THE LYCAN KING'S CONTRACT LUNA

AZALEA POV

The early morning sun cast a golden glow over the training grounds. I, Azalea Primrose, the soon-to-be female Alpha of the Dynamite Pack. I knew the weight of expectations resting on my shoulders- but I also felt the gnawing doubt of my own perceived weakness.

"Again." My mentor said as he watched me. "Shift Again."

I closed my eyes trying hard to connect to my wolf Kina, but each time I tried to connect with her I got disconnected immediately without even doing much. I felt a wave of energy slap me and I took a few steps back. "Shit."

"Azalea, the strength is not always measured by the muscles in your arm. It's measured by the fire and drive in your spirit." Roberto, my mentor said. His sharp gaze pierced through me. "You and your wolf are one, but you need to connect yourselves before you can be one. Try again."

I closed my eyes trying to focus on the primal energy within me but to my dismay... Nothing happened. Being able to shift into wolf form was a crucial skill for any Alpha, but as for me? I was way too weak to do so. I lacked the strength of one.

I collapsed on my knees after trying multiple times but failed. "Shit shit SHIT!" I cursed bitterly under my breath, Roberto came to my side, knelt beside me, and placed his arm on my shoulder.

"The bond between you and your wolf is emotional just as much as it is physical. You have to find peace within yourself, and clear your head before you can unleash your true power, Again."

I sucked in a deep breath and nodded. I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath readying myself. But despite everything, I still couldn't shift and when I finally did- I couldn't control it.

"Deep breaths Azalea, focus. focus." His words played right like a charm into my head, it sounded very soothing and eased my tension. I closed my eyes and took long deep breaths.

Suddenly I could feel the urge of transformation. But as the fur started sprouting and my senses sharpened, I felt another wave of massive energy and I lost control, the steady transformation became wild and I struggled hard to control my primal instincts.

As my wolf Kina and I struggled, the sound of rustling leaves and our howls mixed as one, as the cold freeze blew on our fur I sensed a new type of energy. Slowly and steadily I felt the control over my wolf.

"That is it, control her, she is very much you as you are very much her, just keep tam-" He was cut short as two maids ran in interrupting us.

"Princess Azalea." They bowed to me. "Mentor Roberto." They greeted. "Pardon us for intruding like this but The elders have called for an urgent meeting concerning your sister's young princess's marriage to the Lycan prince."

"Oh shit," I said mentally, I went back to the training grounds and shifted back to my human form. Taking a good look at my hands I sighed and changed into some casual clothes.

"Alright then, let's go."

The gathered wolves in the hall exchanged uneasy glares, as I stepped in every head turned towards me and bowed down. Elder Miller and my sister were in front of them. Miller had a wide grin on his face while my little sister Ophelia didn't seem quite happy.

"Dear Lord." I walked over to them and them. "Miller, Ophelia," I said to them.

"Azalea," He pulled me into a hug, I waved at Ophelia, my twin sister who had a scowl on her face. Tough day ugh? Yeah me too.

"The maids said-" He cut me off.

"Listen everyone!" He yelled getting the attention of every gathered wild present. "Our dear princess Ophelia is now betrothed to the Lycan prince of the Red Moon pack."

The hall roared with cheers and applauses, He cleared his throat and continued with his speech. "For decades, this has always been the tradition and our duty. Ophelia, I trust you and have hope you will make us proud."

I looked over to Ophelia, I knew exactly what was going on in her head. She didn't want this, well no one in their right senses would want to be stuck with the prince who was rumored to be cold and heartless.

"Ophelia," I called out to her but she hissed and left the hall, everyone turned to her but she ignored us all. This is going to be difficult.

"Well that would be all, everyone is dismissed," Miller said, he turned to me and smiled. "Surely, you can talk to your sister Princess Azalea."

"I can try but then again I can't blame her, this sound-"

"It's a tradition Azalea, it has always been so. She can't change that. And you on the other hand have a bigger task of getting over as Alpha, I trust you two sisters will make this pack proud and fulfill your duties." With that being added, he bowed and left leaving me in the hall.

"Well, that was tense," Mack said as he walked up to me. I smiled with relief and wrapped my arms around him which he returned.

"Nothing makes sense here, minus you of course." I laughed.

He had a warm smile on his face. "Come on you look stressed, let's go run a shower for you and talk."

"Hmhm."

"How was training?" He asked as we started walking side by side heading for my room.

"Same as always, I still can't control Kina," I murmured under my breath but I'm sure he heard me.

"Don't be so hard on yourself Azalea, you will do fine."

"No, I have always been this way, and it's shifty as hell, why? Why can't I be strong enough? Why am I weak?"

"You aren't weak." He stopped walking and held my shoulders. "You are a strong woman, one of the strongest I've ever seen. Plus you don't have to worry, I'm here with you. We will handle this together."

I took a long pause. "You are right, we can do this together."

Chapter Two

After the walk with Mack, I went to my room to freshen up. When I was done I stepped out of the palace to take fresh air that's when I saw my sister Ophelia training in the open space.

Unlike me, Ophelia could easily change into her wolf and control it. Her wolf Sylvia had grey fur and brown eyes. She was beautiful, I watched how Sylvia and Ophelia became one and worked together. She had the strength I didn't, have and the courage that I lacked. Even though I was the older twin. I always looked up to her and admired her.

We were twins but it's quite obvious who won the genetic lottery. Unlike me who had silky midnight black hair, green eyes, and a petite female body appearance that appeared weak. Ophelia had beautiful silly brunette hair she took from her mother, green eyes, and a strong dominant female appearance. She was also taller with 2 inches.

"Hey, Ophelia!" I waved at her when I noticed she had shifted back to human. My nice greeting was returned with a scowl.

"Cut the attitude, cheer up, and give your sister a hug." I walked to her and spread my arms but she slightly slapped them away.

I sighed In defeat, guess she wasn't in the mood. Typical Ophelia, even though we were twins it sometimes felt like we were strangers, Ophelia was tough way too tough, she was the perfect fit to be the Alpha and had everything.

"What do you want Azalea?"

"Let's talk." My tone changed into a serious one.

"About?"

"I know you don't want that marriage."

"You damn right I don't!" She slammed her fist against the table in front of her. "I mean who in the right senses would want to be married off to the almighty Fredrico De Luna, Aka the ruthless and heartless Lycan prince? Do you even know that there are rumors that he killed his first wife? Not to add that I don't even love this man at all Azalea, I feel nothing for him."

I knew what she was going through, I understand how hurt she is and how undeserving this is to her.

"Look Ophelia I und-" She cut me off by raising her palm.

"No, you don't." Her voice cracked, she tried to hide it but I sensed it.

My heart almost sank. "I do and-"

"You don't Azalea! What the actual heck do you understand?! You have it easy for yourself, I mean you have Mack who you love so much and loves you back, you are also going to be the new alpha so let me know exactly Azalea! What the fuck do you understand why you are the privileged one!"

"The privileged one? Do you think this is easy for me too? I can barely shift or control my wolf and I have a dozen responsibilities breathing down my neck and I am not freaking capable of doing them, you think any of us has it easy?! Do you?! That's just you being selfish Ophelia, I understand you are hurt but don't think you are the only one weighing a lot on their shoulders. We all have our cross to carry."

She smirked. "Hmhm sure, but in your case. You're just a liability with a crown." She said and left.

I don't know how long I stood there. My heart felt heavy and I wanted to cry, when I couldn't hold it in any longer I bent down and burst into tears.

_______________________

"You're just a liability with a crown."

"Liability."

"LIABILITY!"

I jumped out of my bed, sweat bedded on my forehead, I was panting hard my chest rose high and low it continued like this until I was able to calm it down.

For three days, three fucking days. Ophelia's words haunted me in my sleep, I couldn't sleep or think straight without remembering them. For those days three days, I skipped breakfast most of the time. I spent it all on training but nothing changed, I still couldn't be strong. I wanted to prove them wrong, I wanted to prove her wrong, but more importantly, I wanted to prove that I was useful.

My weakness is also sadness and I hate it.

I needed a walk and a long walk, I removed my robes and changed into a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, I picked up my phone and wore my headphones.

Putting my hands in my pocket, I walked out of the palace. "Where do I do? Might just walk around anywhere nearby since it's late."

I started walking around the palace, but I stopped when I noticed a shadow. "Who is it?"

I heard no reply.

I walked a bit closer but stopped when I saw who it was. "Oh heavens Mack! You scared me."

"Sorry, I was taking a walk." He laughed and hugged me.

"What are you doing here by this hour? And where have you been for the past two days?"

"Taking a walk, I couldn't sleep." I eyed him, he seemed a bit unsettled and his breath was high, he was also sweating seriously.

"A walk ugh?" I swat his arm away. "Why do you look like that? And you ignored my question."

"Because I was jogging, and I've been busy since Azalea, I had things to do."

"Really? Like what? Also, you said you were walking."

"I was. What? What's wrong with you? Why are you acting up?"

"Nothing you just seem suspicious, that is all."

"Seriously? Azalea me? come on you're overthinking. Okay, I'm sorry I wasn't available but I've been busy and caught in my web of things, that's why I barely called."

"Maybe, I guess so. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, you look so tired and sad. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

"You have been thinking haven't you?"

"You know me so well." I laughed but he didn't, his face looked serious.

"I'm serious Azalea, you have to stop this, you're just hurting yourself more."

"I know, but I can't help it because it's my harsh reality."

Chapter Three

"Learn to stop being hard on yourself Azalea, you didn't make yourself to be this way. Why are hurting yourself with negative things?"

"You aren't in my shoes that's why it's easy for you to talk." I snorted. I know he was right but fuck it! It's not easy.

He stopped walking and took a very deep breath. "I know challenges to Azalea, I have hard choices to make, I have things to do but sometimes I feel I'm not capable of doing them, but you know why I don't give up? Because I can't. The harder you try, the better. "

"Wow!"

"What?"

"I never knew you were so smart." I joked.

He held his heart with his hand and gasped. "Oh my gosh! That hurt my pride!"

I laughed at his reaction."But thank you and you're right."

"Of course I am, I'm always right."

"Which is why you should be the Alpha." I stopped walking and faced him.

His eyes looked like it was about to pop out of their sockets. "Enough jokes Azalea, come on be serious."

"Do I joke around? I'm being serious Mack."

He had an expression on his face which I couldn't make out.

I sighed and continued talking. "I can't rule this kingdom alone and unfortunately I'm too weak to do that. But you, you are my fiancee and mate, you're also a beta. You have higher potential and strength than I do. I may be born with the Alpha blood running through my veins but I'm not fit to be one. "

"So, you want me to rule instead? I'm already by your side supporting you."

"I know and I appreciate it, but I need more and only you can do that, I'll be your submissive Luna. Together we will rule this kingdom as one."

He took a step back and sat on the floor lost in thought. "Azalea this is much to take in."

I bent down to his level placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know, but please consider this."

His eyes met mine and he smiled. "As you wish Your Highness, I'll accept it."

"Thank you, Mack, I love you."

"I love you too."

He stood up and wrapped his arms around me. "This is a very big decision Azalea."

"I know, but hey I trust you."

"Have I ever given a reason not to?" He laughed.

"Nope, not for once."

_________________

"Are you insane Azalea?!" The elders screamed at me. "That's your position! Not some play toy you can easily toss around."

The next morning, I called for an urgent meeting between me and the elders. Exactly by 10 am, they arrived as I instructed them to. After exchanging greetings I announced my plan of having Mack the Alpha and passing down my position to him.

"I understand, but I'm not fit for that role!" I defended myself

"Then make yourself fit!" Miller screamed at me. "What would your father say?"

"A lot after he should see the rubbish I'd make of a kingdom as an Alpha, I believe in myself but I know the limit of my strength which is why I need Mack in this."

"He is already by your side!" Miller screamed even louder, I feared that his vocal cords might cut.

"No! He is a perfect fit for this, believe me, my judgment is never wrong. Mack will be Alpha and I'll be his Luna. Together we will rule this kingdom."

Miller walked up to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Look Azalea, I understand that you care so much for your people and want the best but this isn't the right way."

I was about to object but another elder. Elder Simon spoke up. "It's not best but it's a good idea, either way, they will both rule the kingdom. If our enemies was to know that our Alpha can't shift or control her wolf state, it would be chaos for us."

I felt bad that he just downgraded me but he was right. I looked at Miller.

"I know you care about me so much, you're like a father to me, but know that I'm doing this for the betterment of us all."

He sighed in defeat and removed his hand from my shoulder. "As your wish, Your Highness. I just pray you don't regret this."

"I won't trust me."

"Okay then, we will need to discuss the rites, rituals, and preparations," Miller announced as he sat down, his face had a frown on it but he tried to sound supportive.

"Can we get this done in a week?" I asked

"Not only are you throwing away your title but you want to rush it?"

I was taken aback by Miller's comment, but I ignored it. "We don't have time to waste, we need someone who should be sitting on the throne, moreover wasn't I to be crowned next week?"

Miller pressed his lips together. "Ten days then."

"That is fine by me."

We discussed everything and finally concluded, other members seemed happy about it. I can't blame them I wouldn't want me as an Alpha either. I sighed and rested on my chair, only Miller stayed behind.

"You have ten days to make a final decision Azalea. End this madness."

Here we go again.

"I already made one."

"No you were overthinking and you just looked for the best and easiest way out. This is your duty Azalea, don't run from it."

"I'm not running from it!" I yelled. "I'm protecting it and my people."

"Azalea, you're like my own child to me, I wouldn't want to watch you go astray or hurt yourself."

"I won't watch me."

He stood up and pleaded. "Please reconsider, it's not too late to withdraw that order."

"I'm sorry, Miller but my mind has been made up. It's either you go by it or just leave it." I said and walked out on him, I felt guilty for doing so but I couldn't take it anymore.

My decision is final, Mack will be the Alpha and things will go perfectly as I planned.