Lunar Temptations

The car came to a smooth halt outside our family's ancestral home and I took a deep breath staring at it. It was beautiful and mesmerizing, exactly how I left it 5 years ago. The white stones of the manor shone in the night like the moon itself. "It's still as breathtaking, Max. Nothing can change its beauty, not even time." I spoke with a smile and a feeling of comfort as it occurred to me once again, that I was home. "Indeed Miss Dawson," said Max, our old family butler who took it upon himself to pick me up from the airport tonight. Inhaling a deep breath, I felt the presence of supernatural beings around me. I thought of us, the werewolves lurking near or far. The air was filled with the scent of the wolves and not one, but many of us. A few howls resounded and a smile appeared on my lips. I was home. The huge doors of the palace-like manor opened and I made my way inside, while Max commanded a few servants to take my luggage to my room. I might have been greeted with a massive welcome if Father wasn't bedridden. When I had left for LA, I had not once thought that I would be called back to prepare for my crowing as the next leader while Dad would be ill. Because that is how it was now. Another deep breath and I barged in to be greeted by an empty corridor, followed by an eerie silence. Where is everyone? - I thought. "Raya? My baby!" Mama's voice emerged along with her, as she marched towards me and engulfed me in a hug. "Ah, finally." Her voice was frail and I could sense her distress without even having to look at her. "I am here Mama, everything will be fine." I pat her as I pulled out of the hug. She nodded and the next moment, the rest of my siblings came running out. Esme and Winnie ran up to engulf me. "Hey! That's not fair, you both are almost as tall as me!" I said making them both chuckle. Esme was 20 and three years younger than me while Winnie had just turned 18. Nobody could tell that we were sisters, apart from our last names we shared no qualities, neither facial nor behavioural. "We were waiting for so long," Winnie said. "You look-" Mom murmured eyeing me. "So matured like a beautiful and fierce woman." She completed her sentence and her comment made me realize how much I had changed. "I already know that you'll be the best Luna our pack will have." She said and both of my sisters were awed making me roll my eyes. "Where's Dad? I wanna see him." I got straight to the point. He was the reason that I immediately came back. Of course, I wanted to take over my duties as the Luna someday since I didn't have a brother but not like this, not with a fear in our hearts that Dad would not make it due to his sickness. Mom, Esme, Winnie and I made our way to my parent's room. Several servant werewolves stood patiently outside, ready to serve their sick Alpha on a single command. As I walked towards the room, their gazes landed on me. The shock in their eyes was evident as they gulped. Did they think I was dead for years? Come on, I had made it official that I had only left for academic purposes. I would never abandon my pack, hopefully, they hadn't assumed that either. "Bow at once!" Suddenly a voice boomed. Trembling, the lots of them scurried into a deep bow. Emerging from the room was Paul, the current beta and Dad's best friend. He was almost like a father to us and his family had never failed to serve us as betas in every generation. "She's your future Luna. We bow to her and respect her just as we bow to our Alpha." He scolded the servants and following them bowed his head to me. I rushed to him and hugged him. "I am happy to see you are well," I murmured into his chest and pulled back. He kissed my forehead, "So am I." He opened the door to the room and I walked in. "Dad?" I said. "Raya?" his voice came and a weak smile formed on my face. "I am here." My eyes found him lying on the bed and watching me walk up to him, he sat up. Tears brimmed my eyes as if I had never seen him so weak. He had lost a lot of weight and we all thought it had something to do with his diet until the pack doctor did a thorough exam. He was slowly weakening and needed to take his retirement now. As werewolves, we would heal fast but Dad's healing capabilities had weakened exponentially with age and he now needed to lay off his duties. "Come, sit," he commanded and even if I wanted to resist I couldn't. My wolf would surrender entirely to his Alpha's command. I wondered what it would be like once I became the Luna. "My little girl, you're all grown up," he said eyes twitching. "How are you, Dad?" I asked almost crying. He put a hand on my shoulder, "Don't worry, it's just old age, Ray." He called me by the nickname he used to call me and my heart swelled. "I am sorry Dad, I should have come earlier." I began to cry, hugging him. I spent the next few moments catching up then Mom came in with an expression that shouted business. Uh-oh...here comes the talk I am not even prepared for. - I thought gulping. She sat down by Dad's side and cleared her throat. "Raya, I am sure you are already aware of what responsibilities await you and it's high time that you take your place as the Luna of The Lunar Pack." She spoke stoically and I nodded. "But you are also aware of the fact that a leader alone cannot be the strongest of leaders." My brows furrowed at her words, not understanding but her next words left me flushed. "Have you found your mate?" Mom asked looking at me with the hope that I would say yes. I stared at her for a moment or probably two... thinking what to say. Looking away, I shook my head in no. "Then, it's settled." She stood up in a low display of enthusiasm. "You will have a chance to find your mate tomorrow... dear, you were destined to be here. You couldn't have come back at a better time." Her relief was evident along with Dad's. But I was far from relieved with the new storm of questions pouring into my head. "Great, but why do I have a chance tomorrow exactly?" I raised a brow in suspicion. Finally, Dad answered, "It's Zayden Castillo's engagement ceremony tomorrow." Fuck questions, I even forgot to think for a moment just because of that name and the amount of hatred that filled my mind hearing it. I had a carefully planned list of people I wanted revenge on and Zayden Castillo topped it.