The Price of the Luna's Vengeance

*Kya* “Kya, it’s time for you to meet this man.” I glanced up at my mother, wondering how such a beautiful and warm woman could torture me so cruelly with just a few simple words. “I’m tired,” I told her flatly, wishing that she would just go away. “Please, Mother. I really just need more time.” As to how much time I needed, I couldn’t really say. My mother, the Luna of Shimmer Stone, was one of the most compassionate, patient people I knew but even she seemed to be at her wit’s end with me. “I understand your pain, my dear,” she said, sitting beside me on the bed so she could tuck some of my long auburn hair behind my ear. I felt my teeth grinding together at her words. “No,” I said flatly. “You don’t.” My mother’s eyebrows furrowed with regret. “Oh, sweetheart,” she murmured. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that at all. Of course, I don’t know your pain in the way you ar experiencing it. I only meant I understand that you are in pain.” I felt my throat tighten as I met my mother’s compassionate gaze. “It’s only been a month,” I said, barely above a whisper. She drew me against her, rubbing my back. “Shh, I know,” she said. In a lot of ways, I couldn’t believe it had only been a month and then I remembered how long and painful each passing day had been since that fateful day. The day that my love was violently wrenched away from me. “It has truly broken mine and your father’s hearts to see you this way, my darling,” Mother continued, squeezing me tightly to her. I could tell she meant it too. The first few days after my Riley’s death were the hardest and the longest. Although I was in and out of consciousness a lot of those first few days, I could recall the tortured look on my parents’ faces whenever I was awake. I had been distraught and inconsolable but even I was aware of all the grace they had provided me over the past few weeks. I was the future Luna. I had duties, responsibilities and expectations that couldn't wait forever. And yet, I couldn't bear to face any of them. Mother pulled away, gripping my shoulders and holding me at arm’s length so she could look into my eyes. “You've been so strong these past few weeks, Kya,” she said, her voice filled with genuine pride. I looked down at the bedsheets that I was currently curling my fists into, knowing what was coming. “It is time for your grieving period to end,” she said, her voice soft and firm at the same time. “I believe that you will like Tristan. He's from Stone Wood Pack and very well known. I hear he is a fine warrior.” I wanted to snap at her and say that if Tristan is so sought after, then he should have no trouble finding another woman to be his mate. My mate no longer existed. Mother was watching me carefully. “Your father isn't getting any younger,” she reminded me gently. “He will likely have to retire and step down in just a couple of years. He has made it very clear that before that happens, he would like to see to it that you and Shimmer Stone will be well cared for.” “I will always be sure to care for our pack as long as I am alive,” I told my mother fiercely, slightly offended that she was implying anything else. Mother's gaze softened. “I don't doubt that,” she said fondly. “You have always shown extraordinary strength, even as a small child. That being said, I'm afraid that you're going to have to demonstrate even more today.” Panic stabbed through me. “I can run this pack on my own, Mother.” “I know you would do an extraordinary job,” she said. “But you know as well as I do that our people are accustomed to following the voice of an Alpha.” I clenched my jaw, hating how archaic many of the packs in the area, including ours, tended to be. My mother smiled sympathetically. “Even if our people will look mainly to the Alpha for guidance, they still respect their Luna,” she soothed me before giving me a wry grin. “I would know.” Mother must have seen the resignation on my face because she patted my shoulder and stood up from the bed. “Tristan will be here in about an hour so you’d best shower and get ready to meet him. I'll send someone up for you when he arrives.” And with that, my mother was gone, leaving me with no choice but to obey her recommendation. A couple of maids rushed in to help me, leading me over to the attached bathroom. I lingered under the spray for a couple of extra minutes, allowing the scalding water to rush over me, wishing that it could take away the pain in my chest. As I was dressed in a light cream-colored dress and some simple makeup was applied to my face, I couldn’t help but picture Riley in my mind, from his cool gray eyes to his sculpted cheekbones. I remembered his soft but deep voice as he murmured sweet nothings in my ear with his strong arms wound around my waist. My heart lurched as I realized that I would never feel or hear him ever again. A knock sounded at the door, interrupting my near breakdown just in time. My father poked his head in, smiling softly when he saw me. “You look beautiful, Kya,” he said, his deep voice filled with pride. I swallowed hard as I looked into the eyes of my father and Alpha. He has carried this family and this pack through so much. Even though all I wanted was to hide in a dark corner somewhere, I knew I couldn’t let him down. And so, I put on my best attempt at a smile and looped my arm through the one he offered. We were quiet as we walked down the hall from my room and descended the stairs to head to the throne room, where we were undoubtedly meeting this warrior man. “Your mother and I just want you to be used to meeting suitors,” my father told me gently. “No matter what happens today, don’t feel as though you have to marry this man.” I almost scoffed aloud. I had no intention of marrying anyone but I wasn’t going to tell him that. I needed to at least put up pretenses that I would one day wed. if I did that, perhaps they would allow me to run this pack on my own. My mother was already in the throne room along with a few guards. The man who I knew to be Tristan was standing before my mother’s throne, making polite conversation from what I could tell. “You have a gorgeous estate,” he said. “It is clear that you have a successful pack community. You should be very proud.” I gritted my teeth at the obvious display of flattery from my potential suitor. I eyed him and had to admit that he wasn’t ugly. He had dark brown hair and round, expressive eyes that were a shade lighter than his curly locks. “We are very proud,” my mother said before locking eyes with me and smiling brightly. “May I introduce my daughter, Kya.” Tristan whirled around and gave me a breathtaking smile. He stepped forward right as my father dropped his arm from mine and stepped away. I resisted the urge to spin around and return to my room without hearing another word. Tristan lowered his head in a respectful bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Kya,” he said and before i could react, he took my hand in his. “I’ve heard a lot about you but none of it does your beauty any justice.” I felt my face flush and not just from embarrassment. He was already implying that the only thing he heard about me was about my looks. I opened my mouth to deliver some smart remark when he brushed his lips over the back of my knuckles. I froze, my eyes rounding as he looked up at me with a boyish, almost smug smile. A rush of emotion hit me at that moment, threatening to seize up my throat. This man was nothing like Riley but the way he kissed my hand was close enough that the memories with my beloved mate were rushing back. Despair slammed into me so hard and I snatched my hand away without thinking about it. “Kya!” my father scolded harshly. I barely heard him as I was brought back to all the times that Riley and I kissed, the way his firm mouth swept over mine. Each time he kissed me, I truly felt as if I could soar and never come down. Now that he was gone, I felt like I was falling, tumbling through a dark abyss with no way out. “I’m sorry,” I managed to say. I straightened and tilted my chin up. “But I think you should leave.” “What?” asked my parents and Tristan in unison. I swallowed hard, refusing to cry in front of this man who I was meeting for the first time and would likely never see again. “Please. Leave at once.” Tristan’s eyes narrowed. “With all due respect,” he said through his teeth. “I have traveled a long way just to meet you. Surely, we can at least have a decent conversation before I depart.” “No,” I said flatly. “We can’t.” My parents watched in shock and outrage as Tristan glared at all of us before leaving in a huff. My mother, being the gracious and too-kind Luna that she was, rushed after him. “I apologize for my daughter’s rudeness,” I heard her say as she caught up with him. I stiffened at her criticism, even though she was right. “Kya.” I stiffened before slowly turning to face my father, whose whole face was livid, emphasizing the deep age lines in his face. “I’m so disappointed in you,” he said, his eyes narrowed. I sucked in a sharp breath, searching for any signs of compassion and understanding in his gaze and found none. Tears dripped from my eyes as I turned and ran from the room, tearing up the stairs to my room so I could throw myself on the bed and sob. Disappointing my father was the last thing I had wanted to do. He was aging quickly, showing signs of slowing. I knew that was why he wanted me to find a suitable husband. He knew he would one day have to leave me behind. Just like Riley had. I wasn’t sure how much time passed since I ran up here. From how swollen my eyes felt, it was probably hours. My breaths were starting to come out in sharp pants. I curled in on myself, fighting the harsh voices in my head that blamed me for Riley’s death, for not being there to protect him. “I never understood what it meant to live a meaningful life until I met you, Kya.” I sucked in a sharp breath, pushing myself up and looking around wildly. That had been Riley’s voice. It had been a few days since I heard his voice from deep in my subconscious. He wouldn’t have wanted this for me, I realized. He wouldn’t want me to be falling apart the way that I was. Even if it was hard, I needed to try to pick myself up again. With difficulty, I pushed myself up from the bed, determination flowing through me. No more crying, I vowed. It was time to take matters into my own hands.