A Christmas Luna and Her Big Bad Wolf

3

Serayah Morgan.

I gasp, wide awake!

My eye scans the expanse of the bedroom—if I can even call this infinite palace a bedroom. I am in the royal castle. The royal room for a royal Luna. I am a royal Luna! I gasp again!

This is her room—Quinn’s room. Quinn’s life. The life she gushed about over the phone with excitement so bright I could practically see her smile through the words.

She told me everything: the size of this room that could swallow houses, the endless racks of clothes, the shelves stacked with shoes that cost more than my rent, and the glimmering cases of jewelry and makeup. And the black card—her key to anything and everything money could buy, and even what it couldn’t.

This is Quinn’s life. Not mine.

My stomach churns, and a sour taste creeps into my mouth.

My fingers graze my neck instinctively, flinching at the memory of the mark Roar left there. An intimate, permanent claim. It was painless, but somehow, that’s worse. Pain, at least, I could’ve handled. But this? This sensual love bite—it’s unbearable to carry.

Sera, my wolf stirs. I feel her energy bristle against mine.

“You have met him. He is our mate.” She replies after reading my thoughts.

“Oh, now you’re talking? Of all the wolves in the world, why him? Why did the Moon Goddess have to mate me with my best friend’s mate?” I snap inwardly.

“The Moon Goddess works in ways beyond our understanding.” Sera tethers.

“Yeah, well, her ways are wrong!” I shove the heavy duvet off me.

“He is a begotten beast! Did you see what he put me through last night? A twisted game of a hundred wishes just to save my dad? He’s insane! And now I’m stuck in this ridiculous bargain with no way out!”

The unfairness is a punch in the gut. No one would take my father’s case—no lawyer, no judge, no one. The royal family’s influence is literally absolute. Our fate was sealed before we even tried to fight back. So, I had no choice but to try and meet with him. And it all led to this

Moons, I’m supposed to be at work the Willowhaven Medical Center! I glance around the colossal room. The bed alone is the size of my old apartment and this room isn’t just a bedroom—it’s a maze. A sitting area, a closet bigger than my entire neighborhood, corridors leading who-knows-where...

I stumble into the hallway, trying to find my way out. My feet carry me past elegant furniture, massive windows and doors that probably lead to places I can’t even imagine. Finally, I step into a space that looks like an exit—or at least, I hope it is.

The door swings open, and I gasp again.

“Royal Luna Serayah!”

Two voices shout out in unison. Standing before me are two women, identical down to the last detail.

“Who are you?” I ask, squinting slightly as if that’ll help me figure out which is which.

“I’m Riv, and this is Riva,” one of them chirps. “We used to be the assistants of Royal Luna Quinn. Moon Goddess bless her sweet soul!” they both say in sync.

My eyes roam over them—short, sharp bobs framing faces caked in powdered makeup, complete with the boldest red lipstick I’ve ever seen. Their matching outfits—a long gray skirt suit paired with crisp white vests—make them look like they walked straight out of a retro catalog.

“Okay…” I mumble, pretending like any of this makes sense.

“So, we have your schedule for today.” Riv (or at least, I think it’s Riv) announces.

“I’m sorry.” I interrupt quickly. “I have to be at work.”

The twins exchange glances before breaking into synchronized, high-pitched laughter. My brows knit together as I watch them laugh like I’ve just told the funniest joke in existence.

When they finally stop, they smooth their skirts and one of them, the one with a tiny mole under her left eye, steps forward.

“What do you mean, work?”

“And you are…?” I ask.

“I’m Riva.” she says, sharper than necessary as if I’ve offended her by not knowing who she is.

“Okay, Riva. I’m a Phytotherapist. I work at Willowhaven Medical Center and I have to be there. Morning shift.”

The twins share another look.

“You don’t have to worry about that. We’ve already sent an email to your workplace regarding your absence and your…” Riva pauses. “ or permanent leave.”

“What?!”

“A royal Luna doesn’t work. You’re part of the royal family now. Your duty is to care for the Royal Alpha and—”

“And?” I interrupt.

“And the Royal Prince—”

“Excuse me?” I cut her off, again. “We are in the 21st century!”

Their plastered smiles leave for a moment but Riva regains it back. This time, her voice is syrupy and condescending. “Royal Luna, with all due respect, your role is not to work. But you can speak to the Royal Alpha about it later.”

I want to object. My job is important to me and I shouldn’t have to compromise. But then I think about the Royal Alpha—and maybe my smartest move is to just… play along for now.

The one without the mole chimes in—Riv, I think.

“For now, you have to tick a number of things off your schedule before you can even think about going anywhere.”

“Fine.” I cross my arms.

“Wonderful Why don’t you start by freshening up? Everything you’ll need is in the room. And don’t worry—Quinn’s things have already been removed.”

What part of this maze even leads to the bathroom? Sensing my hesitation, Riva gestures toward a set of double doors inside.

On my way to finding the bathroom, I step into what I can only describe as the most extravagant architecture I’ve ever seen. I am in a closet of marble walls and recessed lighting. A grand chandelier hangs in the middle, casting crystal-like reflections on every surface. There’s even a staircase winding up to a second level—because apparently, these closet needs two floors.

I open a section of the massive walk-in closet and grab the first outfit that catches my eye—a glossy red dress. Beneath it, I find black leggings and a pair of flats. There’s even a matching bag and earrings placed alongside the outfit.

I stare at the coordinated pieces. Did some designer personally arrange these to ensure everything matches perfectly? Is this just what royal life is? Everything handed to you in pre-packaged perfection?

The bathroom is a grand affair, more like something out of a luxury resort than an actual home. The shower alone looks like it belongs in one of those social media ads for “transform your bathroom into a personal oasis.” It is designed like a waterfall, cascading down as if it’s sourced directly from the heavens. Moons, it is in the richest aquamarine blue I’ve ever seen. A massive bathtub sits to the side. There is enough shower gels, scrubs, and body lotions to last a lifetime—or two.

I turn the shower on and a blast of warm rain-like water pours down. It’s overwhelming in the best way, like the sky itself opened up just for me. For a moment, I just stand there in silence.

Once I’m freshened up, I head back out, feeling like a different person but knowing I’m still the same girl trapped in a life that isn’t mine. Riv and Riva are waiting for me in the exact same spot I left them—standing like perfectly synchronized statues.

“Let’s get started, shall we?” Riva says and they begin to walk ahead.

We descend a grand staircase that seems to stretch on forever.

“Our first order of the day is to remove all images and memorabilia of ex-Luna Quinn from the royal quarters.”

“What?” I stop mid-step.

“We will be booking a day for a royal photographer to take your official portraits. They will replace anything that currently features the former Luna. Additionally, you’ll need to approve designs for the commemorative seal that will bear your name.”

“Wait—” My voice comes out louder than I intended, but they both stop and turn to me.

“You’re… erasing her?”

“It’s standard procedure. When a new Luna takes her place, the former Luna is removed from all royal spaces. The past must not overshadow the present.” Riv explains.

I don’t know what to say to that. This is the life Quinn once described so vividly. A life that was hers.

“But the Royal Alpha…” I say, trying to understand if its really my place.

“We have been in this house for very long, Royal Luna. We know how things are done here. No one will fault you for exerting your duties!”

Both of them are staring at me, waiting. I feel my cheeks heat under the pressure.

“Okay...I...I guess so.” I mutter.

“Good.” They say it in unison, like creepy dolls from a horror movie.

Finally, we reach the foot of the stairs where at least a hundred housekeepers are lined up in two perfect queues. They’re all silent, heads bowed low like I’m some actual queen.

“As you’ve heard, take down all the pictures of the former Luna and put them in storage. Every single one! Anything that has to do with her is to be removed from these walls. Understood?” Riva shouts and they begin to move.

“Another task checked off the schedule. Now, we are going to the nunnery to see the Royal Prince.”

“The royal Prince?” I repeat.

“Yes. Now that you’re Royal Luna, you’re his mother. Or stepmother, technically. But since he’s so young, he’ll surely regard you as his mother soon enough.”

Guilt twists in my stomach. Quinn and I stopped talking when she was pregnant—over something so petty, I can’t even remember what started it. It was stupid, childish, and now she’s gone. And there is her baby, the only piece of her left in this world. An extension of her.

I feel a bittersweet excitement that I’m about to meet him.

We step into an elevator and Riv presses the button for the sixth floor. When the doors open, we step into a hallway bathed in pastel colors. When we reach the room, there are three nannies and a nurse inside.

“The Royal Luna is here to see the baby.”

One of the nannies moves to the small rocking bed. She picks him up—a tiny, swaddled bundle—and brings him to me. I hesitate, unsure of what to do. Do I ask? Do I just take him? My hands hover awkwardly until she gently places him into my arms.

I look down at him and my heart immediately melts into a puddle. His frost-blue eyes, so much like the Royal Alpha’s, stare back at me. He’s awake, wiggling slightly in his blanket, his little nose scrunches up as if he’s trying to figure me out. His lips are stained with milk, and he has this faint baby scent that’s so pure, so comforting, that for the first time since I arrived here, I actually smile.

“What’s his name?”

I glance up at the nannies.

They exchange nervous looks. I turn to Riva, hoping she’ll answer.

“The Royal Alpha hasn’t named him yet.” she answers.

"But it's been a year..." I murmur, confused.

Riva cuts me off. “Our next item on the schedule cannot wait.”

Before I can respond, the nanny steps forward, kinder. “Surely the Luna can take the Royal Prince on a morning walk? He’s eaten and needs a bit of fresh air. I’ll join you in case he gets sleepy.”

She must have noticed the way I’ve already melted into a puddle for him. I clutch him closer instinctively, but Riv opens her mouth to object.

“I will.” I cut her off before she can speak.

I turn on my heel and start heading out of the room. The baby wiggles, nuzzling his face against me. He’s so small, so warm, it’s hard to believe something so innocent exists in a place as cold as this castle.

When we reach the second floor, I continue to focus on him.

Then, chaos erupts.

House keepers are scrambling on their feet past me, running like their lives depend on it.

Someone is yelling—no, roaring.

I tighten my hold on the baby, pressing him protectively to my chest. My wolf, Sera, speaks up in my head.

“It’s your mate.”

With the baby in my hands, I start to walk towards the running housekeepers who are in no doubt running form something or someone. When I reach, I spot Roar, surrounded by what I assume are other members of the Royal family.

“Who gave the order to take off Quinn’s pictures from the damn walls!”

At the sound of that, my heart begins to thud out of its place.

Riv immediately steps forward.

“The Royal Luna Serayah ordered us to take off any picture that contained the memories of Luna Quinn.”

I look at her in shock and before I counter it, Roar’s eyes land on me!

He sees his son in my arms.

I have never seen anger in these shades of frost before.

“Who said you could hold my son!?” he demands.

I open my mouth to explain but Riva quickly interjects, “The Royal Luna said she wanted to see the baby.”

I gasp in complete horror. They set me up. They set me up!