The Demon Princess and Her Powerful Alpha

Luna Ascending

   Ardenti

    By the time we finished trying to win the approval of the old Alpha it was time for dinner. Their great hall was the same warm wood as the rest of the pack house. The decorations looked beautiful with candles in sconces and paintings of wolves and ethereal interpretations of the moon goddess. Cloths and finer China set the long tables. Soft music played as he led me to the table at the front of the hall. He pulled out my seat for me and a hush fell over the crowd. 

    "The festivities will begin shortly. As you were." He called to his people. It seemed that the entire pack was in attendance tonight. The tables overflowed with hearty wolves. The group of them appeared attractive overall. It was clear in their builds that they were no strangers to work. He took his seat beside me. 

    "You don't usually host such a crowd for dinner, do you?" He shook his head with a small smile. 

    "No, but it is like this for feasts and celebrations." He gestured around the room with his strong hands and I couldn't help but imagine them on me. "You should see it on the rare occasion we host warriors from other packs." 

    "What are the wolves of Moon's Gate celebrating this evening?" He leaned his face into my hair and whispered. 

    "They don't know yet, but their new Luna of course." I smiled a little. I didn't mind a little upset or a lot, but I didn't want to make his life any more complicated. I was sure his pack would accept me just as well as his father had. Which is to say, not at all, but realized I had valuable things to offer. 

    His father and former Beta joined us at the table. He talked with his old friend pointedly ignoring me. Perhaps, he'd soften to me when I brought him a demon to slay. Or he never would. I didn't really mind either way so long as he didn't take it out on my mate. 

    Next, a handsome man with brown eyes and blonde curls joined us. A lovely black woman was at his side with deep brown skin and deeper eyes. She held a pup in her arms and two little boys bounced at her sides. She kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear before taking the children to a nearby table. I assumed the grumpy old Alpha didn't like his meals disturbed. 

    Valerian stood and clapped the man on the back. "Caden, allow me to introduce you to my beautiful mate." I stood beside him and offered my hand. He took it, giving me a slight bow. 

    "Princess Ardenti, it is my honor to meet you. I'm Caden. Beta to Alpha Valerian." I smiled at his still bent posture. 

    "At ease Caden." I copied my Alpha. " So lovely to meet you. I'll have to meet your wife as well." He glanced nervously between Valerian and I. He may trust me not to harm him, but mothers are rightfully very protective of their pups. She was not yet convinced I would not harm them. "Perhaps, another time." I spared him the trouble of having to concoct a gracious lie. 

    We all sat then, on cue, the food arrived. It was served family style. Unbelievable mountains of meat and giant bowls of sides spread plentifully throughout the room. "The wolves of Moon's Gate eat well." I commented to Valerian. He smiled with pride. Drinks sat in pitchers and bottles along the tables for the wolves to serve themselves, but a young Omega poured our drinks. I shot Valerian a curious look. This seemed outside his usual approach. 

    "We are only served on special occasions." He informed me quietly. The Omega kept her eyes trained to the floor as nervous as possible. I was sure it was not because of my Alpha, who was kind and fair. It was her demon Luna that set her on edge. The poor thing scampered away as quickly as her duty allowed. 

    He gave everyone time to eat most of their dinners. He cared deeply for them, and knew that after a hard day's work they'd be hungry. When you lived in the wilderness without conjuring, very few things came easy. I thought of how much easier their lives would be with me around to pull resources out of thin air. 

    "There's no time like the present." He patted my knee and grasped my hand in his. He stood taking me with him. The crowd quieted down. "You may wonder why we are celebrating this evening." He gestured to the great hall for emphasis. "I am beyond thrilled to tell you all that after many years of looking, I found my moon given mate." A chorus of gasps sounded as every eye fell on me. "I am proud to introduce you to your new Luna, Princess Ardenti." The pack broke out in murmurs of disbelief and fear. 

    "I know you have many questions, not all of which I plan to answer. I have served you well as Alpha and you must trust me as you have these last seven years." He paused for effect. Their mistrust for me and faith in him clashed, static in the air. "I will tell you that she is half demon and half wolf. I witnessed her transition myself, and she is beauty and power beyond reckoning." 

    The whispers turned to outright conversation. People scrambled to make sense of what he told them. "The moon does not make mistakes in choosing our mates." His words quieted them. "As is tradition, you will meet her wolf when she is sworn in. The date for her Luna ceremony has not yet been set. Still, you will respect your Luna. So long as you do, we will find our way forward together." 

    He sat and I followed suit. "Do you plan to tell them, what I am the princess of?" I asked, surprised he had used my title. 

    He gave me a slightly exasperated look. "I'm sure your horns will offer them a clue. Besides, I would never disrespect you by addressing you as anything below your station." 

    "So, what will you call me now that I am both Princess and Luna?" He thought for a moment. 

    "Is Luna Ardenti, Crowned Princess of Hell and Hellfire Defector too wordy?" I swatted at him playfully. 

    The conversation in the crowd had picked up a bit. The only eyes looking elsewhere were those of the smallest pups. Doubt remained in many of their eyes, but the fact that they didn't speak against me was a testament to their trust in their Alpha. Fear was present too, and I did not blame them. Fairness and kindness were not associated with demons. 

    Hell, a few days ago I would have sooner turned them to dust beneath my feet than eat dinner with them. It made my mind reel to think of the power the curse had over me. As I deliberated, I noticed the only pair of eyes on me that held outright fury. A gorgeous brunette wolf, stared at me like she wanted to rip my throat out with her teeth. 

    Her brown eyes gleamed with a bit of gold as her wolf tried to reach the surface. I gave her a flawless smile and heard her growl from across the crowded hall. "Who is that she-wolf?" Valerian looked up and caught her eye. She stared back as long as possible before her wolf yielded to her Alpha. 

    "She is no one." He answered gruffly. I knew him well enough to know not a single member of this pack was "no one" to him. 

    "So, that's how it is?" I giggled lightly to myself wondering what my love had done to make her so enamored with him. 

    "You're not angry?" Quiet surprise filled his voice. 

    I leaned in to whisper in his ear. "My love, have you seen yourself? Do you think I imagined you a virgin?" I splayed my fingers out on his thigh. 

    "But, still..." 

    "But, nothing Valerian. I will only be angry if you are still carrying on with her." I stared her down as I turned to press my lips against his. 

    "It's over and forgotten." He assured me. I felt her eyes burning into me. I was Luna now, and I wouldn't dignify her crush with any more of my attention.