The Contracted Unloved Luna

CLAIRE

Hope was lost! We have nothing left. The realization left a bitter taste in my mouth as I stared at the ruined aftermath of the recent attack. It almost feels like the Fair-Moon pack was under a curse or something due to the multiple attacks we've faced from rogues in the span of a few weeks.

Goods were stolen, animals were slaughtered and farmland was being burned to the ground right before our eyes. It was depressing, watching people cry as their only means of livelihood was stripped away from them and what's even more depressing about the whole thing was the fact that I couldn't do anything to help them.

Just then, some commotion from outside the pack house got my attention and, fearing the worst, I hurried out of the house to find out what was going on. I stopped once I arrived at the scene, my chest squeezing as people of all ages, both children, women and men fell to their feet, begging my Dad to do something about the current situation.

"Our children are starving, we are too afraid to leave our house due to the fear of not making it back alive. You need to do something Alpha." A woman cried out from the crowd, her face reflecting the weeks of agony and suffering.

I turned away from the scene, blinking back at the unshed tears in my eyes. "Madam Hilda?" I called out to the head of staff and the woman who raised me after my mother passed away. "I trust we still have some extra food in the storage? Please distribute it among the pack, we can't let them starve."

"Claire, I understand you feel compassion for them, but we will starve ourselves if we hand out food like that. I'm sure your father is coming up with a solution as we speak." She replied, making my eyes go wide.

"What? There are children out there starving! I'm sure we can still manage to hand out some until Dad is able to provide a solution. Until then, we will share everything we have," I argued, not believing this was even a topic of discussion to argue about.

"Okay, let's not do anything irrational. Hilda is right, we can't distribute food like that. What are we supposed to survive on?" Dad said, cutting into the conversation.

"I get your point, but what about the children? Imagine as a parent watching your children starve and there's nothing you can do about it. Please Dad, rethink your decision. I'm not saying we should give them everything, but at least..." he cut me off with a wave of his hand as he walked away, a silent but commanding indication that the discussion was over.

I went back to my bedroom to pace around. I couldn't live with myself, knowing there were people out there starving while I did nothing. Apparently, everyone else seems to be fine with it. That night, I waited until everyone went to bed before I quietly sneaked back downstairs to the food storage.

Grabbing as much as my basket could fit, I hurried out of the house, dropping them on people's doorsteps as I went by, even though it wouldn't be enough, it was at least better than nothing until Dad could come up with a solution because we can't continue living like this.

By the time I made my way back to the packhouse, I was feeling sleepy, tired and sore. Ignoring the pain in my joints, I made my way back to my bedroom, coming to an abrupt stop on the verge of walking past Dad's study. There were unfamiliar voices coming out of the room, voices I couldn't recognize at first until the first one registered as my father's own.

"You don't have anything I want, so asking for my help is useless," the voice said.

"Please Alpha Xavier, my people are dying! I know you have no reason to help me now, but trust me, I shall repay your kindness one day," Dad pleaded, a note of vulnerability in his voice. Hearing him begging like that, brought me closer to tears. That isn't fair!

The voice chuckled, a clear representation that he holds the power in this case. I wanted to barge into the office and demanded he help us, but then I had grown enough to know that things don't work like that. I was about to turn away when his next statement stopped me.

"I believe we are no longer alone-" I immediately made a run for it, disappearing into my bedroom, which happened to be only a few doors away. Pressing my back against the door, I waited, fearing that the stranger must have seen me and traced me back to my room. As seconds turned into minutes, I finally became convinced that no one was coming after me, hence, I stepped further into my bedroom.

Standing in front of my dressing mirror, I took out my hand brush and started to brush my hair. While brushing, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, hoping and praying for an agreement between him and the other Alpha. The worry slowly faded into the back of my mind as my secret desire resurfaced without warnings. For the longest time, I've dreamt of finding my mate and living happily ever after.

I didn't care about what anyone said, especially since I was being told that fairy tales do not exist for princesses, that we were usually married off out of inconvenience or something, and even though I know that to be true, I was positive that wouldn't be my case.

I dropped the brush and climbed into bed, pulling the covers to my chest and closing my eyes. That night, I dreamed of a dark haired man, reaching out to me, urging me to take his hand and not to be afraid. For the first time in a few weeks, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

I woke up the following morning to the sound of someone knocking urgently on my door, fearing the worst since we've been living in fear for the past few weeks, I sprang upright, running across the room to open the door.

"What happened? Are we under an attack?" I inquired, frowning when Hilda walked into my room, instead of just replying to me.

"No, but we are about to be and you know why? Because you went against your father's order! You know that's stealing right? I thought I raised you better than that?" She scolded me.

"I don't know what you're talking about, and you know accusing the princess of stealing is treason right?" I hissed, folding my arms across my chest. "You and Dad are wrong, starving your people is not the right way to rule! Don't you feel any compassion towards the children?"

"There you go being emotional again..." Dad announced his presence by saying that, causing my body to brace itself. "Hilda, excuse us, I would like to have a word with Claire." Now, that actually made me nervous.

"I didn't steal anything." I lied, twisting my fingers nervously.

"Alpha Xavier saw you last night, do you care to explain why you were awake in the middle of the night? And before you lie to my face again, you should know there's testimony about people mysteriously receiving food this morning, care to explain?" He asked, pining me with a look full of disappointment.

Tears blurred my vision. "I'm sorry Dad, I just couldn't sleep knowing there are people starving out there, we need to do something, the warriors have lost their zeal to fight but who could blame them? Some of them haven't eaten in days." The tears rolled down my face and I quickly wiped them away knowing he hated it when I cried.

"It's okay, Alpha Xavier and I finally came to an agreement, thanks to you." I frowned at his words, wondering what I did to make him change his mind, I mean I haven't even met him but then I recalled Dad said he had seen me last night.

"Reality?" I gushed, a wave of relief settling down my chest. Whatever agreement they made didn't matter, I just want everything to go back to normal. "I'm so relieved to hear that!"

"But," my smile vanishes at the but. "You will have to marry him."

The declaration made me freeze, I couldn't believe it! I didn't want to think the cost of me saving my people is by agreeing to a loveless marriage, just like Hilda told me! I hated that she was right, and what I hated more was the fact that I had no choice. Dad didn't even consult me before finalizing the agreement, making it clear that what I wanted in this case doesn't matter-like always.

"Look at it this way sweetheart, think about all the people you'll be helping. You're doing this for your people, it's an honor." His hand came to pat my hair, in a manner that was supposed to be comforting but instead it just made me feel worse.

"But do I have to?" My voice quivered. "Let me talk to him, he will realize he doesn't have to marry me, we can come up with an even better solution. Please Dad, don't let this happen, I'm begging you, let's think of something else." I pleaded, grasping his hands and hoping to appeal to his love for me.

"Don't you think I tried?" He snarled, yanking his hands from my grasp. "Do you have any idea of what I'm going through right now? Me, Alpha Dane! groveling in the presence of another! Do you have any idea what that does to my honor? My reputation? Look at me Claire." He gripped my shoulders, shaking me slightly.

"If you care about Fair-Moon pack like you've always claimed, then this is the least you can do for them! Prove it, prove that your compassion for them isn't just fancy words, because the only way Alpha Xavier has agreed to help is if you agree to marry him!" He declares before angrily walking out of my bedroom.

"That's not fair!" I cried out even though I knew he couldn't hear me. I broke down into a full blown sobs, realizing my dreams, hope and desires of fin.

ding my mate was gone...just like that. Hilda was right after all, fairy tales are myths to princesses...

.

CLAIRE

I've been crying myself to sleep for the past three days but then when I saw his things had worsened around the pack, I decided it was time to stop mobbing around and finally face the reality. I'm going to marry a man I've never met or know anything about. I couldn't stand and do nothing especially when there's something I can do to give people back their normal lives.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door, waiting for his permission to come into the room. I knew he had a guest there, which is why I chose this moment as an excuse to talk to him. Alpha Xavier had come in with a few of his men some minutes ago and I waited for Dad to finally introduce us but that didn't seem to be happening any time soon so I took matters into my own hands.

"Claire, what are you doing here? Hilda said you were out distributing food again, I hope there's still some left." He joked, raising to his feet as he motioned for me to come closer. "Alpha Xavier, meet my daughter Claire Fair-Moon."

He stood up, causing me to take a step back because I wasn't prepared for how tall he was. He stared at me with his hand stretched out for a handshake, something flashed across his eyes, there were the most intense green eyes I've ever seen and I found myself staring speechlessly at the handsome stranger in front of me.

As if aware of the effect he has on me, his lips quickened up and he reached for my hand instead, shaking it. I blushed at my obvious distraction, looking down at our joint hands. There's something about him, something I didn't have words for but it was causing my body to react to his, my heart raced with excitement and where we touched, I felt electrified.

"Claire..." he hummed, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Xavier..." I returned in a daze tone of voice, then someone clears their throat, startling me out whatever spell I was under. My cheeks reddened as I suddenly became aware of my father standing a few feet away from us.

He reluctantly lets go of my hand. "I personally asked my men to check out the damages done to Fair-Moon so far and it got me thinking, those attacks seem very personal." He said, lifting one perfectly arched eyebrow at Dad, like he expected him to know something.

Dad darted a glance in my direction. "Personal? I don't deal with rogues, they are nothing but filthy outcasts! If they are targeting Fair-Moon only then they're probably doing it to claim our resources or start a rebellion, but whatever their reasons are, I'm not interested. I want them to pay for what they're making my pack go through."

Alpha Xavier nodded like he understood, which he probably does being an Alpha himself. However, I couldn't keep my eyes off him maybe because he reminded me so much of someone...then it all clicked in my mind, a memory forming into a picture. He's the dark haired man from my dream! The realization made me gasp before I could help it, making them turn around to look at me.

"Miss Claire, is everything okay?" He inquired, his voice deep and filled with concern.

My heart melted right there and then. "I'm okay, thanks for asking, I'll be leaving you two now." With that, I hurried out of the door.

All of a sudden, an arranged marriage doesn't seem to be a bad idea at all. I have never felt that way about anyone before, placing a hand over my chest, I fall backward onto my bed. The reason I went to Dad's study earlier was mainly to try and talk Alpha Xavier out of the marriage option but then the minute those pair of dreamy green eyes met mine, I was lost.

Does he feel it too? I couldn't help but wonder if It was one-sided, it doesn't matter though. This wouldn't be a love marriage but now that I'm halfway in love with him already, I'll make our marriage work, I will make him fall in love with me! My thoughts were interrupted by a quick knock on the door, I almost yelled at the permission to go away, I wanted to be left alone with my day dreams right now.

"Come in."

The last person I would have been expecting stepped into my room, making my eyes go wide with surprise. With each step he takes further into the room, so did my heart beat increase at an alarming rate, can he hear it? Because it was all I could hear aside from the chirping of birds from outside my window.

"I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye." He informed me, reaching for my hand and slowly lowering his head to place a kiss at the back on my hand while holding eye-contact.

As chaste as the kiss was, I felt the tingle all the way to my feet. "That's so sweet of you, I was hoping to talk to you before you leave." I gestured towards the single couch in my bedroom for him to sit once he let go of my hand.

He nodded, settling down on the couch.

"Why do you want to marry me? I know I'm doing it for the benefit of my pack but why are you? You could have anyone you wanted, why settle for a loveless, political marriage?" I inquired, curiously.

"And what makes you think, I don't have the one I want?"

My chest squeezed painfully at his question, there's someone else in the picture for him, of course there is! I thought, feeling stupid for even hoping that things would be different with us. He's no doubt in love with someone else and probably wants this marriage for one benefit or the other.

I turned away from him, not wanting him to see how much his statement affected me. My body went rigid as he came up behind me, my breath hitch with desire. Being this close with him was making me feel all sorts of things. I closed my eyes, taking a couple of deep breaths, I twisted my side to the side to look at him.

It was then I noticed how close we were, our faces were only a few inches apart and yet I couldn't bring myself to step away despite my brain screaming at me. "You're very lucky Alpha Xavier, not everyone is destined to find the one."

"Call me Xavier..." his hand came to rest on my shoulders, using it to swiftly turn me around to face me. "You're going to be my wife after all." He added, his gaze resting briefly on my lips.

"My pack needs this alliance more than you do, I understand that and out of respect, I promise your true mate wouldn't have to worry about me. I understand..." my words were abruptly cut off as Xavier cupped my face and kissed me.

I might not have seen it coming but I welcomed it, kissing him back with the same hunger and urgency he kissed me with. All thoughts about his true mate vanished from my mind, at that moment nothing else mattered but the feel of his lips against mine.

A throaty moan escaped my lips, which seemed to drive him crazy as his pace became more demanding, making it difficult for me to keep up, not that I'm complaining because if I have my way, I'd kiss him forever. His pace became slower a few seconds before he stopped kissing me, he rested his forehead against mine, panting and trying to catch his breath, a sound I find incredibly sexy.

"Should I apologize for that? I've wanted to do that the second your father introduced us."

"No, don't. I should be the one apologizing, your mate."

"I don't have a mate Claire, I was talking about you." He admitted, brushing away the few strands of hair that had fell across my face when we were kissing. "You're so beautiful..." he rasped before stepping completely away from me, like he didn't trust himself not to kiss me.

"What?" A stunned smile threatened to split my face in half.

"That is, if you will have me. Please have me Claire." He whispered, making my heart go wild with excitement.

"Yes, I'll have you Xavier, oh I will!" I replied, my eyes glistening with undyed tears.

"It's bad luck for the groom and bride to see each other until the mating ceremony, so don't be worried if you don't see me until then, your father wants a fast ceremony...not that I'm complaining but what do you want?" He asked, lacing his fingers through mine.

The tears I've been trying to hold back, rolled down my face at his question. No one ever asked me what I wanted before including my father. "I want whatever you want Xavier, I can't wait to be yours."

"Me either." He agreed, pressing a kiss to my forehead before stepping out of the room.

Long after he was gone, I stood there still pinching myself, for it seemed like everything that happened was a dream. Fairytales do exist, in your face Hilda! I laughed at my pettiness, falling over my bed. I spent the rest of the day daydreaming about Xavier until I was pulled out of it when Hilda came to drag me out to a designer's shop for the ceremonial dress.

The ceremony happened in a week, it was a small private wedding. Just as he had told me, we didn't see each other for a week and I missed him so much. I know it's crazy when it seems like we hardly knew each other but I was ready to spend the rest of my life getting to know him.

"So...you're getting married tonight." Hilda started, adjusting my veil over my head. "Do you know what to expect on your wedding night?" I blushed at the question.

"I do have an idea but."

"Perfect! What I'm going to tell you is, since you both are not marrying for love then don't expect yourself to enjoy your wedding night or all other nights in your marriage. Try not to show any discomfort, just lay down and let him do whatever pleases him, if you're lucky he will be one of the men who finish fast." Her advice only raises more questions.

Like why did she think I won't enjoy it? Although I haven't told anyone about the kiss we shared in our bedroom a week ago, I enjoyed it more than I care to admit so why would sex be different? Before I could ask her any more questions, she was already rushing me out of the room, urging me into the courtroom where the ceremony was taking place.

Drawing a sharp breath as I caught my soon to be husband and soul-mate standing in front of the minister waiting for me, our eyes met and he winked at me from across the room. I realize then what Hilda said doesn't matter, what Xavier and I have is special...right?

.

CLAIRE

The ceremony ended over an hour ago and there still wasn't any sign of my husband, there's something so sexy about calling Xavier my husband. "Mine" I sigh dreamily, pushing away from the window to admire how beautiful I look in my ceremonial dress once again.

Another hour passed by and still no sign of Xavier, this time I was starting to get worried so I decided to look for him instead. I slipped out of our bedroom, like a teenager sneaking out to attend a college party or something.

The hallway light was dimmed with no sign of anyone, well that was until I cornered into the second hallway which led to an outside balcony and just a few feet away from where I stood, I saw my mate, except that he wasn't alone. There's a lady beside him and they both seemed engaged in a conversation, each of their fingers wrapped around a bottle of champagne.

Xavier must have said something funny because the woman threw her head back and laughed, casually dropping her hand on his shoulder. My heart clenched at the scene before me, I didn't like it one bit and I'm left to wonder what was so important that they can't postpone the conversation until tomorrow instead of opting for making me wait for two hours, wondering where he was.

There must be a logical explanation for this, I thought to myself as I made my way towards them. The lady was the first one to spot me and by then, I was already behind Xavier. Her smile vanished almost immediately, her change of mood went unnoticed by my husband because he turned around, following the direction of her gaze.

"Xavier..." I breathed, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I was so worried, I thought something happened to you." He untangled my hands from his waist, pushing me back and creating some distance between us.

Confused and feeling rejected by his action, I turned towards his companion instead. "Hi, I'm Claire, I didn't see you at the ceremony. Anyways, it's nice meeting you." I politely stretched my hand forward for a handshake.

To my dismay, she hissed, straightening up to her full height. "Let's call it a night Xavier, I'll be seeing you tomorrow." She leaned forward, placing a butterfly kiss on his right cheek before walking away.

"What was that all about?" I asked, once she was out of earshot.

"What do you want?" He demanded, both his tone of voice and expression catching me off guard. Gone were the softness in his eyes when he looked at me, now they've been shielded away and replaced by a sharp, angry, distrustful look.

"Did you hear me Xavier? I was worried about you, after the ceremony you disappeared for two hours and I came here to find you chit-chatting with some lady." I reached for his hands, pressing it against my chest. "What's wrong? Talk to me."

He snatched back his hands, like I burned them or something. "Looks like you want to spend the night here, or else you won't come looking for me when I gave you the entire room." He hissed, walking away.

I ran after him, feeling more confused by each passing seconds. He didn't stop until we reached our bedroom and I didn't stop either, I wanted answers, I wanted to know where the change of attitude came from. Something must have happened because this Xavier right here, isn't the same Xavier I knew a week ago.

"It's our wedding night! What was I supposed to do? You should have been here with me! Not some other girl! And why are you even with her? What was so important that you had to keep me waiting for two hours? I thought we meant more to each other than that."

There was a pause between us but then he threw his head back and laughed, like I said something funny. "That's where you are wrong Claire, you mean absolutely nothing to me. In fact I hate you so much I can't stand seeing your face, so if you know what's good for you, you will leave me the hell alone." He sneered, his eyes filled with so much anger that left me feeling hurt and confused.

I staggered back, he might have as well slapped me across the face. Tears rolled down my face and I angrily shook them away. "You hate me? No, Xavier...you don't hate me, I'm Claire...your Claire...that's not possible." My voice quivered as I struggled to find the right words to say.

He glared at me, leaning forward to directly stare into my face. "I hate you and your people so much Claire Fair-Moon and by the time I'm done with y'all, your world will burn with my fury." He grabbed by wrist roughly, with no amount of gentleness as he dragged me out of the room, back to the balcony.

"Xavier, please let's talk about this." I pleaded as he threw me out, despite my confusion I wanted to reach out to him, I didn't want to believe everything he's telling me, something must have happened.

Ignoring my pleas, he shut the door in my face and a few seconds later, I heard the lock fall in place. The breeze from the balcony was so strong, indicating that rain was about to fall. I knocked countlessly on the door, begging him to open the door, pleading with him to let us talk about it but it all fell on deaf ears.

The way he looks at me, speak to me breaks my heart. I didn't want to think about him hating me, how could he with the way he kissed me go, the way he winked at me from across the room tonight as I walked down the aisle towards him. The way his fangs graze my neck, right before he claims me, the gentle look in his eyes when he looks at me.

The rain started, it was as if the heavy was angry along with him and there was nothing to sheltered me from the angry downpour so I stood there hoping that my husband wouldn't have the heart to leave me out there, that he couldn't bear to see me in pain and would come running any second from now but that never happened.

It's dawn and the servants were awake. I couldn't stand or move from where I sat crawled up against the door, with my knees on my chest and my arms wrapped protectively around myself as my body shook violently from the cold. Despite him leaving him out here in the rain, a part of me still refuses to believe what was happening, Xavier would never treat me this way, it just doesn't make sense.

When the door opened, I forced myself to my feet thinking it was Xavier but to my disappointment, it was a maid. "Oh goddess! Luna, what are you doing out in the rain? Please come in." The maid said, a horrified expression on her face. "You're shaking so much, did someone accidentally lock you out?"

I looked at her, her concern making me feel worse. "I'm okay really, is Xavier awake?" I tried walking but fell back, fortunately before I could make it to the floor, the servant girl caught me midway.

"Alpha left with Miss Thalia for their early morning exercise, here...let me help you to the bedroom." I stopped protesting and let her guide me back to the master's bedroom, all the while my mind was putting two and two together.

No doubt that Thalia might be the name of the lady from last night and from the look of things, she shares a close relationship with my mate. I didn't like it, it's hurt to even think about when it should have been the both of us doing things together, instead he prefers Thalia.

Tears rolled down my face and I quickly wiped them away, not wanting the maid to see them, the last thing I wanted was to be a topic of conversation to some bored gossipy servants. I adjusted the blanket she wrapped around my body, muttering a thankful to her under my breath before I was overtaken by sneezes.

"Give me a few minutes Luna, I'll make some hot chocolate tea and hopefully see some cold medicine, you badly need it." After she left, I removed the blanket from my shoulder and left the bedroom in hopes of bumping into Xavier and his exercise partner.

I met them at the bottom floor and once again, her whole demeanor changed as soon as she saw me. Well, the feeling's mutual, I thought focusing my attention on my mate who seemed to be avoiding my gaze. The rejection stings and not knowing what I did to warrant this treatment from him hurts more.

I hurried towards him, instant regret as I collapsed on the floor, hitting my head against the marble floor. Some of the servants who witnessed the fall let out a terrifying gasp, but the best part of all is Xavier, rushing to my side and picking me up from the floor, he carried me back to our bedroom in a bridal style.

The maid arrived just in time with the cold medicine and hot chocolate. Silently, Xavier made sure I took it, his movements were silent and angry, not even looking at me once. After I finished drinking up the hot chocolate, he asked the maid to help me out of my clothes while he stood back.

While that was done, he instructed her to get me another cup of hot chocolate and then turn to leave but I couldn't let him, so I grabbed his hand, stopping him from leaving. "Xavier, please...did I do something wrong?" My voice cracked with the force of emotion coursing through my veins.

Just like before, he snatched back his hand, the action cutting me deeper than knife. "I meant every word I said to you Claire, I really do hate you, this marriage will be political and in name only, just as it was intended from the beginning." And just like that, he ripped my heart out of my chest and stormed on it...