His Warrior Luna

1 The Perfect Day

3 YEARS EARLIER

I was awake before my alarm went off. Today was my birthday, but it was going to be so much more than that. My phone pinged constantly with excited birthday wishes from my Fierce Femmes text group. They were buzzing about my impending wolf ascension and the hot Alphas attending tonight. I texted back.

Thanks, guys! Love you! See you soon! *kisses*

Everything had to be perfect. My strawberry blonde hair, now richer with red undertones, was styled flawlessly, and my makeup was impeccable. I chose a short silvery skirt and a white polo, featuring the Silver Pack crest in silver thread. As the Alpha and Luna’s only daughter, I had to represent today. One last glance confirmed that I looked amazing.

If only I knew how horribly wrong the night was going to go.

Downstairs, my mom had a silver-sprinkled breakfast shake waiting. “Cute, Mom,” I smiled, accepting a hurried hug.

“Happy birthday, baby! Hurry home after school. I'll be at the packhouse, making sure the omegas don't forget anything for tonight,” she said. “Your father convinced the Council to let us host the Flower Moon Ceremonies this year as well, despite it not being our turn.”

“I know!” I yelled as I rushed toward the door. Joffrey, my boyfriend, was already waiting outside to take me to school.

My final month of school! I slipped into his car, and he kissed my hand. “Happy birthday, Princess,” he crooned.

“Is that it?” I challenged, giving him a flat look.

He laughed, pulling out a small silver-wrapped box. “Ha! I know better than that.”

“Jerk.” I shoved him playfully, already knowing what it was–Amanda had dropped enough hints. But I was wrong.

It was a dazzling silver necklace, a delicate crescent moon pendant with a tiny moonstone, and engraved with Together Forever.

“This is beautiful,” I exclaimed. “But the inscription - we don’t even know if we’re Fated, yet.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said as he brushed my cheek. “My second gift to you tonight is to pledge under the Flower Moon, in front of the Council, to be your mate and Alpha. I’ll forsake my fated mate to be yours. I’ve loved you forever, Clara. Sometimes, we have to rewrite our own destinies.”

Fated mates were a big deal in most packs, and not everyone would look kindly on his vow. But the Silver Pack was above such traditions, especially the upper echelon of leadership. We mate to keep our pack strong, and although Joffrey is the son of the lead Gamma, his mother is the daughter of an Alpha, and he’s physically strong and gifted in combat. He is the perfect pairing for me to take over as Alpha and Luna.

I leaned in and placed the sweetest kiss on his lips. “I accept. I love you, too.” Then I pulled back to put my necklace on. “Now, hurry up and get us to school. I can’t be late.”

At school, Joffrey’s first period was combat training, so he took off at a jog to the fieldhouse, and I joined my girls, who were waiting in the parking lot for me. I endured a round of Happy Birthday squeals, then suffered through yet another excruciating class of History.

The unit was covering Exterminated Packs and Bloodlines. Wars had taken their toll over the millennia, and many packs and abilities had been erased through the years.

It didn’t matter to us, though. Silver Pack was one of the oldest, strongest, and purest packs. Not only were we extremely large and wealthy, but our natural affinity to silver gave us an edge over the others. We are one of the few remaining packs that still have the gifts from our ancestors, probably due to our selective mating, keeping those traits strong.

“Clara, can you name the last pack bloodline that vanished?” Ms. Joyce called on me. I lifted my eyebrow at her, wondering if she was crazy to think I would know or care. “Of course not. Happy birthday, Clara. I look forward to the celebration tonight.”

“Yes, Ms. Joyce,” I smiled. “Thank you. I’ll be sure to let my father know how much I enjoy your class.”

“Why, thank you!” She nodded her head to another student. “Missy, do you know?”

“Yes, Ms. Joyce,” the girl said in a prim, condescending voice. I rolled my eyes. “The Blood Pack, formerly known as the Ruby Pack, vanished over fifty years ago. They betrayed the Moon Mother and all the packs by using their powers for destruction, and worked with The Necromancer.

“They wiped out entire villages before The Rogue King revealed their betrayal and rallied the packs to counter them. A bounty was placed on their tails until the last battle that killed their Alpha, who was half mad from their dark deeds.”

“What were they famous for?” Ms. Joyce asked.

“They were unmatched in combat, resistant to many forms of magic, and could induce a berserker-like rage in the heat of battle.”

“Very good, Missy,” Ms. Joyce commended.

I let the exchange and the rest of the class fade as I texted my Fierce Femmes group. Erica was in my class and sent me a picture of a dog licking a boot and labeled it Missy. It took everything I had not to laugh out loud.