Moonlight's Betrayal

Chapter 3: Bargains and Bonds

Luna sat by her grandmother's bed as daylight broke, worn out and heartbroken. For Elara, whose breathing had gotten shallower, every inhale seemed challenging. The chamber was silent save for the gentle murmurs of worried pack members outside. Luna lifted her head with a gentle knock at the door. Alpha Marcus stayed at the gateway, his manner distorted.

"We have to talk," he whispered to Luna. She hesitated, not ready to leave Elara's side, but her father's voice made it hard for her to dispute. Luna trailed him and gave her granny one more squeeze. Silent as they moved over the pack territory, the dew-covered grass crunched underfoot. Luna's mind flew back to the overheard exchange on empires and prophecies. When she tried to interrogate her father, he answered first.

Alpha Marcus started off in a quiet voice, "Your grandmother's condition is grave. Our healers have given their best, but her disease is past their capacity." Her heart seized Luna. "There has to be something we can do," she said. She moved back when her father stopped walking and turned to face her with such passion.

Saying slowly, "There might be a way, but it comes at a cost," he said. Luna's pulse got faster. "What's your point?"

Alpha Marcus let out a long breath. "Answer has come from Beta Roran. If Elara's pack had access to modern medical techniques, her life may be spared. Still, in exchange, he has suggested a marriage-based alliance between our packs."

Luna realized as the ground appeared to change under her feet. Whispering, "You want me to marry someone from his pack," she said. The grave nod came from her father. "His son, Cain."

Luna's ideas spun around. The enigmatic wolf who had watched her so closely at the moon festival and had cautioned her of danger was Caine. The same Caine Aria, her stepsister, had craved.

"However, why me?" Luna asked in a barely audible whisper. "Why not Aria?"

The face of Alpha Marcus grew more austere. "Beta Roran specifically brought up you. He believes that their pack would much benefit from your gift."

Luna shivered down her spine, remembering Beta Roran's enthusiastic remarks on using her powers to build a domain. She had to turn down, dash back to her grandmother's side, find another path. Luna realized she had no choice, though, when she remembered Elara's pale face.

"You promise Grandmother will receive the treatment she needs?" she asked slowly, "if I agree." Her father gave a serious nod. "You have my assurance."

Luna shut her eyes, taking an insecure breath. "Then... I'll do it."

The next few days were spent making preparations in a blur. Watching as Beta Roran's healers arrived with their promised treatments, Luna barely left her grandmother's side. Elara's condition settled, yet she stayed oblivious, uninformed about the cost being paid for her recuperation. Luna stood in front of a mirror on the morning of the wedding and barely recognized the young woman who was looking back at her. Her long chestnut hair had been unpredictably plaited, embellished with fragile white blossoms. The wedding gown, which Beta Roran had given her as a present, shone like moonlight on water.

A delicate thump interfered with her viewpoints. Amazingly, it was Caine who placed, looking similarly awkward in conventional clothing. "I thought it was misfortune so that the husband-to-be could see the lady before the wedding," Luna said, endeavoring a powerless grin.

Caine maintained his serious expression. "Luna, I really want to be aware assuming you're genuinely alright with this. I'll find another way to aid your grandmother if you wish to back out."

Luna shook her head as his anxiety struck her. "I made a commitment," she said definitely. "I expect to keep it."

Caine studied her momentarily before nodding. He then extended his arm and added, "Then let's face this together."

The ceremony itself was stiff and strained. There was an unsettling mixture of curiosity and suspicion in the air as both groups assembled in a vast clearing. Luna felt like a puppet on display as she strode down the aisle, her dad next to her. Caine crouched, waiting for her below a curve of braided branches, his face an inscrutable mask. As Luna had her seat close to him, she got a brief glimpse of Aria's outraged expression in the crowd. She felt a sensation of remorse, but she dismissed it. This was about preserving her grandmother's life, not Aria's damaged feelings.

The customary bonding procedures were begun by the respected elder, a neutral wolf. Luna repeated the old commitments perfectly, her mind elsewhere. She considered her grandmother, still ignorant but under consideration under the healers of Beta Roran. She considered the whispered conversations about forecasts and the weight of presumptions right now resting on her shoulders. Luna felt something as the elder folded a beautiful rope over their held hands, symbolizing their connection. A glow fired in her palm and extended up her arm, implying her mending power but in some other form. She turned to Caine, wondering whether he felt it too, but his expression remained cold.

"I now pronounce you mates by the power of the moon and the strength of the pack," the elder said. "May your union bring both packs prosperity and peace."

As applause started, there was more relief than celebration. Luna hardly heard it, still reeling from the unusual feeling running through her. When Caine led her back down the aisle and she saw Beta Roran's triumphant smile, she shivered with fear. The celebration that followed was suppressed, pack people from the two sides clumsily merging. Luna was usually by Caine's side, ignoring Aria's chilly eyes and accepting polite congratulations. She wished to get away, to mind her granny, or essentially to have a second alone to deal with all that had occurred.

Luna at last realized how to escape the social event as the sun sank. Leaning against a large oak tree, she made her way to a quiet location near the pack grounds and took her first deep breath in what seemed like days.

"An incredible scene, right?" Luna leapt when she heard Beta Roran's voice. His smile barely reached his eyes as he emerged from the shadows. He spoke softly, "I wanted to personally congratulate you. You've gone with a savvy decision, my dear. Both of our packs will benefit greatly from this union."

Luna made a conscious effort to kindly nod. "Much obliged to you for your liberality in aiding my grandma," she said cautiously.

Beta Roran waved a hand pompously. "Do nothing about it. All things considered, we're family now." He bent in closer and his voice dropped to a whisper. "Moreover, family deals with its own; isn't that true? Luna, we have quite plans for you. Your gift marks the first step."

Before Luna could reply, Caine's voice broke the blackness. He said, "There you are," then turned to stand by Luna's side in a protective manner. "Everyone is looking for you. Now the last toast is finished."

Beta Roran fixed, his cover of congeniality firmly back in place. "Certainly, certainly. They shouldn't have to wait for us. After you, my beloved."

As they strolled back toward the event, Luna's mind raced. What was Beta Roran's approach for her? And why did she get the sensation that this marriage was about so much more than just a pack's alliance? A hodgepodge of forced smiles and raised glasses made up the concluding toast. Luna was taken toward a small cottage near the pack grounds, her new home with Caine, as the company eventually began to disperse. They paused ungracefully in the entryway, neither particularly clear on how to proceed.

At last, Caine made a sound as if to communicate. "You can take the room," he replied bluntly. "I'm going to sleep on the couch."

Relief poured over Luna, instantly followed by an agony of... frustration? She forced the confused impulse to the side. "Much obliged to you," she muttered. She turned to head into the bedroom, stopped by Caine's arm.

"Luna," he whispered softly, eyes sharp. "Remember that I am on your side, whatever happens."

Before she could question what he meant, Caine let go of her and went toward the living room. Luna watched him go; her arm shivered where he had touched her. She went into the bedroom, closed the door behind her, leaned against it, and shakily exhaled. What kind of involvement had she started? Most significantly, too, how would she negotiate the dangerous waters ahead?

Changing from her wedding garment, Luna discovered a little leather-bound book among her possessions. Her grandmother's diary: one Elara had always kept near but never let Luna review. With hands shaking, Luna grabbed the journal and turned the first page. Shock widened her eyes as she began to read. The contents would change all she believed she knew about her family, her pack, and the nature of her new abilities. Luna slumped onto the bed, clutching the journal to her chest. She felt that rest would be destined to happen tonight.