Lilienne
"How are the preparations going, Your Majesty?" Sophia Brownstone, the Luna of the Night Shade pack and my close friend, asks me as we walk through my garden. Both her beta and Melanie walk behind us, allowing us sufficient distance for privacy.
I give her a small smile, struggling to hide my exhaustion. "We are almost done. There are just a few details left to polish."
"I'm glad Lunaris is held in our kingdom this time," Sophia smiles as well and sighs in relief. "'It's been almost a year since I've given birth to Evelyn, but my body refuses to recover, no matter what I do. Traveling to a different kingdom is the last thing I need right now."
I feel a little sad after hearing Sophia's words. Her pregnancy has affected her body in quite a negative way, and she is still struggling to recover her previous strength.
Her daughter, Evelyn, is a lovely and healthy child, and even though we all are happy for her, watching Sophia wither away during and after her pregnancy is not an easy task to bear.
"Do you think Dark Moon will send someone this time?" As if noticing my distress, Sophia quickly changes the subject back to Lunaris. "Their current Alpha, Damien, is on his deathbed; perhaps they don't think it's important enough, given the circumstances."
I frown a little, my mind sifting through the knowledge I have about the Dark Moon pack.
Upon the ancient agreements, werewolves decided to stay away from humans, cultivating our own, separate space in order not to clash with them.
Our continent is divided into two kingdoms: Moonrise and Asterios, each having several packs united under the rules of their crowns.
There are, of course, separate packs that did not wish to join the kingdoms or create their own. They vary in size and power, but are still recognized as equals to those that belong to kingdoms.
One of such packs is Dark Moon. It's a single pack, but both its territory and numbers are dangerously large.
And that is the only pack where lycans reside. That is the pack ruled by the lycans.
"Damien North..." I repeat the name quietly, the soft afternoon breeze carrying my words away.
Damien North is the current alpha of Dark Moon. Several years ago, he was diagnosed with an incurable disease and is now bedridden, with each passing day moving him closer to his farewell.
Damien has a younger brother, Magnus, but whenever his name comes up, all other alphas get weirdly annoyed.
"I hope he sends his brother here," Sophia's voice jolts me out of my thoughts, and a light shiver runs down my spine. We don't share a mindlink, but she sure can read my mind just by looking at me.
"Our males don't like him because I hear he is incredibly handsome and tall," she adds, giggling like a teenage girl. "So I'd like to confirm that it's true."
I release a light chuckle, but her words do distract me from having heavy thoughts. Dark Moon rarely sends its delegation to celebrate Lunaris––the blessed union of all the wolves on our united lands. It makes them look unfriendly and politically dangerous, as some might say.
The truth is, lycans are simply different. They are stronger and more agile. They are said to be the descendants of the "Blessed Fathers"––the original wolves who created our species and let us strive.
Naturally, their differences and seemingly hostile behavior make others perceive them as a threat, especially since their pack can easily qualify to be a separate kingdom––bigger and more powerful than Moonrise or Asterios.
"I've sent the formal invitations to Dark Moon, but received no response," I answer with a rather sad smile. "As a rule, I am still going to leave empty rooms in the guest palace just in case. Who knows... they are very unpredictable."
Sophia nods and offers my shoulder a delicate squeeze. "As expected of you, Lily. Nothing but perfection."
I cringe internally as I hear the word "perfection". After my argument with Kaelen, such words began to trigger something unpleasant in me.
"I hope you won't be offended, but I need to leave now," my friend then adds, motioning for her beta to come closer. "This walk has really worn me down."
"Oh, of course," I nod and give her a hug. "Take care and make sure to text me when you get back to the pack."
"Will do! Good luck, Lily!"
I watch Sophia leave with her beta, and the moment she disappears behind the wall of flowers, my heart turns heavy again.
I have delegated the remaining preparation for Lunaris celebration to my assistants, but now that I'm thinking about it again, perhaps I should start doing everything myself. This way, I will stop thinking about Kaelen and his mistress for a while.
Unfortunately, fate has its ways of laughing at me. Sometimes, I think that Moon Goddess is punishing me for something I've done in the past, because how else can I explain the cruel jokes it keeps playing on me?