under the moonlight

chapter 3

She finished braiding my long, white hair, expertly weaving jewelry crystals into the strands to make it shimmer like the moon. "It's not all rainbows and butterflies, dear," she said, her voice carrying the weight of experience. "There's death, war, and a whole lot of nothingness out there."

My curiosity deepened. "But why did Mom and you, being human, accept being mated to werewolves when they took over your world?"

Lunara's eyes met mine in the mirror's reflection, and a small smile played on her lips. "Ah, that, my dear, is a story for another day," she said cryptically. "For now, just remember that love conquers all."

I took in my reflection, admiring the elegant gown that draped over me and the glistening crystals adorning my hair. Despite my misgivings, I couldn't deny that Lunara had transformed me into a vision of grace and beauty. To be honest, I kind of liked this look. I smiled at my aunt before giving her a kiss on the cheek and we both walked to dinner with four guards behind us.

As the dinner carried on, I found myself stifling yawns, struggling to stay awake amidst the dull business discussions between my father, Theron, and the imposing Alpha Darian from the dead lands. Alpha Darian had always held a certain allure, and I couldn't help but steal glances at him despite my better judgment. His strength and commanding presence were impossible to ignore. Maybe I had a little crush on him; the man was undeniably handsome for days.

However, my attention was soon drawn away from him as my eyes fell upon Iris, Alpha Darian's mate. She was truly a vision of uniqueness and beauty. Her fiery red hair flowed like molten lava, cascading down her back in waves. It was the kind of red that seemed to shimmer in the candlelight, a vivid contrast to her fair skin. But what truly mesmerized me were her eyes—the most striking shade of green emerald I had ever seen, like rare gemstones glistening in the sun. Iris was not just beautiful; she was ethereal, a goddess among us mere mortals.

As my father and Alpha Darian continued their conversation, I couldn't help but wonder how someone as captivating as Iris had ended up with a mate like Alpha Darian. I supposed love had its mysteries that even I, an avid reader, couldn't fully understand.

The discussion at the table droned on, and I fought to stay focused. My father spoke with his usual seriousness, his face a stoic mask as he addressed Alpha Darian. "Darian, I've been thinking about fortifying our territories. We should increase the number of men stationed near our borders."

Alpha Darian nodded in agreement, his deep voice resonating through the room. "A wise idea, Theron. Safety is paramount."

My mother, Selene, interjected with her characteristic confidence. Despite being human, she was a force to be reckoned with. Her wavy raven black hair framed her face in cascading elegance, matching perfectly with her doe brown eyes. She had a natural beauty that needed no adornment.