Not Your Luna

I groaned as the alarm sounded, pulling me harshly from my cosy dream. Reality. "Hallie. You better wake up, or you're be late again." My sister's voice echoed through the door, asking if I was awake. Why did she always have to be so perfect? She was always up on time and always going on about how excited she would be to find her mate. "Go away, Veronica," I yelled as she continued to bang on my bedroom door. I rolled my eyes and headed to the bathroom, turning on the shower to drown out her annoying banging and shouting.

Mornings were never my thing, but I knew that if I wanted to be one of the top female warriors, I had to be punctual. Coach Benjamin had already been on my case about my timekeeping; if I kept being late, he would have no choice but to stop my training. No way was I letting that happen, and I wouldn't let him down. My brother, George, was away at alpha training; he would soon become the near alpha when our father stepped down. He had to train twice as hard as me; we hadn't seen him in a few months, but he was coming back the following week for my birthday, which my parents had insisted on throwing for me. My father hoped I would soon find my mate, but I refused to be anyone's Luna. Even if I found my mate, I wouldn't let him control my life. I was in charge, and I was ready to take on the world. As the daughter of Alpha Phoenix and Luna Harriet at Moonstone Manor, I come from a family of great importance in my community. It's a lot of pressure, but I am proud of my family legacy. Our pack is one of the biggest and strongest ones around. My parents worked so hard to make it what it is here. Even our omegas are treated with respect and kindness. My mother says we are all one big happy family. My hair is one of my favourite features. It's a rich, dark brunette that cascades down my back. It takes a lot of work to keep it looking its best, but I love the way it makes me feel when it's flowing freely behind me. When I'm training to become the best warrior in the kingdom, I tie it back, and I feel like a fierce warrior, ready to take on any challenge that comes my way! Luckily my annoying little sister had disappeared when I finally emerged from my bedroom dressed in black shorts and a black top, along with my black trainers. Yeah, black is my favourite colour, the same as my wolf, Indie. She is beautiful with black fur and a white patch on the left ear. Indie hates how against having a mate I am, but she will get over it. We are the best on the training team, and I want to keep it that way. "You're late," Benjamin shouted as I ran onto the training field. I smiled and started running laps before he could say anything else. Benjamin was my father's Beta and a fair trainer, but he always pushed me to work harder than everyone else. I didn't mind, though. I had been training since I was young, and I knew I could beat anyone. I could handle it. After the intense morning training session, I couldn't wait to wash off the sweat and dirt. I sprinted back inside, eager to jump into the shower and let the hot water wash over me. It was the perfect way to refresh myself and prepare for the rest of the day. "Miss Hallie, I have not dismissed you yet," Benjamin called out, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I turned back to face him. As if I wanted to stick around any longer than necessary. But then, something shifted. Benjamin's voice took on a different tone, and I could feel the energy in the room shift. "Listen up, everyone," he called out, and the group gathered around him. My heart pounded as he spoke, and I struggled to focus. It was clear that something big was about to happen, and I couldn't wait to find out what it was. "After discussing with Alpha Phoenix and a neighbouring pack, we've decided to hold tryouts for our best trainers to attend a year of warrior training." I was speechless. A year of training at one of the other packs, where they trained warriors to work closely within the Kingdom? It would be a dream come true. "Hallie, I'm sure you'll give it your best shot," Benjamin said, grinning and slapping me on the back. "Tryouts begin tomorrow. Alpha Peters and his Beta and head of trainers will be here this evening, ready for the tryouts tomorrow morning." Jax shoved me playfully, grinning from ear to ear. "Looks like somebody better be up before dawn," he teased. "Nothing will stop me from being there," I snarled. "You never know; you might just be a little late," Jax joked. "You never know; you might even meet your mate." Kel appeared next to us and snuggled into Jax. They were both my best friends, and had found out they were mates only last month on Kel's eighteenth birthday. I shuddered at the thought of having a mate. The idea of being tied down and following orders from a man made me feel sick to my stomach. All I ever wanted was to be a top warrior girl, and I had been trained all my life for this. The thought of popping out pups and giving up my dreams for some "stupid mate bond" didn't sit right with me. I was determined to pursue my passion for warrior training and become the best I could be. Why would I let anything, especially a mate, stand in the way of my dreams?" My father knew how important it was for me to train with the other males, and he allowed me to do so. I worked hard, and it paid off. Nobody had managed to knock me down yet, and I felt I was on top of the world. "Tomorrow is the big day! The tryouts for the training are finally here, and I'm so excited to show what I'm made of. Kels grinned excitedly, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline at the prospect of competing. But Jax had to go and ruin the moment with a joke. "That's if she gets up on time," he chuckled, earning himself a punch in the chest from me. I was determined to make it to the tryouts, no matter what. Nothing would stand in my way of winning a spot on that training list. I was ready to give it my all and show everyone what I could do!

It was almost lunchtime before I decided I needed to go for a run and let my wolf roam around. Jax and Kels were far to busy with their tongues down each others throats, playing their favourite game of tonsil tennis. They were obsessed with each other, it was kind of cute but the thought of being like that with someone made me want to throw up in my hands and clap. I would much rather skip that part of life. My father was adamant that I would soon find my mate, my mother was excited about throwing a grand ball. The whole thing was just a pointless load of rubbish in my opinion.

I was super excited for my brother to come home from alpha training, we had always been close, I suppose that might be because me and him were close in age. Veronica was alright but she was so whiny and irritating at times, like when my mother would try to discuss pretty dresses I would get bored but Veronica would squeal with excitement and over react. She liked to be the centre of attention. "Hallie, wait up." I turned around surprised to see y mother calling out to me from across the car park. Frowning, I waited for her to catch me up. "What is it?" I asked, curiously and she waved a piece of paper in my face with a daft grin on her face. "What's this?" I took it and scanned it. "Well what do you think?" She was eager to hear my response. I could not believe my eyes. I read it over and over again to make sure that I was correct the first time. "Well?" She repeated. "Whose idea was this?" I demanded with a low growl as my wolf started to surface but I forced her back down knowing full well that she would approve of this nonsense. "I told you and father that I do not want a mate. Training is my main priority. Surely you know that?" My mother sighed and shook her head. I was so fed up with them not getting it. Yet here she was trying to coax me into agreeing to such a sham! "Please, just give it a think. It would be absolutely amazing." She took my hand and grinned from ear to ear. I loved my mother dearly but this was becoming insane now. "George! He's back!" Veronica yelled, she rushed over to us with her arms flapping above her head like a loon. We rushed to greet him and I was so happy to see him back earlier than expected but then when he stepped out from the car he walked around to the other side and opened the door. I was surprised to see a female slowly get out from the car, then i noticed the small bump she had. "Mother, Veronica, Hallie, meet Grace. She is my mate." I watched as my brother held this girl to his chest and beamed proudly at her. She was beautiful but something about her seemed slightly off. I could not put my finger on it. "We're having a baby." He was bursting with pride and she protectively rubbed at her belly. I could not take my eyes off that bump. "Oh my goddess, this is fantastic news." Our mother leapt up and fist pumped the air. "Congratulations. I'm going to be an auntie." Veronica exclaimed while i just stood open mouthed like a idiot. This was a lot to take in.

I was at a loss for words. Everyone had their eyes on me, including my mother, who looked disappointed by my lack of enthusiasm. Just moments before, she had dropped the news of a ridiculous mate ball, a place where single she-wolves could find their mates. Suddenly, my brother returned with a mate in tow and a baby on the way. He broke the awkward silence by throwing his arms around me and spewing nonsense about how much he missed me. He didn't miss us much, considering he forgot to mention his mate and child. Now, our parents would be even more pushy for me to follow in his footsteps.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves and gather my thoughts. I knew that I couldn't continue to feel resentful towards my brother, but I couldn't shake the feeling that his return would only add to the pressure I was already feeling. I decided to step back from the situation and focus on what I wanted. I knew I didn't want to be pushed into finding a mate at some silly ball, but I didn't want to disappoint my parents. I resolved to have an honest conversation with them about my feelings and to try and find a way to make them understand that I needed to make my own choices. My mother's voice interrupted my thoughts, "What do you mean? Of course, you're happy your brother will be a father." I shrugged, "As long as you don't expect me to follow that lead. I'm not popping out babies anytime soon." Veronica looked shocked by my bluntness, but I couldn't help how I felt. My brother was crazy, and this girl seemed quite irritating. I wasn't sure we would get along. Suddenly, our father, the alpha, appeared, beaming from ear to ear. "What's going on here?" he asked. "Our darling son is back," my mother replied, hurrying to hug him. "Welcome home, son, and welcome to our pack, Grace," my father said, but how did he know her name? She bowed and smiled back, rubbing her pregnant belly happily. I watched as my sister cooed over the bump and rolled my eyes. Turning on my heel, I walked to the pack house. I wasn't in the mood for a run, so instead, I went to my room and bathed. They wouldn't miss me anyway. Jax's loud knock on my door was unmistakable. His arms were crossed, and his eyebrows were raised as he greeted me with my childhood nickname, "What's up, my Hallie bear?" I couldn't help but laugh. Only Jax could get away with calling me that nowadays. Sensing my mood, he nodded sympathetically, "Oh, you haven't heard?" I replied. He pushed into my room and picked up a magazine, throwing himself onto my bed. "Where's Kels?" I questioned. It was rare to see them apart. He flicked through the pages of the magazine and replied, "Oh, she's gone off shopping with Natalia. I wasn't going to be their bag carrier today." I chuckled. Jax had come to catch up with me. He reminded me that if he had the chance, he'd be gone too. "She's not all that bad," he said, referring to my mother's wishes for me to become a mate and have children. But I wasn't going to let her dictate my life. "No way is my mother going to push me to be some stupid mate and pop out all these brats. I have dreams to make a reality," I said with determination. Jax and I had been best friends for as long as I could remember. We had always shared everything. Going away from this pack to train would be a massive deal, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. Jax's visit was a welcome distraction, and we chatted and laughed like old times. But I was determined to make my dreams a reality, no matter what anyone else thought. Then my father mind linked me out of nowhere to see him in his office. "I better go see what he wants." I sighed. Jax gave me a sympathetic smile and a pat on the shoulder. I quickly got up from my bed and went to my father's office. As I walked through the halls of our packhouse, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I knew that my father's mind link meant that he had something important to discuss with me, and I couldn't help but worry about what it might be. When I finally reached his office, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. "Come in," my father said. I opened the door and stepped inside, my heart racing with anticipation. As I entered my father's office, I saw him sitting behind his desk, looking serious as ever. "Hallie, take a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. I sat down, trying to keep my nerves under control. "I just received a letter from the Alpha of the neighbouring pack," my father began. "They're requesting our presence tomorrow." I couldn't help but feel my heart skip a beat at the mention of the neighbouring pack. I knew that there was something important that they wanted to discuss. "Why?" I asked, my voice trembling with anticipation. "Hallie, they want you and their son to be chosen mates," my father said, his voice full of gravitas. As I heard his words, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was a moment that would change my life forever. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What?" I asked, my voice trembling. "They want me and their son to be chosen mates?" My father nodded gravely. "Yes, Hallie," he said. "I know that this is a lot to take in, but it's an important decision that you'll have to make sooner rather than later. I want to make sure that you choose the right mate. Your brother is very happy with Grace. We want the same for you." he said. I took a deep breath, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the decision that lay before me. "I understand, Father," I said. "I'll think about it." But inside I was crying, screaming. How could he do this to me? I didn't want to cause a scene so I just said whatever to get away quicker. "Good, well I have to go and greet our guests now," he said referring to the neighbouring pack for the training tryouts. I didn't bother to say goodbye or any other word. I had no intention of attending any stupid ball or meeting. The training was my only goal. My own parents were not about to destroy that for me.