The Surrogate Luna

*Esmerelda’s POV* 20 years prior I'm staring down at the city below from a nearby mountain in South Africa, and all I see is happiness. Happiness. Love. Affection. Joy. It's disgusting. It's undeserved. It ends now. I caress my stomach as I feel my little one stretching herself and kicking at my bladder and an overwhelming wave of sadness and anger wash over me. Garrett should be here with me. She could be bonding with him. He'd adore her. He'd never let me lift a finger, magic or not. He'd have cherished every diaper and every pacifier. She'd have him wrapped around her pinky the moment she entered this world. She'll never know his sweet crooked smile. She'll never see his bright lime green eyes or his long lilac braids covered in beads, flowers, and feathers. She'll never get to be held while he flies around with his huge translucent green wings. My sweet Garrett. He was so much taller than me, but he made me feel larger than life. I remember each one of his deep brown freckles against his soft caramel skin. He joked that they were the same color as my deep brown complexion because we were mates. Maybe he was right. Or maybe it was love. Love that the shifter kings took away from me. We lived away from everyone. We knew our love wasn't accepted. Shifters don't always believe in cross mating. If your mate isn't your same breed, it's best to reject and pray to Selene for a second chance mate. Most people fade before they get the chance to search for a second chance mate. It's f*****g ungrateful. I can't even fade because of my sweet flower. She's holding me to this side of life. I reached around my belly again. Garrett told me I was pregnant before I could figure it out. I woke up one morning craving French toast, and he was already making it. In his words, “French toast and bacon is our daughter's favorite breakfast.” The look on my face must have been a crazy one because he laughed and walked over to me, peppering my face in kisses. He then rubbed my stomach and smiled deeply. I swipe at my eyes, realizing that I'm crying at the memory of my beloved Garrett. And my heart hurts. The pain of him being ripped from me so painfully. Of our home being burned down with all our belongings inside. Our gold. My magical items. Our furniture. His fairy warrior gear. Everything. It's not fair that I have to suffer without Garrett because of some greedy king who didn't appreciate his mate bond. My sweet flower will never know her father's love because men are power hungry. They've played with fire, and now it's time to burn. My feet were moving before I truly registered what I was doing. But that only fueled my determination. This must all end. Tonight is the coronation of the Feline Kingdom's new queen, Zahara. All the monarchs have gathered in honor of her, and what better way to settle the score? As I stroll down brightly lit and festively decorated streets, my heartache increases. I never got to celebrate my mate bond formally. My parents disowned me as soon as they found out Garrett was a fairy. His family was way more welcoming, though I think me being a black witch freaked them out quite a bit at first. After getting to know me, they realized that it's a genetic predisposition, not a lifestyle choice. I was not evil. Well, not then anyway. I continued to walk through the town unnoticed. People were wrapped up in preparing for a queen who wouldn't see the sun rise tomorrow. I hear voices turn into screams as I realize that several posters and cutouts of Zahara have burst into flames. The townsfolk scramble to put out the multiple fires, and I smirk to myself. I never had full control of my subconscious magic. But times like this never went unappreciated. Walking up the castle, I notice that many others are dressed far more regally than I am. I quickly conjure a midnight blue gown covered in silver sparkle over myself. My hair, normally in locs, is twisted in a bun atop my head with a few loose locs hanging coiled and silver jewels throughout my bun. Blending in, I followed behind a large group of chattering women. They have to be from the Passerine Kingdom with all the squawking they're doing. We're filed into the throne room where the 7 royal couples and the Feline King are seated among huge thrones that aligned with their respective kingdoms. The heads of the Shifters Allegiance Council are seated in a row in the very front. The room is full of excitement. Soon, the band begins to play a royal march. A councilman advises everyone to stand, and we do. Zahara enters the room. Even through my grief, anger, and sadness, I can appreciate her beauty. She's very tall and very slender. She's walking with grace, but I can see the nervousness in her eyes. It almost made me change my mind about my plan and leave. But then I looked at the Lycan and Mermaid Kings. They stare at her with looks of lust, as if their queens aren't next to them, and I lose all thoughts of backing out. These men will never learn. As the councilman begins Zahara's ceremony, I begin my incantations. I whisper them softly so as not to alert the people around me. Kwa sababu mapenzi yangu yalivunjwa, yako haitawahi kuona mwanga unaofuata wa siku. Mateso yako yakufunge na dunia hii. Nafsi yako isififie kamwe. Because my love was ripped apart, yours shall never see the next light of day. May your misery bind you to this world. May your soul never fade. “Do you, King Ezra Dakari Nkosi, accept Zahara Aisha Haruna as your fated mate and as your queen? Will you provide love, guidance, and advice? Will you honor her wishes and execute her desires? Will you put her above all others and protect her from harm?” “Yes. I do.” King Ezra smiles his broad catlike smile, looking more like a lion cornering his prey. The councilman slices his hand and pours some of his blood into the sacred chalice. I began to slowly rise from my seat and chant a little louder. “Do you, Zahara Aisha Haruna, accept Ezra Dakari Nkosi as your fated mate and as your king? Will you honor him and protect him? Will you provide him with peace and love? Will you guide your people with your heart, putting their needs first? Will you protect your new kingdom with your life?” Her beautiful eyes were filled with tears. King Ezra swipes at them and nods at her encouragingly. “Yes. I do.” She says in a loud whisper. Her hand is sliced as her blood is poured into the chalice. The councilman pours the Nozze into the chalice to bind their love officially. King Ezra takes a sip first. I made my way towards the front of the throne room. My dress fades into my normal witch attire as I hurry along the aisle, chanting louder and louder. My eyes and hands begin to glow purple; my spell is almost complete. “SOMEONE STOP HER!” The king of the Lycans belowed. The crowd disperses from near me to make way for the guards. But they're too little too late. Through my purple tear-stricken face, I laughed at the faces of the men who tore Garrett away from me. “Because my love was ripped apart, yours shall never see the next light of day. May your misery bind you to this world. May your soul never fade.” The room was filled with a blinding purple light. Then everything goes black.