THE ROYALLY SCREWED LUNA

It was three days later yet the Greyhemm pack was still celebrating the birth of the two beautiful daughters of their Alpha who was beyond overjoyed himself.

The pack was filled with music, a feast, and dance as the night poured away with laughter echoing all through the air.

The drinks kept coming, Were-Ale drank as if there was no tomorrow with the music turned even higher. It was the first night the Luna had joined the celebration after having had such a difficult labour. She sat on her high chair next to her chosen mate with their hands intertwined. Her skin was still pale but the smile on her face was nothing but genuine. Many had cursed that they would suffer until death after Alpha Greyhemm rejected his true mate to mate with her.

Everyone had wished nothing but the worst for them yet there they were, in love, happy, and having been blessed with two beautiful daughters. The Luna picked up her head, scoffing internally. She knew that some of the people before them were jealous to no end, cursing her. Luna Greyhemm got everything she wanted. She snared an alpha and gave him not one but two daughters that would bring more wealth and status in the pack by marrying right.

Her head tipped, thinking of all the families her children could marry into that would bring nothing but more fortune to them. At the top of the list were the royals but that was a far fetch even for her. No one had seen the three princes since their birth, no one even knew if they were still alive but one could only hope.

Next on that list was the son of Alpha Herbwolf who came from one of the wealthiest packs they had in the area. A smile spread over her face. She had many more years to plan for her daughters because for sure by the age of eighteen they would both be mated off. And maybe she was still to give her chosen mate a son.

Her eyes snapped away from where she was staring seeing the nurse run to her with her hair flowing away, sweat coating her forehead. The Luna sighed, rolling her eyes. She had already given birth, what more did they want seriously?

People turned, seeing the nurse tear through the dancing area with nothing but tears rolling down her face, her skin red.The alpha and Luna seeing this sat up in their chairs with the alpha rising to his feet to hear what had the nurse in such destress. The nurse threw herself at the mercy of the alpha, weeping her heart out with her head bowed down, words fumbling out of her mouth over and over again.

The whole pack went silent, the nurse raising her head with hands clutched together looking at the alpha dead on the face to spill the words that rocked the whole pack.

"Thyra.... Thyra is gone Alpha, someone took her and ....and left another baby instead. I don't...I don't..."The nurse could not even finish, she could not understand it herself. She had been there, she had been sitting right there. One minute the lights flickered and when she peeped in the crib the baby that was lying there next to the eldest twin was not Thyra. The baby was wrapped in what she guessed to be a skin of some kind of animal she could not recognize with her eyes completely dark. Those dark eyes had stared right at her as if a demon coming straight from hell.

The alpha did not have to be told twice, he ran with all he had, tearing through his people to get to his babies. He loved those girls with all he had.

He pushed the door to the nursery open. The other nurses stared into the crib with tears streaming down their faces. His heart seemed as if it would stop. As soon as he walked in, he knew something was wrong and he could smell the darkness in the air with each step. There was so much darkness he could taste it.

His eyes closed when he reached the edge of the crib. They opened to find his first daughter sleeping and next to her was a baby he could not recognize, a baby that looked so foreign and those dark eyes stared at him as if seeing into his soul. His heart shuttered just as the baby smiled and giggled as if laughing at him. His fists clenched only to unclench with his head turned back as he howled so loud all the nearing packs came running.

22 YEARS LATER

RAVEN'S P.O.V

"Raven!"

I jumped as soon as I heard the voice. My head turned, contemplating just running away to hide. My heart was not taking the situation lightly.

I rushed down before she found my secret hiding spot.

My body was covered in nothing but sweat, quickly wiping it away with my t-shirt to pull it over my head. My feet were dirty with mud, no time to rush to the river to wash them off.

"The fact that I have to walk off this far to come get you just makes me so mad. You better show your face before my shoes get dirty or we will have a problem!"Elissa spoke. She was reaching her boiling point. I moved even faster, dodging tree branches and making sure I was not leaving a trail behind me.

I could already smell her overly sweet perfume, nearly having me sneeze. I shook my head, wishing I could throw her in the river to wash it away, what a lovely sight that would be.

I bent over a branch, raising my head with her form standing right there before me, looking so red I thought she would pop. Her arms were folded on her chest, it rising up and down with such destress sure shit would hit the fan soon.

She did not belong there. Her long hair was tied back in a middle-parted ponytail, looking so beautiful with her make up done to perfection but what more would you expect from her.

She wore a knitted jersey with high waisted jeans, tucking the jersey. She gave me one look, then scoffed, turning around to walk away.

I bowed my head, following after her and watching her body sway with her shaking her head now and again. Her form was tall and slim with her curves defined. She was every girl's dream and to add to that she was very smart. I was jealous, I would not lie. Even when we were younger, she was always a shining star and I was just there at the back with my deep red eyes, hair so dark it was unnatural along with my shorter statue.

My head snapped from all that as we broke through the forest with the large mansion coming to view as some of the pack members strolled by. Right before the mansion was a large garden where most were seated and just enjoying the summer breeze as the sun set. It had been a hot day indeed but the night seemed to be cool.

I was sweating buckets myself so I would know, busy doing my things in the forest away from everyone's eyes.

All eyes turned as we walked, a few people passing their greetings to Elissa. The way she drew people to her was amazing. They all adored her, even I kind of wished I was her, well, minus the evil sister attitude. She was kind to everyone except me but for that I blamed only one person who I would not say.

I stopped, wiping my feet on the grass before my head rolled from my neck for dirtying the house.

The Greyhemm pack was on the top ten of the largest and wealthiest packs in the area. It was big and beautiful with the alpha having spent so much money to make sure the pack looked the part.

The mansion just before me was the Alpha's house. The beta and gamma had their own exquisite houses. The pack was well taken care of, a beautiful place to be in if you were a werewolf.

My head bowed just thinking of it with my heart sore.

"Can I rush to take a shower before coming to dinner?"I politely asked Elissa with her turning where she was, staring at me with her face morphing in to one of disapproval before flicking her hand at me. I did not even waste a second. I rushed up the stairs to my room to take a shower, my hands so fast with my heart drumming just thinking of what the Luna would say with me late.

My hair was flying all over my back, heaving until I got to the last step knowing I was in a lot of trouble from then.

I stopped right before the door. I knew they had smelt me coming, damn werewolves and their sensitive noses. I took a deep breath, making sure I was presentable to push the door open and walk in.

My head was bowed, staring at my feet with my toes clean of all the dirt.

The Greyhemm's took care of me. I had food, clothes, and a roof over my head. I was forever grateful but I wished I was their child, that would be better. I wished I belonged. I wished I had a wolf to turn to and run all over the forest. The pain struck, swallowing it back and rushing to chair which I pulled back and took a seat.

The Alpha and Luna were already there along with the beta, gamma and their mates. The shame was too much, sitting down not wanting to disturb their conversation.

The help was plating food with me the last to have my plate filled. My appetite for food was nothing compared to everyone in the pack, even the little children. I actually did not like it at all. I loved natural foods like fruits and vegetables. Eating them just brought nothing but joy for me.

My plate was filled, thanking Sandra with her giving me an eye before turning and walking away.

Everyone began eating with me doing the same while avoiding eye contact with anyone else.

Elissa was right beside me, chatting with everyone else. If you saw me with my family, you would say I was deaf because I never spoke. I just kept my mouth shut and took in whatever I was told. I did not talk a lot really, who would I talk with anyway. No one liked me in the pack, not even in the slightest. The amount of bullying I had received as soon as I knew what bullying was, was too much, even those having hearts deciding to let go and let it all be.

It was just me and my imagination along with my inner voice.

"He was in the mountains, hidden there, who knows what his majesty went through."The beta female said having my head pick up wondering who they were talking about.

"He is the last of the royals. News say that prince Regan killed himself and then they found Prince Carl lying in a pool of blood not knowing what killed him."The beta said with my eyes moving to him.

"Well, the crown prince came back and was crowned King just many moons back."The alpha said, me not even daring to stare at him.

In my existence we never exchanged even a single world, in my existence we barely looked at each other. He pretended as if I did not exist and I tried to make it easy on him but it was hard. In a way I felt drawn to him in a way I could not explain. In a way I felt more betrayed by him than anyone else in the family and I did not know why.

"Elissa your engagement to Grey has been called off. They understood, we are all trying to do the best for our packs. The king is looking for a queen and since royals do not have given mates, they pick for themselves then the moon goddess blesses whoever they pick to be their true mate. If things go well, he will be here in the coming week to look over our females."Alpha Greyhemm continued with me daring to turn and steal a glance at Elissa.

Her fork was slowly placed down, a smile on her face as she stared at her father with her eyes shining. My heart just shattered with me swallowing.

She deserved to be queen and staring at her I could see that she was meant to be a queen. The way she carried herself was one of sophistication and elegance. How could she not be a queen when her mother had trained her to be a Luna since she was five. All her life she had been trained to be nothing less than perfection, in every way. The way she spoke was just breathtaking and even the way she carried herself was something else.

I was happy for her seriously but I could not help be jealous of the life she had. She had two parents that adored her which was all I wanted but I knew she was not happy.

First of all; she had to reject her true mate because to her parents he was not good enough, being a beta's son was okay but her mother had planned more for her so she had done as told and rejected her true mate.

All the pain she felt, she took it out on me in any way she could. I understood though, in a way I understood and I forgave her for everything she did and was still to do.

"Thank you, father, thank you mother, I will not disappoint."She said with her sweet voice, her head held up high.

"This is what you were born for Elissa, you are a queen. I can see it now, you were meant to sit next to the werewolf king my beautiful daughter. How can you not with such beauty?"The alpha said, hearing the emotions in his voice with my head bowing even lower.

"Thank you, father, I would not be the person I am if not for both of you and mother."

"You deserve all the best things this world can give, don't worry child, the king is yours."The alpha said back, the moment special for the family.

"Congratulations Elissa, there is no doubt you will be our next queen."The beta said with his mate agreeing, all smiles, happy, and excited.

The conversation went on as they talked about the preparations for the arrival of the king. It would be grand of course, throwing a ball at night for him, hoping he would stay over the night. I listened; my appetite gone not that I had any.

The food was picked around until the help came to collect the plates.

"Since I am leaving, what about Raven?"The sound of my name from Elissa's mouth left me cold. When my name slipped from her mouth it meant nothing good.

The room fell silent, feeling the eyes on me.

"What about her?"The Luna asked, hearing the distaste in her voice. I cursed Elissa, could she leave me alone for just one day.

"She can't stay in this house forever, eating our food and running off to wherever she spends her days. Who knows if she is fooling around with some stupid kid and comes to tell us she is pregnant, then what, we take care of her bastard baby too?"I closed my eyes to open them, trying to will the anger and pain away yet it was too deep. The wound had been created long ago and every day it grew bigger, no way for it to heal. Why couldn't Elissa just leave me alone please? I felt the tears swell in my eyes only to blink them back. I learned long time ago that even if I cried blood no one would care.

The silence was so loud it had my ears ringing. I wanted to disappear and die right there.

"No one would want her but we can't be stuck with her forever yet who would want her? She is basically useless, no wolf, nothing, just a waste of air and space in this pack."The Luna spat out, hearing the words hit hard as if swords thrown at me and piercing my skin.

"Maybe one of the men who lost their mates would be interested, she isn't much but she is still a woman after all."My sister chirped in as always, just nailing me to my death.

"The only man who has lost his mate in this pack is Ray and since the loss, he is not really in the right mind Elissa, you know that, plus he is older even than me."The alpha spoke, the first time he ever contributed something on a matter concerning me.

My whole body was shaking, feeling so cold.

"Then what dad, you will keep her here then her bastard children and their bastard children? Haven't you raised her already, haven't you given her a lot, it's time for her to leave us alone, she has caused enough pain already."Elissa pointed out, her voice firm with her not backing down.

"Elissa is right, its time she leaves this family, she has done enough already."The Luna added with all the others quiet. No one said anything after, knowing the alpha had the last say in the matter. My head tipped up because I wanted to see him. I wanted to stare and see what he was thinking but I was so scared.

What had I done in life to get such a fate?

My eyes fell on the alpha with my chest moving up and down violently. I was begging him with all I had, sure my eyes were saying it all.

His eyes were on mine. The world seemed to stop for a minute. It was the first time I looked straight into his eyes and the warmth I felt from it was something else.

It was some kind of bond, like a father and daughter bond.

He seemed taken away for a second as he stared at me but then he snapped his eyes away, his hand going through his hair.

"We will tell Ray after the king's visit, its Elissa's time, lets concentrate on her."The alpha said, my eyes not moving from him with the tears falling.

I stared at him as if he would collapse and die right there with everything shaking all around him. My head throbbed so hard. I felt as if someone was drilling through my brain. I felt whatever that was there snap, nothing but anger taking over me. Anger and hatred so deep it had me scared with me heaving where I was. I was sure my eyes were turning black with each second that was passing, deciding to push my seat back and run from there.

News came with each passing day that the king had still not picked a girl from any of the packs he visited.

Each day he got closer to our pack.

Our pack would be the last he would visit in the whole werewolf realm. It had been a couple of long weeks for him I was sure but it only meant he was searching for something in particular and he had not found it yet. It only meant what the alpha and Luna said was true. Elissa was meant for this because it seemed really impossible that the king could go over all three thousand packs and not find just one girl he could see as his queen.

The pack was getting so excited it was too much for me in my wallowing. I spent all my time in the forest. I felt more connected to it in a way, more than the werewolves if that was possible and I loved it especially at night. There was nothing I loved more than darkness, in a way it felt like home. In a way it comforted me so much and the darkness in me seemed to be sated when I was in nothing but darkness.

Just one last night then the king would be there to take away his beautiful bride where they would live happily ever after.

I shook my head, cursing the days for going so fast. When Elissa was gone her parents would sell me off to the old angry pack warrior that would find nothing but pleasure in making my life one filled with nothing but pain.

Losing a mate was one thing that was so painful nearly all never survived it. They got so ill they died or killed themselves in insanity but Ray had done none, he had just become more brutal from the loss of his sanity. There was no way I was mating with him. There was no way I was getting tied with him. I shook my head, seeing no option but to run away.

I knew I did not belong in their world. I knew I was not one of them but there surely had to be more to my life than suffering all through out. If I mated that awful man, I would kill myself. I would go insane just from it and kill myself. There was nothing left for me than to pack my bag and leave the only home I knew. I knew the world was dangerous out there with rogues and vampires lurking in the shadows but I had to take that risk. I would rather die searching for some happiness in my life, searching for a place I could belong than die in the pack from all the abuse I would endure.

The bright lights could be seen from where I was. The pack would have a celebration because the king would grace their presence the following day. It was a great honor to be in the presence of the king. Very few got the opportunity especially because the royal family was facing many problems and threats themselves with their circle very tight.

According to the news going around, a long time ago king Stone was cursed along with his whole bloodline that they would know nothing but pain, war, insanity, and death. And it seemed the news were true because in the last year the pack sent away five hundred warriors to the royal pack along with all the other packs. The war between the werewolves, vampires, and rogues was one I had been born to find yet since we were not in the front lines no one really talked nor cared about it.

My head turned, tired of crying. I would sleep in the forest for the night. I could not bear to hear the laughter with everyone happy except for me.

I closed my eyes, bringing the image of the two people I had created in my head as my parents. I dreamed of the life I would have had. They surely would have loved me, surely would have wanted nothing but the best for me.

I dreamt of a life where I had my own mate, one who loved me for who I was no matter what. Together we would have children and our parents would visit now and again. It was a beautiful life, adding to my pain because it would never happen.

The tears came again, letting them slip down my cheeks with my eyes closed.

I don't know how long I sat there crying but the darkness clouded me at some point. It swirled behind my eyes, and in my sleep, I found nothing but comfort. It wrapped itself around me and made me feel as if everything would be better. Sleep always made everything better for me, nothing but darkness all around me, hugging and comforting me. It was my only comfort. It was not really sleep but drifting into unconsciousness.

Morning hit and I was ready. No one knew the time the king would arrive so I was sure they would all be prepared early in the morning. Mothers spent all they had on their daughters. Everyone had a chance to be picked and not just Elissa. They would all be beautiful I was sure and the thought of not attending was so appealing to me yet I needed to clean up.

I spent most of my time hiding and training in the forest. If anyone knew I as training myself they would throw a fit. I was not as strong as everyone else which was why I decided to teach myself how to fight from a young age.

My feet carried me out of the forest, shocked to find so many people going up and down. The gardens looked their best. The smell of delicious food was already in the air, the alpha not having spared any cost. It would surely be a glorious event. I walked into the house, my head down, hiding from all the those wondering where I was coming from. I got to my room, took a shower and got dressed after. My head was all over the place, contemplating of doing my escape just then. No one would pay mind to me. They would all be in the presence of the king and then I could make my escape.

A shiver ran down my body as I brushed my hands together, finally deciding on that being the best choice I had. After the king left it would be hard to escape especially through the boarder.

I went to my closet to pull out my empty bag. My toiletries were thrown in along with three jeans, five T-shirts, and a jersey. My ankle boots were pulled up, tying them tightly because I would be running all the way to wherever I was going. I sat the bag on the bed, going to the window to look through it.

The best time to do it was when the king had arrived. Even patrol would be assembled to greet him. My heart would not calm down, the tears crowding my eyes that I was really leaving. I could not believe it. I had thought about it for too many times yet it seemed so scary suddenly when all along I had done nothing but crave for it. Who knew what waited beyond the border? Who knew what was waiting for me out there?

But could it be worse than being mated to Ray?

Girls ran to the garden in their beautiful dresses stealing my breath away.

All werewolf females were tall, curvy, and lean in size, all of them. My mind trailed to Elissa and I could not help but want to see how she looked. I was sure they had made sure she looked like a queen. I shook my head and turned away to my bed to sit down and close my eyes.

Whatever was in me was quiet that day, not whispering, not as if to swallow me whole. I could feel it looming somewhere in me yet just quiet. It scared me sometimes because I did not know what was wrong with me and there was no one I could ask. It was just a dark force that was growing with each passing moon and it scared me so much.

There was suddenly a scream outside. I stood up quickly to pull away my curtain and stare at what was happening. A group of girls were there, them jumping around, their hands waving in the air in excitement as they stared ahead. I looked to where they were staring seeing nothing. The guards were all running around like headless chickens as more girls walked out of their houses to stand by the gardens. I knew just then that the king and his people were near. My heart went crazy, not believing I was really doing this. I paced back and forth in front of the window.

Everyone was running around, putting this and taking that. The food was rushed to the tables and it looked so good. Even the help looked nothing but stunning.

Mothers ran to their daughters, making sure they were nothing but perfect. It was a sight to see if I was not in a dilemma myself. I swallowed the lump in my throat not believing my life was turning out this way. I would be no one from there and if I died no one would know or care.

I paced again, going to stare at my bag then away.

The chatter got so loud. I forced myself to stare again.

The sun had not disappointed, it was a warm day which was good especially for those that wore body revealing dresses. The fight was on, all had gone for the kill in any way they thought was best. They were gunning for a king's hand in mateship so what more would you expect.

The chatter slowly fell away and just then Elissa came to view with all eyes turning to her. My heart dropped to the darkest pit in my stomach as I turned pale where I was. There was no way anyone could compare.

Her dress was white, her hair matching it. They had dyed it for her. She looked like an angel. The dress tailed behind her with her personal help holding it up for her. Her hair was pinned up with pearl pins, it shining as if to blind me. The jealously was too much, nearly dying from it as I saw all the girl's faces drop with nothing but defeat. It was not a fair fight.

The Luna walked behind her with the alpha nowhere to be seen.

I could not take my eyes off Elissa. She walked with grace, such grace one could not just learn but could only be born with. She was surely a queen I would say.

They stopped just far off everyone, her and her mother standing side by side in front. Her mother, the Luna was also stunning. She wore a light blue dress that hugged her tight figure. She was just as beautiful as her daughter as if children of the moon goddess herself.

I shook my head knowing there was nothing for me there. I did not belong.

I turned around, taking my bag and slinging it to my back.

My feet carried me back to the window looking around to see if the king was anywhere near and as I looked ahead, I saw the soldiers walking towards the garden.

There were a lot of them, in a circle sure that the king was there. I sighed and let out a breath. I was not sure if everyone was out of the house or if some of the help was still rushing with some dishes. I would wait until the king got there. My weight was moved from foot to foot, my nails in my mouth, biting them with anxiety nearly killing me. I thought I might faint, not even able to breathe with how rapid and hard my heart was beating. I wanted to cry, scream or anything but I could do none of those things.

The king and his party came closer and closer, locking my fate.

They got so near I could make out the king but next to him stood the tallest and the largest man I had ever seen in my whole cursed life. No one had to point out who the king was with all the pack members immediately falling to their knees in his presence. It was a sight to see, everyone on their knees, bowing before the king.

The soldiers around him dispersed, their eyes looking all around, scary in a way I could not explain. They did not look like men, they looked like monsters just like him, as if mountains of beasts ready to tear everyone apart. Their faces were marked with nothing but scars. My heart stopped right there and then, not even daring to stare at the king himself.

I swallowed, looking at the man right next to the king. He was so scary I nearly peed myself, all of them wearing nothing but shorts and t-shirts but that would be expected since they ran all the way through the packs for sure.

My eyes could not tear from them, gigantic and in a way beautiful monsters created for nothing but destruction. They were born in war and lived through it. No one would dare stare at them yet there I was, staring at them so intensely my body went cold as dark eyes stared back at me with my heart stopping right there and then.

My eyes went wide, my body freezing as the guard next to the king stared back.

He frowned then moved over to whisper something to the king and I knew right there and then that I was fucked. I quickly ducked down, deciding it was time.

I crawled through the floor to the door which I left closed to break into a run.

Running was my thing, I had done it from a very young age with Elissa beating me to a pulp.

The stairs were nothing to me, taking them in one setting, not sure if I was caught but moon goddess please not.

I took a sharp turn, going for the back door to have it thrown wide open as I jumped through. I ran for the forest, tearing through the air as if chased by nothing but wolves but I could be. The forest accepted me as its own as I jumped into it. I could not even breathe. I could not even think with the only thing in my mind to run and never look back. The forest was dark but darkness was my friend as said before and I could do everything in the dark. I could see as clearly as day, jumping up a root and pushing harder. The back forests were dark and dangerous with most told to stay away which was why I picked them. I was more likely succeed in them since I knew them so well.

There was no time to think, no time to even question my actions. I was leaving everything I ever knew behind, leaving the only home I knew.

The pain was too much, my heart as if tearing apart with the distance ate away. I could not see anything with everything blurry all around me. No wolf could ever compare, as if floating through air. I ran harder, something in me growing, roaring as if brought alive. I felt as my eyes turned darker, felt as the darkness took over me, whispering at me. My whole body turned cold, the tears streaming down with the fear taking over me. It felt so unnatural, felt so dark as if to engulf me and kill me. I tried to fight it with my body sent down to the ground as I hit with my head on a root.

The darkness slipped away, my eyes going back to normal with the pain having me groan so hard, holding in the scream. I rolled, clutching my head to let it go. I knew I could not lay there no matter how painful it was. I knew I was still going to fall and get even more hurt. I knew I was still going to experience more than I had in the pack and I had to be strong. I had to have thick skin and be ready for the worst.

I did a flip and turned to continue running only for the hair all over my body to soar, telling me that I was in deep trouble.

My ears opened up, listing with my run broke down to a standstill. I looked all around then closed my eyes to listen through all the forest natural sounds and I heard them.

A pair of feet drumming through the ground coming my way.

No one had to tell me what to do as I went running even faster than before. I thought I would spit my heart out and step on it with how hard it was drumming. I pushed on, barely even touching the ground as I ran with all I had but I guess I was wrong. I guess there was a wolf that could catch up because they were on my heel, tearing away the distance as my whole body shook as if it would tear. I took a sharp turn yet what help did that do? And dare I look back. It was my worst mistake, seeing the man on my heel, golden eyes shining with him closing the distance faster than I would ever imagine. My heart exploded, seeing who it was. I ran faster but to what avail?

It seemed the chase excited him because I turned back and he was not there.

I thought I would die, my head looking all around with my ears trying to pick up where he was but I could not slow down to do it properly because he would pounce on me. I just closed my eyes and took a deep breath to move faster.

I had never run that fast, moving with the air and letting my senses guide me as I ran. I knew he would kill me if he caught me and to make matters worse, I was not a werewolf. No one would be there to explain for me. I could not stop. My legs hurt so bad I knew I would fall and just there and then I felt him. My head dared turn and he was there, just next to me.

It happened all so fast. My body flew through the air from just one nudge from him. I flew so far off, hitting the ground so painfully my body arched with me crying out. I saw nothing but darkness as I cried out in pain, the grim reaper there to collect my soul.