born a human; reborn a luna

Two

Chapter 02

Ivy Ezra.

“Hum.” I groaned, rolling, the first thing I noticed was the warmth and soft thing or perhaps bed, I was sleeping on. And then, my body, my senses, everything seemed like an alien, as if I didn't belong in my own skin.

I slowly opened my eyes and the sight that behold me stole my breath away.

Above me was a canopy stretched high through the grand windows. The sheets that were spread on the bed were silk, smooth and cool like milk, against my skin. Everything was luxurious in a way that screamed royalty.

Where was I?

I sat up abruptly, my heart racing rapidly. This wasn't my home. This wasn't somewhere I have ever been to. I couldn't control the panic that was in me. I tried to piece together what happened, perhaps last night. However, the last thing I remembered was Henry.- His amber eyes, the truth and the pain.

My eyes fell on my hands, expecting to see blood, but they were clean. Even on my stomach that I was so sure he stabbed me. No scars, no wounds. And I noticed they weren't even my hand.

“What's going on?” I whispered, my eyes widening in shock and my voice trembling.

A soft knock at the door jolted me out of my trance and before I could say anything, it cracked open, revealing a young woman in a maid uniform. She stepped in, her head bowed respectfully.

Did she just bow to me? Can someone please explain what is going on here?

“Your Highness, you're awake,” She said softly with a relieved voice.

“Your Highness?” I repeated, staring at her as if she had grown a second head and her eyes widened in shock.

“You can speak now? You can speak now!” She yelled out, her eyes shining in happiness. “His Highness must surely hear about this.”

“Wait…what is going on? I can speak? I don't understand.” I blurted out, confusion written all over my face.

“Yes, Princess Elsie,” She said, meeting my gaze for a moment before lowering her eyes again. “You have been asleep for two days. We were so worried. And now you can finally speak? Maybe it was for the better. I am happy for you, Your Highness.”

Princess Elsie? Who was that? My heart rose as I stared at the maid. It felt as though she was speaking a Spanish language to me. This wasn't just a dream or a hallucination. Somehow, I wasn't ‘me’ anymore. I was someone else in another kingdom.

What the heck was happening here.

“I…I…I need a moment,” I stammered, my voice shaking.

The maid hesitated but nodded. “Of course, Your Highness. I'll prepare your bath and inform His Majesty that you're awake.” She said with a slight bow and left.

As soon as she left. I rushed out of the bed and rushed to a mirror across the room. The face staring back at me wasn't mine. Not at all.

She was beautiful, with long, cascading Auburn hair and striking green eyes. Her skin was flawless, her lips full and painted a soft rose. I touched my cheek, and the reflection mated the movement.

“This can't be real,” I whispered, tears welling in my eyes, while I shook my head. “H….how can I be here?”

But it was real. The ache in my chest, the new body- it was all too vivid to be a dream.

Before I could make further thoughts, the maid returned, her expression soft but urgent. “ Your Highness, The queen would be arriving in no minute and His Majesty has requested your presence in the throne room. The council is waiting. Although he has not gotten the news that you can speak now. It has not circulated the whole Pack but The queen is coming.

The council? Throne room? The queen? Her Majesty? It was foreign. To foreign in my ears.

She went out of the room and a woman in her 50s walked in. She was looking all sophisticated and sweet. She had auburn hair just like the girl I have become and her skin was silk and smooth like milk.

“Oh my Baby.” She called out with a sweet voice, coming over to me as she wrapped her arm around me. “You can speak now? I have been so worried about you that I couldn't go a day without coming in here. The pack doctor said you will be back soon.” She just kept on blabbering and I couldn't say a word. I didn't know what was happening at all.

“I…I…” I stuttered but she only hugged me.

“No, I know you are so flabbergasted but I won't force so much out of you.” She calmed my nerves down and a soft knock on the door jolted towards the door.

The same woman came in again. “ Your Highness. Your Majesty's request for the Princess.” She announced and walked out of the room after a bow.

My legs felt like jelly, but I nodded and followed her, trying to feign ignorance of the stares coming from the servants we passed. Everyone bowed their eyes filled with respect- or was it fear?

When we reached the throne room, the doors opened to reveal a grand hall filled with nobles and knights. At the center stood a man with sharp features and a commanding presence. His crown glittered in the light, and his piercing gaze landed on me immediately.

“Elsie,” he said, his tone firm yet warm. “You’ve finally woken.”

“…” My voice faltered as I tried to respond. Who was this man? My memories didn’t align with this reality.

“Come forward,” he said, beckoning me closer.

I forced my legs to move, each step heavy with disbelief. When I reached where he was seated, I felt his hand on my shoulder. “I know how hard this is for you right now. You have been through a lot more than you should bare, but. The kingdom depends on you now.”

I nodded dumbly, unsure what to say.

“And,” he continued, “there’s the matter of your betrothal.”

My heart sank. “Betrothal?”

I saw everyone's eyes widened as I spoke and the next thing I heard was shouts all around.

“You can speak?” His Highness asked, standing up from his seat.

I simply nodded without saying anything. I didn't know what was happening.

“Announce to the world that The Princess of Alpha Rampazan has finally spoken.” He yelled and I was more shocked.

Alpha?

I was in a princess body and now we were at a Kingdom for werewolves?

“Yes, Your Highness,” a noblewoman said, stepping forward. “Your wedding is tomorrow. Your fiancé, Alpha Carl, has already arrived.”

I froze, the room spinning around me. Wedding? Fiancé? None of this made sense.

As if summoned, a tall man with sharp features and icy blue eyes stepped forward. I wouldn't deny the fact that he was handsome, with an air of authority that matched his dress.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Princess,” he said, bowing slightly.

I wanted to scream, to protest, to run. But something in his gaze stopped me. He looked at me as if he knew something, as if he saw ‘me,’ not just the princess everyone thought I was.

“I... I need time to think,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

The king frowned but nodded. “Very well. Even if you never protested when we told you about it, three weeks ago and now you are suddenly thinking about it. But remember, Elsie, this alliance is crucial for the kingdom.”

I excused myself quickly, retreating to the garden outside. The fresh air did little to calm my racing thoughts.

As I paced back and forth in the garden, a young boy and girl ran up to me, their faces lighting up when they saw me.

“Elsie!” the boy shouted, throwing his arms around me. “You’re awake!”

I stiffened at the contact but forced a smile. “Hello…”

“Don’t you recognize us?” the girl asked, her voice filled with hurt. “We’re your siblings! I’m Betty, and this is Oliver.”

“I…..d…No, of course I do,” I lied, averting my eyes from them. They looked so innocent, so happy to see me, and I had no idea who they were.

As I interacted with them, I felt a strong sensation coursing through me. And for a moment, I felt my sense sharper and I started to get Alert to whatever was happening around me.

Suddenly, Oliver tripped and fell, scraping his knee on the ground. He cried out in pain, and I quickly bent down, feeling overwhelmed all over a sudden.

“It’s okay,” I said, but as I reached out, my hand trembled, and a sharp pain went through my body.

I gasped, holding onto my chest tighter like it would rip off any moment from now. My vision blurred, and a low groan escaped my throat.

“Betty, take Oliver inside,” I managed to say in a cold tone.

“But…” she wanted to protest but I shook my head in refusal.

“Go!” I snapped,

As they ran off, I collapsed to the ground, my body shaking.

When it was over, I knelt on all fours, my breath unsteady. I looked down at my hands and no, my paws.

“Werewolf!?”