The Shadow King and the Destined Luna

Chapter One

It was the biennial meeting of all the Kingdoms, and this year my family was hosting. I had been raised by my grandparents, the Alpha King and the Luna Queen. My parents’ story was told to me often — my mother, too wild to be tied down, my father, a warrior who loved her. They were mates, bound by fate, and they both died the night I came into the world. It’s said their last breaths left them as my first filled me, sealing me to a destiny they would never see.

I was blessed with two sets of grandparents who loved and adored me, who made sure I never went without. They may not have been close, but they tolerated each other well enough, and their focus was always on me.

My father’s parents have since passed. My grandmother was killed by rogues when I was twelve, and my grandfather followed eight months later. They say when you are older, when your mate passes, it’s not long before the other follows. By then your pups are grown, and you’ve lived your life together. Our mates are the most precious gift the Moon Goddess gives us.

Our Kingdom is Valoraith. We rule over the Lycans, the werewolves, and the forests within our lands. There are many kingdoms, some nestled within others, each ruled by their own leaders.

My grandfather, Fenrisar — or Fen to those closest to him — sat with me weeks ago to discuss the courts that would gather, so I would be prepared for who and what I was going to encounter. Being royal, I studied every kingdom, their traditions, their cultures, and their features. Some species can shift their forms and disguise themselves, but there is always a way to tell if you know what to look for. My education was the finest: the best schools, the best warriors, and even my grandfather’s most trusted counselors.

My grandmother, Aelthira — Thira to those closest to her — taught me everything a Luna should know to support her mate, her Alpha, and her pack, or in my case, the Kingdom. I learned to dance, to host, and to organize the gatherings of an entire realm. This was my first chance to put those skills into practice. I helped prepare everything — menus, color schemes, villas for the visiting royals, barracks for their guards. On paper, it was exhausting, but my grandmother had us planning far in advance, and she guided me until it became second nature.

Only the royals of the other Kingdoms stayed in the castle. All other members were housed in additional villas across the castle grounds. Guards were permitted to stand post outside their royals’ chambers and rotate as they saw fit, so long as we had their schedule for shift changes.

During the biennial meetings, there was to be complete peace between all kingdoms and those in attendance. The gathering lasted two weeks — a time to meet new members of each court, establish alliances, renew treaties, and settle disputes. Boring was the word Faire and I often used.

Faire is my best friend. Her family moved to court when we were sixteen, after her father was requested to serve as one of my grandfather’s advisors.

Faire and I shared similarities, though she was my opposite in looks. She had jet black hair cropped short in a pixie cut, warm brown eyes, and a medium complexion. She was also short, like me, but her body was more toned, with a slender build. Where I was softer, Faire was sharper — though she would say I had the advantage where most Lycan and werewolf females didn’t: boobs and a butt.

We were both nineteen now, and excited about the biennial meetings. Mostly to look at the cute boys and to dress up for every event.

“Amora!” Faire’s voice rang through my chambers like a bell, sharp with exasperation. “How are you not ready yet? People are arriving already, and your grandfather will have my head if you’re late again.”

I rolled my eyes at my reflection in the mirror, dusting the last bit of powder across my cheekbones. “I’m ready,” I muttered, even though I was still in my slip.

Faire leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, her cropped black hair tousled just so — whether by effort or accident, I’d never know. Her brown eyes sparkled with mischief as she took me in. “You call that ready? You’ve been staring at yourself for ten minutes like the mirror is going to magically braid your hair for you.”

As I leaned closer to the glass, Luna’s purple eyes flickered back at me through my own, her quiet sign of approval.

Luna is my wolf. She came to me at the age of twelve, right after my father’s parents had passed. Normally, a wolf doesn’t appear until the age of sixteen, but my grandparents believed the Moon Goddess gifted me my wolf early — perhaps because of the loss, or because I had never known my parents.

I snorted and tossed a comb at her. She caught it easily, her grin widening. “Careful, my lady. Throwing things at your handmaiden might be frowned upon.”

“You’re not my handmaiden,” I said, slipping into my dress.

“No,” she said with mock solemnity, “I’m worse. I’m your best friend.”

“You’re impossible.”

Faire smirked. “And you’re late. Now let’s go before your grandfather roars, and your grandmother has to soothe him by reminding him you’re her little moon and can do no wrong.”

She tugged me toward the door. For a moment, despite the weight of the day ahead, I was just a girl with her best friend, caught between laughter and dread.