The Alpha King's Forbidden Luna

Chapter 2

Elara

Watching Selena sneeze nonstop while trying to hold onto the broom was too much. I handed her my handkerchief and took over the sweeping so she could rest.

"Did you take your allergy pill?" I asked as the broom moved easily through the fallen petals.

She blew her nose and answered, "I ran out."

"Your nose looks like a bee stung it," I said lightly, trying to make her smile.

"Shut up," she replied, rolling her eyes but laughing a little.

That was how we talked when things got hard. She sat on a nearby bench to catch her breath.

I kept sweeping. White roses were everywhere. It made sense. They were the symbol of the Bloodmoon Pack.

"I don't get why Valentina has to be so cruel all the time," Selena said between sneezes.

"Be careful what you say," I warned her. "Someone might be listening."

I looked around quickly, worried someone would overhear and report us.

"Come on, everyone knows it's true," she insisted.

"Still, she won't take it well if she hears you," I said again. Talking badly about the Alpha's daughter never ended well.

"She can have my nose then," Selena said, pointing at her red, swollen face. I couldn't help laughing.

"You should go back inside. Valentina won't like finding you helping me," she said, taking the broom from me.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked.

"Don't worry. At this point my nose is growing abs," she joked.

"Alright. Just cover your nose while you work and take a pill when you can," I told her.

"Yes, Mommy," she teased.

I shook my head and smiled as I walked back to the manor. Of course Valentina had "accidentally" made another mess for me to clean.

No matter how tired I was, I still forced a smile whenever she gave orders. Sometimes I felt a little sorry for her. Her mother, the Bloodmoon Luna, had died giving birth to her. After that, Alpha Magnus gave her everything she ever wanted. She grew up spoiled and never learned to care how other people felt.

By the end of the day I fell onto my small bed, completely worn out.

"You should wash up, dear," my mother said.

I looked around our tiny room in the servants' quarters. The three of us shared it. There were only two beds and one small window. I often stared out that window at the night sky. It was the prettiest thing I got to see.

"Where's Dad?" I asked while Mom straightened their bed.

"Still in the library with Alpha Magnus," she answered.

My arms ached from scrubbing all day. Valentina had spilled paint three separate times. Even so, I pushed myself up and got ready for a bath.

My eyes were heavy while I tried to brush my hair.

"Here," Mom said softly, taking the brush from my hand and running it through my hair herself.

"How was your day?" she asked in her gentle voice.

"Ask Valentina," I yawned. Mom chuckled.

"I'm sorry you have to put up with her," she said, sounding sad.

"It's okay, Mom. I'm used to it."

When she turned to look at me, there was a small, wistful smile on her face.

"You know the Moon Ball is coming up," she said. "Our pack was chosen to host it this year."

My eyes went wide. "A ball?"

I had only ever seen fancy balls on TV or in books. The idea of being near one made my heart race.

"All the northern and western packs will come. There'll be music, dancing, and people looking for their mates," she explained, tapping my nose when she said the last part.

I knew I would probably just be serving drinks and cleaning up, but even being there to watch the beautiful clothes and dancing felt exciting.

"When is it?" I asked eagerly.

"The next full moon," she said.

My eyes lit up. "That's my birthday!"

Mom laughed.

That night I fell asleep smiling. A real ball was going to happen, and on my birthday too. People always said birthdays should be special. This one already felt like it might be the best one yet.

I dreamed of elegant dances and pretty dresses. I wondered what the high-ranking guests and the Alpha would look like up close. So many questions floated through my mind as I drifted off, full of hope for the night that was coming.