The Moon Goddess stood tall and regal in front of Elara, drawing her back from her deep thoughts as her eyes, a deep and mesmerizing shade of sapphire, burrowed into Elara's hazel eyes. Her pains, sorrows, and fears were reflected in the Moon Goddess's eyes.
Bringing back her swayed heart, Elara felt graced, —despite being an Alpha daughter, she hadn't been graced to see the Moon Goddess let alone standing close to her.
Royally, Elara curtsied to the Moon Goddess and humbly worshiped her presence till her head touched her feet.
Her skin glowed over Elara like the moonlight captured in human form. Her hair flowed in silver strands, falling down her back in gentle waves, and her body adorned in a gown of celestial white.
Elara stood up into the Moon Goddess's blissful smile, it exuded an aura of supernatural beauty and dignity.
One after the other, each member of the family took Elara's hands to theirs and kissed it with their forehead after which they introduced themselves and the position they held in the Kingdom.
It appeared surreal to Elara that she of all wolves could acclaim the Luna status in one day.
Smiles brimmed her face.
The introduction went smoothly until it got to Alpha Vesper's turn. Right as he took Elara's hand and finished introducing, Alpha Harlan scoffed, —his throat geared toward Vesper and his eyes perched at him like a hawk.
"We don't have all time to waste, Vesper. She knows who you are."
Vesper raised his brow and smiled, not yet leaving her hand. "You should compensate me for finding her. This you yelp about is so much like an ungrateful pal."
Having murmured to his brother, he handed Elara's hand to the Moon Goddess but before the Moon Goddess talk, Alpha Harlan questioned, "Where is Galad, has he lost his royal bloodline?"
"Forgive my lateness, your Majesty." a gentle-looking man spoke as he climbed the stage. "It was for the success of this party." He added.
Alpha Harlan looked at him satisfactorily as he greeted everyone and bowed his head to Elara, introducing himself, "I am, Galad, the fourth Prince of this Kingdom."
Elara couldn't resist but smiled in response. She felt a spark of relaxation around him when their hands touched. Perhaps because he has a simple and modest physique.
"It is my honor, Prince." Elara greeted.
"I'm all at your service, Your Highness." He said and gave her hand back to the Moon Goddess.
By having contact with the Moon Goddess again, Elara humbly mumbled, "It is my pleasure to meet you in person, My Goddess!"
"I can see the Luna aura in you, Laia! However, in three days your Luna Rite will begin." announced the Moon Goddess.
Queen Morgana chipped in as she noticed the confusion in Elara's eyes. "Luna Rite is a ritual test you must undergo to make you become our Luna. If you fail, you will be dethroned and Exiled!"
Queen Anara smiled and said, "After you qualify, the kingdom will crown you as our Luna and Queen."
"You don't have to be troubled." Queen Morgana smiled to lighten up her spoiled mood. "My son confirmed you are his mate and the true Luna will succeed in the Luna Rite." She assured her and then buttressed. "I was once in your shoes so I know how it feels like to hear this news for the first time."
"I have been the acting King of this nation for a century and so does my Wife. On this day, we are willing to hand the throne over once the Luna Rite succeeded." Alpha Zephyr said, his voice filled with assurance and sincerity.
"I will be glad to celebrate our first Luna after a hundred years." Queen Anara informed.
****
After the introduction, the party already turned into a free dance floor and jubilation filled the air.
As the Party wore on, Elara got to understand her calling. She would have to undergo tests to confirm that she was the true Luna and if she failed, her life would be worse than a slave.
Despite the affirmation from Queen Morgana, Elara felt something wrong. Why did her wolf stay quiet inside her? She was the only one brainstorming the situation.
She stood in one corner, overwhelmed with thinking while everyone was busy dancing and chatting.
At the center of the hall was Alpha Harlan, chit-chatting with the guests. Since Elara excluded herself to the corner, Alpha Harlan has had his protective gaze on her. He watched over her with fierce attention, as though ensuring her safety amidst the throngs of guests while Elara hummed her body along with the soft melody of music.
As he was crowded with guests, he got driven apart from Elara, he felt like the party had become his instead of Elara's. Soon, his attention was momentarily diverted to the Moon Goddess as she beckoned him with urgency.
While Elara was still troubled internally, her face met with Harlan's, his head nodded to her severally as though trying to signal something to her but she didn't catch on.
"Why was he acting strange?" She murmured, making a forceful face at him till he got away with the Moon Goddess.
"Why would our Luna be alone?" Queen Anara's Voice caught her attention. Her demeanor was polite but with intent. "It is surreal to finally meet you," she began, her voice laced with curiosity. "You have caused a lot of stir since your arrival...even before you arrived."
Innocently, Elara glanced at her, trying to understand her. "I have no idea," she replied simply.
Queen Anara smirked, "How are you grieving your parent's death?"
Elara was shocked by her question, however, Queen Anara held her gaze up elegantly like she did not say anything.
Having seen the sourness in Elara's expression, she buttressed, "From the war waged on your kingdom, your family and Kingdom perished. Only to bring you here as the Luna. Don't you grieve for your perished kingdom or all those smiles were your facades to hide your intents?"
Elara was quiet for some time. The humbleness that the Queen had in her eyes earlier was no longer there, but then Elara could not fathom what her motive was.
"About that, I see it as a mercy that God bestowed on me. I could have perished along with my kingdom but I'm alive, thanks to him." Elara replied, reciprocating the same expression the Queen was emitting.
Queen Anara nodded, "If that is the case, how can we trust you?"
"The Luna Rite will prove it all. By then, you will know if I'm worthy to be trusted." Elara replied, holding a strong face, "Otherwise I might start..."
"My Luna." from beside them, the shrill voice of Alpha Vesper caught them. Queen Anara quietly withdrew into the crowd having seen him.
With hand beckoning to Elara, Alpha Vesper asked, "Can I have my sleeping beauty's attention now?"
Elara chuckled, knowing that it was now her and him... and nowhere to escape to, she took his hand elegantly.
"Will you care for a dance?" He asked, already drifting onto the dancing floor to her steps coming closer to him. He tossed her in dancing style.
Elara tossed off, smiling greatly but on her turning step to get back into Vesper's arm, her smiles faded and became sour. Within a second, she sagged to the floor. Her loud thuds drew the attention of everyone.
"Luna!!!"