Forced to Be Luna

I woke up to the bell ringing and knew I was in trouble. My vision is blurry from sleep but I knew if I didn’t hurry it would only cause me more pain later. I was in pain and my neck was stiff from falling asleep leaning against the hard stone of the fire place. I had fallen asleep by the fire again but my area was so cold during the winter. I reached the small bathroom I had down here and did my best to wash the ash from my arms but with no tub I would only be able to do so much in the small sink available here. Being a Lycan I should to be tall, muscular and someone they respect. However, I did not have those traits that made being a Lycan feared and respected. If it was not for my silver eyes and blonde hair even I would have doubts about my lineage. I was short, at 5’2, but I was pretty and my eyes gave me an exotic look as if you were gazing into the moonstone. I take one last look in the mirror and decide that I actually look decent even without makeup. “This will have to do for now I don’t have time to go the shower room. I rush back to my dresser grabbing the nicest pair of pants I owned and a nice pink shirt that Kathy gave me. Kathy our Luna tried to make me feel like I belonged here. The Alpha’s family and I were the only true Lycan’s in the area. In Shifter society true Lycan’s are the rarest and most powerful. How does a pure blood Lycan like myself get the lot of being no more than the pack pet? I had been sold by my family when I was only four to the Blood Moon pack as payment for a pack of rogues to pass through the territory. I am thankful that I have been treated well. Most people in my situation do not have good lives and the Black family have kept me from the worst fate. Many in the pack wanted to use me as a breeder and use my Lycan Blood to strengthen their bloodlines. A life filled with nothing more than having males forcing themselves on you, bearing pups and having them ripped from you to be raised by another. That is the worst fate that anyone could endure. I will gladly live in the basement and work in the pack house. I can at least pretend to be free and just a regular I was lost in thought about how everything when I heard that freaking bell ring. Crap now I’m going to have to run to have a prayer of reaching the kitchen in time. Running up the stairs I prayed that I would not run into anyone. Unfortunately, I was not that lucky in my haste to reach the kitchen, trying not to be noticed, I ran smack into Jonas. “Well if it isn’t the pack house’s pet” I heard right before He grabbed by hair making me look up at him. He is tall at 6’7 with a body that has been toned through years of training to be Alpha. He has thick muscular legs, broad shoulders. I couldn’t see thru his shirt but I’d imagine there would probably be perfect abs to go along with everything else. “JONAS I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS TODAY” I screamed as he pushed me against the wall. “Oh let me guess you’re running late” He said in a playful way cupping my breast in his free hand, “You sure you don’t have time to play with me”. “YES I HAVE TO GO NOW AND GET EVERYTHING READY FOR YOUR CEREMONY” I said as I slapped him hard across the face. Too late I realized how much of a mistake that actually was as I watched as his eyes went from silver to cold and dark gray, and he looked more animal than man. Quicker than I could react his hand that had been tangled in my hair was squeezing my throat. “You stupid little reject have you forgotten who I am?” he said through clenched teeth just inches from my face. My vision started to blur as I’m struggled to catch my breath. “Jonas” is all I manage as I gasp for air. I look at him jaw moving as I could tell he was grinding his teeth, a bad habit he has had since childhood, suddenly his eyes held mine as they shifted back to a hypnotic silver. His hand was still on my throat, but had loosened till it was just resting using his thumb to keep my chin up. “You don’t slap me” he said as he let go and turned heading down the hall toward the Alpha’s office. This isn’t this first time Jonas and I have had encounters like today. He loves to mess around with the maids and I was almost always late anyway. Jonas and I almost always had a morning routine by this point. Wake up, quickly throw on clothes and then I’d run into him in the hallway. Not sure why but He always stops before anything really happens. Honestly I’m starting to enjoy his teasing. Other than today, with me making him angry, it makes me feel like I’m wanted. I have no past and I’m not technically a part of the pack. What was up with him? One minute I thought he was going to kill me and then he just walks away? The stress must be really getting to him. He turned 18 a year ago and preparations had begun for the change in leadership. They sent him away to the Lycan capital, Lunam, to find a pureblood to be his mate, but he has come back without anyone seemingly determined to go without a Luna. This made Daniel angry and I overheard him tell Kathy that his attitude wouldn’t do and He would have to marry even if it was forced on him. I finally reached the maids changing area and hurriedly put on my uniform. The Blacks liked everyone to dress in their roles at all times. Maids wore black dresses with white flats, Cooks work black pants with white shirts, and everyone else wore suits. Mindy was in charge of the running of the house and was standing in the corner of the door frowning at me and said, “Well if it isn’t the Black’s pet finally gracing us with her presence.” I hated that nickname it was a constant reminder of my undesirable status and constantly thrown in my face. Instead of lashing out and throwing something, which she’d love because she’d be able to lock me in the cellar with no food for a few days, I smiled said, “my name is Ava and hello” and went about getting to work. What would I say anyway? That Jonas had me pinned in the hallway? Better to just do my job and not think about him and his strange behavior. The Blood Moon Manor was two stories with five rooms that were used regularly, five guest rooms, four bathrooms, two offices and a large kitchen and dining hall to fit 20 people. Regularly there were visitors from other clans that would come and take advantage of ours being so close to the ocean. So everything had to look immaculate in case of an unexpected guest’s arrival. Looking at the schedule I was scheduled with the second floor which held the Alpha’s wing and important guest’s area. I grab a trolley once I’m up the stairs from the hidden closet, that only the maids and household staff use, taking all the supplies needed and scurried off. The first room I pause before knocking on the door saying and ask is anyone in there. Before I can answer Mindy calls me from down the hall, “Hey Ava you’re needed in the Alpha’s office leave your things someone else is being called in for your shift.” I look at her surprised and ask, “Okay do you know what they need?” she doesn’t answer rolling her eyes and prances away. Great just what I need something else for her to hate me on. I bet she’ll be looking for my worst assignments for me for the next week. It doesn’t take long to get to the Alpha’s office but I take my time walking down the stairs and pause before entering the room. I know Jonas came this way after our encounter I wonder if this has anything to do with that. Hearing “come in” I slowly open the door and inside behind a mahogany desk and a massive pile of paperwork sits Daniel. Jonas is at a smaller desk, usually used by his mother Kathy, and he looks at me with shock. I look at Daniel and he motions for me to sit down in front of him. “How are the preparations for tonight’s ceremony coming?” “Very smoothly sir we will have everything in place for tonight and any rooms for guests finished by noon” He smiles and nods “Spectacular Mindy always have everything running smoothly.” The mention of her name instantly makes me want to leave the room and feel uncomfortable. “I bet your wondering why I’ve called you away from your duties today” Daniel says as he places a piece of paper on his desk and looks me directly in the eyes making me squirm. “Honestly Sir I’m not sure what I’m doing here I should be helping the others. It’s my purpose here to serve the house.” To the left of me Jonas did not look happy and that had me concerned that something was not right and the longer I sat here the more my instincts told me to run. Daniel looked up to the ceiling and leaned back in his chair crossing his arms over his chest and said matter of factly,” You are going to marry Jonas.” Jonas roared “No I will not marry anyone” rising from his chair with so much force it went flying backwards hitting the wall. In his anger he was starting to shift his eyes growing dark and feral and his fingertips changing to claws. Faster than I thought possible Daniel had moved from behind his desk and was in front of his son. Slapping Jonas and kneeing him in the chest. Jonas looked up in shock breathing in quick pants trying to catch his breath. “If that’s how you feel that is fine but you will never be Alpha and you will no longer be my son. The Lycan council has decreed that every Alpha must be married to a Lycan. Which we are lucky enough to have one to spare here. That is if she agrees,” Daniel states looking me in the eyes with a dangerous look. “What if I say no” I ask fearfully. Daniel smiles but it’s not the warm friendly smile I’m used to. The look on his face is sinister and makes me want to find some place to hide. I look at Jonas and He’s looking at Daniel with confusion. “Well that would be fine my dear but I’m afraid you’d no longer have the protection and affection of the Black family. I would have to change your station and living arrangements to better use you.” I don’t understand what he means. The Black Families protection? My face twists in fear and confusion as Daniel walks slowly to me. I can tells he’s examining me and when he reaches me he grabs me by the neck making me stand. Darkness is in his eyes and his fingers have changed into claws which dig into the sensitive flesh. “Ava I find it funny you would talk about your purpose in this house. You want to know what that means exactly,” He asked exposing his canines with a sinister grin, “That means I’ll stop saying no to those demands to use you as a breeder. I have kept you safe and untainted in case I needed a pureblood, but if you don’t want to be his mate and Luna I have no use for you. Do you want to be a breeder like you’re mother? She had a group of rogues smuggle you out and they kept you for 4 years until they got caught crossing my boarder and then giving you us was their only salvation”. A breeder! No this can’t be! He knew my mother? How can he be this cruel? That is literally the worst fate for anyone. It’s despicable to even think of… I don’t have a choice I have to marry Jonas. The thought of being forced to be a breeder makes my eyes fill with tears and I’m stunned speechless. He squeezes a little harder and I can feel warm blood trickle down my neck where his craws have punctured my skin telling me he wants an answer but I barely register the words. I always thought I had been saved and treated well just to find He had planned to use me if Jonas didn’t find a mate by the time he decided he didn’t want to be Alpha any more. “Yes I’ll marry Jonas” I whisper utterly defeated and still in shock. “Good girl I’ll leave you two to get better acquainted” Daniel says letting go and smiling and changing before my eyes from the sinister villain to the seemingly gentle father figure I remembered. The man that I now knew was a lie and just a mask for others to see, but I would never be able to forget the evil I saw behind those black eyes and the feel of his claws on my neck. Neither Jonas nor I dared move as he walked away and shut the door behind him till his footsteps could no longer be heard from the hallway. Sadness overwhelmed me and I placed my face in my hands and began to sob. The confusion and sadness overwhelmed me and hit me in waves. I felt Jonas’s hand on my hair and looked up at him through tear filled eyes. Jonas had gone to the adjoining bathroom and gotten a warm wet washcloth. He began to clean the wounds his father had left and couldn’t seem to look me in the eye. I watched him closely and started to notice the fading bruise on his cheek and knew that it wasn’t from me earlier. “How long has he been like this?” I whisper causing him to look at me and study my face. His muscle in his jaw gets tight takes his unused hand through his hair making him look more like a boy than I’d ever seen him. “Always, He’s always been a monster. But they have everyone fooled to think him and my mother are angels.” Truth be told I’d seen bruises on him before but just thought he’d gotten them during training sessions. Never would I have thought that He was abused in a million years. He was big and strong with muscles protruding from his large frame but now I understood that physical size and pride could be a mask just like a friendly smile. He looks away from me and walks to the window opening the blinds to look out. “I’m sorry,” He whispers as he plays with the hem of his shirt. “My father and I have been fighting for weeks about this. The decree is a million years old and not followed any longer. It was issued during a time when it was illegal to marry other shifters thinking that it would weaken the bloodlines.” He said this without looking at me. “Why don’t we run away from here? I know that you don’t want me. Earlier you said that I was a reject.” I say looking at him waiting for him to tell me to leave. The vein in his neck began to pulse and I was sure he was going to lose it and shift. He looks at me pain in his eyes. “We can’t just run away. Especially you. You’d be caught before the week is up and I’m sure he would make you suffer before carrying out his word.” He looks at me then, “Wanna go for a run? I need to shift and clear my head and honestly need to get out of this room before I tear it apart.” He asks as he reaches out his hand slowly. His movement almost like someone trying to feed a wild animal but afraid they’ll run away. I don’t say anything but take his hand thinking I don’t mind and I could use the distraction too. He leads me to the door and opens it to my dismay Mindy about to knock on the door. She has put on a maids uniform that is at least a size too small making her breast almost hang out and barely coving her privates. “Hi Jonas want to help me finish in your father’s office,” She almost purrs as she presses up against him looking at me in the corner of her eye. Now accepting that He’ to be my mate I don’t like the way she’s throwing herself and practically groping him. However, can I really make a scene when no one knows about Daniel’s little arrangement? Expecting Jonas to take her up on the offer and enjoy his last hours of being a bachelor I turn and walk toward the rear exit. He hesitates for a moment looking her over before pushing Mindy off and coming and grabbing my waist pulling me back toward him. “What are you doing sounds like you’re missing a good time?” I ask puzzled as I feel his warmth behind me. “I told you I needed to go for a run and I can be a jerk but I wouldn’t do that in front of my Mate” He says and I can feel the smile on his words. I turn to face him forgetting about Mindy wondering to myself He’s always liked to mess around with the maids hence him trying to get with me earlier. I don’t understand him acting this way. Can he really accept me as his mate like this? I study his face a little more his eyes are silver warm inviting and he smiles in a crooked grin with lips that are full and inviting. I also notice beside his strong nose and jawline there is a light bruise lining his face. I can’t help but gently raise my hand to touch it and He leans his face into my hand. “Well isn’t this fitting I knew you were whoring around with him to get so much special treatment,” Mindy sneers bringing me back to reality. The accusation sends me into shock and I nervously chew on my lip not knowing what to say to defend myself. However Jonas surprises me by turning toward Mindy and saying with venom,” This is a warning Ava is my Mate, your future Luna, and you will never speak to her in this manor ever again or I will make sure that you regret it severely”. Her eyes grow wide and her mean girl smile instantly changes to fear as she looks at Jonas. She bows her head in submission and picks up her supplies and quickly disappearing into the Alpha’s office. Jonas takes my hand and kisses it then starts to lead me toward to back door. I’m feel like I’m going to be sick and make a fool of myself when I see Kathy. She grins and nods at us clearly pleased that we are going along with Daniel’s plans. I expect him to let go of my hand when I see his mother but he holds it more firmly almost like he’s trying to reassure me that everything is going to be okay. We reach the back door and he exits first holding the door till I am completely through. In the pack houses backyard there is a giant pool, large patio area and a trail that leads into the woods which leads to the creek. There are multiple pack members lounging in the pool area and they all have a mix of confusion or anger on their faces. They all hate me. How can I be the Luna to people who have all taken their turn abusing me or wanting too? I feel frozen and shock about the brazen reactions around me when I feel myself be lifted off the ground and cradled like a babe towards the woods. He doesn’t put me down until we reach the creek looked down at me he asks, “Are you okay?” Concern is filling his features and I can’t help but look at him amazed that he is treating me so well. I let out a small sigh and say, “I’m fine I’m used to them looking at me like I’m nothing. This morning everything was normal and now my world is kinda turned upside down. Yours too. I just don’t see how you can treat me like I’m someone you actually want to be with. I’m honestly waiting for the other foot to drop.” He looks at me and I can’t read what emotions are on his face and turns to face the water. He takes off his shirt showing a back thick with scars. “I may be the son of an Alpha but I know what it’s like to be hated and abused. And Ava you will never be mistreated so long as there is breath in me”. He turns looking at me again eyes full of emotion and gently reaches towards me pulling me into his strong arms.