Broken and Pregnant: A Luna's Tale

Chapter 1. Luna Mirabel Don Dee leads me out of the packhouse toward the limo. I stay quiet as we get in and ride for five minutes to wherever we are going. "You are quiet," Don Dee speaks up. "You are allowed to talk." "I didn't know if I was allowed," I blurt out bitterly. "I am your mate," He hisses. "Mama says you aren't happy here." I flick my eyes to look at his. They are so dark and seemingly soulless. What did I do to deserve him? "I had so many dreams and ideas of who my mate would be." "And I am not your dream?" He asks with mild amusement. "No," I confess. "I will be everything you want me to be, Mirabel," His tone turns sickeningly charming. And for a moment, I am lured in by it. "But you must do as I s ay and be the Luna I require." "I want to see my parents and brother," I mention. "That is the past. This is your life now," He grumbles. "But they are my family," I sigh. "That is all I want." He stares hard at me for a long moment, "Be a good little girl, and I may allow you to call them and write letters, maybe even video call." A glimmer of hope flickers in my sad heart, "Really?" "Yes," He smiles. The limo stops, and the driver opens the door. I feel dread creeping in as I step out. We enter a large open arena where hundreds of people are waiting. A large stage at the bottom is decorated with the pack emblems and colors. "Large, huh?" Don Dee smirks, and I nod. I take his arm, and we walk down the aisle. I catch glimpses of the people, many of whom appear unhappy. They look downtrodden and worn out. I wonder what sort of Alpha he is. The ranked pack members take up the front rows. I get an icy stare from the beta's sister, Cassandra. I know she had wanted Don Dee, but I was here now. Beta Jarrod and Gamma Curtis are on the stage, flanking an altar with an older man standing in the middle. Don Dee's parents are also standing on the stage. They all smile at me as I approach. I feel something less than genuine about their smiles, though. Don Dee steps to a podium and raises his hands, "Good evening, Shadow Woods. It is my pleasure as your alpha for you all to view the welcoming of our new Luna," He announces, and they applaud. He turns to the man in the air middle. "Begin the ceremony, Elder." The Elder looks at me and smiles warmly. "Hello, Mirabel, I am Elder Ronald Hoover. I knew your grandfather, Willis." I smile back but say nothing as I am shoved to the table. Elder Hoover takes my hand, "Do you, Mirabel Arlene Wheeler, agree to uphold the laws and rules of our kingdom as the Luna of Shadow Woods?" I want to say no. I want to run. I want to escape. I glance at Don Dee, and he is giving me eyes of steel. I gulp and nod, "Yes, I agree." Elder Hoover licks his lips, "Do you, Mirabel Arlene Wheeler, agree to uphold the laws and rules of Shadow Woods Pack as it's sworn, Luna?" I nod without hesitation, "Yes, I agree." "Do you, Mirabel Arlene Wheeler, swear to be a strong and devoted Luna to your Alpha? Swear to produce an heir to take over in years to come. Do you swear?" Elder Hoover asks. "I swear," I mutter. "Then, by the power invested to me by our Goddess Selene and the Royal Alpha King Michael Peters, I declare you Mirabel Arlene Volkov, Luna of Shadow Woods," he says and slices my hand. I yelp from the pain as he squeezes the wound. Blood seeps out, and Beta Jarrod holds a golden chalice for the blood. Don Dee slices his hand and clasps mine. A cold breeze weaves through the arena, and a hundred voices speak in my head. I feel their emotions and their hopes. Aria comes forward for the first time in days. Together, she helps me block the voice until only mine is present. 'Where have you been?' I asked her, but she had no answer. "The Alpha and Luna of Shadow Woods," Elder Hoover declares. Don Dee holds my hand up, and the pack cheers loudly. We step towards the podium. "Speak to your pack." My blood runs cold, "What do I say?" "Just tell them who you are," Don Dee says with a tight smile. I take a deep breath and look out at the pack. Eyes of desperation look back at me. So many seem like they were forced to be here. It's when I notice armed warriors standing at the entrances. I have never seen armed warriors. Not even the king's warriors are armed. 'Speak and do not disappoint me, Don Dee's cold voice slithers in my head. "Good evening, Shadow Woods. I am your new Luna, Mirabel Whe- "I pause. "I mean I am Mirabel Volkov. I come from Crimson Crest, where my father is the alpha. I am pleased to be here and pray I can help you all live a good and prosperous life." I glance at Don Dee, and his expression hasn't changed. "End it" He whispers "End it," He whispers. "So, in conclusion, like I said, I am happy to be here," I say, and they applaud. I then notice the signs above the stage telling them to clap. I sigh as Don Dee pulls me from the podium, and we walk off the stage with his parents and the ranked members behind us. He nods and bows to the pack members, and I do the same. I eye the members and hope I can do something for them. We get back into the limo and drive around the pack. A lot of the houses look rundown and in need of repair. The streets are full of potholes and disrepair. We return to the packhouse, and Don Dee leads me to a large ballroom. It rivals the size of the one at the royal palace. "What did you think of the pack?" Don Dee asks.