The Unforgiving Luna

The Royal Ball 1

Freya pov

I ran through the thick bushes as fast as my legs could carry me, turning back once in a while to see the five guards who were so determined to catch me.

We had been running like this for almost an hour. I couldn't even stop to breath because the moment I lose my focus will be the end for me.

The Royal guards were never to be estimated. They were catching up quickly and while I was scared, weak and injured, my determination to survive kept me going. That was... until I ran out of luck and reached a dead end.

I could hear running water ahead of me and began to slow as I came to the end of the road.

A sheer cliff was in front of me, falling to a river below it.

I slowly glanced back to see my pursuers as they formed a barricade I could never get through. I was cornered, there was no way out.

The pale skinned man came out from their center. He didn't look anything like a guard, making me wonder what rank he really held.

"Can we stop the chase now? You have nowhere left to go and..." he yawned, a bored look in his eye, "I have to complete my mission."

So... this seemed like a joke to him after all.

People's lives...

Did he really think this was the end for me?

I turned my blood drenched body around to face him, tilting my face down so as not to let them truly see me, I felt my lips curl in a small grin.

He noticed my strange smile and I saw his stance change, his shoulders tensed and a serious look finally crossed his eyes as he realized in that moment that I was not out of options as he thought.

Fulfilling his mission was more important than the lives he took today. Heh, how cruel.

His expression quickly changed and he shook his head, panic reflecting through his eyes. "No, don't do it! Don't...!"

But I didn't listen, I turned my back on them, ran forward and then jumped off the cliff.

Closing my eyes and anticipating the pain I knew would follow.

-----

Two years later.

Hazel's pov

Inside a dimly lit room, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. I look almost the same as two years ago, but I didn’t forget that night. The night where I lost all of the people most dear to me. I still feel pain in my heart whenever I think of it, all the blood I had seen that day, and the need for revenge were still burning in me, now more than ever. It is a promise I made before jumping off that cliff.

I remember struggling inside that cold water,

all alone,

screaming for help,

and almost losing my life,

But I survived! And I will continue to survive, for my family.

Although these memories still keep me awake at night, haunt me, fills me with so much anger and slowly drive me crazy but I try my best to always overcome it.

A light knock on the door brought me back from my thoughts, followed by the sound of the handle being turned. The door swung open roughly, and a blonde haired girl strolled in, a scowl on her face as she gazed at me with a look of displeasure, a sneer forming on her lips

“Mom has demanded your presence at the table.” she said and left without even waiting for me to reply.

'I really cannot stand her!' my wolf complained.

'Neither can I, but she’s not important, Kira.' I told her, 'For now, we should focus on the important things.'

Sighing, I reached up and tied my hair into a ponytail before going out.

Two years ago, I was saved from that water by a couple. They were now my current foster parents and the Alpha and Luna of the Midnight pack. It was a strong and pretty successful pack, that was known all across the werewolf world for their warriors and their strong leadership.

Everyone treated me well, that is, apart from their daughter Blondie just now. She hated me for many reasons, one of which was because I suddenly became her parent’s daughter. This meant I became her sister and she was extremely against that.

She considered me beneath her.

Just a poor, homeless child who came to steal her parents' love. If only she knew that I had no interest in replacing her, my goals in life would be much bigger than she could even comprehend.

I headed downstairs and when I reached the dining room I noticed almost everyone was already sitted. I usually didn’t like to join them, but since my foster mother had made the request that I do today, I figured I should at least, honor her wishes.

She gave me a smile and I tried to smile back as I took my seat.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t show up, Hazel. Your sister said you were busy.”

“Busy?” I asked, my eyes moved towards Melody, the Blondie but she avoided my gaze and I knew she had lied against me once again.

Tsk... such childish tricks.

When my new family found me, I realized that if I wanted to survive in this world, I would need to do it as someone else. Freya no longer exists as far as everyone else is concerned. I became Hazel that day.

“Perhaps Melody misheard my words. I clearly told her I would be down in a minute.” this was my own way of implying that she was lying.

Melody sent a glare my way which I ignored, I was not going to continue her game this morning.

My foster Father, Alpha Craig, quickly cleared his throat, knowing that we were about to start another fight. “Let’s just eat, girls.”

I nodded obediently and smiled at him.

I raised a forkful of food to my lips and was about to take a bite when I noticed someone else joining us.

“Look who is here.” Luna Patricia announced. My foster mother and luna.

Darien?

He took the seat next to me, sending me a wink when I turned my head to look at him. I rolled my eyes, immediately losing my appetite.

Well, he is the last person I want to see right now and also the very person my foster parents had chosen for me to marry.

Of course, that was never happening, but I couldn’t say anything for now. I needed to keep things peaceful and pretend I was happy to go along with the plan until I was ready to make my move. My revenge!

He greeted the Alpha and Luna and I didn’t miss how his eyes lingered on Melody before he finally looked at me.

Though, I wish he could keep his eyes on her and leave me alone.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

I gave him a forced smile seeing how the Alpha and Luna’s eyes were fixed on us. Could they seriously not see what was going on?

Darien suddenly shifted closer to me, in an attempt to look lovey- dovey before everyone. “I left something in your room.” he loudly whispered, clearly not truly intending to be quiet.

Of course, everyone in the room heard it and they all grinned, giving me a weird feeling that soon turned into irritation.

“Why would you leave something in my room?”

“It’s a gift. Think of it as an early birthday gift. It’s not far off now. Your birthday is coming up after all.”

Well, yeah but in fuc.king two weeks time!

I didn’t say that out loud but simply gave another smile. “Thank you Darien, I am sure whatever it is lovely.” I tried to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

Darien hadn’t asked me out properly, but he was already acting as if we were dating. It was really annoying, considering I hated him so much. He was a womanizer, a skirt chaser, he had no care for who he was with so long as he could add another notch to his bedpost.

In the past, it was known to everyone how easily he could ditch one woman for another, but he suddenly changed and started to build back his reputation when his brother died and he was announced to be the next in line to the Alpha title. It was a neighboring pack that was slowly making its way up in the ranks.

I knew that old habits were hard to kick and I was acutely aware of his constant “close encounters” with others. While I wasn't sure how far he had gone with anyone else, I also wasn't really interested, it was my foster parent that wanted him for me, I had other plans for my life, I was not going to be tied down by a manwhore Alpha.

My foster Father, Alpha Craig finished first and he stopped next to me before leaving. “Hazel, dear, when you are finished, can you please come to my study? I have something I wish to discuss with you."

Smiling at him, I nodded in agreement before he left.

I had all but lost my appetite when Darien walked in so I used a napkin to dab at my lips, placed it on my plate, hiding my barely touched food, and looked at my foster mother.

“I should go see Father.” I stood up, using the opportunity to escape the awkward feeling I had. Given Darien's penchant for checking out other women, it was very odd when he kept his gaze on me for too long and I was done being stared at.

Arriving at my father’s study, I found him already seated at his desk, he pointed over a chair in front of him for me to sit and I immediately moved forward and sat.

He reached into a drawer and pulled out an envelope, then placed it on his desk and slid it towards me.

I held his gaze, my brows furrowed in confusion as I wondered what this was about.

Grasping the envelope, I pulled out a letter from inside.

I froze as I read the words inscribed on the page.

The first lines inscribed on the page had me frozen for a while, but I pretended it was okay even when it wasn't. I could feel my heart begin to race in fear maybe? And my hands trembled a bit. Perhaps because it recognized that fear.

The letter contained a formal invitation to the Royal Ball. An invitation direct from the Royal Family.

I bit my lips, trying my best not to show how much the simple word 'royal' could cause me to tremble so much.

“The royal ball only happens once in five years and this time, we got an invitation. So many dignitaries will be there and all the royal family members, including all four of the princes.”

I tried to pull myself together, hearing him continue to speak of how great the royal family were. Trying to calm my racing heart, I glanced up at him and well, I knew where all of this was going, but I still asked, “So what do you want from me?”

“I want your opinion.” he started as we held each other’s gaze. “What do you think of our family becoming in-laws with the royals?”

My eyes narrowed. “You want me to marry one of the four princes?” the moment I asked this, I knew how stupid it sounded, they already had me betrothed to Darien, regardless of my opinion on that.

“No, Hazel. You will marry Darien, that is final.” he answered which was not far from what I expected and of course, I didn’t feel the need to comment on it further.

“So, it’s Melody then? You want Melody to marry one of the Prince?”

And I should marry the trash Alpha, great, if Melody ever thought our parents favored me, she was surely mistaken.

He nodded, eyes smiling, “It’s going to be a great match. Which of the Prince do you think would be suitable for her?”

With the way he was asking for my opinion, one might think that I was some important figure, but no, it was nothing like that. He was asking for my opinion because he knew whatever I suggested would definitely work. This was one of the reasons he had adopted me.

When I was first brought to this pack, I was already aware that I had the ability to see something before it happened. It was strange and of course, I didn’t tell them about it, but one day, a comment I made landed them a very big project and another time, a comment from me had saved a person’s life.

When they asked, I just told them I could feel when something was right or not and I believed that was a firm reason as to why they adopted me, I am sure they care for me, but they use my power when it suits them.

I like to think it didn’t faze me, I never expected them to truly love me as a daughter and I also knew that I would outstay my welcome eventually. That was why they were marrying me off to Darien.

I could be used as the bridge for an alliance.

I was not going to let that happen. I would help them, of course, but only until I was ready to make my move.

Waiting for the right time, and with this invitation it appeared that time was finally here.

I glanced down at the invitation again, “Royal ball?” I smirk before looking up and meeting the Alpha’s gaze again. “Does Melody knows about this?”

“I haven’t told her yet.” Alpha Craig replied as he slid me another envelope.

This time the envelope contained pictures. It seems he did some researches on his targets. There were three pictures, one Prince in each of them.

I couldn’t help but think that all three of them were handsome. The first Prince, third and fourth Prince.

Well, no one has ever seen a picture of the second Prince. He was mysterious and for some reasons, I could not fathom, everyone seems to fear him. Perhaps, because of the enormous power he held?

It all started after a war with the east 10 years ago, where it was said that the young Prince at barely 16 when he had just gotten his wolf had single handedly massacred hundreds of warriors. He was just a boy, yet he did that alone. In my eyes, he should be a hero so I do not understand why people feared him.

“This one.” I randomly pointed at a picture and saw Alpha Craig give me a smile.

“He is just who I had in mind. The first Prince is a perfect match, he will assume the throne and my daughter will be his Queen!” he beamed, “My daughter, Queen!” he gazed off into the distance, lost in his schemes and plans for his daughter...

I looked down at the picture I pointed to and saw him. Well, he was pretty but also looked pretty hard to tame. I chuckled internally as I wondered how Melody would be able to pull this off. Would she be able to catch a Prince's eye? And especially, this Prince?

Placing everything back in the envelopes, I took them with me as I got into my room, locking the door behind me.

I noticed Darien’s gift pack laying on my bed. I didn’t bother checking what it was and pushed it aside before spreading out those pictures on the bed. The ball was in five days and my goal was to get into the palace. If I wanted revenge, then I needed to be closer to my enemies. I needed to know what they were up to.

It was time to choose someone and my eyes locked on the last picture.

The fourth prince.

My target. Because he looked quite easy to get to.

He would aid me in my plans, unknowingly of course.

My lips curved up in a smile, but that smile quickly disappeared the moment I remembered that night again. The horrifying sight of my dead parents.

The pain came in unexpected waves and I clutch my chest, falling to my knees as I broke out in cold sweat.