The Rise of the Luna Queen

Cedar Lake

Ivy POV

As the SUV pulled into Cedar Lake territory, Ivy took in the beauty of the area. It wasn’t as magical as the Fae village where she grew up, but this place was lovely. Tall trees surrounded quaint cabins with children playing outside.

They drove through a small town with shops and a couple of restaurants. There was one tavern in the Fae village. The Fae had to go to the human city if they wanted to visit any shops or other restaurants.

Once they left the town center, they started to drive up a long, narrow road.

“What does this road lead to?” Ivy asked her driver as she leaned forward.

They hadn’t spoken much since he picked her up. This disappointed Ivy, as he was the first wolf she ever remembered meeting. He seemed very cold and professional. Drax introduced himself at pickup, but that was about all he said.

He looked up into the rearview mirror through his sunglasses at Ivy. “The pack house, Miss.”

“Oh.” Ivy nodded and sat back. Her stomach started to flip, and she clung tighter to her bag.

She didn’t bring much. Her clothes were in a box in the back of the SUV and her bag contained some personal items; a photo album, the blanket she was found wrapped in, some CDs, a journal, and a flower. The flower was given to her by Willow. She was to pull a petal if she needed anything, and Willow would be there. Ivy planned on saving the petals. She understood why she was here in Cedar Lake, and she was going to try to make Willow proud.

As the trees cleared at the end of the road, Ivy saw a giant stone house. It was the biggest house she’d ever seen in real life. It was easily three floors high, and ivy and moss were growing on the rocks that made the exterior of the building. Ivy took this as a positive sign. It was her name, Ivy Moss.

Drax stopped right in front of the large entrance, and he stepped out of the car. Another couple of men dressed like Drax, in dark suits and sunglasses, came down to meet him. Drax directed one of them to the back of the SUV, and he walked around to the back, opened the hatch, and removed the box to take inside.

The taller of the two opened Ivy’s door, and she stepped out. Drax had gone in ahead of them through the front entrance.

“I can take your bag to your room, Miss,” the man who opened her door said, reaching for the bag.

She didn’t want it out of her sight, but she also didn’t want to be rude, so she handed it to him reluctantly.

Once inside, she was amazed at how beautiful it was. Marble floors that shined, artwork on the walls, and beautiful plants that appeared to be fake. Fake plants aside this place was gorgeous, and she couldn’t believe she was getting to live here.

“Follow me, I’ll take you to meet the Alpha and Luna,” Drax said as he came from a hallway next to a large staircase. The other man took her bag and started up the staircase.

“Where is he taking my bag?” Ivy asked, concerned.

“He’s taking it to your room. Don’t worry.” He said plainly. “Your room will be on the third floor with the Alpha and Luna rooms... Jake’s room is up there as well.”

“Who’s Jake? Also, what’s on the second floor?” Ivy asked curiously.

“Jake is their son, our future Alpha. I believe he’s about your age. The second floor is the Beta and Gammas quarters. I’m sure you’ll get a tour. Please follow me.” He seemed to be getting impatient as Ivy looked up the stairs.

She followed him into a hallway with several doors on either side.

“These are different offices,” Drax answered, anticipating her question.

At the very end of the hall, there was an open door. She could only see a wall of windows opposite the open door. It overlooked a large, beautiful lake. Ivy assumed this was the Alpha’s office and stopped in her tracks. She felt herself shaking and now doubting that she wanted to go in. What if they decided they didn’t like her? Would she go back to the Fae? It’s possible they would just dump her outside the territory where she’d end up a rogue.

Drax stopped at the door and turned to Ivy before stepping inside. Ivy was several feet back. “Miss?” Drax gestured into the room, and she nodded.

“Here goes,” Ivy mumbled to herself.

Ivy walked into the room behind Drax. A man was sitting behind a large wooden desk. Behind him, the entire wall was made of glass. A beautiful woman sat next to him, smiling at Ivy.

“Come in! Come in! Welcome to our territory, Cedar Lake!” The man stood to greet them. “I’m Alpha James, and this is Luna Drea.”

The Alpha was tall, even taller than Drax, and Ivy was amazed at his height. He looked strong. She could see the muscles through his short-sleeved shirt. He had black hair, golden eyes, a thick beard, with a big bright smile.

Luna Drea remained seated, and she looked very elegant. She was wearing a sleeveless light blue dress, her long brown hair fell just in front of her shoulders. She smiled, but Ivy got an uneasy feeling from her that she couldn’t explain.

“Please, have a seat so we can get to know each other.” The Alpha gestured Ivy to a chair in front of his desk. Ivy stepped toward the chair and looked back at Drax, who was stepping out of the room. She didn’t know him either, but she had been with him for a few hours already, so she felt more comfortable with him there.

“How was your trip here?” The Luna finally spoke. Her voice was strong but somehow soft.

Ivy just nodded. She was too nervous to speak still. She felt like crying. Why did she have to be so nervous about leaving her home? This was for her own good. She needed to be around other wolves so she could learn how to be one.

“I know this is a lot for you sweetheart, but your Luna asked you a question,” Alpha James said softly.

“The trip was fine, thank you, Luna,” Ivy said, surprised she was already being reprimanded.

“Once you take the oath, you’ll be part of this pack. You won’t have a choice but to listen to us after that, but until then, you will speak when we speak to you, obey our rules, and do as you’re told.” Alpha James said. His voice was soft and kind, but it made Ivy nervous at how strict it sounded here. “Do you understand?”

Ivy nodded “Yes Alpha.” She didn’t know much about being a wolf, but she and Willow did read some books about general manners in a pack.

“Don’t be nervous Ivy, this is how it is for everyone.” Luna Drea smiled. “We promised the Fae we would welcome you into our family and pack, and you would be treated like our daughter.”

This made Ivy feel better. She had a family, but she had dreamed of a family she could relate to, with others like her. She often wondered about her real family, who they were, and what happened to them.

“We have a lot of catching up to do! But first, I’m sure you’re curious about your room and would like to get settled?” Alpha James stood. “Come, I’ll give you a quick tour on the way to your room.”

“Thank you, Alpha.” Ivy forced a smile at Luna Drea and followed Alpha into the hall.