No One's Luna

"Serenity, you cannot be serious about wearing that dress," Alina's high pitched voice echoed around the room as the young woman looked in horror upon her sister's frame, clad at this very moment in soft mint hues. Serenity smoothed out the front of her attire, ignoring her sister's exclaim, her storm grey eyes critically looking over her presentation. Finding nothing to be out of place, she turned to look at her sister.  "Why do you think I am not serious about it, Alina?" her voice was cold, a reminder that they no longer were the close pair of their youth. The past few years have caused them to drift apart although, at the urging of their family and - most importantly - their Alpha, the two sisters remained stuck with one another. "Have I ever given you any doubt about it?" "About the dress? Plenty," the younger girl threw her hands in the air before holding up her hand and starting to count on her fingers. "It's boring, it's bland, it looks like something Great Aunt Gertrude wore on her deathbed, it's out of season, it's-" "The clan is hosting royalty, not a fashion show," Serenity cut her sister off, turning back to her reflection. "Perhaps if you were the Luna, you would know." The unspoken truth hung between them - if only Alina had been of age before the Alpha ascended the throne. Things would have been so different then but alas, fate was finicky. Three years ago, Serenity became the Luna, winning the title through the clan's rituals and mating with the Alpha. Last year, the Alpha finally found his mate - in her little sister who just turned eighteen. Outwardly, nothing had changed and life in the Silentcrest Clan continued as usual. Inwardly, Serenity cried herself to sleep almost every night, feeling emptiness in her chest and fighting back fear. Fear for her life and her sanity.  "It wasn't my fault," Alina pouted her lips, "I never wanted for that to happen." "No, of course not," Serenity couldn't hide her sarcasm. Of course her younger sister didn't want for things to happen - in her world, they simply did. It was easy to see why - blonde, petite with blue eyes and rosy cheeks, Alina was every young wolf's dream. Her warmth, her laughter and her charisma made her friends easily - all the guys in her class had wanted to be with her and the girls wanted to be her. In contrast, Serenity was never one to willingly be the center of attention though her years as Luna taught her to accept it with grace. She was tall, standing almost 5'8 with dark brown hair and unnerving grey eyes. A small scar from her childhood graced the bridge of her nose, adding character to her rather pale complexion. Toned, Serenity was athletic and pretty but not in the way her younger sister always was.  "I will inform the Alpha that you are ready," Alina never seemed to catch her sister's sarcasm or she preferred to ignore it. "I hope that you don't keep him waiting." Serenity watched in the reflection as her sister spun on her stiletto heels and closed the door behind her, her hips swaying in a way that highlighted her rear. Finally alone, the young woman let out a breath that she had been holding and relaxed. Instantly, her features smoothed out to be those of someone younger,  sadder and more insecure. The last year had been tough - her mate who she had hoped would bond with her eventually abandoned her. No, he didn't do it publicly, didn't cast her out or ruin her. He simply slipped into the sheets of her sister, night after night. Her perfume lingered on him and he would share meaningful gazes and touches across the room whenever he stood beside his Luna. And all Serenity could do was silently look upon it and ignore the pain, throwing herself wholeheartedly into running the clan and raising it up.  The Silentcrest wolves were never powerful or rich, residing on the outskirts of the territory away from the powerful clans and the mountainous fortress of the Lycan lords. Many of the young wolves left to find better clans to pledge allegiance to or to find land of their own. Until the current Alpha ascended the throne, the small clan was synonymous to 'thieves', 'failures' and 'weaklings'. The other wolf packs never cared for them and the small village was suffering as a whole. Now, there was a change - the young pair that ascended the ranks brought with it hope and order, it brought prosperity. For that alone, the clan was ready to ignore any rumors stemming about the infidelity of the Alpha....at least for now.  Blinking away her thoughts, the Luna glanced at the clock and groaned. Why did time fly every time her mind wandered. Slipping into a pair of elegant silver heels, she started out of her room and down the hallway to the top flight of the stairs. Her stomach twisted as she caught sight of the lone figure standing tall in the dim light, his arms crossed impatiently on his chest. Even in the dim atmosphere around her, Serenity could already see the disappointment in his eyes that she was once again late. Knowing that she couldn't do much about it now, she steeled her nerves and approached.  "I thought Alina told you not to be late," Sebastien snapped as Serenity walked within hearing distance. His rough tone would be enough to send most unprepared wolves running with their tail between their legs but Serenity only smiled, placing a light kiss on his cheek in greeting.  "You worry too much, Seb," she responded, reaching up to fix the man's tie, her movements all professional. "This is not even the first night of the Harvest Moon Feast - only our clan is here along with extended relatives from nearby packs. They never complain if the ceremonies and official stiffness runs a bit shorter." "Tonight they don't but tomorrow," the Alpha's tone was still gruff but he relaxed slightly, taking comfort from the cool level headedness of his Luna. In this way, they always complemented each other - Sebastien the fearless warrior and hothead, Serenity the cool, calm leader. They have been through many things in their short tenure together, they were friends. Even if their friendship was a strange one of sorts.  "And tomorrow will be perfect," Serenity assured him, linking her arm with his. "Trust me on that."  "It better be - we cannot afford to be embarrassed before the Lords," he huffed as they started down the stairs. The young woman bit her lip, trying to get her nerves under control. How did she end up with the short end of the stick - the pressure of being the Luna and no love from her Alpha? Involuntarily, her eyes found Alina standing in the crowd, clad in her fashion-forward dress of pink and her charming smile lighting up only for Sebastien. Could she have done what Serenity had been doing for the past few years - could she put her pack before herself?  "Champagne?" the young wolf serving for the occasion pulled the young woman out of her thoughts. Nodding, she took a flute, smiling at the crowd as other servers offered all those present for the celebrations their drinks. Beside her, Seb cleared his throat.  "I welcome you, friends and family, to the celebrations of our most sacred holiday. Tonight, we mark a new chapter in this clan's chapter - we have been given the honor to host these celebrations, a milestone in turning this pack to one of the best. This week, let us celebrate and start this path with joy and hope. For the Moon and the Harvest that the goddess brings us year after year. To my brothers, my foes and my Luna. To the future!" "To the future," Serenity echoed as around them the room exploded in cheer and clinking on glasses, a few howls breaking out. Bringing the glass to her lips, the young woman couldn't help the small tremble of her hands. Standing beside the Alpha and looking upon the crowd, she felt as though someone was constantly watching her, staring to the point that she felt exposed and naked. Looking at the crowd, she couldn't find where the intensity was coming from, couldn't even understand why it threw her off except for a silly thought coming into her mind, digging out of the depths of her memories and forcing itself to the surface. A very weak, very fragile and violently hopeful word - mine?