His Luna

A glimpse of the past

She could feel the cold stares of the people around the table as the 15-year-old Kirsty seated on the chair while she was having her dinner for the night. She could vividly see the big smiles of the two people who were beside her as they talk about some stuff that she has no interest in. She could see how the woman beside her smiled widely at the lady in a purple coat who was in front of them.

"She looked pretty..." The woman in a purple coat said as Kirsty was about to put a slice of meat inside her mouth.

She was not used to being the center of attention. And every time she felt that she does, she would always make an escape and let herself be alone. Being with a lot of people that she didn't know drained her and she would always resort to being in her room. And every time she did it, it makes her feel like herself.

"Thank you..." The woman beside her said as she slowly looked in her direction, raising her eyebrows, as if she was asking her to answer the compliment that the woman in a coat said.

"How old is she?" the woman in front of Kirsty asked, her curiosity evident in her eyes. The question pierced through Kirsty's thoughts, interrupting her momentary lapse as she stared at her food. Slowly, she lifted her head, meeting the woman's interested gaze.

"She is-"

"I am fifteen," Kirsty declared, her voice carrying a sense of determination that belied her youthful appearance. There was a steely resolve in her tone, a refusal to be spoken for or reduced to a mere subject of discussion.

The woman beside her was surprised that she spoke for herself. She was quiet the moment they arrived at the said place for the occasion that she didn't know about. She just followed what the people beside her said. It was as if they were controlling her, protecting her, but on the other hand, they were letting the others know of her existence.

"Oh...you're nearing the age," the woman responded, her voice carrying a mix of understanding and a hint of solemnity. It was evident that she understood the implications of Kirsty's age, knowing all too well what it signified. Kirsty was approaching a pivotal stage in her life, one that held both excitement and trepidation—the age when she would begin to see the she-wolf within her and embark on the journey to find her mate.

The woman's words evoked a range of emotions within Kirsty. She felt a tinge of anticipation, knowing that her she-wolf nature was on the cusp of awakening. It was a significant milestone in the life of every werewolf—a transformative period marked by heightened senses, primal instincts, and the undeniable pull of the mate bond.

Something that terrifies her when that time comes is when her mate won't accept her as she is and break the bond between the two of them. She learned that the pain was unbearable, and their inner wolves would suffer a lot. Some even died because of the rejection, and Kirsty is afraid of being rejected. She used to live in a place where these older people beside her treat her as precious as one could imagine.

"Yeah...she is." It was the old man beside her that answered the woman in front of her.

"My son is already his age but we were curious if he had already found his mate." The woman sighed as if finding a mate is the most important thing a person in their place should look up to.

For Kirsty, the woman's emphasis on finding a mate struck a chord within her. While she acknowledged the significance of the mate bond in her own upbringing, she couldn't help but feel a sense of reservation. The idea that finding a mate was the ultimate goal, and perhaps even an expectation, made her question her own desires and aspirations.

"That's...alarming, I guess?" The woman beside Kirsty answered the woman back. It was something that caught Kirsty's attention if it was alarming. She had known a lot of men back in her place who were at their right age but they didn't worry about it even if they didn't meet their mates yet. Is the person the woman in front of her that important that worrying about his son's mate caused her to feel unease? That's what Kirsty thought about. She could feel the woman's night was in a peaceful state inside and her mind is flying to think about her so-called not-mated son.

"It's alarming... you know the pack... and we're old." She bitterly smiled. And it caught Kirsty's attention when the woman mentioned the pack. She didn't know what pack they are at the moment but the older adults who were beside her told her that it was a partner of their pack and it was the most powerful and influential pack in the country.

"Is your son already aware that the pack would be his responsibility?" The man beside Kirsty asked. The man she called 'papa' and the woman beside her whom she called 'mama'.

"He is...the problem is we could feel that our son is not yet prepared for the great responsibility..." the woman sighed, her voice heavy with concern and a hint of frustration. Kirsty couldn't help but suppress a smile as she observed the woman's dramatic sigh. It was an all too familiar scene, one that had played out countless times in their conversations about the elusive mate.

Kirsty understood the weight of expectations placed on individuals within their community. The search for a mate was not only seen as a personal journey but also carried significant societal implications. The role of a mate was considered a great responsibility, one that required maturity, wisdom, and a strong connection to the she-wolf within.

A few people, whom she knew are servants based on their type o clothing, went inside the room where they are in time, and brought another set of food. She could smell the intoxicating smell of grilled meat that was put in front of her. Some also put a variety of fruits and cooked meat on the table. Before Kirsty went inside the room, she knew that the person she called 'Papa' went to sign an agreement binding their pack and the pack where they are now. There were two seats left unattended in from of her and she knew that there belong to the other men, the son of the woman, and her husband.

"How about your child? the lady in front of me?" the woman persisted, her curiosity seemingly unquenched. The question was directed at Kirsty, and she could sense the weight of expectation behind it. The woman, like many others, seemed to assume that Kirsty's destiny was tied to the leadership of a pack, to fulfilling a role prescribed by tradition and societal norms. But Kirsty's desires and aspirations were different.

"She's still so far from being at the appropriate age to handle a pack," Kirsty's father responded, his tone tinged with a mix of concern and protectiveness. "She's a woman, and she's unmated, yet."

The words hung in the air, the implication clear. According to the prevailing customs and expectations of their community, a woman was often seen as unfit to lead a pack until she had reached a certain age and found her mate. The belief was rooted in traditional gender roles, with the assumption that the leadership of a pack required the strength, guidance, and support of a male partner.

"Don't you have a son?" Kirsty is well aware that she's the only child of the people beside her. As much as her papa wanted a son to go after him, to bear the responsibilities that he would pass on when the time comes, the moon goddess didn't give him what he wanted. It was so hard for her papa to accept it, to accept her, to think of having a woman running their pack, and it's the very same reason why her papa made sure that his family is well-protected as Kirsty is unmated yet. Her papa couldn't bare to see his pack being run by someone who didn't grow in the place.

Living up to the role of pack leader held no allure for Kirsty. She longed for a life of peace, independence, and self-discovery. Her dreams extended far beyond the confines of the pack, encompassing a world of possibilities that were not limited by traditional roles or predetermined paths. She wished to chart her own course, explore her own passions, and embrace a life that resonated with her truest self.

"The moon goddess didn't grant us one, but we will have one when she's mated," Kirsty's mother replied, her voice laced with a mix of resignation and longing. The mention of a son in front of Kirsty stirred up a complex range of emotions within her. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and inadequacy, knowing that she was not the desired outcome her parents had hoped for.

Kirsty had always been aware of her status as an unintended presence in her family. She knew that her father had accepted her out of a sense of responsibility, unable to undo the consequences of their actions. It was a truth that haunted her, a constant reminder of her place within the family dynamic.

Despite the pain it caused her, Kirsty had become skilled at concealing her inner turmoil from those around her. She wore a mask of strength and resilience, determined not to burden others with her own insecurities and feelings of not being fully wanted. She understood that her parents had their own struggles and expectations, and it was not her place to burden them with her internal conflicts.

"Indeed! That time will surely come," the woman exclaimed with an air of excitement, her laughter echoing through the room. The jovial atmosphere was contagious, and the other elders joined in, their laughter harmonizing with hers. It was a moment of lightness and optimism, where the potential for new connections and the anticipation of future unions filled the air.

Kirsty couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope at the woman's words. Maybe, just maybe, her destined mate was indeed within the pack, waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves. The thought brought a mix of nervousness and curiosity, tinged with a hint of excitement. She had heard tales of the deep bond shared between mates, the connection that transcended time and space. While she had reservations and fears about such a powerful connection, a part of her couldn't deny the allure of finding that one person who was meant to complete her.

"Where is your son, by the way?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine interest. The Alpha of the Tourage pack, who had been quietly observing the conversation, stepped forward to answer. Kirsty's mother, curious about the woman's son, inquired about his whereabouts.

"He needs to run some errands," he replied, his authoritative voice carrying a sense of responsibility. The Alpha's words conveyed a strong sense of duty, indicating that his son had important tasks to attend to within the pack.

"But he will be back," The Luna, a note of reassurance in her voice.

"We will be holding plenty of celebrations during the year because of my son's enthronement as the Alpha," the Luna of the Tourage pack declared, her voice carrying a sense of pride and anticipation. The significance of such an event was not lost on Kirsty, knowing that it marked a new era for the pack and her own family.

As Luna extended the invitation, Kirsty's mother responded with a polite acceptance, understanding the importance of unity and community on such occasions. "We will surely not want to miss the enthronement," she replied, her tone respectful and grateful for the inclusion.

As Kirsty's mind wandered, she couldn't help but be curious about the son her parents mentioned. Her gaze subtly shifted to the couple sitting across from her, taking in their appearance. They were undeniably an attractive pair, radiating a certain air of confidence and allure.

She wondered what the son would look like, imagining him as a reflection of his parents' good looks. Would he possess his father's strong jawline or his mother's captivating eyes? But as her thoughts meandered, she reminded herself that appearances were merely surface-level observations.