Chapter 2: They Think I'm Their Luna

I looked outside my window to see the first snow fall, turning the brisk afternoon chilly and white, as my carriage finally cut its way through the merchant sector of the Heart of Nox. It was pulled by two dark brown horses and two stern-looking coachmen, all of whom I had to hide my face from.

Never in my life had I been this deep in Nox territory. My family had always lived on the edge of Nox, where the poorer shifters and occasional rouges lived in rundown or older buildings. Every time I glanced out the window, I’m met with middle-class shifters, bakeries, carriages, and more.

I also never rode a carriage before. I was a little sick at first when we left the inn, but it’d gotten easier. The velvet seats were padded and warm. I was able to sleep much longer than I anticipated.

I almost felt bad for sleeping, but if I was going to be Melania, I needed to act more comfortable in all this...wealth.

Trying to relax, I sat back against my seat but folded over like a piece of paper in the process.

The wedding dress was beautiful. It was the color of cream with a skirt that bloomed like a rose. The sleeves were billowy but cinched at my wrists, and pearls dotted the bodice and were sprinkled about the rest of the gown.

Unfortunately, it was too tight. Especially around my chest and stomach. No matter how much I pulled at the fabric, I felt like a tied-up turkey. I’m grateful the veil, which is made of bundles of tulle, covered my face. I didn’t think my cheeks had gotten less red since I was first strapped in it.

“Scones! Fresh scones! Fresh from the oven!” A lively voice penetrated the thick walls of the carriage, prickling my ears. Scones. Fresh from an oven?

“Oh, scones! Fresh ones! Made will all our lovin’!” It was a young girl singing. Her voice sounded like honey, and my stomach rumbled at her song.

I heard the merchant sector had the finest food and drink. All my house was able to afford was stuff from the corner mart, and it was rare if we ever had bread that wasn’t stale. I bet her scones were fresh and soft and full of butter...

And when would I have a chance to come here again? I’ll be locked up right after my marriage. Might as well get a scone today.

I leaned up from the cushioned seat, causing the excessive tulle to spill off my lap and grabbed my pencil and paper. I was told I didn’t need to verbally talk to the coachmen, and that’s for the best since they would know right away if I did.

After writing my request, I knocked twice on the coachmen’s window above me and slipped the note to them. The coachmen stopped the carriage, and I heard them discuss before one alighted to get my scone.

I closed their window and went to open mine a crack, making sure the tulle covered my face. The cold air bit into my skin, but I didn’t hate it. Wolf shifters are more suited for cold weather anyway. It’s why all the merchants were happily singing and hollering their wares...

At least they were until my carriage stopped.

My hearing—which is probably my best wolf ability—picked up the way the joyous mood died around me. As the coachman got the scone, I heard the members of Nox murmur amongst themselves:

“Th-There! Right there! You see it? The red wolf symbol surrounded by flowers?”

“Well, it could be any family—”

“You idiot! Those are hollyhock and gladiolus. That carriage belongs to the St. Belmont family.” The man speaking lowered his voice. “Must be Melania St. Belmont.”

I fluffed the tulle around her face. Hearing them talk made my stomach rumble with nerves as well as hunger.

A blazing red wolf surrounded in a circle of gladiolus and hollyhock was the symbol of the St. Belmont family, a noble and old wolf family that holds high influence in Nox. They’re known for their wealth, their diamond mines, their trading company, and their beautiful sons and daughters.

Only Melania St. Belmont, who never left her home, could be in this St. Belmont carriage at this moment.

“I can’t believe it,” a woman muttered in disbelief. “Melania St. Belmont is really going to be our Luna?”

“I heard it was a fierce selection... But an unseen lady won.”

“No one’s ever seen her?”

“Never! I heard she’s been locked away at home and trained to be one of the best noble wolf ladies of Nox! Apparently, her beauty can entrance anyone who sets their gaze upon her. Her voice is synonymous to sirens’ and can capture anyone’s heart. Her eyes are cut better than the finest gems—”

I blinked behind my veil and scratched my cheek. Not true but whatever they wish to believe. It’s not like I’ll be around common members for them to assess those rumors...

Everyone outside was talking slightly louder now. It was a big deal and concerned all of them who the future Luna of Nox would be. Nox was shifter territory belonging to a pack by the same name. Two months ago, a selection of the best noble wolf daughters took place to select a Luna.

“Your scone, miss,” the coachman said, slightly surprising me. I was handed a mixed berry scone topped with a wad of melting butter in a delicate napkin through the window. It was still steaming and looked fresh from the oven, like the girl sang it would.

I closed the window slightly but not fully before tearing into it with pure delight. I hadn’t eaten in hours, and it felt like the wedding dress was forcing my stomach to touch my spine.

“The Alpha needs a Luna who will keep him grounded,” an older voice said defiantly.

I nearly choked on my scone.

I rapidly patted my chest and tried to chew. The conversation outside took a turn.

In Nox, the Luna was in charge along with the Alpha. Every member of Nox obeyed their Alpha, whether they were part of his Inner pack or not, but he hasn’t had a Luna or partner even before he took control.

This has been another hot topic among the citizens. It seemed like he wasn’t interested in romance or appointing his other half. It was considered abnormal because no other Alpha in Nox history was like that. More accurately, no shifter was like that either. Shifters craved having mates.

The old voice, it was an old woman, continued speaking, “I respect him, but he’s only Alpha because he took down the previous Alpha. Usurping his own father wasn’t enough but murder—”

“Grandmother, please! We’re lucky to have a strong Alpha.”

“Lucky? If you so believe.”

What she said was true: the previous Alpha was forced to abdicate by his own son, Mordecai Argentine.

A familiar shudder ran through me. Thinking about Alpha Mordecai always made me shake and shiver.

I heard all the stories about how Alpha Mordecai took the Alpha position or had torn his father to shreds during the usurping. Some stories were much more graphic than others, describing his feats and bloodshed in battle and war. He was like a dark fable come to life.

“At least he’s super strong,” someone said as my carriage began moving again. “As the Alpha of Wolves, how can anyone mess with him?”

Alpha of Wolves. It was an unofficial title given to Mordecai because of how strong he is. It was rumored he once took on a dozen shifters in his human form and won. He’s considered the strongest wolf shifter of our time.

Unparalleled strength, battle prowess, excellent leadership on top of a bloodthirsty and cruel nature was how many described Alpha Mordecai Argentine. The citizens of Nox both revered him and feared him. I only knew how to fear him.

“The new Luna must be a good fit for the Alpha. She must be!”

“O’ Moon Goddess, may Nox prosper from the union of Alpha Mordecai Argentine and Lady Melania St. Belmont.”

“Do you think, you know, if she upsets him that he’ll kill—”

“Shut up! Are you crazy!? She’s right there—”

I shut the window defiantly and wrapped my arms around myself. What crazy shifters. How could they say such things? I wished I was in my new bedroom already, so I could finally be at peace.

Maybe it was because I heard Mordecai’s name or maybe it was because of what the citizens said, but I couldn’t stop shivering. I curled up and tried to sleep but ended up playing with my hair instead. It was coppery and wavy like my father’s but thick and long like my mother’s.

It looked so unlike Melania’s hair, which was dark red curls that gracefully fell to her shoulders and down her back. She probably never had to worry about getting it tangled and knotted, like mine always did.

Out the window, I saw the dark walls of Nox Castle coming closer. It was tall with imposing stony walls, dark towers...perhaps it reflected the owner? I would soon be seeing him. Was the wedding even happening today? I didn’t have a clue. Melania didn’t give me many details on it.

Everyone in Castle Nox, the Inner pack, all the members of Nox, and most importantly Mordecai Argentine expected a beautiful, noble and graceful Melania St. Belmont. A beautiful daughter who never set foot outside her home. The very image of elegance and beauty.

I tucked my lock of hair back into the veil.

Melania said I would be fine.

I didn’t fully believe her, and the scone didn’t settle well in my stomach.