The Alpha's Luna Boss

HAERA

I never knew my parents.

Didn't even think I had one. But I have being reminded constantly in my life that I could have died in the cold as a baby outside of the Alpha palace if Gennora hadn't found me. I was just a few hours old when I was brought by her into the Alpha palace and raised me as her own-a maid...not her daughter.

"HEAR ALL! HEAR NOW! THE PRINCESS BIRTHDAY IS TODAY. ALL ASSEMBLE, THE PRINCESS TURNS 18 TODAY!"

The call doesn't only serve as my wake up call, but also a reminder of how miserable this very day has always been for me.

Both none of those actually give me the hot like my third wake-up call that is probably just a few seconds away from–

"Haera!!!"

There it is.

The call might always be for me but it isn't just me who panics and scurry around the room. Since I share the bunker room with nine other maids, you can only imagine the commotion the entire room descended into.

Everyone was struggling to get into their clothes, pack their hair and clean the drool on the side of their mouth, just in time for Gennora, the Head of the maids to swing the door open and cast her dark beady eyes upon us.

"Good morning, head maid."

It was an echo of distress and tired voices who needed more sleep than they got.

Gennora wordlessly stepped fully into the room but every of her step in is enough expression that words can't offer. I didn't need to look to know she has her eyes roaming the entire room before finally landing on her main subject of concern.

Me.

"Haera, come here."

A simple command that I dare not waste anytime standing at the spot I was. I scurried over to stand in front of her with my head hung low in front of her.

We were not meant to look our head maid in the eye.

"Look at me."

But I was the only one given that privilege, mostly on this very day in the past years. As great as the word privilege sounds, it's nothing but torture for me.

The other maids have no idea what good it is for them that they are not allowed to look her in the face.

I looked up to meet her eyes. The shiver it sent down my spine is one I've gotten so used to, yet it still gets to me every time I look into Gennora's face.

Her face is twisted in that all to familiar disdain for me. The big scar that starts from the side of her head to the top of her brows always does it job to make her look as menacing as that of a predator.

Sometimes, I wonder if that's why the maids aren't allowed to look at her and if she's the one who made the rules.

I gulped hard, wanting nothing but to look down and away from her but that would only earn me a severe punishment.

So I just stared into her eyes. She stared back, hard.

"As always, I've come to check if you still know your place and where you stand in this pack. You are a maid. Nothing more. A maid who only got lucky to be born on the same day as the princess."

It's no surprise why I've always hated this day now, is it?

That luck Gennora keeps reminding me about every single year is one thing I wish I never had.

Everyone's birthday is the best day of their lives while mine is nothing short of the worst day. I hate having to be reminded of the kind of life I have and how miserable it is.

But Gennora makes it her mission every year to remind me that the princess of the pack is the only one who matters on a day like this.

But why? Good question. I don't know why Gennora does that all the time. The hatred for me runs deeper than the deepest hole I've ever seen.

Ultimately, my birthday doesn't matter.

I'm not allowed to celebrate it.

No one is allowed to wish me.

No one even remembers. No one cares.

It's been like that and now that I turn eighteen, old enough to find my mate and control my wolf better, I fear things will never change.

"Now get back in line."

I rushed back to join my fellow maids lined up and ready to take our orders for the day.

"Listen up everyone, today is a big day for the princess. Everything has to be perfect."

With the joy and pride in Gennora's voice as she talked about the princess, you'd think it was her own child celebrating her birthday today.

There are rumors going round that Gennora lost her baby on the very day I was born and it's what made her lose her sanity.

Whatever made her that way, our fear for Gennora probably runs deeper than the one for the Alpha and his family.

"Some of you will stay and plan the Princess's party to make sure it goes smoothly while the rest will be sent off with the Alpha king's entourage to the Imperial pack to help prepare for the Alpha-Duel which takes place tomorrow."

Gennora paused as if waiting for everyone of us to take in her words.

The room was so silent that I couldn't even hear the breathing of the person next to me.

"The ones going to the Imperial pack for the Alpha Duel will take along home-made snacks for the ceremony."

"Your bunker room head will choose who goes to the imperial pack and who stays."

I can already imagine, Erylis, our bunker room head proudly barking out orders at us as soon as Gennora turns her back away from us.

"Haera."

I looked up sharply.

"Yes, Head maid."

"You're going to the Imperial pack. Join Balfour in the kitchen to make the Cookies for the ceremony."

I should have known she wouldn't let me stay at the pack to plan the princess's birthday.

It's always been like that everywhere. Gennora always finds something for me to do while everyone else is setting up the party.

It's either I'm running errands out of the Alpha abode or in the Omega guards quarters, scrubbing floors and washing toilets.

This year, the Alpha-Duel of the Imperial pack gave Gennora a proper opportunity to keep me away from the pack.

And it also marks the first year to actually work in my favor, I'd pick cooking in the kitchen with Balfour, the palace chef rather than scrub floors.

I loved cooking so much and it's the only activity that I find solace in from my dark life.

I was chirpy when I replied Gennora.

"Yes, Head maid."

"Good. As you were.".

She commanded and everyone of us relaxed, releasing breaths of relief as she walked out of the room.

"Remain on your lines everyone so I can pick out those who go and the ones who stay."

Erylis, the bunker room head piped out just as Gennora left.

Since I already knew where my job lies today, I made to walk out of the room but Erylis stopped me before I could pass by her.

She casted an angry look at me.

"I wasn't done talking, ugly duckling."

The room echoed with laughter's from the other maids in the room at the words of Erylis.

Another thing I've gotten so used to, is the bullying from my colleagues regarding my looks.

Apparently, I was the ugliest in the bunker room, to say the least. My face was ridden with a gazillion of pimples that makes the other maids avoid me like a plague.

"Wow, that rhymes pretty well, doesn't it?"

"Yes Erylis, it does. I'm not denying that. How come the color of your face and that of your butt doesn't rhyme that way?". I countered.

My words were followed by uhhs and ahhs from the little crowd of maid spectators. The scene isn't a new one for them. Erylis always picks up a fight even when I'm not looking for one.

One thing I've also gotten used to is firing back at Erylis or any other bullies of mine even if it earns me a few slaps and kicks here and there.

It's mostly my wolf's fault but it's also nothing Dezra, my wolf, can't fix. In fact, it's Dezra's life mission to kill off all of my enemies one after the other. I just haven't given her the chance–according to her.

Erylis already had her face contorted into that of deep set anger at my offensive words towards her.

"You ugly bitch!"

She lunged at me but I picked my feet swiftly off the floor before she could lay a finger on me. I ran out of the room and didn't stop running until I was far away from the Maid Quarters.

"You should have waited to teach her a lesson not to mess with you. It's your birthday today!"

Dezra snarl rang inside of my head and I rolled my eyes. Violence is what my wolf just lives for.

"Oh really...like I did the last...I don't know, uncountable times!? Those girls beat me up to a pulp every time."

"But I fix it every time, don't I?"

Dezra countered.

"It's easy for you to say, you're not the one who gets beaten every single time."

She wanted to say more but I blocked her out of my head. Our arguments will only go on for ages and now isn't the time to argue with my wolf.

I skipped happily to the kitchen that was directly opposite of the maid quarters. The sweet smell of pastries laid the foundation for my entrance into the kitchen.

Balfour was standing by the oven when I entered, taking out a tray of freshly baked cookies. He must have picked up my scent because he turned his heavy weight around to look in my direction.

A cheeky smile spread across his face just as he saw me.

"If it isn't the birthday girl!"

My hand went flying to my mouth as I rushed over to grab Balfour's flabby arms in a bid to stop him from probably singing the traditional werewolf birthday song next.

"Shhh...!" I shushed him.

" You know you're not allowed to say that out loud. Someone will hear you!" I chided. Balfour opened his mouth to say something but someone else beat him to it.

"Too late. I already heard him."

HAERA

The shock and the familiarity that the voice sent coursing through me made me turn around swiftly in horror.

When my eyes caught who was standing at the kitchen door, I couldn't help the sharp exhale of breathe that left my lips.

"Goodness, you scared me."

I groused, relieved that it wasn't Gennora or a maid who hates my guts or just anyone who would do anything to earn points from Gennora at my own detriment.

Ulric merely shrugged my relieved words off as he walked fully into the kitchen, dressed properly in his khakis–a uniform I'd pick ten times over this eyesore I was wearing if only maids were allowed to wear the uniforms meant for the Omega guards.

Ulric was the Head of the Omega guards who served as a protective force for the Alpha king and his family–outside and inside of these walls.

In contrast to his big and domineering frame, his personality has to be the best after Balfour's. He's scary to all of the other maids but to me, he's just that softball who is all mushy inside and has a kind heart.

He was halfway towards me when he stopped as if he just realized something. He suddenly turned back, looked up and down the corridors of the Kitchen before locking the door and throwing the key in pockets.

"Okay, Balfour, we have five minutes!"

That had me looking confused.

"Five minutes for–"

"A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU......"

Both men broke into songs before I could stop them.

They shoved me into a seat in the middle of the room and danced around me in circles. Their moves were terrible but it made me laugh so hard my eyes watered.

"YOUR CHEEKS HAVE GOTTEN ROSY..."

I giggled when they pinched my cheeks to emphasize the lyrics of their song.

They sang so terribly yet my heart warmed at how these two men defy all of the rules to wish me on my birthday.

Ulric and Balfour are the only ones who have ever cared about my birthday. Every year like this, they sneak me into whatever place they can so they can do this for me.

It's like a ritual and it's the only thing that's worthwhile for me on this day.

I don't know what I've done to deserve the love both men share for me but I basked in it without the knowledge of Gennora.

"GROW PRETTIER AND HEALTHIER AS YOU TURN EIGHTEEN TODAY...A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!"

They ended the song with cheers of excitement. Balfour shocked me when he brought a small cake out of nowhere with candles on it for me to blow.

"The head maid will have your head if she finds out what you've been doing with the palace' flour."

I piped to Balfour but still blew on the candles anyway.

"Did you make a wish?". Ulric asked with excitement in his blue eyes. I nodded the positive and both men beamed happy smiles at me.

"Common, have a slice first."

Balfour cut a piece of the cake and shoved it into my mouth gently. The tasty goodness I felt made me gleam my eyes at him.

"This is good! I've never tasted this flavor, what's it?"

Balfour's face beamed with pride.

"It's a new recipe."

"You'll teach me? Right? Right? Right?". I gave him my best shot at attempting a puppy eyes.

"It's my birthday, I should get whatever I want."

There's no birthday present that beats learning new recipes from Balfour. He's the best there is and has made cooking more than just a hobby for me.

It was just a wishful thinking for me to want to have my own restaurant someday but hey, a girl can dream right?

"Fine, we'll do that after the ceremonies. I promise."

I nodded in excitement. I couldn't wait to try out new things with Balfour.

Ulric began to unfold something from his pockets and I waited in anticipation for what's probably my birthday present.

Whatever it is, it was wrapped in a clean clothe.

When it finally came out of its enclosement, I gasped out loud. It was a beautiful gold bracelet with pearls adorning every part of it in a circular form.

"Oh my God..."

I could hardly breathe from the shock and excitement. Ulric only smiled lovingly at me before taking my little dainty hands in his own big, calloused ones. He fixed the bracelet around my wrist and rubbed my hands gently.

"Is this...is this really for me?"

It was too beautiful for me. To beautiful to adorn the wrists of someone like me. Yet, Ulric gave it to me.

"I've always wanted to give it to my... to you. I was just waiting for the right time. And no other time feels more right than this."

I was moved to tears and so couldn't stop myself from throwing myself out of the seat and into Ulric's arms.

He didn't mind the weight thrown upon him, instead he hugged me tighter.

Ulric was such a sweetheart. Kind-hearted and loving. He's been like that for longer than I can even remember.

He was a pure man who is the clear opposite of his wife.

Sometimes, I wonder how a patient and kind man like Ulric ended up with the grumpy and hateful Gennora, our head maid.

"Thank you."

I whispered. Unable to stop my tears from falling. Having these two men in my life that I had no blood relation with, is more than enough for me.

And they're the only reason I look forward to any of my birthday.

I finally released him and he looked down at his wristwatch.

"I have to leave before Gennora comes to find me here." The irritation in his voice was clear.

We both know what it means for us if Gennora finds him here–with me. I've seen her scold him a multiple of times for being nice to a common maid like me.

"And I also have to arrange the entourage going to the Imperial pack today."

He placed a chaste kiss on my forehead before turning around to leave.

I turned back to Balfour who had already gone back to work too. I helped him mix more dough and then cut them into the right sizes for the cookies before putting them in the burning hot oven.

Balfour made me taste a few ones he'd already made and they were perfect.

"Now we just have to wait for the last batch of cookies. I'm stressed!"

He said as we stood side by side, watching the oven and listening to the ticking sound of the timer we set.

"I really don't understand why we have to take this over there like it's some fun occasion. Who eats while watching two people wrestle for a position?"

Balfour grunted his disapproval for the Alpha Duel.

Even I didn't understand what the duel was really about other than the fact that it's about fighting for the Alpha position.

All I know is that the Imperial pack is the strongest and biggest pack in the woodlands.

Their military strength is second to known as well as the power their leader beholds. The name alone sends shivers down the spine of rogues and prowlers so they no better than to pounce around the pack.

The woodlands is made up of four different packs with each pack having their own Alpha who rules over their affairs. However, each of these packs pay homages and tributes to the imperial pack.

Our pack, the Moonstone pack, isn't left out of this homage paying.

The pack leaders get invited to every occasion, ceremony or festival which is why no one is shocked or surprised at the news of our attending's an Alpha's duel.

Balfour's mention of it only made me curious.

"What's the duel all about?"

"It's a fight between two sons of the Alpha, born on the same day and of the same age. A fight to claim the throne as the Alpha of the pack."

My brows only furrowed in confusion.

"Born on the same day? Twins are being made to fight each other?!"

It sounded horrific to me. That was the only way I could interpret Balfour's words but be was quick to shake his head.

"They're not twins. You see, not everyone knows the true story surrounding the two sons of the Alpha of the imperial pack. But everyone knows that one of them is not a legitimate child."

Balfour explained.

"Wait...you mean, a child from an unmarked affair?"

Balfour nodded in response.

Wow.

I thought of the son and I could only imagine what he was going through or what he must have gone through, all his life as an unmarked child.

I don't think anything can be worse than being an unmarked child. An illegitimate child born to two people who aren't mates.

It was like a curse. Without even being placed on you, it follows you everywhere you go.

"He probably has no chance against the true son of the Alpha but no matter what kind of child you are, a fair fight is what the packs believe and want."

Balfour's mood showed that he wasn't in support of it.

I didn't like the idea in my head too and knowing I'll probably watch the duel first-hand made me cringe but there's nothing a measly maid and a lowly chef can do to change anything in this pack.

Even in this world, we don't make a difference.

Our sad reality made us both sink into deep thoughts. The air between us turned sour and moody.

The ding of the timer jerked us from our stray thoughts. Letting us know that the cookies were done.

We brought them out and wrapped them in little polythene bags after the heat dissipated from them. We then wrapped every of them in clothes to keep them warm and frisky.

"And it's a wrap."

Balfour announced.

"Thanks for helping out again."

I didn't get to voice my reply when someone's footsteps approached us.

I knew who it was before I turned and I bowed immediately.

"Balfour, are the cookies done?"

Gennora's cold voice carried it's waves into my ears.

"Yes, head maid." Balfour replied.

I knew the instant she set her eyes on me and almost wished the ground could just open up and swallow me from her sight.

"Haera, you leave for the Imperial pack in ten minutes. Get ready."

"Yes, head maid."

I said, bowing lower before rushing past her to go out of the kitchen but not without sending Balfour a cheeky smile.

I have no idea what the rest of the day of my birthday holds for me. I'll be at the Imperial pack soon enough to watch an Alpha's duel

What a way to celebrate your 18th birthday.

(The Imperial Pack)

*ZACHARY*

The serenity of the room I was in was just what my befuddled mind needed as I stared into nothing but open space.

Technically I wasn't staring at nothing.

I was staring at my reflection in the big standing mirror while the maids surrounding me wordlessly dressed me in the traditional royal attire for the Alpha prince.

I watched how they clipped on my red cloak that has the large seal of a crown surrounded by wolves on it–the symbol of our pack.

I watched how they pushed my feet into the golden shoes and buckled them tightly around me.

My eyes followed the combing of my black mass of hair with so much gentleness and care to make it fit perfectly on top of my head.

My eyes didn't miss the specks of fine powder dusted on my face to bring out the glow of my silver eyes.

Everything. I watched it all.

Yet I still felt like I was staring at nothing.

Of course, I was nothing.

"Smile Zach. You shouldn't have that gloomy look on your face when today is going to be the day for you to prove yourself."

Serge–my wolf, broke the placidity of the room in my head.

I barely held back a scoff because I didn't want to scare the maids. It's a miracle they are even able to dress me without peeing their pants.

A single sound from me and they might go running out of the room, thinking I was having one of my mental episodes again.

"Go away Serge...I don't want therapy today."

I mind linked a reply to my wolf.

I really enjoyed the peace and quiet from moments ago before he broke it. The silence gets maddening at some point but it's nothing I haven't overcame before.

"It's not therapy if I'm only trying to put a smile on that brooding face of yours. You look great These ladies aren't trying this hard for you to wear a scowl at them in return."

Serge's words only made a bigger scowl spread on my face.

"This same face will be roughed up by Tybalt in a few minutes from now. What's the point?"

"You see, that's your problem, you do-"

"You're all done Prince Zachary"

A quiet voice shut Serge up before I did and I couldn't be more grateful. I looked up quietly at the maid whose voice from earlier was barely steady.

They bowed immediately–all five of them although I didn't miss the glint of fear in their eyes before they did.

I was feared but not for the good reason but since when was the feeling of fear ever good anyway?

Or the one that makes me feel some sense of power.

If anything, their fear for me makes me feel vulnerable.

But I couldn't blame any of them either. My previous mental episode sent one of them to the hospital and she hasn't even recovered yet.

"Leave."

The sound that left my lips was barely a whisper but they heard it anyway. All five of them scurried out of the room before I could say anything else.

"You don't have to be me-"

"I wasn't being mean Serge. We both share the same feelings, how come you don't know that. Nothing I do changes the fact that I'm a mad man born of an unmarked affair."

Silence.

In the room and in my head.

Because I said the forbidden words. I might have hurt Serge's feelings but at least the peace and quiet returned.

I had meant to say the words to shut him up but I also said it so I can keep my sanity.

Either way, the words hit the both of us with the same force. Serge remained quiet after that but I could still feel him around, brooding in the shadows.

I stood up from the low stool I sat on while the maids were dressing up and went to stand by the window side.

Since I lived alone in upper part of the Palace tower, I had the privilege to see the whole place from my window. The whole place starting from the quarters of the Palace and stretching further to the rest of the pack that stood just outside the gates of the Alpha's Palace.

The entire palace was filled up with people.

So much that one could mistake them for tiny ants.

Canopies and stools lined the compound of the Alpha's Palace round. Decorations adorned the big and cleared space where the duel will take place.

The people chattered freely like birds let loose in the forest. Their voices reached my ears in strings of incoherent and muddled words.

All those people came from far and wide. From the packs that were situated in the woodlands and even beyond.

And they came here for just one purpose.

To watch the two grown sons of an Alpha, fight for their right to be the new Alpha of the pack.

The gaze I casted at them was that of both distress and disdain. Distress at the fact that to me, it was my humiliation this people have come to watch. Disdain from the fact that they found joy in something that leaves a hole in my heart.

I didn't want anything but to get out of the deep sorrow that plunges my heart and from the nightmares that wake me every night.

Those nightmares were not subtle but intense reminders of my reality;

I was an unmarked child.

A child born of two people who weren't mates.

Of all the things that could go wrong as a werewolf, It has to be the most horrific one. If not for anyone, it is for me.

Each day, I'm reminded of the fact that my father, the Previous Alpha of the Imperial pack had me with a woman, my mother, who wasn't his mate only for him to leave us to meet his true mate years after.

And then the death of my mother...

My past haunts me daily with nightmares and sometimes even daydreams.

It's this terror that usually wakes me up most of the time with sweats of perspiration breaking on my forehead and making me trash wherever I find myself.

I throw anything I lay my hands upon and punch my fist into walls with bloodcurdling cries of horror living my lips.

Little surprise, the maids all fear me.

One thing my father did to further make my life a living hell was bringing me into his palace after my mother's death.

I would have loved to die alone in the cold woods where he found me, rather than be the subject of the hatred of his Luna and her son, Tybalt–my half brother whom I will be fighting today for our father's throne.

If left to me, I'd rather not fight for anything.

I have lost to Tybalt all my life. This doesn't feel any different.

But the rules of the pack emphasise on being fair. I had to fight whether I liked it or not.

Tybalt and I were born on the same day, which allows the both of us to fight for the Alpha throne. Even as an unmarked child, I had the full right to fight for my father's throne.

I didn't want it.

But no one cares about what I want.

The door of my room creaking open didn't take my eyes off the crowd just below me.

"Alpha prince."

A voice said just as its footsteps stopped a feet from me.

"Speak." I commanded icily.

"The Ceremony is about to begin. We need to leave now."

I turned to look at Alan, my beta.

The only person asides Serge who helps in keeping my sanity in check.

Alan has served by my side since my father brought me here when I was just Ten.

Alan's loyalty to an unmarked child like me is unrivalled despite the few times I've been anything but good to him.

He has come to remind me of my misery which was outside of this tower, waiting for me.

I took one last look at the people below me before turning on my heels and approaching Alan.

"Lead the way."

Alan bowed and walked in front of me while I trudged along with him into the large hallway which we walked through to get to the stairs and down the tower.

A few maids and guards we met on the way bowed in reverence to me.

We were about to step outside of the palace when Alan stopped abruptly automatically making me stop on my tracks too.

The reason for our abrupt stop was a long entourage of men in Khakis and girls dressed in hideous pieces of black and white clothing.

"Who are those?"

I asked Alan.

"Alpha Jarvold's entourage from the Moonstone pack."

I only grunted a reply as I watched the long entourage pass by. More people added to the already large number to witness my humiliation, I thought begrudgingly.

The Entourage finally dispersed and freed the road for us to walk through.

The noise of the crowd got rowdier when I stepped outside. Loud drums announced my arrival and everyone left whatever it is that were doing to bow to me.

I perambulated toward the large clearing in the middle of the equally large crowd. Silence fell all over the space, except for the sound of the drums beating hard to announce my presence.

When a counter drum started from the far end–the direction of Tybalt, my Half brother's tower, I felt the rate of my heart beat, pick up.

Just as I thought, he appeared from the other end as we both walked up to the clearing for the Duel.

Tybalt stopped inches from me.

His mischievous brown eyes gleamed at me. The hatred swirling inside of them was as clear as day. A smirk found its way to the sides of his lips when he said;

"Hello brother."