THE ABANDONED LUNA

CHAPTER 1

It was her eighteenth birthday. Jade was excited. She woke up earlier than usual and did all her morning routine. She sang melodiously as she did the minor duties she was supposed to. She made them a broth this morning. They always loved her broth and they only ate it on special occasions. Today was a special occasion for her. Mother was taking her to the palace for the first time in her life. After years and years of grooming her for the palace life, it was finally time.

As she removed the bread she baked from her local oven, her parents door opened. She smiled. She loved treating them to a nice meal, either breakfast or supper.

Rachael knew her daughter would do this. She could read her daughters mind and spell out her feelings. Rachael was a bit spectical at first. She never wanted her Jade to set foot into the palace lest they found out but they realized that the more the hid her from the outside world, the more suspicious the habitants of Levelland became. So they cooked up a short story, "She'll be in the palace grounds soon, when she's of age." Eighteen years, she had told them and now it was finally time.

"Little pea." Raphael greeted with a gruff voice. "I see you're excited about today." He commented as he sat down and dished out his broth. He grunted in approval as he wasted no time to fill his mouth with the stew.

Jade giggled as she bent down to kiss Rachael's cheeks. Rachael held her daughter lovingly. "Thank you for making breakfast, yet again."

Jade loved making breakfast for them. It was the least she could do for them. They were loving parents and they always did right by her. They always protected her at all costs, taking her feelings into consideration.

Rachael cut the bread into three for them to go round.

"Soft." Rachael complemented. " You get better each day my sweet."

Raphael nodded. "You say? She cooks better than you now my love." He teased.

Rachael swatted his back playfully as Jade giggled. Jade always loved compliments and they never failed to throw some her way.

Breakfast was soon over and Rafael left for his duties first for he had to report early. Jade watched as he kissed Mama tenderly on her lips before he left.

"Will i be able to find a love like this mama?" Jade asked curiously.

Since her birth, Jade had been protected from men. "It wasn't yet time." Mama had said. "You are still too young." Or on some other days, she said, "When it's time, you shall know, my sweet."

Today, mama gave her a smile. "You shall, soon enough."

Jade nodded. Today, the reply was different, probably because she was of age and her wolf will come out any moment from now.

Rachael had watched her daughter grow from crawling to walking and now she was ripe enough and will soon find her mate. Yes, her hips were rounded enough and her breasts were heavy enough. She would soon bear a child when the time was right. Yes, and she would have grand pups soon enough.

"Listen, my child, the palace is a strange place. Talk to no one and trust no one, okay? Especially the men. They would do anything to get into your pants. Wait for your mate. Remember what we discussed, yes?" Rachael asked.

Rachael took her time and educated Jade about the world they were in. Make haste while the sun shines, they said. It was better earlier than late.

"Now, go change. Wear that gown i gave you last night. You shall have the opportunity of meeting the Luna today."

Any other person would have been scared of meeting the terrifying Queen, but not Jade. Yes, she had stories about the Luna, but she translated her actions to be protective and just. Every leader had to be that way.

Jade rushed to her room with excitement. She was hardly able to finish her breakfast. She just couldn't wait to be in the palace. She heard wonderful stories about it. Mama had told her that Levelland was just a small clan some years back. It gradually developed like this, into a palace. Not everyone was allowed inside palace.

Mama, being the Luna's attendant, had to be in attendance everyday. And because of mama, Jade was lucky too.

Jade slipped on the gown mama had given her and brushed her hair. Jade watched her image in the broken mirror by the dresser. She appreciated herself. Jade loved her green eyes and auburn hair. Even though she looked nothing like her parents, mama said she got her milky skin from her. Jade knotted her hair in a chignon and rubbed some oil on her face and hands. She smiled at her reflection. She was ready.

Mama was already waiting for her by the door. Rachael's eyes shone with admiration and pride as her daughter stepped out of the room. She knew the green coloured gown would bring out her daughter's eyes. She was...perfect.

"You look wonderful, my dear. The Luna would be proud." Rachael complimented as they walked out of the house. They secured it with keys before leaving.

As usual, everyone was busy with their morning chores. Only a few of their acquaintances stopped by to compliment Jade. Others just simply waved. Jade loved seeing them work. Everything was just admirable to her.

They walked and walked to the top of the hill before the palace came into view. Truly it was the most magnificent building Jade had ever set her eyes on. It was huge. Men in armor stood at their respective posts at the gate.

"This your daughter, Rachael?" A voice called by the gate. Jade looked up to find a short man looking their way.

"Yes, Clifford. My daughter. Now, let us through." Rachael responded in a harsh tone. Jade was taken aback. She had never heard her ma use this tone before. Surely this man must have done her some wrong.

"Women!" The man exclaimed before nodding his head at the servants to open the gates. Rachael sighed as she held her daughters soft hands and walked in with her. Rachael regretted using that tone in the presence of Jade. Somehow, if she hadn't done that, Clifford would have gone much too far with his line of questioning. But somehow, Rachael knew that even if she stopped Clifford with his sharp tongue from stating the obvious, the Luna would certainly cross that line. That evil wench. Rachael hoped she wouldn't though. As they walked into the castle, she prayed today was one of the Luna's good days.

Jade admired the large walls of the castle. Servants were scattered about, each trying to discharge their duties on time. The castle was built with very large thick walls. She noticed the large stones that guarded against siege, low green grasses, garden filled with different kinds of flowers, towers battlements, moats, drawbridge and wellls.

Jade observed as every guard stood religiously to their posts by the large giant golden doors which Jade guessed was the main entrance for it was situated at the largest balcony so far in the castle.

A guard nodded at Rachael before they opened the doors for her. The first thing Jade observed about the inner walls of the castle was the silence and intricate design on the walls. As much as the servants walked around trying to get things done, there was silence. The only sounds that could be heard was footsteps, not voices.

As if reading her daughters mind, Rachael bent low and whispered. "The Alpha hates noise. Try to create minimal of it. Hear?"

Jade nodded. She heard a lot of stories about the alpha too, certainly not about the noise though. He is said to be strict and soft at the same time. His subjects loved him. They preferred him to the Luna most times.

"And avoid the crown prince. His wolf is said to be hot tempered. Speak not him, hear not of him and lower your eyes around him. Even if you're to look, which i advise against, look at him when he's not near. Okay?"

Jade knew mama had said few words to her. But the only ones that caught her attention was his wolf.

"Why is his wolf hot tempered, mama?" Jade asked curiously. This was the first time she heard a statement like this before.

Rachael sighed. "His wolf desires to find it's mate. It's been ten years since he discovered his wolf. The prince is eight and twenty already."

Jade nodded."The prince should find his mate soon." She added.

They walked through the candle lit hallways and came to another giant golden doors. "Remember, curtsey how i taught you. Smile." Rachael assured as the guards opened the doors. She pinched her daughters cheeks. "There. Looking rosy as ever, my beautiful daughter. "