Page 3 of Luna Ascending

“I am Skye, full-blooded alpha and rightful heir to the Crescent Moon pack” her voice sings out “I am here at the request of my father.”

She stops and eyes me, making it clear she isn't here of her own will. She's nowhere near coming of age yet, never mind of age to be a Luna. What the fuck is going on here?

Skye stares me in the face, defiant, refusing to look down or submit. I admire her spark, but fear rolls off her in waves, my wolf can sense it.

I'm blindingly furious. Her father must know she doesn't want to be married off. All be-it technically legal here to marry at sixteen, she is still a fucking child. A very brave and foolhardy child to stare an Alpha in the face, even if she is being offered to him as a bride.

Why the hell would Alpha Silver think I would accept a child as a bride? Either his morals are despicable, or he's desperate. Either way, it adds a whole new dilemma.

Having met the other three candidates, I know none of them are my fated-mate. In my mind this girl was now the best option for my Luna, whether she was my fated-mate or not. No-one told me she was a bloody child. I'm deeply conflicted; I shouldn't offend Alpha Silver, but I can't let this stand.

“Come forward” I command Skye and she stalks towards me, nostrils flaring. I soften my voice “Have you shifted yet Skye?”

She snorts in derision “Yes!”

Her delegate corrects her “Skye! Manners! 'Yes, Alpha'... show some respect!”

We both glare at him.

“We are equals here, delegate. Titles are not required. Skye is alpha-born and here at my invite. Although, I have to check she has at least shifted – you failed to mention she is still a child!” the last words come out almost as a growl.

The delegate cringes and looks at the ground. Out the corner of my eye I briefly catch a mischievous look on the girl's face before I hear the sound of ripping cloth and the impetuous teenager shifts.

Her wolf is taller than I might have expected, tawny with gold flecks, and very slim. She bares her teeth at her delegate, stalking toward him as if he were prey. The delegate backs away, tripping over his own feet. She springs and pins him to the floor.

“Shift back, now!” I command, filling my voice with Alpha power, compelling her into obeying “Skye, youwillshift!”

She shifts quickly on hearing my tone, and suddenly she's standing in front of me in the remnants of her clothes.

Ah shit. I didn't think this through. I glance away as Tavey rushes to cover her. As a rule shifters have no issues with being naked, but it feels wrong somehow to have this girl, younger than my own sister, naked in front of me.

I concentrate on looking at her face. She'd obviously not thought about the consequences of proving she could shift - her eyes are bright and shiny with unshed tears and her face is puce red.

“So, now you've seen our Skye” the delegate waggles his eyebrows suggestively, dusting himself off “is she to be your Luna”

“NO!” I bellow, diplomacy forgotten. This grovelling little man's implications are disgusting. “Skye will be a powerful alpha, one day. Now, she is a fucking child! And here unwillingly at that.” I collect myself and turn to Skye herself, breathing heavily through my nose.

“Forgive me, Skye, I did not think when I commanded you to change. Understand I can not have foreign wolves shifting when they feel like it on my territory, in my hall. I mean you no disrespect – I can already sense you will be a strong leader.”

She's frowning at me from under her eyebrows, a massive crease in the middle of her forehead. Fuck, she still looks like she might cry. I have not a single clue how to deal with an upset, impetuous teenage girl, especially one forced here for the good of her pack, against her will. I change tact.

“You can't sense it Skye, because you've not come of age yet, but I can – I am not your fated-mate. You deserve a chance to find them.”

I continue to ignore the delegate and address her “I offer to you, as your father's spokesperson, my assurances that I shall be honoured to call you and your pack my ally, and hopefully one-day friend. But on the basis you are not my fated-mate I decline this pairing.”

I take hold of her chin gently and stare at her, willing her not to take offence “You may tell your father I decline it on that basis only.”

She lets out a huge, whooshing sigh, and a look of relief flashes across her face before she straightens herself, standing taller.

“Since you tell me I am not your fated-mate, I too have to decline our pairing.” With that the plucky little lady turns on her heel and strides out of the hall clutching a blanket around her, with her delegate trotting along behind, scrambling to keep up.

I fall back into my chair letting out a huge sigh. What the actual fuck?! Now I have three she-wolves to choose from, and not one stand-out candidate between them. The alliances themselves aren't anywhere near as good as an arrangement with the Crescent Moon pack would have been.

“Send them home” I wave at Tavey who raises an eyebrow in disbelief “Fuck it. Send them home... diplomatically. Iknowthey have just arrived – but get them the hell out of here! That's your job beta – diplomacy. I can't bloody decide today, not after that.”

He gives a brief dip of his head but his expression is pure annoyance.

“And Tavey? Don't you ever fucking keep anything like that from me again, no matter what my father tells you to do.”

---