The King’s Mate: Moonlight’s Claim

“I will not cower and give up my throne like a freaking coward because of flimsy threats…….”

“And we’re not asking you to do that…..my lord. We are only saying you should offer some sort of sovereign gift as a sign of respect…..”

“Fuck off.”

My dad hissed and went back to his seat, making a weird sound as he crashed into it, his huge belly dancing a bit as he tried to relax. His second in command, Marcellus, wasn’t saying anything to help his mood. From my seat at the end of the large meeting table, I had paid very close attention to everything that was being said, and even I knew it was best to feign surrender to the enemy before things got out of control. I kept looking forward to these meetings every day, hoping that my father would finally come to his senses and realize that a little show of weakness wouldn’t kill him, and that if the bastard alpha of our rivalry pack wanted to seize parts of our lands afterwards, then it was a worthy sacrifice. As long as we have my brother back………..

“The bastard has already embarrassed me. Raided my pack, burnt down houses, killed my men, kidnapped my son.” My father got up again and began to pace. “If we let them get away with this, it would send a message to the rogues nearby and other packs that we are weak.”

“With all due respect, my lord, I doubt any of us will be alive to endure wagging tongues or disregard for our reputation by the time the war is over. My lord, we are not dealing with just any pack here. These are......"

"I know!!" My dad thundered and spun around so fast he almost stumbled and fell. Marcellus stepped back a bit and bowed his head respectfully. No words were spoken afterwards for a few minutes. My dad just stared into space.

I was mistaken to think that was my cue to ask about my brother again. “Sir Mar…..Marcellus…….have you heard any news as regards……”

“Excuse us, Aurora.”

Pause.

“Father……”

“I’ll call you back if it’s necessary.”

I stood up slowly and left the meeting hall, with the same familiar ting of shame that had escorted me out each time I was asked to leave. As the daughter of the alpha of the Crimson Ridge pack, it was my responsibility to attend all pack meetings and even contribute. But almost every time I attended, even before I could take a seat, my father would walk me out. Oftentimes, with the same reason that I couldn’t contribute anything meaningful, simply because I was a woman.

I made my way back to my room, where my maid was waiting for me. She was way older than me, so I called her aunt. She was also the only one who considered me a person, someone whose opinions mattered. She was dusting my reading table when I walked in. I waved at the two girls who were assisting her.

“You seem to be in a great mood today.” She said sarcastically with her raspy voice as she lowered her dusting broom to the ground and walked over. I smiled and sat on the bed, lowering my back so I was lying halfway. “Aren’t I always aunt?”

My aunt came to sit beside me. “Your father sent you away again, didn’t he?”

“Hmmm.”

“Did you ask any provocative questions?”

“Not this time. Not since a while ago, even.” I climbed higher into the bed and rolled to the side, so I was facing my aunt. “They just don’t want me there aunt.”

“You know they don’t consider the presence of girls in those meetings as relevant. I wonder why you still go…….”

“Because I have to.” I snapped. I paused to take deep breaths to calm myself. “Aunt, I am the princess of this pack. It’s my responsibility to show up and hear what’s being said about its welfare, especially…….especially now that Elric isn’t here.”

My aunt reached out to stroke my leg. “He’ll be back. I’m sure the moon goddess will bring him back to us.”

I stood up and walked out of the room. There was a balcony just in front of my room, directly facing the row of rooms in my wing. I walked to the balcony and leaned on the railings, scanning the back of the pack house. It had been three weeks. Three weeks since I last saw my little brother. The enemy, the Mooncrest pack, had attacked our home and destroyed more than half of the pack, killed dozens of people, especially our army and then kidnapped members of the royal court, including my half-brother. Since I was a member of the royal family, I was fortunate to be hidden away at the temple while my father and the guardsmen tried to protect the pack and fend off our attackers.

But defeating the Mooncrest pack was close to impossible; they were the strongest pack in all of Europe, and they occasionally attacked small packs like ours, sometimes just for the fun of it.

My aunt came behind me and rubbed my back. Maybe it was her comfort that finally brought tears to my eyes. I didn’t want even to imagine that my half-brother could…….could be dead by now.

“Aurora…….” My aunt called softly and turned me so that I was embracing her. “Please do not worry so much, Elric is going to come back to us. He is still out there….”

“And what if he’s not? What if he’s……he’s……”

“Shhhh. Don’t say that. He’s going to come back. I need you to keep your hope alive. Everything is going to be fine.”

I sniffed loudly and leaned my head on her frail shoulders. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that I wasn’t crying just because I missed Elric, the person whom I also hoped with all my heart was okay as well... was Ramsey. My best friend.

After the war passed and we returned to the pack, he was one of the people who had been reported missing. His home was also burnt down, and his mother was killed, buried under a pile of rubble and rocks.

My heart shattered when I learnt he was missing. I continued attending these meetings, hoping to hear about his return someday. His body was never found, so I kept hoping that he was just in hiding or something.

But as the days passed, I started to imagine the worst for my half-brother, Elric, and then for my only friend, Ramsey.