"High Priestess! Your presence is immediately requested by our Alpha!"
Another summon. Another vision required. When would this end?
"Understood." Came the simple response from the girl who's freedom had long been ripped from her. To be honest, it was possible she had no freedom to begin with.
Phoebe had been born with a double crescent moon marked on her forehead and from that moment she had been regarded as a blessed anomaly sent from the Goddess Selene herself. Going forward, she had lived under the watch of the Elders of the pack, ripped from the arms of her mother and closely monitored for anything that might set her apart from the others.
"May I have a moment to get ready?"
"I am sorry, High Priestess. My orders are to escort you immediately."
"Very well."
Why even ask? The response was always the same.
Her hair was as dark as the new moon's sky and her grey eyes reflected the stars above. She walked alongside the young omega, who had her eyes glued to the floor aside from the occasional glances at the woman. Initiating conversation was pointless, she had tried it a couple of times and only received a look of awe. Not everything that came out of her mouth was a prophecy, however she expected no less from those around her.
Upon entering the room, she immediately felt the jealous gaze of her Luna. It was said that Phoebe would be the next Luna, however when she became of age it had become apparent that the mate bond between her and the Alpha was nonexistent. This did not stop the Alpha from, for lack of better words, imprisoning her in her own personal wing of the packhouse.
"Thank you, Alaina. You can wait outside the office." Phoebe graced her escort with a sweet smile, much to the distaste of her so called superiors.
"Who are you to issue commands?" Alpha Axel's voice bounced from the walls, causing both Phoebe and Alaina to flinch. Before another word could be spoken, he sighed and waved the woman off, locking the door behind her.
"We will have company this weekend," Axel frowned, something that sparked a bit of curiosity in the otherwise nonchalant priestess. "Our funding will depend entirely on the impression you leave on the the Beta of Bloodlake Pack. His Alpha has sent him to fetch a vision from the blessed High Priestess," The frown became sly smirk, his fingertips leaving a trail of heat across Phoebe's cheek. She absolutely detested the man that had clipped her wings and thrown her in a cage, yet could not speak on her distaste of him.
"There was no need to summon me," Phoebe spat, earning herself a slap that sent her tumbling. Despite her importance to the pack, Alpha Axel valued her about as much as he valued used toilet paper.
"You are no one to determine that!" Spat the Luna who seemed to have been waiting for her turn to verbally abuse someone.
"I summoned you to explain the importance of your role this weekend. Not only will you be providing our guest with a vision, but he will be conducting a proper observation to determine whether you are a gift from the Goddess. Do you know what that means, stupid pup?"
Phoebe stayed silent, her gaze unwavering as she awaited the next half of his explanation. This stroked Axel's ego, his chest practically swelling as he felt the rush of authority coursing through his veins.
"It means alliances. Funding. Expansions. We will no longer be the sad little pack, forever in the shadows of our neighbors. We have your eyes, eyes of pure starlight! And that is all we need. I need you to understand that if everything does not go smoothly this weekend, well.." A shrug accompanied his stupid smirk as he slinked back to his desk, arms wrapping around his mate. "Then your entire existence was a mistake. Your only reason for living would be null and void, and there will definitely be consequences."
Phoebe felt a shiver go down her spine. She knew this was not an empty threat, and her blood ran cold with just the thought of what they would do to her. However, she stood her ground, her gaze unwavering as she listened and kept herself levelheaded. Showing weakness would only make things worse.
"A bath is in order, and then Alaina will get you ready for dinner. I hope you still remember proper dining etiquette, I don't want Beta Leon thinking we're a bunch of uneducated dogs."
A sigh followed, as he realized Phoebe was done entertaining this conversation. There wasn't much more he could do to make her listen. Any signs of obvious abuse would cause a revolt amongst those who were devote to the High Priestess and the Goddess's blessings, and he couldn't have that.
"Just go already!" He barked, though did not receive the startled response he was hoping to invoke.
"Yes, Alpha." She muttered before turning to the door, seeing herself out.
"Goddess, why me?"