The Claimed Promise

Waking Up Alone

Samara had insisted on almost carrying me back to my room. She insisted that since my feet hurt, I needed her there by my side to be sure I made it safely. Honestly, I hadn't minded though. Being close to Samara and feeling the warm tingling sensation when our skin touched was something I was beginning to desperately crave. The journey to my room didn't take long, and we stood at the door awkwardly together for a moment. My thoughts raced and I considered kissing her goodnight, but my body didn't respond faster than Samara's. Within a moment, she had turned me to face her, our bodies pressed together as her lips smashed against mine. Before the kiss could deepen any further, my hands pressed against her chest, and I pushed us apart.

"Stop Samara. Please. I don't want to push this too far until I know what is going to happen with the turning." Each breath between my words is more like gasps and it's everything I can do to control myself. Our eyes meet, and I can tell she's fighting her wolf for control by the changing color. We stand there together, frozen in place, as I wait to see who will win control. Thankfully, Samara's eyes clear and she gives me a light kiss.

"I am sorry, my love. The bond is driving my wolf insane, and I almost lost control. You are right to want to wait and I respect that. Sleep well, my beautiful mate, for tomorrow, you fulfill your destiny." Our lips meet once more before Samara turns and heads to her own room. We exchanged one final smile before I pushed myself into my own room. Without another thought, I strip down to my underwear and throw myself onto the luxurious bed. Thoughts of tomorrow invade my mind and though sleep comes quickly, my dreams are full of anxiety and fear. Every part of me is afraid of losing my life and what truly feels like the chance at true love. The thought of true love with someone I had known for such a short amount of time was almost laughable, but my heart and body told me otherwise.

Sunlight breaks through the large panes of glass and fills the room; my eyes carefully split open, trying to avoid being blinded by the brightness. Looking over, I realized the other side of the bed was empty and cold. Samara belonged next to me but, I knew in my heart we needed to be sure that there would be a tomorrow for us. For me. To my surprise, however, a note lay delicately on the pillow.

My dearest Kora,

I have gone to ready for the turning and the celebration that will soon follow. Breakfast will be waiting for you in the dining room and when you're ready, ask a guard for my location. They will bring you to me.

Your mate,

Samara

Reading Samara's note brought a smile to my face, but also caused anxiety to race through my heart at the thought of the turning. This event could give me everything I had ever hoped for or, take everything away from me before I could even experience the ladder. The ache to in my grumbling stomach drove me out of bed and gave me the encouragement I needed to ready myself for this day. A quick shower and fresh set of jeans with a black tank top was how I decided to meet the unexpected. As soon as I exited my room, I ran right into Tristan who was standing guard at my door.

"Hey Tristan. Not really my favorite way to run into you, but it'll work." I smile up at him and he gives me a megawatt smile. "Queen Luna, I've been tasked with guarding you when you are apart from our Alpha Queen. Please, follow me to the dining hall." His smile remains as he motions for me to follow him. I just laugh and follow him as he has directed. A mouthwatering smell of bacon greets me as we make the last turn to the dining room, and I can't help but rush over to the table to eat. Different members of the pack are already eating and making conversation with one another. Several of them stop to greet me and I quickly greet them as I rush to my chair to join in the feasting. A few laughs can be heard, and I even hear someone remark that I'll make an excellent wolf with my appetite. The pack members already accepting and planning on me being their Luna Queen puts me on cloud nine and I can't help the large smile that plasters itself to my face as I sit to eat. Within a few moments of getting into my chair, I've piled my plate high with an assortment of breakfast foods, and I quickly join the pack in devouring every morsel of food that will fit into my body. The sound of laughter and talking begins to dull and the quiet brings me out of my food frenzy and I look up to see Claudia walking towards me with two women following close behind her.

"Kora, it is quite presumptuous of you to sit where the Queen Luna will sit. Your weak human body will not survive the day, yet you insist on misleading the pack. Why is that?" Her words are dripping with venom, and I can't help but allow the fury I'm feeling to be conveyed. "You have no right to speak to me in this manner. If you had any respect for this pack, Samara or The Moon Goddess, you would not pass judgement until she does. I thought perhaps there was a misunderstanding we could work out when I first me you. Now, I know that you are just a power-crazy woman who doesn't understand her place." Our eyes are locked, and I can tell she is furious. Claudia takes meaningful strides towards me and rather than be afraid, I stand from my chair ready to accept her challenge. To my surprise however, growls from the pack members can be heard across the table and Tristan steps between us.

"Do the growls of the pack fall upon deaf ears? You threaten our Queen Luna, and it would be wise for you to leave her site before we make you." Tristan's eyes black, his canines extended, and he looks ready to kill. As I look around the table, I see many pack members in the same state as Tristan and I know I need to stop this.

"My pack, please listen to me!" All eyes are now on me and I can tell many are ready to lose control. "Please, stand down. Yes, Claudia has both threatened and disrespected me, but she is still a pack member. Tonight, at the turning, when I become fully one with all of you, she'll have no choice but to accept me and show me the proper respect. Until then, I implore you to keep control because fighting amongst each other will only bring us down and drive a wedge between us." I look around the table and watch as the eyes of the pack begin to clear, and a smile replaces their once vicious look. Claudia's furious look remains however, and one of the women who followed in decides to speak up.

"So, you think you can just speak to the pack like you’re running it? You could never be half the lead Claudia could be. She was groomed for it! Why don't you just crawl back under whatever rock it was that you crawled out from and leave this pack to be ran by the rightful Luna Queen!" Her intense glare doesn't affect me, and I decide it better to not entertain these foolish women anymore.

"I hope you'll all excuse me. I've lost my appetite from the obscene amount of ignorance radiating from these women. Please, enjoy the rest of your breakfast and I trust I'll see all of you tonight at my turning." I smile and begin my journey out of the dining room. As I leave, I hear the cheering and clapping from the pack members. At least they didn't turn on me while I was without Samara. Maybe I really can do this. The task ahead of me is monumental, but I've never been one to back down from a challenge and if it meant being what Samara needed, I definitely wouldn't now. Tristan caught up to me quickly and we walked together in silence for quite some time before the sound of him clearing his throat drew my attention.

"You know, you don't have to take that from her. Tell Samara about it, she'll take care of Claudia." His seriousness isn't missed, but I can't help the giggle that escapes my throat. Surprise flushes his face and I quickly explain.

"Tristan, I do not need to tattle tell on Claudia. I will handle this woman myself. Tonight, at the turning, The Moon Goddess is going to decide who is worthy to be Samara's mate. If it so happens that I am not worthy and she takes a chosen mate, that's what it is. Whatever is best for this pack and these people are all that matters to me." I smile at him and continue walking as he stands there taking in my words. He soon catches up to me and we again walk silently together before he once again interrupts the silence.

"You are right my Queen Luna, and you are truly a gift from The Moon Goddess. You aren't even one with this pack, yet you only care about what is best for us. You are the true Queen Luna of werewolves." A serious look is spread across his face and all I can do is smile and hope he is correct.