The Substitute Luna

Accidentally “Louve… are you getting ready?!” Father's voice growled around our house. I’m up here in my bedroom, laying on my bed, feeling lazy to move a muscle and there was my family rushing me to come with them to a Moon Party. Every ten years, they hold a party at the palace to choose a mate for themselves. I remembered back then, I was only almost nine years old when my older sister, Fiona found herself a mate with the help of the Goddess Moon of Selene and now I think it's my time, maybe… “Louve!” Father knocked on my door making me stand up right away. “Yes, Father! Coming!” I exclaimed. Leaving me with no choice, I got myself a dress to wear and put some light make up for this party thing. Once I walked downstairs, they were all done and waiting for me. “What took you so long, Louve?” Father asked. My mother rushed to calm her husband. “Shh, isn't it obvious my dear? She made herself look presentable. Don't be grumpy about that, women need time.” “Mother’s right, Father. I was like her ten years ago, remember?” Fiona agreed. He let out a deep sigh. “Fine, let's go. We’re gonna be late…” The four of us went onto my father's pickup truck and rode to the palace. In a flash, we got there after fifteen minutes. The palace is much bigger than it was ten years ago, especially the inside. “Woah… it was like before. I’m so excited for you, Louve!” Fiona turned to me with so much joy. “What if you're the awaiting Luna that we are all waiting for?!” It was at that moment, I got a chill feeling in my bones. I don't know what has got into me but as soon as I stepped inside the gathering hall, I can feel my wolf starts to awaken from my body. “Fiona… keep it down. Everyone knows that Luna will be Eliana since she and the Alpha were together. We might get kicked out if someone will hear you,” my father said. “But Father! I told you many times that I saw Louve’s vision. Who knows? Maybe they are just together but they aren't mates,” Fiona fights back. “I understand, darling. Your father and I know what you're trying to say but he just wants your sister to find her mate like you,” Mother explained. “Besides, it seems like Louve will make the right decision if that happens, right darling?” Their eyes gazed at me. “Yeah, I can feel the pressure but yeah, I will.” We all moved our eyes to our front when the lights went off and it focused only on a certain direction. “Is that the famous Alpha?” I leaned close to Fiona as I whispered. She nodded without hesitation. “He looks like a goddess! no wonder why girls are attracted to him.” “Huh?” I looked closely at the Alpha she said looked like a goddess but all I saw was simple beauty. He is handsome, I admit but not for me to kneel. By the way, where's his rumored destined Luna? Her name was Eliana, right? “She’s not here…” My brows wrinkled when I heard a voice. I looked around me but there was no one else beside me but Fiona. “Did you just say something?” I asked her. She looks at me in a puzzle. “No? why?” “Nothing…” I shrugged. Maybe it's just my imagination. “Good evening, everyone! We all gathered here once again to witness the Goddess Moon of Selene choose a mate for my beloved son, the soon to be Alpha and the King of our kingdom, Ralph Theron…” Queen Raven announced, her beauty never fades. “As we all know, my son Ralph only had his eyes on Eliana, his destined Luna for years so before midnight strikes, let us cheer for two of them as soon as they collide!” “Woooohhhhh!” “Alpha Ralph!!!!!” “Eliana, Ralph!!!” They were all clapping and cheering for the two, little did they know, it was just Ralph standing there. My eyes are searching for this Eliana all over the place but I can't see her. Where is she? I also noticed Alpha Ralph's face is not okay, something’s wrong. He looked worried and lost but no one knew except for me? The lights were back on and the party went pretty well, my family got a table and we ate a bunch of food and drank a little alcohol. “Go outside…” I heard the voice once again and this time, it wasn't my imagination. “Fiona…” I called my older sister who’s busy talking to her friends. “I need to go outside, please don't tell father, okay? I’ll be just quick.” “What are you even—oh whatever! You’re almost nineteen, go and I won't spill a thing.” I smiled. “Thank you…” She just gave me a nod and turned back to her friends while I walked outside the hall and found myself going to the garden where I saw someone. “Ralph… I need to go…” That voice. Is that Eliana? And she's with Alpha Ralph? What the hell is going on? “But I thought? Please, Eliana… stay, just for a while. The Goddess Moon of Selene was about to come out and it will be choosing—” “No, Ralph. I knew that I’m not the one you're destined to, we already talked about this, right? Faith is against us, you're not my mate.” My eyes widened. “f**k faith. I don't want to be with someone else, Hell I care for my mate when I choose you as my Luna,” Alpha Ralph exclaimed. “I’ll do everything. I can even beg the Goddess Moon to change our destiny.” What in the world am I hearing? Why am I here? “I’m really sorry, Ralph. We tried but we really can't be together, not this time. I have to go…” Eliana starts to walk away while Ralph is just watching her leave. Guess, I need to go also cause I am not supposed to be here in the first place. As I turned my back, the wind began to feel so cold that it made me shiver and I jumped in surprise and fear when I saw Alpha Ralph in front of me. “Who are you?” he roared. “What are you doing here? Did you know that it's not good to sneak out of the party just to gossip about someone’s life?” “I’m so sorry… I didn't mean to…” Facing my head to the floor, I ran away as fast as I could and went back to the party. I just hope that he doesn't see my face.