The Alpha King's Forbidden Luna

Chapter 1

Elara

I wiped the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand while I kept scrubbing the floor. My body was so tired that the brush felt heavier every second.

"Can you go any faster?" Valentina's sharp voice cut through the kitchen from behind me. She was the Alpha's daughter.

"Yes, miss," I answered politely and scrubbed harder.

She had spilled paint all over the floor earlier and said it was an accident. Anyone could see she did it on purpose. Now it was my job to clean up her mess.

"Stupid girl," she muttered as she turned away. Before she left, she kicked the paint can next to me just to be extra mean.

I sighed, completely worn out. The paint refused to come off no matter how long I scrubbed. It felt like I had been at it for hours.

Once I was sure she was gone, I put the brush down and leaned against the cool wall for a second. My arms ached, my legs throbbed, and my back hurt from all the bending.

"You know Valentina would choke you if she caught you resting," Selena said suddenly, making me jump.

"God, you scared me," I said, pressing a hand to my chest. My heart was racing.

Selena laughed and sat down beside me. We both needed a short break from this endless work.

She had only started working here a little while ago, but she already felt like my closest friend. Maybe it was because we were the same age, or maybe it was because we both had to put up with Valentina every day.

My parents had served the Alpha their whole lives. My father was his butler and my mother was his personal maid. Alpha Magnus never once showed them any real gratitude.

I rested my head on Selena's shoulder and asked, "Why does Valentina hate me so much? What did I ever do to her?"

"Jealousy," she said with a little smile.

I laughed. "Right. Who wouldn't be jealous of my old clothes, my amazing floor-scrubbing skills, and these fancy worn-out shoes?" I wiggled my toes at her.

Her voice suddenly got serious. That rarely happened. "Because you're prettier than her."

I went quiet for a moment. "Can we talk about something else? I'd rather you tease me than get all serious. It's less awkward."

We both started laughing again. When Selena teased me, it came from affection. When Valentina did it, it came from pure meanness.

"Scrub the floor, you silly girl," Selena said in a perfect imitation of Valentina's voice, flipping her hair the same dramatic way. That only made us laugh harder.

"Go on, get back to the garden," I said, waving her off.

She made an offended face and flipped her hair again, which got another giggle out of me. Seeing my own reflection in the soapy water on the floor somehow made the moment even better.

People had always told me I was pretty. I usually just smiled and said thank you, or said something nice back. I never really believed them deep down.

The idea that Valentina was jealous of my looks still felt ridiculous to me.

We were the same height, but that was about it. She had a fuller, more grown-up figure. Mine was smaller. Her brown hair was always straight and perfect. Mine fell in waves. Her eyes were hazel. Mine were the same green as my mother's. Her skin was pale and flawless. Mine was just fair.

Still, we both had pointed noses, full lips, and freckles that only showed up in the sun. Sometimes people said we looked like sisters. For the only daughter and future Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack, being compared to a servant must have felt like the worst insult possible.

After what felt like forever scrubbing, I finally escaped to the garden. It was the only place in Bloodmoon Manor that felt peaceful.

The flowers smelled sweet and the birds were singing. Then I spotted Selena in the middle of it all, swinging a broom at a bunch of dead flowers like she was in a fight. It looked funny, but I still felt bad for her.

Valentina knew Selena was allergic to most flowers. That was exactly why she made her work in the garden every day.

Selena had begged for a different job more than once, but Valentina never changed her mind.

Chapter 2

Elara

Watching Selena sneeze nonstop while trying to hold onto the broom was too much. I handed her my handkerchief and took over the sweeping so she could rest.

"Did you take your allergy pill?" I asked as the broom moved easily through the fallen petals.

She blew her nose and answered, "I ran out."

"Your nose looks like a bee stung it," I said lightly, trying to make her smile.

"Shut up," she replied, rolling her eyes but laughing a little.

That was how we talked when things got hard. She sat on a nearby bench to catch her breath.

I kept sweeping. White roses were everywhere. It made sense. They were the symbol of the Bloodmoon Pack.

"I don't get why Valentina has to be so cruel all the time," Selena said between sneezes.

"Be careful what you say," I warned her. "Someone might be listening."

I looked around quickly, worried someone would overhear and report us.

"Come on, everyone knows it's true," she insisted.

"Still, she won't take it well if she hears you," I said again. Talking badly about the Alpha's daughter never ended well.

"She can have my nose then," Selena said, pointing at her red, swollen face. I couldn't help laughing.

"You should go back inside. Valentina won't like finding you helping me," she said, taking the broom from me.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked.

"Don't worry. At this point my nose is growing abs," she joked.

"Alright. Just cover your nose while you work and take a pill when you can," I told her.

"Yes, Mommy," she teased.

I shook my head and smiled as I walked back to the manor. Of course Valentina had "accidentally" made another mess for me to clean.

No matter how tired I was, I still forced a smile whenever she gave orders. Sometimes I felt a little sorry for her. Her mother, the Bloodmoon Luna, had died giving birth to her. After that, Alpha Magnus gave her everything she ever wanted. She grew up spoiled and never learned to care how other people felt.

By the end of the day I fell onto my small bed, completely worn out.

"You should wash up, dear," my mother said.

I looked around our tiny room in the servants' quarters. The three of us shared it. There were only two beds and one small window. I often stared out that window at the night sky. It was the prettiest thing I got to see.

"Where's Dad?" I asked while Mom straightened their bed.

"Still in the library with Alpha Magnus," she answered.

My arms ached from scrubbing all day. Valentina had spilled paint three separate times. Even so, I pushed myself up and got ready for a bath.

My eyes were heavy while I tried to brush my hair.

"Here," Mom said softly, taking the brush from my hand and running it through my hair herself.

"How was your day?" she asked in her gentle voice.

"Ask Valentina," I yawned. Mom chuckled.

"I'm sorry you have to put up with her," she said, sounding sad.

"It's okay, Mom. I'm used to it."

When she turned to look at me, there was a small, wistful smile on her face.

"You know the Moon Ball is coming up," she said. "Our pack was chosen to host it this year."

My eyes went wide. "A ball?"

I had only ever seen fancy balls on TV or in books. The idea of being near one made my heart race.

"All the northern and western packs will come. There'll be music, dancing, and people looking for their mates," she explained, tapping my nose when she said the last part.

I knew I would probably just be serving drinks and cleaning up, but even being there to watch the beautiful clothes and dancing felt exciting.

"When is it?" I asked eagerly.

"The next full moon," she said.

My eyes lit up. "That's my birthday!"

Mom laughed.

That night I fell asleep smiling. A real ball was going to happen, and on my birthday too. People always said birthdays should be special. This one already felt like it might be the best one yet.

I dreamed of elegant dances and pretty dresses. I wondered what the high-ranking guests and the Alpha would look like up close. So many questions floated through my mind as I drifted off, full of hope for the night that was coming.

Chapter 3

Elara

"Father, this ball has to be perfect," Valentina said, looking stressed.

"No, that's too much. Take it off right now," she ordered the servants who were putting down the tablecloths.

She had very particular taste. The cloth they chose had too many patterns and colours she didn't like.

I was in the ballroom with the other servants, cleaning and decorating. White roses were everywhere, just like always. They were the symbol of the Bloodmoon Pack.

"Be careful with that vase, girl. It's worth more than you'll ever own," Valentina snapped at a servant who was holding a golden vase with shaky hands.

"Don't worry, my dear. I'll make sure everything is perfect," Alpha Magnus told her in a calm voice.

I glanced at my parents standing near him. Dad gave me a small smile. Mom looked at me with soft, loving eyes.

"You stupid girl!" Valentina's sudden shout made me jump.

"If I see even one speck of dirt on this floor, I'll wipe it with your face. Understand?" she threatened.

I nodded quickly, fear clear on my face.

"Don't be so hard on the poor girl, Valentina," the Alpha said right away.

"Are you taking her side, Father?" she asked, sounding offended.

"No. I'm just saying you don't need to get so worked up. I promise everything will be flawless," he said, then kissed her forehead gently.

"The Crimsonfang Pack will be here," he continued, changing the subject. "Their Alpha is around your age. It would be good if the two of you got along."

"The Crimsonfang Pack? The Reds?" Valentina asked, looking more interested now.

"Yes. Adrian will be coming. People call him the King in the North. He's one of the most powerful and dangerous men alive," Alpha Magnus said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It would help us a lot if you could win his favour. I've heard he's looking for his mate," he added with a small smile.

"Are you trying to marry me off to some stranger?" Valentina asked, half shocked and half panicked.

"Trust me, my love. The Crimsonfang Alpha is perfect for you," he insisted, smiling wider.

"We'll see at the ball," she answered, still sounding unsure.

When the Alpha left, my parents followed him out. Valentina stayed a bit longer, scolding anyone who got in the way of the work. Then she finally left to go to the spa and get ready for the ball.

The Crimsonfang Pack was famous across the land. They were known as the strongest warriors in the North. I didn't know much about their leaders, only that the Reds ruled them.

"Hey," Selena whispered next to me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Let's switch," she said, handing me a vase and some flowers. I gave her the brush I was using and started arranging the flowers carefully.

"Did you hear what the Alpha said? Adrian is coming!" one of the servants whispered excitedly.

"I heard he's ruthless and really handsome," another one added. They both giggled.

"Girls," Madam Elise, the head servant, scolded them sharply.

They tried to hide their excitement, but I could still hear them whispering about Adrian from across the room.

Adrian. How good-looking did a man have to be to make girls act like that?

I had never had a crush on anyone. Not even the handsome models in magazines or the actors on TV. They looked nice, sure, but how could you fall for someone you didn't even know?

Maybe it was because I had spent my whole life inside this manor. I barely ever met new people, especially men.

While the rest of us worked hard to make everything perfect, Valentina kept coming in to check on things. Mostly she just cared about what she liked.

"Moon Ball, my ass," Selena muttered while we sat under the big apple tree behind the manor during a short break.

"All those stuck-up lords and ladies will just pour in here showing off their money," she said, taking a big bite of her apple.

I lightly slapped her shoulder. "Selena."

"What? It's true. They drink, they dance, and they parade their servants around like trophies. A bunch of self-important fools," she said with clear disgust.

"I've never seen a real ball before, so I don't know what it's actually like," I admitted.

"It's nothing like the books. All they talk about is money, power, and being cruel. And sex," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Still, I'm excited. The dresses and the music will be beautiful," I said, trying to stay positive.

"It's mostly a chance for terrible women to wear pretty dresses and try to impress arrogant Alphas," she replied, looking unimpressed.

"Not everyone is that bad," I said.

"Not everyone. Just most of them," she laughed bitterly.

I couldn't really blame her. She had grown up somewhere much worse than this-full of violence and hardship. That kind of life changes how you see people.

Even with everything I went through, I still tried to stay hopeful. My mother always taught me to look for the light, even in dark times, and to believe that even hard hearts could change.

I was lucky in one big way. No matter how hard the day was, I always had my parents at the end of it. They worked just as hard as I did, but they never stopped showing me love.

As the week went on, the whole manor started to look perfect. The mix of green and red everywhere made everything feel rich and elegant.

Even in my plain work clothes with a mop in my hand, I felt a little like a princess walking through those shining halls.

I smiled as I looked up at the sparkling chandeliers. This was the first real ball I had ever seen being prepared.

When I walked into the ballroom later, all the servants were gathered around Valentina, listening carefully. I quietly stood next to Selena.

"This ball must be perfect," Valentina said. "If any of you make even one mistake, you won't live to regret it. Do you understand?"

Her eyes moved over the group and then stopped on me. She walked straight toward me. Everyone stepped aside.

My heart was pounding. She gave me a cold little smile.

"Also," she said, stopping right in front of me and lightly pushing my shoulder, "I want all of you to wear masks. I don't want our important guests to lose their appetite looking at your ugly faces."

Then she walked away.

"Tell me you're insecure without telling me you're insecure," Selena whispered next to me, half amused and half sorry for me.