ALANNA
In just a few days, I would turn twenty.
But this wasn't just a birthday. It was the birthday, the one every future Alpha dreamed of. Under the glow of the full moon, I'd be crowned Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, taking the mantle from my mother after two decades of her leadership.
"Alanna," April groaned beside me as we walked past the training fields, "if I hear the words 'future Alpha glory' one more time, I'm going to throw myself into the lake."
I grinned, bumping her shoulder. "C'mon, this is the moment I've been waiting for since I could walk."
She rolled her eyes. "You think I haven't? You're about to be the most powerful she-wolf in the region, and I get to brag that I've been your best friend since we were sneaking sweet rolls from the kitchen."
April was my sister in everything but blood. We grew up together, faced loss together. My father had died when I was four in a rogue ambush, and Richard, my mother's second-chance mate stepped in to raise me like his own. He taught me to fight, to think like a leader. He made me believe I could do this.
Then there was Chase.
My mate. My sunrise and love. We'd been fated three years ago, and he'd never stopped making me feel adored with wildflowers, poems whispered into my hair, or sandwiches shared on hard days. I thought the Moon Goddess couldn't have picked better.
The morning of my coronation, he proposed.
I was sitting on the floor of my bedroom, holding my hand out to admire the delicate silver band on my finger, moonstone petals wrapped around a brilliant sapphire.
April entered, eyes lighting up. "No way, he proposed?"
I nodded, beaming. "At sunrise. In the garden."
"Classic Chase," she said, reaching for the ring. "Can I try it on?"
"Sure," I said without hesitation, slipping it off.
She twirled it on her finger. "This is stunning. You lucky wolf."
I was still trying to find a dress that matched the ring when a maid walked in with a large box. "From your mother," she said.
Inside was the most breathtaking gown I'd ever seen: silver like moonlight, threaded with sapphire embroidery. April helped me into it. I felt regal, like I belonged to the stars.
"You're going to be the best Alpha this pack has ever seen," she said, hugging me.
"Not better than my mom," I whispered.
"No," April agreed, pulling back. "You'll be different, but just as strong."
A knock on the door interrupted us. "Luna Alanna," a maid said. "It's time."
I reached for my ring, but April clutched it with a sheepish smile. "Let me wear it a bit longer? Please? It's yours. I just want to pretend for a little."
She'd been wearing it for an hour, but April was family. I nodded. "Alright. Just don't lose it."
"You're the best!"
With guards flanking me, I walked through the corridor toward the coronation hall, my pulse echoing in my ears. Inside, the pack was gathered, faces shining with pride and joy.
My mother stood at the far end of the moonstone path in her royal cloak, her silver hair a crown of its own. Chase waited by the stage, offering a wink that melted my nerves.
The Moon Priestess began the ancient ritual, her voice melodic as she bound me to the pack. My mother stepped forward, tears in her eyes, and placed the Alpha's medallion around my neck.
"From Alpha to Alpha," she whispered.
Just as the final blessing began, a howl shattered the silence.
A guard burst in, bleeding all over "Rogues!"
Screams erupted.
Armed wolves stormed in, black-furred, and bloodthirsty. At their center stood a scarred man flanked by others in combat gear. The guards fought to contain the threat.
Then, a voice boomed from the top of the grand staircase.
"That should be my surprise."
Richard.
My stepfather stood in his ceremonial robe, but the guards behind him bore no insignia. They weren't ours.
Richard's gaze met mine, cold, and pitiless. "This was never your throne, Alanna," he said. "You were born of politics, not power. You'd lead with sentiment and weakness."
My mother stepped forward, fury in her eyes. "You were supposed to protect her!"
"I am protecting the pack" he snarled, "from having a weak leader."
He turned to the priestess. "Crown me."
She shook her head. "Only the moon decides who rules."
Richard's eyes darkened. "Then let the moon watch me take it."
My mother moved to shield the priestess. "Protect the Luna!" she shouted. My guards rushed in.
But I never got the chance to fight.
Someone stabbed me from behind. I hit the floor just as cold silver burned into my skin, chains wrapped around my wrists and ankles. I screamed as the metal scorched my flesh, suppressing my strength.
"Alanna!" My mother's voice rang out.
"Stay where you are, Selena," Richard growled. "You're not looking too well."
My mother staggered, one hand on her chest, the other grabbing a column for support.
"W-what…?" she gasped, dropping to her knees.
Richard stepped closer, smug. "Silver. In the wine I gave you earlier. Just enough to weaken even you."
"No…" I whimpered, fighting against the burning pain.
"Yes," he said simply. "I've waited too long for this."
He turned to the crowd, arms lifted like a self-made king. "This pack has grown soft under love and sentiment. Selena gave power to a girl unfit to lead. But I, I will restore its strength."
"You're a traitor," my mother growled from the ground.
He gave a twisted smile. "No, I'm a savior."
Tears welled in my eyes, but I couldn't shift. The silver choked my wolf, paralyzed my limbs. The man I'd trusted, the man that was my role model, he had always been a lie.
Richard knelt beside me, smirking.
"This is how power is taken," he whispered. "Not given."
And as the chaos unfolded around me us, all I could do was scream till I blacked out.
When I felt a very cold sensation and I came to be, I was still in the hall but it was now empty. Richard was seated on my throne as he looked down on me looking as if he found everything amusing.
The same Richard whom I called Father… who told me that he couldn't wait to experience the great thing I would achieve as Alpha was watching me and my mother bleed out.
Then, Chase returned with the Elders in tow.
I hadn't expected Richard's sudden character change, but at least he wasn't the man I'd thought I'd spend the rest of my life with. Chase was.
I believed in him when no one did. I trusted him with my life.
Yes, I ached to stab Richard, but Chase? I wanted to rip him to shreds. At the moment, my rage was the only thing keeping me conscious.
Then I remembered my best friend, "what did you do with April? I asked Chase, giving him a look of our hatred.
Chase smirked at me, "do you mean my mate?"
I blinked, what?
One of the elders moved forward, before I could ask more questions "Selena, this maybe sudden but if you could just surrender...."
"YOU!" Mom roared at them. Her alpha voice shaking the hall.
Richard stood up and smacked me so hard my vision doubled.
"Shut up, Selena!" He screamed. "Shut up, or she gets it!"
Mom laughed. "Coward, you are no alpha. You may have bribed them, but those foolish elders will never accept an Alpha without an heir."
Huffing, Richard tossed me to the ground and stalked to Mom. I bit back a smile. He had fallen into her trap. All she needed to do was—
"I have an heir!" He barked, grabbing her by the collar. "CHASE IS MY SON!"
It felt like all the air in the room had been sunctioned out. I gasped for breath.
"Chase, the little boy I made hang around your precious daughter. Yes, that Chase was able to fool her into thinking they were mates. That same Chase is my son, and he is next in line after me!"
Mom's eyes widened.
"Now I have had enough of your cockiness." He declared. His hand moved in a blur.
His movement was too quick to follow, but I caught the glint of a blade just before he struck it right into Mom's heart.
Mom choked and sputtered. Her eyes danced around until they locked with mine. My breath ceased. Time froze, but just for me. Because unsatisfied, Richard retrieved his silver blade and struck again, this time, in her forehead, between her eyes.
I heard her voice in my head just as he let her dead body topple to the ground. 'Alanna, remember the Prophecy, stay alive. I love you. Now and Forever.'
I heard someone screaming in my head. I didn't realize that the screams were mine until Richard growled at me.
My screams were so loud and powerful that the building shook and a few glass windows shattered