MY LUNA

CARAVAN

“You sneaked out during curfew?!” “Keep your voice down.” I hiss at my best friend as I look around the tent we're in and realise it's just us. Relieved, I plop down on a chair and look up at Hazel's shocked face.

“Do you want the entire pack to know what I did?” Hazel shakes her head and sits next to me, “I mean no, but seriously Ciara,” She places a hand on my arm, “You gotta stop doing that.” “Girl please,” I shrug her hand off, “I'm not stupid to try it again after what it cost me.” “Yeah. But it's a fitting punishment.” “Hazel!” She chuckles at my alarmed face, “Imagine getting disqualified for a tournament you sneaked curfew to practice for.

” I grumble and fold my arms, “I wasn't disqualified fairly. Father just decided to torture and forced me out.” “Because you disobeyed his command.” “Whose side are you on?” “Um, My Alpha of course.”

Hazel smirks “I am to be your Luna.” I pout, “So I believe it is imperative that you swear your undying loyalty to me now before I ascend the Throne.” Hazel rolls her eyes, “Yes, your highness.” I smile at her but the smile dies down when reality hits me, “Like that is ever going to happen.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” Hazel avoids my eyes and sips her lemonade, I tug at her tight braid, “Yes, you do.” “Ugh, do you have to trauma dump at a tournament as well?” Gaping at her theatrically, “I'm sorry, can't a girl cry about daddy issues with her bestie?” Hazel narrows her eyes at me, “You guilt tripper.”

“Your lovely manipulative friend.” I smile widely as I flick the top of her nose. She swats my hand away. It feels good to joke about my life crisis. Because at least now I don't have to hide behind my failure anymore. I carry it around like a shield. No longer shackled by expectations of every living wolf in Stormclaw pack.

Except that it bothers me still. No natter how much I hide it. Ciara Jones, daughter of Alpha Jones hasn't wolfed out. It seemed like a trivial matter. Something to happen later. Probably a late Ere stager. But what should have happened at sixteen has now become non existent after seven years. A joke that has gone on for way too long. At Twenty three, I should be on my way to being Luna.

But has a pack ever had a Luna that doesn't have a wolf? Or can't mindlink? Or haven't wolfed out? I doubt that. But time is ticking. “How's your recent research going?” I slump against the table, loud chants from the ongoing tournament both annoying and calming at the same time. “Fruitless.” “Maybe you should just ask your dad.”

I turn so hard the movement gives me whiplash. “What?” Hazel avoids eye contact with me as she fiddles wit her straw, “I mean well, he is the only one who could have an answer.” “Hmm,” I tap a finger against my chin, “Yes, because my father has always been amenable to the topic of my mother.” Rolling my eyes, I twirl a strand of hair, “We both know that Father would be livid if he ever found out that I was digging into my mother.”

“What about Amelia?” She slurps down the rest of her drink. “They're in cahoots, Hazel. She's never given me information before. She certainly wouldn't now.” “Why are you suddenly interested in your mother anyways? After all this years, you start looking for her now?” I bit my lip, “Well I'm running out of time.”

Hazel aims for the trash bin several meters away from us and makes the drop when she throws her drink cup into it. “Time for what?” I give her a dumb look, “Incase you haven't noticed, Hazel, I'm not a wolf. I haven't wolfed out. I am way past the Ere stage and no signs yet. Nada.

The council keeps asking questions and the elders are questioning why I'm not Luna yet.” Hazel nods, “So what happens of you find any information on your mother?” “I don't know,” Honestly I haven't thought about that part, “Maybe I could look for her family. Find out if there's anyone in her bloodline who's faced this predicament.”

“How sure are you that someone from your father's bloodline isn't also facing it?” I raise an eyebrow, “Someone from the powerful Jones line? Come one Hazel, You know better than to speak ill of the sacred Stormclaw line” “I'm not. I'm just saying. Besides, I didn't undergo Ere stage until I was pushing Nineteen remember?” Of course I remember.

I remember how secretly happy I was back then that I wasn't the only one who hadn't undergone werewolf puberty early. The Ere stage began from as early as fourteen to as late as Nineteen. It was the sacred stage that werewolves pass through to become wolves. The stage where they unlock their wolves, shift and even discover their mates. It determined a wolf's life for eternity.

“Well, it still hurts not to search.” Hazel looks at me solemnly, “She's dead, C. She died at childbirth. You know that.” “No, that's what my father said.” “And you think Alpha Jones would lie about the mother of his only child? His possible mate?” Hazel looks at me confused, “I-” “Enough with these your wild theories, Ciara. The whole pack witnessed your Father coming into the village with you in his arms, wailing.

My father told me that the Alpha didn't speak for a whole week. I would doubt he would lie about your mother after all the pain he's been through.” I bite my tongue to keep from offering up a retort. Hazel could be right. And father found just be this heartbroken Alpha who missed his mate and decided to punish their daughter with his sharp tongue.

Totally feasible. “Anyways,” I stand and dust my hands against my jeans, “I'm going to go check the population offices with Alex.” Hazel makes a face as she stands, “Do you have to hang out with that?” “Hey!,” I hit her playfully, “I like him and his name is Alex. He brings me soft sweet treats.”

Hazel rolls her eyes, “They're called cotton candy, dummy.” “Yeah, whatever, you Wikipedia.” We make our way to the tents opening and Hazel frowns her face, “I don't like the way you keep making trips to town. You know Alpha Jones has forbidden it.” I smirk at her just as I draw the flaps open, “That's why it's more fun.”

A figure stops us from advancing outside the tent. He stands with his hands in his pockets. His stance open, yet ready to jump at any slight movement. His face is impassive, so at odds with the face I grew up with. A few brown stands have fallen from his head, coming to rest delicately over his eyebrows. Lips in a thin line.

Asher looks at Hazel, then at me. I hold my breath for what he's about to say. “What are you going to do in town, Ciara?”

Shit.