A Luna Among Alphas

Nyra: Dinner is supposed to be a celebration. I’d just won the pack’s annual challenge- the one where I outplaced, outwrestled and outsmarted every single wolf in my age group, including my own twin brother, Kaden, who is now sulking into his mashed potatoes like a wounded puppy. “There’s something we need to discuss about,” my father, the Alpha of blackclaw pack says. There’s something off in his tone that makes me drop my fork. “I have given it a lot of thought, and I met with the council and we have decided that you can’t become the next Alpha, Nyra.” “What?” I nearly choke on my water, “dad, what are you talking about? You do realize that my alpha coronation is next week.” I turn to my mother, who picks up the napkin and dabs it at the side of her mouth. “Mom, what’s happening?” “Listen to your father, sweetheart.” My mother, the Luna of our pack, looks at me briefly, trying to avoid my eyes. “You will not become the Alpha.” My father, the Alpha that everyone fears, announces each word deliberately. “You need your mate beside you. A female can’t lead the pack that I worked hard for.” “What?” I manage to croak, because there’s no way in hell that the universe has decided to play a joke on me. “I’ve trained for this my entire life. I can fight better than any of the guys in the pack, I’ve survived every challenge you threw at me. I’ve bled, sweated and newsflash kicked every boy’s ass in this pack. And last time I checked, my biceps don’t come with a ‘needs-a-man’ label.” “Language,” my mother commands, her voice sharp. Apparently, she hasn’t always been on board with my training from little, I think a part of her still dislikes the fact that I didn’t grow up to be the ‘lady’ she wanted me to become. Beside me, my twin brother, Kaden, coughs, trying his best to hide his laughter. My mother shoots him a glare and he quiets down immediately. I try a softer approach. “I worked hard for this dad and you know that. I deserve to be the Alpha, my crowning is next week!” “Your mate, that is, when you find one will be the next Alpha, and you will be his Luna, ruling beside him.” My father says, “All the Alphas that rule the pack were all male. You’re strong, yes. But no daughter of mine will lead this pack. When you find your mate, he will take the Alpha’s role. That’s how it’s always been.” His voice is calm, how can he throw this at me and expect me to take it calmly? I seethe angrily, “So everything I’ve done for this pack- training, fighting, bleeding- was just too warm a seat for a man?” My mother looks at me softly and damn, I hate that look, like she’s afraid I am going to break or something. “Sweetheart, this isn’t about you. It’s about tradition. You’ll be a very powerful Luna.” I grit my teeth, looking anywhere but my father, “I don’t want to be behind the leader, I want to be the leader.” “That’s the council’s decision and it’s final.” My father says, already angered. “You will focus more on finding your mate, since the mating ceremony is next month, you will be sure to attend so you can find your mate.” “This isn’t fair!” I exclaim, breathing heavily. Kaden looks at me for a brief moment before focusing back on his food. “Fine. Hope you’re very proud of your precious traditions.” I shoot up from my seat, before storming out, up the stairs, past the family portrait and ceremonial weapons lining the wall. The moment I reach my bedroom, I lock the door and collapse on the bed, screaming into my pillow, my heart pounding heavily. My wolf, Zara, is clawing inside of me. ‘You’re not the only one who’s pissed,’ I say. A knock interrupts my thinking. “Go away,” I growl, standing up. “The door is locked anyways.” “It’s me,” Kaden says softly and I sigh. “What?” I ask tiredly, moving closer to open the door. The way Kaden and I look alike is very alarming, we both have the same wild, black hair that’s naturally messy and the same steel-gray eyes. I see a lot of myself in him, and him in me. “That was a pretty sick move dad pulled on you and to be kinda honest with you, I don’t think mom ever wanted you to become Alpha.” My brother lets himself in quite easily, the Alpha title naturally belongs to Kaden since he came out first but he has made it pretty clear that he isn’t interested in leading the pack so now the Alpha title is on me, but apparently I’ve to get a boyfriend to qualify for the Luna position. “Well, I am hopeless now, mom wants me attending parties and wearing make-up and dresses, while dad wants me to get a man.” I slump on the bed, while Kaden leans against the dresser, arms crossed. “What if you convince them that you can lead this pack?” Kaden suggests. “I have been doing that for pretty much eighteen years of my life.” My smile is as tired as it is. “I know that, what I meant is what if you go to the all males alpha academy to prove yourself worthy?” “Do I look like a guy, dear brother?” I roll my eyes. “You are going to pretend to be me,” he says slowly, trying to make me see the point. “Let’s be honest, we pretty much look like each other a lot, we just have to do something about your long hair and maybe your voice.” “Are you serious right now?” I frown. “I’m serious. We’re twins, Nyra. Same build, same voice if you deepen yours a little. Hell, you already roll your eyes like I do. We can make it work.” “You won’t go to the academy? So, I will go in your place. What if our parents find out?” “It’s just a year, I could go to London and live my life, you could spend the first six months there, and come back, we swap again, and I go and spend the next six months. That’s enough time to convince mom and dad that if you can survive six months in an all male school. Then you can become the Alpha and besides, we’ll just say you travelled, finding your mate.” I think about it deeply, I do want to prove to dad that I can do this as a female and to mom and if this is the only way I can do that, then why not. “Can we make this work? I mean, you’re supposed to leave tomorrow for the academy.” “Well then, that means, we have a long day waiting for us tomorrow. Get some sleep; you’re going to need it, princess.” My brother moves to the door, “Damn it, you owe me a lot.” He grins, before shutting the door quietly. My heart is still beating; can I really make this work?