfectly.

Who would have thought that this kid would grow up to be this fine?

He fixes his sleeves properly, then checks his phone, looking like a sin as he leans against the car. Ladies and mothers stared at him like he's some otherworldly being the gods sent to Earth.

What a swanker. I thought contemptuously while clearing my throat.

The phone nearly slipped from his grasp as he tensed up.

   "Alpha how was-"

   "Alexander, how many times do I need to tell you to refrain from calling me that, especially here," I gave him a hard stare. "You know the rules. No one can know."

I hated that title anyway. It reminds me of who I am, or rather, what I am.

   "Sorry." he pouts. "So? Great day?" He asked as we got into his black Range Rover Sport.

"Yeah," I said wryly. "You know I'll take every opportunity to get out of that hellhole from time to time."

He smirked and he shook his head as he maneuvered the car out of the parking space. "Which part of the story are you in now?"

   "My favorite part," I tell him, my dull eyes fixed on the familiar, never-ending road in front of us.

Much has changed over the years. I watch Alexander drive and I smile. He has a long way to go. I shut my eyes and let myself be lost in the quiet, listening to the swaying of the trees.

   "I wish I could meet the King and tell him to love Luna Selene and their daughter. They are precious. He shouldn't be so cruel," Mikey's words kept ringing in my head.

Same Mikey. I thought, my eyes still closed.

He was so cruel, and so is life.

I wish

I wish I had the chance to tell him that, in that very room.

Five Hundred and Sixty-six years ago.

So there you have it guys! The first chapter. *Screams in wolf*

Why do you think Queen Selene and King Richard had a DAUGHTER?

For the next chapters, I'll be giving fun facts kind of thing to better understand this book!

Don't forget to comment, critique, VOTE and share this with your friends!

Let me know what you think!

Love,

@ladypaperback