Born of red

New life

The days passed and I wasn't allowed to leave my room. I had books to read, that was as far as I could leave my solitary confinement. The king never visited.

I started to lose my appetite and could almost feel myself sink together. Ellie tried to get me to eat, but I refused. I didn't have it in me. Rather I starved than be forever locked up in a room.

My wolf had crawled back into the darkest parts of my mind. I would turn insane if I weren't allowed to leave my room soon.

A week after my arrival I was lying in my bed and suddenly my wolf woke up, my heart was speeding in my chest and my whole body tingled when I felt his scent.

"Come in." I said before he even knocked. His enormous frame took up the entire doorway.

"I heard you're not eating." He stated and I rolled my eyes.

"No." I answered. "Being locked up doesn't work well with my appetite. I need to be able to breathe for that." I spat and locked my eyes with his. Anger flooded me when he already looked at me in the same way.

"Don't test me, Windira." He warned and my name on his lips sent a shiver down my spine, which I refused to show. I cloaked his influence on me with an annoyed sigh.

"What would you do? Keep threatening my family? Well that won't get you far." I said and got up on my feet. "If I'm doomed to live in this hell-hole then I need to be able to walk around the house at least. To train. My wolf is being suppressed and it's literally killing me." I said with determination. He had to understand what he was doing to us.

"Fine." He spat. "You can walk around the house. Never alone." He warned.

"Pfft, like I would think you were that humble." I chuckled mockingly. He growled in anger and walked up close to me.

"You will stop being disrespectful towards me." He ordered with his Alpha voice and I peered at him in anger, but kept quiet. My body was very aware of how close he was to me. I felt the pull towards him. As an alpha it was in his nature to demand submission, but I would never submit, not to him or anyone else. Better he learned that sooner, rather than later. Clearly he started to see that and it angered him.

"You're dangerous." He hissed and hurried out the door.

What did I do for him to hate me that much? f*****g asshole. All because I wasn’t some puppy-trained b***h.

I sighed and felt a little lighter as I got changed into a pair of jeans and a tank top. I took a walk around the palace. The place was huge, the ballroom was enormous and grand. The downstairs floor was made of white marble and the walls were made of grey stone. The kitchen was big and busy. There were multiple chefs. They all greeted me with a bow.

I chatted with them for a while, trying to get to know them. Why they had become chefs and so on. George had been a son to the main chef and had worked in the kitchen since he had been five years old. Alice was a young woman who had been a victim of rogues when they had slaughtered her small pack. She then took asylum in the bloodhound pack. She needed money and had been a dishwasher in the beginning and was now second head chef. It was nice to just chat. They questioned me about my eyes when they finally relaxed around me. It felt great to be able to be normal for a bit. They made me a plate of waffles which I devoured. I was extremely hungry.

The palace even had a library with enough books to last lifetimes.

I stayed there for the rest of the day. For the first time since I arrived I felt that I could breathe.

The morning after I asked Ellie where Xander was and she said that he was out on some mission, so I waited with my wish and entertained myself in the library. For a few hours I was lost in the stories about the moon goddess, former kings and queens. I took some of the books to my room. History has always fascinated me.

I later felt when Xander returned and my body tensed. I could immediately feel him when he entered the palace. Standing in the shower I lowered the heat to cool myself down a little.

"She specifically asked for me?" I heard him ask in surprise.

I had just gotten out of the shower and quickly pulled a bathrobe around me as the knock on my door came.

"Come in." I said and made sure the rope around me was secured.

"I heard you asked for me." He said. He looked a little ruffled. His face had dirt on one side of it.

"What happened?" I asked, startled and walked up to him to examine a small cut that was healing on his arm. Sparks flew through my hands where they touched his skin. I ignored them at my best.

"Just some rogues attacking the half moon pack." He said unconcerned.

"They attacked a pack?" I said, puzzled.

"Yeah, they've started to attack in groups. We have no idea why, only that it's more and more frequent."

"Hmm." I frowned. My body was surging with electricity and I realized I was still holding on to his arm. I immediately let go of him and the sparks died, but not the electricity of being so close to him.

"That felt nice." He said and I looked up at him. His forest green eyes looked like they were glowing. "You're so beautiful." He whispered with pain in his voice. His hand caressed my cheek and my body instantly reacted to his touch as sparks flew across my skin from my cheek. I instinctively leaned closer and his hands fell on my hips. I forgot that I was angry at him, I forgot what I wanted to ask him, I forgot the world around me. He leaned down and placed his lips on mine and sparks exploded throughout my body. His lips tasted like heaven. The kiss soon got intense and I was set aflame. My whole body was burning from his touch.

I jumped up and wrapped my legs around him. My core felt hot and I let out a small moan when his tongue found its way to mine. His hands squeezed my ass and I moaned again.

A knock on the door prevented us from going any further. I tore from him as if he burned me. I took a step back from him, but he held onto my wrists, demanding me to stand still.

"What?!" He roared to the door and the growl shook me to the core, but not of fear.

"It's the prisoner, he's not talking." The voice of a man answered.

"I'll be right there." Xander answered and let out an annoyed sigh.

"Prisoner?" I asked and he nodded.

"One of the rogues." He said and let go of my wrists. Immediately my body missed his touch, but I refused to let him see that.

"Let me know if you need any help with that." I said and he gave me a puzzled look. "I know a little bit about torment." I explained and shrugged. I had read too many books in my time since I was a kid to not pick up a thing or two. Plus I had found books about it in his library.

"I would never let you near the dungeons." He growled and I sighed. No surprise there.

"Well my offer stands." I said and put my hands in my pockets. Xander's eyes grew wide as he looked at my chest. My breasts were about to fall out and I quickly covered myself up. Our little tussle had loosen the rope.

"What did you want to ask before?" He asked after collecting himself, but his eyes were now glued to the floor.

"Oh right, I wondered if it was okay for me to wander in the garden?" I said with a smooth voice.

"I don't know. Maybe if I'll give you a guard." He said and I sighed. At least I would be outside. "Fine." He said. "I'll send up a few of my best to protect you."

"Making sure I don't escape you mean?" I chuckled darkly.

He growled angrily and disappeared through the door. That man was giving me a headache. Weeks of coldness and now this? What happened to staying away from him?

´Bitch you can't.´ A voice in my head told me and I sighed. Maybe it was time to accept life as Luna? I scoffed and got dressed. That kiss had been the most perfect and horrific first kiss. A good explanation on how he treated me.

When I stepped out of my room the guard joined me and I rolled my eyes. Six guards was a little too much maybe?

We walked out into the back of the palace. The huge glass doors opened up to a huge garden with a fountain. There was room for the whole pack here. If I could be outside alone I would actually might be alright living here. Just as we stepped out I felt the fresh air hit my face. It was a salvation. I closed my eyes and felt the sun on my cheek and sighed in relief.

"Tell me, guards. How horrible is it to have to stoop so low to babysit me?" I asked them, still enjoying the sun. It's warm light reflecting on my light skin.

"It's an honor to serve you, my Queen." One of them said and I opened my eyes to look at them. They gasped at my eyes and then blushed, embarrassed by their reaction.

"No need to feel sorry." I smiled at them.

"I apologize, your eyes are very beautiful." One woman said. I was surprised by her reaction, usually they were scared of my eyes. Terrifying eyes used to look at me, like I was some horrifying abomination. Then I assessed her. She was fair, but scars covered her face and I guessed she had been more than stunning once. I envied her for that. Being beautiful and proud of her flaws.

"You're a woman. In the royal guard." I stated and she nodded.

"I lost my mate during a raid of another pack and almost went insane.” She frowned and stared down at the floor with pain in her eyes. “When I finally came to my senses I didn't feel the need to give myself to any other. Instead I joined the royal guard to serve a purpose." She explained and looked very proud of that choice.

"I must say I'm impressed." I smiled and she smiled widely back at me. "What's your name?"

"Rosie, my Queen." She bowed

"Nice to meet you, Rosie." I said with a kind smile and her own smile grew wider. Her pride covering her face, it warmed my heart that a simple smile could do that much.

"Who the f**k are you?" Someone suddenly spat behind me and I swiftly turned to face her. A dark-blonde woman with grey eyes looked at me with disgust. Her body was lean and her skin had a sun kissed tone.

"I'm Windira of the mist..." I said and cleared my throat. “Of this pack.” I politely said and smiled. "The mate to Xander."

"She's your Queen. You should bow to your Luna." Rosie blurted out in anger and I held up a hand.

"Queen? Her?" The blonde burst into laughter. "She looks like a cheap knock off of a hillbilly hooker. Is that red contacts?" she hissed and the guard took a step forward, but I stopped them with one hand.

"I'll take care of this." I growled and walked up to the blonde. "What's your name?" I asked her.

"Paula." She said and flicked her hair.

"Well, Paula." I hissed, leaning close, my voice dripping with rage. "If you want to challenge me? Do so and don't spit words you can’t stand by."

"Xander loves me and we're going to get together eventually. We were engaged, or have you forgotten, baby?" She said and looked behind me. I spun around and met Xander's gaze. I shot him a look so filled with rage I would've killed him if he weren't my mate. He was going to pay for not telling me that. He gave no signs of apologizing now, so I shot him a disgusted look before I turned back to Paula.

"If you ever come near him again I will rip you ear to ear." I growled.

"Try me, bitch." She spat back and that made me lose all control. I grabbed her hair and she screamed. I tore her down and let my knee meet her face.

"You f*****g w***e. You broke my nose." She screamed in pain as blood gushed through her nose.

"I'll break more if you get up." I hissed, but she got up anyway and launched for me. I easily danced away, grabbed her by her wrist, and threw her over my shoulder. She clearly wasn't as trained as one from my pack had been. She fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes. But the woman was persistent and got up again.

"You will leave here." She said, blood running down her mouth.

"My dear, you look pathetic. Please just give up." I pleaded and she smirked. Did she think I would back down?

She screamed and launched herself at me, I sighed and threw one punch over her face. She sacked down and stayed still on the ground.

"s**t, now I got blood on my shirt." I cursed and tried to rub it off.

"Wow." Xander said behind me and I turned around startled. His look on me was proud and impressed. If I didn't know better he looked aroused.

"Oh, great you're here." I sighed and then scoffed when I looked down on Paula's unconscious body. "She wasn't a good warrior." Xander waved and two from my guard took her away.

"What will happen to her?" I asked and looked at Xander.

"She'll get what she deserved for attacking the Queen."

"She's just insecure and has a crush." I shrugged.

"I like you jealous." He said and his intense look on me was back. I felt a tingle in my body, but he didn't deserve my love after what I just learnt.

"So you f****d her. Have you done it after you met me?" I peered at him.

"What if I have?" He challenged me with a smirk and I felt my heart drop.

"Then you have absolutely no chance with me. I'm no second choice. I won't be a toy to some man-whore." I spat, boiling with anger. He hurt me and I needed to hurt him back.

It clearly worked because he growled and grabbed my wrist.

"You're really trying my patience." He hissed and gave me a killer stare. I confidently met his gaze.

"And you're not winning any love from me." I spat back and pulled my arms out from his grip. I looked down and saw that my wrist had marks from where he held me.

"Look." I said and held them out, showing the redness to my skin. "I'm absolutely done with your bullshit. Touch me again and it's the last time you'll have hands."

His eyes filled with regret and rage, for a second I thought he would get aggressive, but he took one breath.

"Go to your room." His every word was an order. I had no other choice than to leave.

"Gladly, as long as you're not there." I said and hurried off, my guard following me and stopping outside my room. I hurried over to the shower and got it started just as the tears came. I threw off my clothes and stepped in. I wish I could wake up from this nightmare.

After the shower I threw on a nightgown and crawled into bed to read my book until I fell asleep.

The morning after I got up and pulled on work out clothes. I was met by the guards which were still stationed outside of my room. I greeted them with a smile.

“Good morning, your highness.” Rosie bowed.

“Oh please, no bowing.”

“But it is how we greet royals and Luna, you are no normal royal. You are the Queen now.” She said with a serious face. “May I be frank with you, Luna?”

“Well, it hasn’t stopped you yet.” I chuckled.

“You need to fess up and accept your role. There’s a lot of people who would like your position and knowing you are of Alpha blood I guess your wolf has already accepted your power.” She asked and I frowned at her. I hadn’t looked at it like that. Lulu’s words came back to me, “play your cards right” and I realized that I maybe should try to follow her suggestion. They were both right. I could actually make a difference, if I made this pack accept me I could with time actually do something.

“You’re right. I have been whining a bit, haven’t I?” I said with a smirk.

“A little, but that’s also understandable. You left your home, all you’ve ever known, to move out here. But technically you can still be in touch with your old pack. After all, you are their Queen now.” Rosie explained with a smirk herself.

“Rosie, my gal. I think you’re right.” I chuckled in amusement. With a smile I walked past her and headed out to the garden. This time I was going to try to catch up on some training.

The sun was standing high on the sky and the sweat was pouring down on me when I finally called it quits. My personal guard was looking at me with mouth agape and I lifted a questioning eyebrow at them.

“Luna, I think you have no problem taking care of yourself.” Rosie smiled, still looking a little shocked.

“I can teach you some of those moves if you guys would like.” I said with a warm smile.

“We would love to, right?” Rosie asked other guys and they all nodded in unison.

I started to like these guards. I hoped I got to keep them.

After a deep and thorough shower I headed down to the kitchen and told the guards to get some lunch too. They looked uncertain.

“Go.” I ordered and suddenly they submitted by showing their necks to me. I hadn’t realized that my voice held such power, but it clearly came from my Alpha genes.

“If I may, Luna? Can I stay? I don’t feel confident with the pack around you alone.” Rosie said and I nodded, but her words stung. She thought they would be afraid of me.

George and Alice made us lunch and before I knew it I had forgotten all about my hurt feelings. It felt like I was amongst friends and not subjects. I hoped they felt the same about me.

When we had finished up, the other guards returned and I realized Rosie had mind-linked them. I wasn’t angry at that, but I wish I could have a moment alone without having the pending responsibility of the kingdom over me.

I woke up in the middle of the night when Xander burst through the door. His hair and shirt were soaking wet. He looked like a god and his beauty annoyed me more than the bond.

"I'm sorry." He whispered and walked up to the edge of my bed. He got down on both knees and his eyes looked at me with such sorrow it broke my heart. "I am so sorry." He whispered again with sadness breaking every word. I wanted him close, but would do this the careful way.

"Do you want me?" I asked sternly and he looked up in shock.

"Of course, you're my mate. I just." He explained before I cut him off.

"Listen." I ordered and he immediately turned quiet. "I never wanted a mate. I want to be my own person, but that doesn't mean I don't need one. A mate is supposed to support the other. We're mates and you need to realize what that means."

"I know." He began.

"No, you need to show what you feel and not look at me like I'm a subject. I am your equal and I won't have you disrespect me again." I demanded and he looked at me with warmth and determination.

"I promise here and now, that I, Alpha King Xander, will never disrespect you again. All I know is that I need you close to me all the time and everyone who's around you makes me jealous. I didn't want a mate either, afraid she'd change me, change my throne. It was only for my pack that I thought a queen could be good. That's where Paula came in. I could control her." He said and then chuckled. "I can't control you and that terrifies me." He smiled uneasy at me. "I want you to accept me as your mate, Windira. I can't stand to be away from you anymore. Moon goddess, know I've tried."

"You're not supposed to avoid me." I explained and took his hands in mine. "Xander." I said and me calling him seemed to have sent a chill through his body. "I'm your mate, you have me if you want me." I realized those words were more true than I would have anticipated. I had hated him as much as I had hated being away from him. I knew I had to play my cards right if I wanted to have more power in this pack.

He kissed my hands and it sent a chill through my body. Then he smiled at me with eyes filled with warmth. I knew I was going to drown in those eyes one day.

“You have to be honest with me. About everything. It will take some time for me to accept you but I'll try if you try to accept me?" I said and he locked his eyes with mine.

"Nothing would make me happier." He said and I felt a wide smile spread over my mouth.

Xander got up and pushed his nose in the hook of my collar bone to take in my scent.

"You smell like heaven. Like a frisk winter morning. Sweetly divine and welcoming." He whispered against my skin. "I never want to break away from your touch." He said and I ran my hands through his dark hair. This was a side I had never expected from him, but I wouldn’t let it pass me by.

"If you don't pull away from me I won't pull away from you." I whispered.

He chuckled. "Never." His arms snaked around my body and I could feel his muscles tense against my skin. This must be what heaven felt like.

"Sshh." I hushed and slowly ran my fingers down one of his arms. "No tuzzle tonight." He softened against me.

"Sweet dreams, my Queen." He sighed, content and I let myself relax in his warm and perfect embrace. That night I slept better than I ever had.