The Wicked Alpha's Star-Crossed Luna

Author's Note #2

Hello everyone! =3

Are you enjoying the story thus far? I certainly hope so. The Wicked Alpha's Star-Crossed Luna has only just begun--there's a long road ahead for our four main characters, and it's chock-full of twists and turns. With that in mind, I wanted to talk about a couple of characters you've been introduced to in recent chapters, including our "Wicked Alpha" Howl. Please note that I can't reveal everything quite yet, so some bios might be redacted. This AN will also include some clarification on a couple of things discussed in recent chapters, as well as an update on my posting schedule.

As with every update that includes in-universe lore, you are more than welcome to scroll to the bottom and continue reading. I don't consider this a chapter for the story, so there will be another chapter waiting for you! Consider it a Friday special XD Those who want to experience the world as the read, feel free to skip this AN. For the rest of you, thank you for indulging me, and I hope you pick up on those hints. ;)

Universe Rules (cont.)

★ The Wolf Kingdom

☆ A monarchy led by the Styx family, descendants of the first Gold Wolf. All true royals have blond hair, gold eyes, and their wolves have golden fur; they are the largest purebred wolves in existence, larger than the average alpha and most hybrids. Gold wolves are resistant to silver poisoning, but not immune, so a large enough dose could certainly slow them down. To ensure that their children are always gold wolves, royals are mated (by fate or choice) to either alpha wolves or silver wolves. (You'll see an example further below.)

☆ Silver wolves are descendants of the first alpha wolf (Sterre family), who coincidentally had shiny silver fur and light gray eyes. Silver wolves don't typically have gray/silver hair/eyes in human form, so they won't know that they are a silver wolf until their first shift, and they are completely immune to silver poisoning. They are technically also royals, since several of their ancestors married into the royal family, but most in existence during the story hold lesser titles. To create more silver wolves, they mate with either gold wolves, alphas, or betas. (You'll see an example further below.)

☆ Royals typically only have 1-2 pups at a time, no more than 3. They experience their first shift and the mate bond the same as regular wolves. Eldest gold pup is heir to the kingdom; if male, they become Alpha King at age 25, with or without a mate. If female, they must find their mate by age 25 otherwise a marriage will be arranged; gold she-wolves aren't allowed to become Alpha Queen without a potential Lunar King. Note: if the Alpha Queen is found to be barren with/without medical or magickal assistance then they are forced to abdicate the throne in favor of the next heir in line. If no other heirs are available, there are contingencies in place.

★ Blessed Wolves (not royals) - only one of each of these blessed wolves is born every generation, if at all. They all carry the mark of the Moon Goddess (crescent moon) somewhere on their body, both in human and wolf form. Only discovered after their first shift, when their wolf (normal coloring) emerges with eyes of a specific color. Each color represents a different set of abilities which are associated with certain crystals. They are usually also born under specific moons; you'll see some overlap, that just means people born under certain moons have increased chances to be blessed. (Note: Not all of these wolves will be introduced in the story, but will be referenced here or there.)

☆ Amber Wolf - Fiery yellowish-orange eyes. Born under the following moons: Death, Wolf, Wind, Flower, Storm, Song

Abilities: Superior wisdom and memory, able to positively affect other's moods.

Drawbacks: If in a bad mood, it affects the moods of everyone around them negatively.

☆ Amethyst Wolf - Bright pinkish-violet eyes. Born under the following moons: Wolf, Snow, Flower, Berry, Song, Harvest

Abilities: Clairvoyance, healing.

Drawbacks: They heal at a human pace and can't use their power on themselves. Also they can't look into their own future.

☆ Jade Wolf - Bright green eyes. Born under the following moons: Death, Wolf, Wind, Flower, Storm, Song

Abilities: Walking lie-detector. Can sense danger, from poison to an ambush.

Drawbacks: The sense is weak if they trust their wolf less than the source of the danger.

☆ Moonstone Wolf - Rumored to have white, iridescent eyes. Not seen in many generations and considered a myth. Born under the following moons: Mead

Abilities: Unknown

Drawbacks: Unknown

☆ Obsidian Wolf - Pure black eyes. Born under the following moons: Crow, Wind, Mead, Storm, Frost, Death

Abilities: Protection spells. Create barriers/shields, impervious to most physical damage.

Drawbacks: If they shield others with a barrier or spell, the damage inflicted on the shield/person is transferred to them.

☆ Opal Wolf - Rainbow/all colors. Born under the following moons: Snow, Crow, Berry, Mead, Harvest, Frost

Abilities: Can predict who a person's fated mate is by looking at them regardless of their age, as well who their second chance would be. Can also force a rejection if an abusive/toxic mate refuses to accept rejection.

Drawbacks: Cannot sense their own bond unless they touch their mate (skin contact). They can never reject their own mate and will never be granted a second chance if rejected.

☆ Bloodstone Wolf - Deep red eyes. Born under the following moons: Crow, Wind, Mead, Storm, Frost, Death

Abilities: Can turn normal humans or wolf-hybrids into pure werewolves.

Drawbacks: Ability requires mental/emotional stability.

☆ Lazuli Wolf - Deep blue eyes. Born under the following moons: Wolf, Snow, Flower, Berry, Song, Harvest

Abilities: Superior speed, strength, and senses to the average alpha, regardless of their rank.

Drawbacks: Must eat large servings more often to keep their stamina up; if they exert themselves more than they've consumed then their superior traits average out to that of what they should be (depends on their s*x/ageank)

☆ Sunstone Wolf - Rumored to have pinkish-orange eyes. Not seen in many generations and considered a myth. Born under the following moons: Mead

Abilities: Unknown

Drawbacks: Unknown

★ Hybrids

☆ Wolf hybrids are larger than average wolves, most as large as blessed or silver wolves. Their fur and eye color are only somewhat affected by their hybrid genetics.

☆ Stronger than other hybrids, below are wolf hybrid types in order from weakest to strongest.

Hybrid Strength:

Wolf/Human > Wolf/Witch > Wolf/Fey > Wolf/Other Shifter > Wolf/Vampire

☆ Hybrids are typically well received everywhere except the wolf kingdom, vampire empire, and human realm. They've been outlawed by the royal wolf family, and the imperial vampire family has decreed that hybrids must be killed on site.

★ Name conventions

I'll only include the naming conventions for species that have been introduced to the story.

☆ Wolves* - related to moons, stars, wolves/canines, and strength

☆ Witches - related to Earth, nature, light, dark, and magick

☆ Foxes - related to fire, tricks, wicked, fun-loving, sexiness

☆ Bears - related to space, water, bears, and strength

*For wolf names (they're the only shifters whose beast forms have alter egos aside from cats): these usually follow the same convention, however a select few will be named after Shakespearean characters. This is honestly because a lot of the popular characters have moons named after them (see: Uranus).

☆ You'll notice there was a specific moment in a recent chapter when Tara pretended to announce Carina using her future title of Luna Queen:

“Luna Queen Carina Iliana Styx Vespera Hathor Castillo… What was your mom’s mom’s name again?”

Carina scrunched her face in thought for a moment before peering my way questioningly. “I think Mom said her mother’s last name was Rose,” I reminded her.

This is based off of the primary culture influence of Starry Sky: Latino culture! As a Latina, I was taught from a young age that our "real names" were longer than the Americanized names we used on a regular basis. These names are as follows:

First / Middle / Married Surname / Father's Surname / Mother's Maiden / Paternal Grandmother's Maiden / Maternal Grandmother's Maiden

Example: Carina Iliana Styx Vespera Hathor Castillo Rose

Lucien's last name is Styx, so if he and Carina get married, that will be her new primary surname. Her current surname, AKA her father's surname, will become her second surname. Her mother was Celeste Hathor, paternal grandmother was Serena Castillo, and maternal grandmother was Hathor Rose; these were their surnames before marriage, so those are the surnames used. Also I know Hathor Rose giving her child her first name as a last name is unusual--that was intentional. It will be explained in story to avoid spoilers :)

Important note: not every family within Starry Sky uses this naming convention, and not every pack will use different conventions. Tara's family doesn't even use it, she just loves learning about the cultures of others to the point where she's comfortable referencing them in every day conversation.

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Characters

★ REDACTED " Howl" REDACTED, 22 years old

☆ 6 ft 6 in / 250 lbs.

☆ Appearance: rich tawny with warm bronze undertones, chin-length wacy black hair, red eyes

☆ Birthmoon: Mead

☆ Zodiac equivalent: Cancer

☆ Fun fact: one of my most favorite movies is Howl's Moving Castle!

Love interest for the main female lead, alternate POV. Has multiple siblings and is the alpha of the Dark Moon Pack. Hybrid wolf, other species unknown. Roguish, sincere, loyal.

★ Umbriel Lucien Styx, 24 years old

☆ 6 ft 5 in / 220 lbs.

☆ Appearance: medium tan with warm gold undertones, short straight dirty blond hair, gold eyes

☆ Birthmoon: Wind

☆ Zodiac equivalent: Taurus

☆ Fun fact: his first name means "shadow", and his middle name means "light". I wanted his name to represent the need for balance and the influence of both of his parents' cultures.

Love interest for the secondary female lead, alternate POV (coming soon). Only child, prince of the royal werewolf family and future Alpha King of the Red Eclipse Pack, AKA the royal pack. Gold wolf. Stoic, considerate, burdened. First name pronounced oom-bree-EHL; middle name pronounced lew-see-EHN (soft r and consanants).

I've cut the character portion short since this post has gone on a bit longer than I was hoping ^_^' Thanks for tuning into this AN! While you're here, don't forget to tap the heart ♥ on the story page to save it to your library, and leave a comment with your thoughts and theories.

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Thanks for reading ♥