Written In The Moon

Chapter One Esme's POV "I can't believe today is finally here," I squealed, peeking out the window. Below me stretched the most beautiful garden I'd ever seen. Gold and purple sashes fluttered in the breeze, and elegant tapestries hung from trellises. Round tables, draped in silk, were neatly arranged, leaving a wide, open space in the center for the ceremony. I marveled at how they managed to create so much room in the heart of the garden. But what made this place truly magical wasn’t the decorations. It was the memories. This garden was where I first met Zayan Archer, the son of Alpha Wyatt—my husband-to-be. "That's the tenth time you've said that," Rosa teased, yanking me away from the window. "Get away from there; someone might see you. You know it’s bad luck." I resisted, my eyes darting toward the exact spot where Zayan and I had first spoken. It had never been hard to find, but suddenly I couldn't spot it. Had they somehow destroyed it with the wedding extravaganza? Oh! There it is, I thought. Hidden beneath a canopy of blooming wisteria, there was a small lounge seat. It remained untouched by the decorations. A secret sanctuary, our meeting spot. Satisfied, I let Rosa guide me back to the chair in front of the mirror, where I'd spent the last hour doing my makeup. "I don’t understand why seeing the bride before the unveiling is such a terrible thing," I grumbled. "It just is," Rosa insisted, tightening the veil over my hair. "And I’m not the only one who thinks so." I rolled my eyes, letting the matter drop. Again. Rosa was my sharp-tongued close friend. I stood no chance against her. The only other person who could get the best of me was Zayan. His was not in the conventional way though. Zayan would twist logic until I lost track of the argument altogether. Then he’d grin and declare I’d been right from the start. Infuriating and adorable. "Can I come in?" a soft voice asked from the doorway. I turned toward the sound, earning an annoyed grunt from Rosa. "Oh, Mother, you don’t even have to ask," I said, holding out my hand. "You look splendid." My mother stepped into the room, resplendent in a lilac gown that matched her caramel skin perfectly and signified her entry into royal life. Her smile lit up her face as she took my hand. "I don’t think there are words to describe how beautiful you look today." I sighed dramatically. "Is it okay if I just skip the ceremony and get straight to Zayan?" "Are you kidding me?" Rosa snapped, pinning the last piece of my veil. She brushed her blond bangs from her eyes and stepped back to examine her work. "You’ve been excited about this wedding since the moment he proposed." "I know," I admitted with a pout. "But right now, I just want him by my side. I won’t get any alone time with him until nightfall." My mother chuckled, tilting my chin, so I was looking into her eyes. "Don’t worry, darling. You’ll have a lifetime to be alone with him. You only get one wedding day." "Which is why it has to be perfect," a poised voice chimed in. All three of us turned as Luna Rihanna, Zayan’s mother, glided into the room with regal elegance. I doubted I'd ever be able to pull off her gait. "Luna," my mother and Rosa murmured, dipping into respectful curtsies. "Please, no need for that," Luna Rihanna said warmly. She placed a hand on my mother’s shoulder. "June, you’re one of us now. You can look me in the eye and say hi." "Now that’s deep," Rosa muttered under her breath, clearly intimidated by the Luna’s presence. I smiled shyly as the Luna approached me. "It’s an honor to have you join us... mother," I said hesitantly. "You still haven't gotten used to calling me that," she noted, her lips curling into a gentle smile. I felt my face heat up. It was strange to address her as anything but Luna. But she had told me that I was now a part of two families, hers and mine, so I had to treat her like family. She held out her hand, leading me to the full-length mirror. "Have you taken a moment to look at yourself?" I shook my head, turning to take a look. A gasp escaped my lips. My normally frizzy hair had been tamed into an elegant updo, adorned with glittering gold and silver pins, not one strand straying out of place. The white, off-shoulder gown hugged my figure perfectly, flowing out into a train. My skin, the exact shade like my mother's, seemed to glow, giving me an ethereal aura. "You look amazing," Luna said softly. “But that's not because of the dress or makeup. It's because you're happy,” She opened a small box and took out an ornate tiara, its centerpiece a single gold gem. "This was my wedding tiara," she explained. "It’s been passed down through generations of Lunas. Today, it’s yours. The gem is said to ward off misfortune, and the last thing we want is anything ruining your special day." I hesitated, thinking of all the heads that wore it. The tiara felt too regal for me, but I couldn’t refuse the Luna's gift. I nodded, and she placed it gently on my head. "Have a beautiful wedding, Esme," she said before leaving the room. --- The ceremony began with a soft melody, and my mother took my arm. All eyes turned toward me as I stepped into the aisle. My heart raced—not from fear, but at the thought of reaching Zayan. He stood on the podium, his hazel eyes lifting towards me. When our gazes met, I felt the connection between us, a thread that bound us in ways deeper than words. His love was tangible, evident from his expression, just as it had always been. He looked so handsome, standing there waiting for me, it was all I could do not to dump my flowers and race into his arms. As I moved closer, I smelled the faintest trace of smoke. Then there was a swish. Something was off, I could sense it, but I dismissed it as my nervousness. But then my mother screamed. “What's the matter” I demanded, fear clawing up my throat "Esme!" Zayan’s voice rang out, panic breaking through the tranquil air. A glance around told me that the guests were screaming too. Then the heat hit me like a wave. There was a searing pain in my arm, and I flinched, looking down to see flames licking up the delicate fabric of my gown. I froze for a moment, feeling my panic rise. Suddenly, I couldn't even remember all the fire training I got back in school. "Get it off me!" I screamed as Zayan reached my side. He was fiddling with the zipper of my dress, his hands steady despite the chaos erupting around us. Someone doused me with water, the heavy splash shocking me even more. Next came the stinging sensation of a fire extinguisher, which was probably unnecessary now. There were shouts all around me but all I could hear was my sobs. I was drenched and shivering, my gown was charred beyond repair. The acrid stench of burning fabric and flesh filled my nostrils. My hair was ruined. On my wedding day. Before I could recover, a loud crash echoed through the hall. Screams erupted as armed intruders burst in, swords gleaming in the sunlight. "Esme, stay calm," Zayan’s voice came from behind me. He tried to hold me, but it was too late. The pain and humiliation surged through me, and I felt the familiar c***k of my bones shifting. My hands hit the ground as my claws emerged. The world sharpened into focus through my feline eyes, and I took in the chaos. Wolves and humans clashed in a bloody melee, the air thick with violence. People crowded the door trying to escape. Another loud sound made me whimper, the sound of a gunshot. And at the center of it all was Zayan, fighting for his pack. I could tell he was in pain, we all were. We were under attack. I let out a growl, and the world blurred as instinct took over.