She finished braiding my long, white hair, expertly weaving jewelry crystals into the strands to make it shimmer like the moon. "It's not all rainbows and butterflies, dear," she said, her voice carrying the weight of experience. "There's death, war, and a whole lot of nothingness out there."
My curiosity deepened. "But why did Mom and you, being human, accept being mated to werewolves when they took over your world?"
Lunara's eyes met mine in the mirror's reflection, and a small smile played on her lips. "Ah, that, my dear, is a story for another day," she said cryptically. "For now, just remember that love conquers all."
I took in my reflection, admiring the elegant gown that draped over me and the glistening crystals adorning my hair. Despite my misgivings, I couldn't deny that Lunara had transformed me into a vision of grace and beauty. To be honest, I kind of liked this look. I smiled at my aunt before giving her a kiss on the cheek and we both walked to dinner with four guards behind us.
As the dinner carried on, I found myself stifling yawns, struggling to stay awake amidst the dull business discussions between my father, Theron, and the imposing Alpha Darian from the dead lands. Alpha Darian had always held a certain allure, and I couldn't help but steal glances at him despite my better judgment. His strength and commanding presence were impossible to ignore. Maybe I had a little crush on him; the man was undeniably handsome for days.
However, my attention was soon drawn away from him as my eyes fell upon Iris, Alpha Darian's mate. She was truly a vision of uniqueness and beauty. Her fiery red hair flowed like molten lava, cascading down her back in waves. It was the kind of red that seemed to shimmer in the candlelight, a vivid contrast to her fair skin. But what truly mesmerized me were her eyes—the most striking shade of green emerald I had ever seen, like rare gemstones glistening in the sun. Iris was not just beautiful; she was ethereal, a goddess among us mere mortals.
As my father and Alpha Darian continued their conversation, I couldn't help but wonder how someone as captivating as Iris had ended up with a mate like Alpha Darian. I supposed love had its mysteries that even I, an avid reader, couldn't fully understand.
The discussion at the table droned on, and I fought to stay focused. My father spoke with his usual seriousness, his face a stoic mask as he addressed Alpha Darian. "Darian, I've been thinking about fortifying our territories. We should increase the number of men stationed near our borders."
Alpha Darian nodded in agreement, his deep voice resonating through the room. "A wise idea, Theron. Safety is paramount."
My mother, Selene, interjected with her characteristic confidence. Despite being human, she was a force to be reckoned with. Her wavy raven black hair framed her face in cascading elegance, matching perfectly with her doe brown eyes. She had a natural beauty that needed no adornment.
Selene's voice rang clear as she suggested, "Perhaps, Theron, we could take this opportunity to exchange knowledge. Your warriors could train some of Alpha Darian's younger men, and in turn, Darian's pack could teach some of ours. It would be a win-win situation—our men could learn new techniques while strengthening the bonds between our packs." I couldn't help but admire my mother even more in that moment. She was not only beautiful but also possessed a strength and wisdom that transcended her human nature. Her ability to voice her opinions and influence the conversation left me in awe.
Unfortunately, I couldn't bear another moment of the seemingly endless dinner. With a half-hearted attempt to disguise my intention, I slid my chair back ever so slightly, hoping to make a quiet escape. As I inched my way towards freedom, my eyes darted between my parents, who were engrossed in their discussion, and Alpha Darian, who was listening intently.
Just as I was about to make my daring move, a sharp voice cut through the air, sending shivers down my spine. "And where do you think you're off to, Lyra?" It was my father, Theron, the Lycan King, his narrow eyes locked onto mine.
My heart raced, and my tongue suddenly felt tied in knots. I had no real destination in mind, just a desperate desire to escape the tedium of the dinner table. I stammered, struggling to come up with an excuse, but the words eluded me. I couldn't even muster a coherent thought.
His voice held a firm command that I couldn't defy. "Sit down and finish your meal," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument. I returned to my chair, defeated and embarrassed.
I couldn't bear to look in Alpha Darian's direction, certain that my father's intervention had made a spectacle of me. My attempt at a quiet escape had been foiled, and I was left to focus on my steak, my cheeks burning with humiliation. My father's aura, one that screamed strength, leadership, and authority, had once again reminded me of the role he played in our world: that of an Alpha, a king, and a father who always knew when his daughter was up to mischief, and this is why he can never find out about my secret runs. The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue across my room. Today was my 18th birthday, a day I had been eagerly awaiting for as long as I could remember. I couldn't contain my excitement as I stretched and yawned, reveling in the feeling of adulthood that came with it.
I made my way to the bathroom, and as I caught my reflection in the mirror, I was taken aback by what I saw. My hair, which had always been a silvery-white, seemed to have grown even longer overnight, cascading down past my waist in shimmering waves. It felt like a waterfall of moonlight, and I couldn't help but run my fingers through it in amazement.
Turning my attention to my body, I noticed the subtle yet undeniable changes that had taken place. My figure had blossomed into a more feminine shape, with curves that accentuated my waist and fuller breasts that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. It was all a bit surprising, but I remembered Mireya, our family witch, explaining that these transformations were a part of embracing my wolf heritage. I couldn't deny that I liked the feeling of becoming a grown woman, especially if it meant a bit more independence.