Moonlit Waters: His Mermaid Luna

Chapter 2: A Chosen Mate

THREE DAYS EARLIER

LYKOS

“We are here.” A voice snapped my eyes open, and I realized I had dozed off. I was exhausted; we had traveled a long way, and the storms hadn’t exactly been helpful. They had not allowed us to rest on the aircraft, and our bodies were still tingling with adrenaline, recovering from the fear that had numbed our organs.

We were almost certain our aircraft would sink into the roaring seas, and it was by the gods' mercy that we made it.

Straightening up and looking out the window, my eyes widened in awe before my stomach churned. This city was beautiful, like something out of a book, and my village paled in comparison.

Towers of glistening glass and stone rose gracefully towards the heavens, their surfaces catching the light and scattering it in dazzling patterns, while the waters below sparkled in contrast to the stormy journey we had just endured.

My mouth stood open as I gazed upon the elegant bridges that arched over canals, and plazas filled with bustling markets and serene parks that added to the city’s charm. It felt as though we had stepped into a realm of magic and dreams.

We all remained quiet as we gazed at everything while the car drove by. It was overwhelming, and I felt a mixture of awe and inadequacy. My breath caught in my throat, and it was then that I remembered I had stopped breathing and let out a deep, shuddering breath.

I consoled myself by reminding myself that the pack we were visiting lived in a village outside the city, so the village would probably be modest in comparison.

Glancing at my friend Felix, who was also going to be my Beta in six months, I found his gaze mirroring mine, and I knew he was asking himself the same questions I was—why our pack?

We were off to the Crystal Caverns Pack, where I would see my bride-to-be for the first time. The bride price of almost everything I owned had been paid and accepted, but I was still anxious and asking myself why she was marrying me, even though an answer had been provided.

The Crystal Caverns Pack gained a reputation for its wealth. Their ancestors were fortunate to choose a spot rich in emerald deposits to build their pack. Once they discovered this bounty, they began mining it, quickly becoming one of the top five richest packs on their side of the world.

My pack on the hand had a very different story. We had recently faced our share of hardships that left us with almost nothing. My pack was the third biggest on my side of the world, and we had managed well enough until my grandfather’s death changed everything.

My grandfather had two sons: my uncle, the oldest, and my father, the second oldest. My uncle should have taken over leadership after my grandfather's death by birthright, but he left the pack as soon as he turned eighteen and got his human form, leaving my grandfather with no choice but to name my father as his successor, and for years my father worked by my grandfather's side, preparing to one day lead in my grandfather's absence.

Preparations for the Alpha ceremony had begun when news of my grandfather’s death reached my uncle, and he returned, claiming the position. However, no one wanted him to be Alpha. His long absence and rejection of our wolf ways turned the pack against him. Everyone had heard of what he had become and the atrocities he committed while living like a human.

Our people didn't want him to be their leader; they wanted my father, not a mobster, which was what he became in the city. He didn't care however about what they wanted or what was best for them and demanded the position regardless. When the people stood up, his human goons began causing trouble in retaliation of the people's rejection.

The tension between my father and uncle escalated into a violent confrontation and ultimately, they killed each other, leaving us in a state of chaos.

In the aftermath, Argon, Felix's father, who was my father's Beta assumed leadership, as I was too young to take over.

Before I could assume the position, I had to be eighteen years old and find my mate. My journey to the Crystal Caverns Pack stemmed from this necessity. The threat of an attack from my cousins loomed over us, leaving no time for me to find my fated mate.

So, when an offer came from the Crystal Caverns Pack for an alliance, we accepted it, even though we couldn't understand why they had possibly chosen my pack, which had nothing to offer for their daughter.

When the elders asked why they had chosen our pack, the answer surprised many of us. They explained that despite their wealth in gems, they had one critical flaw: their land was barren. The gem mining that had brought them riches had also stripped the soil of its fertility. No matter what they tried, nothing would grow, and they had to rely on their wealth to feed their people. Their Alpha wanted to change that.

Our pack, on the other hand, was known for its fertile lands. The produce from our lands was what sustained and kept us thriving. Therefore, the bride price included a portion of our land. In return, I wouldn’t just gain a Luna but also a powerful ally—an ally that could be invaluable if my cousins attacked.

However, despite this logical and mutually beneficial arrangement, anxiety gnawed at me. It still felt like it was too good to be true. They knew we couldn't afford their daughter, so they didn't want us to pay the bride price, but we persisted because that's how it worked.

I looked back, watching as the city faded into the distance. For a while, we saw nothing but dry land, and I couldn’t help but imagine how severe storms must get in this place, but the sight of an enormous wall from a distance interrupted my thoughts.

The wall was so high that we couldn't see anything inside. Felix and I shared a glance, our hearts rising in anticipation as we drove closer, and eventually, we stopped before the enormous gates, which seemed to open on cue.

As they swung open, our eyes widened in awe, our jaws hitting the floor as the village sprawled before us. It was magical, making the city we had just driven through pale in comparison.

The streets were lined with lush gardens filled with an assortment of beautiful flowers, and I couldn't help but wonder how they came to be, given that we'd been told nothing grew in this soil, yet here we were in a place of pure paradise.

The car continued to drive slowly, and we saw smiling faces everywhere we drove past. People waved as we passed, their warm welcome adding to the surreal atmosphere. A huge mansion came into view as we drove further, and young women holding baskets lined the street leading up to it.

As the car passed, they began throwing flowers onto it, creating a colorful shower, and Felix and I looked at each other once more. The car came to a stop in front of the mansion, and young men approached to open the doors. Argon and the elders stepped out first, motioning for Felix and me to follow.

Cheers welcomed us as we stepped out, and excitement filled the air as they led us inside. The mansion’s interior screamed opulence. Every corner of the place was a display of riches—golden chandeliers and polished marble floors that reflected the surrounding grandeur.

They led us to the main hall, where a special feast awaited our arrival. However, another challenge soon overshadowed our amazement. Our paws skidded on the polished floors, and I heard Felix’s voice in my head. “I’m falling! I’m falling!” he screamed dramatically, even though he managed to keep his balance. "Did they polish these floors with ice? And why the heck are we the only ones struggling?”

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my shoulders as I replied through our mind-link. “And I’ll collapse right on top of you, embarrassing the heck out of your dad,” I replied through my laughter as we glanced at the other wolves walking past us. “It’s like they’ve been practicing for this moment,” I responded, trying to suppress another bout of laughter. “Maybe they enjoy watching us flail around.”

“Well, I’m going down! Tell the pack I love them!” Felix said and I chuckled, shaking my head. “Stop being dramatic. Just focus on your steps. One step at a time.” He retorted with mock seriousness. “Easier said than done, my friend. Easier said than done.”

We continued our precarious journey, skidding and stumbling while trying to keep our composure, and it felt like an eternity, but eventually, we made it to the main hall, both of us breathing a sigh of relief while Felix mind-linked one last joke.

“At least if we fall during the feast, we’ll have plenty of food to cushion the blow.” I grinned, responding, “Just make sure to aim for the roasted meats. I hear they’re the softest.”

The welcome announcement snapped Felix and me out of our banter, and we all came to a stop before the Beta of the Pack, who introduced himself, invited us inside the hall.

As we entered, the sight that greeted us was unexpected. The grand feast sprawled not on a table, as we had anticipated, but on a flat surface, with cushions taking places instead of chairs.

Everyone inside was in their wolf form, a gesture made to accommodate me, as I had yet to shift into my human form. It was a well-appreciated gesture, and Argon and the elders also shifted into their wolves before making their way to their places.

I was turning eighteen in six months, and then I would be able to take on my human form and shift back and forth like the elders. All wolves were born in their wolf form and remained so until they turned eighteen. This also marked the time for me to tie the knot and take on the role of Alpha within my pack.

My mate and I would create our pups in human form, and she would spend the majority of her pregnancy in human form until the last two weeks. That is when she would spend a week gradually transforming into her wolf, preparing to give birth.

The shift took about a week so as not to crush the pup, and it was the most delicate and difficult time in a she-wolf's life, with her mate never leaving her side until the shift was complete.

Then she would give birth, and the pup would remain in wolf form until they turned eighteen.

Speaking through the mind link, Argon introduced me, and just then, the doors opened, and a she-wolf entered, escorted by two others. Before she was even introduced, I knew this was her—Calista, my bride-to-be.

She was the most beautiful she-wolf I had ever seen. Her white fur took on a subtle shade of blue, shimmering under the lights of the hall. Around her neck, she wore an emerald necklace that caught the light, and another jewel adorned her forehead. She moved with grace, her presence commanding attention as she made her way to her cushion and my breath ceased once more in my chest as I watched her, captivated by her beauty.

It was only when her father spoke, introducing his daughter and confirming what I already knew—that this beautiful gem was indeed my bride—that I finally snapped out of my haze.

The realization washed over me, settling into a sense of calm acceptance. Calista was to be my Luna, my partner, and my equal. And as I looked at her, she met my gaze with a hint of curiosity, and I offered her a small nod in silent acknowledgment of the path laid out before us.

As the feast began, I found myself seated next to her, our fur brushing lightly against each other as the awkwardness of the situation melted away in the warmth of her presence. Despite our union's circumstances, there was a connection—a spark of something that felt right—and for the first time since the whole marriage arrangement thing had started, I accepted it.

I accepted her as my chosen mate. But I still needed to hear from her. So, I turned to the Alpha and asked if his daughter could show me around. He agreed, and Calista rose on all fours. Leaving everyone inside, we walked out. As the door closed, leaving us alone in the quiet hallway, I turned to Calista, yearning for answers, despite the acceptance that had settled within me and the answers I had received. It was not enough, especially since we were told nothing grew in this place, and yet as we gazed out the windows, a lush green garden stood before us.

“Why me?” I asked, my voice soft but tinged with uncertainty. “Why did your family choose me, knowing I had nothing to give to you? Don't tell me I have land to offer you. You have all the money and can afford to buy food to feed your pack forever. In fact, it's more convenient that way. Why did you agree to this marriage? Why aren’t you waiting for your mate? Why are you really marrying me?”