Luna Alana's Arranged Marriage

18th Century Scotland Alana MacGregor stood near the edge of the cliff that overlooked the sea. The wind was caressing her cheek. Tugging her copper colored hair across her face. The waves below were slamming themselves against the rocks that were currently holding up the cliff that Alan was standing on. Alana's favorite place in the world was anywhere near the sea. A few birds flew by as she was gazing out into the endless ocean. She has never left the island of Scotland before. It was her home. Nowhere else enticed her enough to want to leave it. She had everything that she needed here. Alana heard a snicker come from behind her. She threw her hair over her shoulder and glanced back at the white pony that was currently her only company for this journey. "Oh Moira, you are ruining the view for me with all your noises. You must be careful. You might turn yourself into a bore." Alana chuckled under my breath and turned away from the mezmorizing view of the ocean. She walked over to the white horse and put her hand on the animal's neck. She was soothing and cooing to the horse as she did it. "Would you like a wee treat when we get back to the stables?" Alana asked Moira. She was rewarded with a gleeful whinny for the pony. "Alright then. Let us head back to the castle. Father is sure to give an earful." Alana pulled herself up on the horses back and grabbed the leather reigns in her hands and gave Moira a light nudge on either side of her belly to get the animal moving in the direction of the castle that she lived in with her family and clan. Alana lived with her father, the current Alpha and Clan leader of the MacGregor Clan, George MacGregor. Her mother, the clan's Luna, Davina MacGregor, and her two older bothers, James and John. Her brothers were twins. Both would take over the clan after their father. Alana counted her blessings that she was raised in a family that was close. Their father always gave them respect and discipline, and their mother showered each of her children with love. Alana's parents loved each other dearly. Their marriage started out as an arrangment, like most marriages. Her parents were just one of the few who actually grew to love each other. Alana and Moira made their way to the stables that were located just inside the main gates. The journey had taken a small toll on both of them. The wind was sharp today, and Alana's cheeks were a lovely cherry red. Alana patted the horses neck one more time as she handed the horse a bucket of oats that she found sitting on the hay pile in the horses stall. Moira nickered in response but made no other acknowledgment of Alana. Alana chuckled at the horse and headed out of stables in search of her own food. As Alana walked through the bailey, she let her hand glide along the stone that built up the large walls that protected their castle. Alana nodded in greetings to a few maids and warriors who were going about their daily tasks. Each of the maids held handmade straw backets, holding various pieces of clothing, while the warriors had their swords out and were sparring. Always on the ready in case of an attack. Unfortunately, in most recent events, the MacLeod clan has been making more threats to Alana's family. The MacGregor scouts have come back with news of tresspassers on their land almost every other day. To her surprise, her father was not sending warriors out after them. Instead, George MacGregor looked completely unbothered by the tresspassers on his land. Alana's father had been in an unusually joyful mood as of late. Alana wondered what could have her father in such high spirits. Alana made her way to the side of the castle, where a small wooden door rested on it hinges. The wood door led into the immense kitchens. There were at least a dozen maids about, either working on the cooking or working on other chores around the castle. Alana greeted each woman and headed to the main large wood table that sat in the center of the kitchen. The table was a common drop area for a variety of foods. Alana grabbed an apple as well as a small cake that fit into the palm of her hand. Alana headed to the door on the far side of the kitchen to make her way to the great hall to see if she could find her mother. Whenever Alana walked through the great hall, it always surprised her how large it actually was. Most castles halls were half the size. However, since George MacGregor wanted everyone within his castle walls to feel like family, everyone was welcome to the great hall, especially during the evening supper. Alana made her way over to the stone staircase that was on the fair left side of the great hall. The wall was lined with a series of tapestries and ornamental weapons. Alana slowly made her way up the stairs as she finished the last of her cake and apple. When she got to the top of the stairs, she was met with the long hallway that led to the great chamber that her parents occupied. Alana lightly knocked on the enormous, intricatly carved wood door that separated her from her parents' chambers. Alana knew that he father had probably already left the castle for the day. He had mentioned at dinner last night that he needed to go check on the neighboring farmers to make sure that everything was as it should be. One of his famers had told him about a new crop that they were going to start planting. It was called the potatoe. George had been very excited about the prospect of a new vegetable that would help feed his clan. He had kept a watchful eye on the farmers during the planting process once the frost had stopped covering the ground in the early mornings. Currently, the farmers were working to harvest and store them. Alana heard a quiet, "Come in." From the other side of the door. She pushed open the heavy door and found her mother sitting in a chair in front of the large brick fireplace that sat on the opposite side of their chamber. The other side housed their massive four poster bed. There were a few wooden chests and drawers along either wall as well that housed their garmets. Scones lined the walls above their heads to help illuminate their surroundings as the only window in the room was on the opposite wall of the door and was quite small. "Did you have a nice ride this morning, dear?" Alana's mother asked her. She didn't look up from her needlework. Alana's mother preferred to take on the stitching of the castle. She said that it gave her something to do each day. Luna Davina currently had two large straw baskets placed on either side of her chair. Alana's mother was a very talented needle woman. Alana had no doubt that her mother would make short work of both the baskets. "The wind was a bit angry, but it was nice to smell the sea air first thing in the morn." Alana strolled over to the other chair that sat in front of the fireplace. Alana watched her mother's fingers as they gently held a white linen and the other hand held a needle and thread. "I thought I might see if John or James is willing to do a wee bit of sparring with me." Alana knew that her mother did not agree with her learning to use weapons. It was Davina's opinion that it was the man's job to defend what was his. Luna Davina let out a heavy sigh. Davina knew that the more she tried to tell Alana not to do something, the more Alana became head strong on the matter. "I believe that John went with your father to the farms. James might be meandoring about today. If you can find him." The unspoken words that both Alana and Davina knew were that James was wandering about the castle bothering the maids. Not that the maids minded much. Most of them actually sought out James's attention, and he was happy to oblige. Alana scrutched up her nose. The last thing she wanted was her morning to be ruined by walking in on her brother and a maid in a compromising situation. Alana left her mother to her linen mending and went in search of her brother. Perhaps if Alana called out around the castle, James would have enough time to right himself before answering her. "James! Where have you gone? I want to spar!" Alana began yelling down the hall when she was far enough from her mother's hearing. Alana paused for a moment as she heard scuffling and a curse come from a room off to the right in front of her. The door to the room was thrown open, and her brother's disheveled form came through the doorway. He was currently trying to put his boot back on his foot. Alana caught a glimpse of the maid behind him. She was holding her dressed to cover the front of her. Before Alana could see who it actually was, James pulled the door closed tightly behind him as he left the room. "Alana, what are you doing awake at this hour? Aren't you normally still a bed at this time?" James asked as he tied the strings of his breeches. Alana laughed at her brother as he was trying to fix his attire. "I went for a ride to the sea this morning. I feel restored enough to finally best you." Alana said with confidence that made James pause. Alana had yet to best him. Although since Alana did have their father's alpha blood running through her veins, she was stronger than most of the other she-wolves. James chuckled at her. "We shall see "beautiful one. " James mocked the meaning of Alana's given name. Luna Davina always talked about how when Alana was born her and the Alpha knew that she would be a great beauty. They were not wrong. Alana, with her petitie build, copper colored hair that had a lovely loose curl to it. Alana had a perfectly symetrical face, a small nose, and a heart-shaped mouth. Her eyes were a lovely caramel color and perfectly even brows that sat above them. Alana stuck her tongue out at her brother. "Let us go see then, you big ol' bairn." Alana used any opportunity to rub in James's face that he was second born. From the look that crossed James's face, it was going to be a tough sparring session.