The Luna Trials

Episode 2

Alpha Prince Harry's POV

"Not everything that glitters is gold.'' She watered the plant, more drowned it with water.

"Come on mom, she's beautiful, she's royal and she can be my mate.''

"And she can fight for it, son. She doesn't get to have it handed to her.'' My mother argued, seetting the jerican down.

"I love her, she's my girlfriend. I promised her the throne.''

"And you should learrn not to make such expensive promises. The throne belongs to she who will win the Luna Trials. It has been a tradition, Hary, for more than 10,000 years.'' She walked past me, I felt uncomfortable, my fingers fidgeting as I followed behind her.

"It's a misognistic tradition that I want no part in.''

"Believe me darling, this tradition is far from the agendas of misogny.'' My mother and I walked into the throne room. I rolled my eyes, wanting to stomp my feet the second I saw my father seated on the throne. The last thing I wanted was the old man jumping in one this. "Before this, women were graded for their purity, their looks and their fertility. One couldn't be an Alpha's mate unless society deemed them perfect and feminine enough. Before all this, women couldn't even pick up a sword. They didn't know how to fold a fist. All they did was cook and suck cock.''

"Mom, come on!'' I sneered, hating the language.

"What Harry, it's true. The Luna trials were a saving grace. The first fair chane given to women to become more. To be trained as warriors, know something outside of picking flowers and serving their men.''

"But not all of them compain. My darling Selly wants that life. She has no desire to be a fighter. She wants to love me, care for me. Cook, even though we have servants for it.'' I answered. "She's gentle, kind. Her touch isn't rough. She doesn't make me feel like a monster, doesn't treat me like I'm some god she cannot reach. She's a nice woman, a real wo..'' She glared at me, her eyes so sharp they cut through mine. "Come on Mom, you know what I mean.''

"Nathaniel.'' My mother called out, making my father approach us. I sighed, knowing a whole lot of lecture was due.

"Son, walk with me.'' My father said, and I shook my head. Mother was left in the throne room, as my father and I walked through the hallways.

"I understand your love for your little girlfriend. But tradition has to be upheld. You can keep Selly after the Luna trials. Chances are, the one who wins only wants the fame and power. Not a fully functioning marriage.''

"Father, that'ss prepostorous. I don't want two women, I only want one.''

"And I don't want to have to wear this tight shoes everyday but I'm Alpha, and appearances are everything.'' He snorted, almost making me laugh. "We can't always get what we want.''

"So what are you saying, that I'm cursed with unhappiness all my life. To be with a woman i don't love and don't know. A killer.''

"You've killed before, tones of times.'' He countered, I silenced, looking at him, "Come on, Harry. Before I met your mother, I had a woman I loved. Her name was Harrieta, and she was amazing. Every bit as good as Nelly for you. She made bread, amazing fresh bread. She had her famous garlic soup and the whole pack would mavel at the recipe. But we had to part ways during the Luna Trials. I understood my duty to the pack and the throne.''

"I'm sorry dad, but I love Selly,''

"Then she'll have to fight.'' He stomped his foot, his eyes glaring at me.

"She can't hold a sword. She can't even kill a fly.''

"No one said everyone has to be a warrior.'' My father raised a brow.

"Father, what are you saying?''

"Selly doesn't want to touch a sword. She can't punch. Maybe, her weapon isn't eaither. She can cook, you say...'' I darted back, following the trail of his words like a chicken following corn. He corked his head, smiling, patting my shoulder, then walking away.

I stood there for a moment, contemplating it. Then I realized, f**k it!

My quaters were just a short walk accross the hallway. I didn't want to double back, I had a gut feeling my parents would get freaky in the throne room. For heaven's sake, I didn't want to walk in on that sick sight. I reached my room, walking in. My living room was quiet large, I walked up the little stairs that led to my bedroom.

Selly was up out of the bed the second she heard me coming from the stairs.

"So? Did she say yes?'' Selly jumped, crossing her fingers like hail mary.

I shook my head, closed the door and walked fully into the room. "I'm sorry darling, but you'll have to fight in the Luna Trials.''

I saw the panic in her eyes when I said that, I hated when she was scared. She was Like a delicate flower I wanted to protect and take care off.

"But baby, I can't..''

"I know. I know Selly. But listen to me. My father and I have a plan.'' I answered, she looked at me. " We insitute a new rule this year. Silent participants.''

"What..what do you mean?'' She came to touch my face, kissing my cheek.

"You don't have to be announced as one of the warriors in the Luna Trials, that will put a target on your back.''

"I don't want to fight in the Luna Trials Harry. Can't they just let me be Luna.'' She argued, and my heart broke for her.

"You know that's impossible. My father and I have a plan darling, if you could just listen to me.'' I begged, she folded her arms accross her chest.

"Go on.''

"We get you in the warrior quaters and grounds as a cook. Every fighter coming to the trials doesn't know who you are. And none of them will be keep to read the terms and conditions of the trials before signing. We'll insitute a silent participants rule. One which allows a warrior to not be announced as one. You can be apart of the Luna Trials, but no one will ever know until the last minute. Become one of the cooks, charm the girls, learn their secrets, have them underestimate you, poison them if you have to. Whatever it takes to come out on top.'' I beesseehced. For a moment, Selly was quiet, eyeing me up and down.

"Harry, that's treason.''

"A small price to pay to be with me.''

We stood there a moment, sizing each other up. Until she shook her head and came to hug me. Kiss me.

"Yes, yes yes. Let's do it.'' She jumped, she kissed and hugged me. I was happy. I had my own candidate. the only woman I'd ever loved. She was everything to me, and I would do everything in my power to make sure she won the Luna Trials.

Whoever was coming, nommatter how hard they'd trained or what background they had, none stood a chance against my Selly.

None of them compared to her. I had rigged the game, and I'll never love anyone as much as Selly.

Ever!