ANASTASIA
I woke up happy and very much excited. This day was the start of a new chapter in my life. Jake and I together forever.
It's still so early in the morning. I looked at the sunrise out of the window. Beautiful day for a new beginning. Such a wonderful day when I became the Luna of the Moonlight pack. I feel so excited, I feel light and giddy, as if I'm floating on air. I can hardly wait for tonight.
I took my shower and went down to have my breakfast. I gasped with joy when I saw the living room. It was full of white long -stemmed roses! They were beautifully arranged in the center and on the walls and corners of the vast room. I slowly went down the stairs, I love the scent of the roses that filled the air.
I went to the dining room. They were also filled with roses! I went out to the patio. The caterers were arranging the table. The garden was surrounded with temporary wooden dividers that were decorated with different white flowers and vines. There were a lot of white balloons and lanterns that would light up the area later on that night.
As I watched the pack members assist in arranging the garden, Jake arrived, smiling and looking so handsome.
"Ready for our morning stroll?" He held out his hand to me. I took it as we started walking into a more private area.
"I thought you would be too busy for us to take a walk this morning." I returned his smile. He was looking at me so tenderly.
He kissed my cheek.
"Walking with you in the morning is the best part of my day."
I hugged him. "For today, the best time for me would be tonight!" I laughed.
He chuckled. "Couldn't wait for me to mark you, huh?"
"Yah. Aside from other enjoyable, naughty things that we will be doing!" My eyes mischievously twinkled.
"Anastasia Lewis! You are corupting my mind! I never thought you have it in you! Jake feigned looking so astonished!
I laughed. That was what I love about him. He always makes me laugh! I swat his arm playfully.
He halted walking. He pulled me into his arms to face him. He looked at me seriously and asked, "So Ms Simmons, what exactly are the naughty things that you recommend that we do tonight?"
I laughed again, "Well, Șir, I'm sure your experience in these delicate matters far exceeds mine. So I would leave it to you to surprise me tonight!"
It took four seamstress to finish my gown. It took them three months to do the gown for it was heavily laden with beadwork, inlays and embroidery. Even though Jake refused to tell me how much the gown was, I knew it cost a fortune.
"You are my future Luna," Jake lovingly told me. "So you will wear a gown fit for a queen."
Like any young bride, the gown was white with an abundant layers of petticoat. The sleeves were long, which I had insisted. It's the middle of fall so the air was chilly, just perfect for me. The sequence which were painstakingly sewn on the dress were shimmering.
There was a knock on my door. Leila, my personal maid, came in. "Are you ready, Ms Anastasia?"
"Yes." I smiled at her. I was still wearing my bathrobe. My hair was wet from the long bath I took.
I sat on on the chair in front of my dresser and let Leila dry my hair with a blower. She put on the curlers and did the make up.
Since the celebration will extend to the evening and I don't want to look so young in the photographs, I told Leila to make the eye shadow and mascara a bit heavy. She used metallic silver and blue colors on my lids with glitters, making my makeup look so modern and elegant and would match my gown. She used the smokey eyes technique when she put in the mascara, making me look like Cleopatra.
I don't know how she did it, but she successfully made my lips fuller than before.
My curls fell on my shoulders. She used pins with diamonds to secure my hair away from my face.
When she was done, she helped me put on my gown.
I stared at the mirror. I could not get over how different I look. Before me was an elegant, beautiful woman. I never thought I could look this gorgeous.
The girl that I was is gone. Standing before me was the new Anastasia, an elegant woman who will soon assume her new role as luna of the pack.
I felt somewhat scared. I wonder what lays ahead. I have been instructed on my responsibilities as the new luna. I felt then that I can successfully do my job well. Suddenly, I don't feel so confident.
I pushed away my uncertainties. I have been trained for this role since I was ten. And Jake loves me. For now that was all that matters.
After Leila and I were done, Leila left and I waited for her to tell me it was time to go down. I didn't wait long when I heard the gentle knock on the door. I nervously went out of my room and went down the stairs. Jake was waiting for me down the stairs. He was smiling, looking proud of how beautiful I looked. I smiled back at him as I clasped his hand. He slowly led me out of the house.
Aside from the numerous lanterns, there was a big bonfire in the middle of the garden.
We stood in front of a respected elder with hundreds of wolves in human form surrounding us. I recognozed the wolves of the pack, but there were a lot dressed up in decorum, making it clear they were Alphas from other packs.
There was one person who stood out among the whole crowd. Even when he was seated, he was a few inches taller than everyone who was present. He had a big built. He was an attractive man. But his eyes. He was looking straight at me. And he seemed…angry.
I shuddered and turned away.
The ritual was about to start. It was for several hours and will continue into the night when the full moon comes out.
There were three high priests who will do the ritual. One of them started chanting.
The second high priest responded and both alternate in their chants.
"Oh Divine Goddess, look down on your chosen wolves who give honor to you today…"
Then suddenly a woman screamed. The person beside her had fallen from his seat with an arrow on his back.
Everyone gasped. No one seemed to know where the arrow had come from. After a minute, another person fell down. Women were screaming. The pups started crying. The people started running everywhere for cover.
Anastasia seemed to be frozen and in a daze. She could not believe what was happening. Tears started to form in her eyes.
Another man fell down. Then another. Screams became louder. They still did not know where the arrows were coming from.
In just a few minutes, it was full chaos.
People were pushing each other. One of the tables fell and the food crashed to the ground.
Jake took hold of Anastasia's hand and pulled her inside the main house.
LEONARDO
When Anastasia came out of the house, she was radiant. She took my breath away. Diamonds adored her neck and ears. She was so elegant.
I let the chanting go on for a while. Everyone seemed so happy and mesmerized by Anastasia's beauty.
When I couldn't take it anymore, I mind-linked Marco to start the execution.
I watched with a bored expression as people started falling one by one. When I looked at Anastasia, she was already starting to cry.
Then something so foreign happened. My heart broke. I couldn't stand her tears.
I'm so sorry, Baby. I whispered.
I saw Jake pull her and they ran towards the house.
Without hesitating, I ran after them.