The Perfect Luna

Chapter 4

***Steven POV***

As I walked through the garden to the party in the backyard of the pack house I felt nervous.

'Don't be nervous.' Nix tried to calm me

'I can't help it. I'm about to insult our Gamma family, all because of some stupid tradition of always having males in positions of power.' I sighed

'As an Alpha, you must do what is best for the entire pack. They will never know the sacrifices we will have to make. The good of the pack comes before even ourselves. As a leader we are also servants.'

'Seems you've been paying attention to my father.'

'Our father. And yes, I have. No one will ever be as close to you as I am. We are one, Steven. Everything I do is for the good of us both as well as for our pack. We have a lot of responsibility on our shoulders. Especially you, because you will get the blame should anything go wrong.' he laughed

'Great.'

I rounded the corner and stopped to look at everything that had been set up. The back patio of the pack house had all of the furniture removed and was lined end to end with tables of food, drinks and desserts. The only exceptions were the two staircases on either end and at the double, glass doors that lead into the main floor living room.

There were 20 round tables scattered around the perimeter of the backyard. None against the patio, a column of eight lining both the left and right sides and one final row of six. Giving it a rectangular center. Near the patio stood a platform and podium with a microphone in the middle. On the platform sat three together on the left side and two together on the right.

Directly in front of the platform sat a huge surround sound speak set. The rest of the opening was transformed into a dance floor.

"Steven!" Alex called out to me

I walked over to the first table where he was standing and hugged him.

"You nervous for tonight?" he asked me

"I'd never let you know." I nudged him

Slowly more people showed up to the party. There were about 200 seats available. The stereo was playing Go Crazy by Chris Brown. Soon everyone was gathering around the dance floor. Groups of teens began to dance.

'Where's Nick?' I mindlink Alex

'When I left him, he was still in his towel. He'll be down soon.' he answered

I walked out onto the dance floor over to a group of girls. They looked good. I grabbed a random one by the hand and led her a few feet away from the group.

"Happy birthday, Alpha." she giggled

"Thanks, Mimi." I began to dance with her. The longer we danced the more I was sure she was just dry humping me.

Mimi was 17, old enough to have found her Mate and yet she hadn't. It was a safe bet dancing with her, her Mate probably wasn't part of our pack or anyone that I would easily offend in the moment. Unfortunately, most unmated females will jump at any chance to mate an Alpha.

"You're a good dancer." she smiled as the song changed

"Not bad yourself, Mimi. You definitely know what your doing but I would suggest toning it down." I smiled back

"My apologies, Alpha Steven." she lowered her eyes "I meant no disrespect."

"Apology accepted. Please excuse me." I walked away from her

I sigh and rub the back of my neck as I walk away and toward the platform. I spot my mother chatting with some of the ladies while their young pups ran around their feet. I smiled and waved at one of the pups who stopped and noticed me. She giggled and waved back before continuing her play.

"Alright everyone." my fathers voice echoed through the speakers

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention toward the platform.

"I want to thank everyone for coming out to Steven's 16th birthday party. As you all know this is a big night. We will be naming the next line of succession for the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma families. Also as we have some wolves who have newly come of age this is also an opportunity to find your Mates." he continued

I few people whistled and applauded.

"I just want to let everyone know. This is a family function. There are children present. If you find your Mate, are with your Mate, or are just around somebody you just so happen to like for the night, and you cannot contain yourselves. Leave."

Everyone laughs.

"Alright. Let's start getting into this food. As always, ladies and children first. Lines go left to right." he smiled before stepping down off the platform and walking over to me

"You ready son?" he asked

"Yes. I know exactly who I will name to be my Beta and Gamma." I say

He looks at me with a raised eyebrow. "I know you'll do what's best for the pack."

"I always do."

***Unknown POV***

"Cuuuumpleaaaaaños feliiiiiz. Cuuuuumpleaaaaños feliiiiiz. Te deseaaaaamos, Princesa. Cuuuumpleaaaaaños feliz!" everyone sang to me

I smiled as the song came to an end. I stood so that the five tier cake in front of me was level with my chest. Taking in a deep breath and hold it while I think of my wish.

"I wish to fall in love and not end up in some arranged marriage like my cousin Valentina." I think

With a final smile I blow out the candles as everyone claps.

"Thank you all for coming out to celebrate my birthday. Please enjoy some cake." I smiled again

I walked over to my sister, whose back was turned to me. She was talking to some boy who seemed to have a rather good social standing. I placed my hands over her eyes.

"Guess who?" I whisper

"It can only be my best friend and hermana." she giggled as she turned around to hug me

"And never forget it." I gave her a quick squeeze before turning my attention to the guest in front of us "My apologies for interrupting, Sir-?"

"Prince actually." he smiled "Prince Henry of England."

"Prince, yes. Again, I offer my apologies. I was unaware that there would be guests from our neighboring kingdoms." I offer my hand, which he takes

"Yes, well my parents didn't leave much of a choice. They only told me that my presence was required as it would have been rather uncouth for someone of the royal family to not attend." he bows and kisses the back of my hand

"Indeed." I smile dryly

As I go to walk away, my father comes strolling over from seemingly out of nowhere.

"Ah! Prince Henry, I see you've met both of my lovely daughters." he said with a handshake

"King Richard, it has been truly a pleasure. That I can assure you." Henry said with a side glance at my sister

She hid her girlish giggle and tried to keep a straight face. My father didn't seem to notice.

"Wonderful." he said before clearing his throat and speaking louder "Excuse me everyone!"

The music was turned down and everyone got quiet.

"Everyone! Thank you again for attending my beautiful daughter's birthday party. 16 is a big step for any girl, I can't even imagine the added pressures of being a Princess."

Everyone laughs. This man loved to embarrass me, I sigh silently.

"As you all know my daughter is next in line to the throne. And as such she will soon need a suitable husband to be a great King to our country." he continued

"Oh no! Where is he going with-" I started to think before his next words took my breathe away

"I've been in negotiations with England trying to form an alliance. And the King and Queen both agree the best way to do that would be by marriage. I have agreed to give my eldest daughter's hand in marriage to Prince Henry of England" he gestures to Prince Henry as everyone claps

"What!?" I internally scream

My sister, Prince Henry, and I are the only ones who look shocked. I look at my sister and notice she has tears in her eyes.

"Felicidades." she says fighting back tears before turning and walking away

Everyone goes back to enjoying the party as I stand there dumbfounded.

"Looks like we're engaged." Prince Henry walked closer to me "I should've known my parents were up to something."

I look over my father who has started getting congratulations and was no longer paying attention to us. I look back to Prince Henry who was doing well to hide whatever emotions he was feeling. However I could feel the knot in my stomach growing.

"Please excuse me." I turned and walked away, the sounds of the party fading away with each step.

My life was over.