" Alena as my best friend, I want you to accompany me to the Qraque event!" Lura clung to her arm, eyes wide with pleading excitement.
The Alpha King was hosting his annual celebration- an event held every year after his return from war.
Every noble in the territory was expected to attend.
"I.. Well…" Alena hesitated, fingers tightening around the book in her hands.
"You know I can't attend something like that. I don't have the clothes and I don't think I belong there, Lura."
Lura scoffed lightly, as if the idea itself was ridiculous.
Unlike Alena, Lura was born into privilege. Her mother was a respected council member, her family's name spoken with admiration throughout the pack
People whispered that Lura was destined for greatness– some even said she would one day stand beside an Alpha as his mate.
Alena had never seen Lura as competition. She never imagined her as Someone who wanted what she had.
To Alena, Lura was simply her best friend. Her only friend.
Alena, on the other hand, was wolfless. An orphan. A Luna the pack never wanted.
The Moon Goddess had bound her to Alpha Geroge despite her lack of a wolf, and the pack never forgave her for it.
No matter how intelligent she was, no matter how hard she worked to support the pack, they saw her as weak– unworthy of standing beside their Alpha.
" A stronger wolf should have been Luna." They often said.
Not her.
" Come on," Lura said, rolling her eyes.
" You're the Luna for heaven's sake. If Alpha George can't attend, you can represent him."
Alena bit her lips, " He's been occupied with meetings lately. I could represent him, yes, but how will I…"
"Say no more!"
Lura suddenly turned and pulled out a neatly wrapped package she had been hiding behind her chair, presenting it proudly.
"This will suit my dearest Luna perfectly!" Lura blew her a kiss as she unboxed the package.
Alena's breath caught as she opened it. Inside the package was a simple, yet elegant ivory dress. Beneath the box lay a delicate pair of shoes.
" Woah, this is beautiful!" Alena's lips widened in a circular gesture.
" You didn't have to do this, Lura." She whispered, her chest tightening.
"I can do anything for you, Alena, because you deserve the best as my dearest bestie!"
Alena's eyes stung as she traced the fabric with trembling fingers. What had she done to deserve a friend like this?
Everyone in the pack treated her like she was invisible, but Lura always made her feel seen, safe and cherished.
She reminded her of her father who had passed on three years ago.
Alena believed aside from her father, Lura was one of the greatest gifts the moon goddess had given her.
Alena's phone rang just as she stepped forward to hug her.
It was Alpha George. Her face lit up instantly as she answered.
"Alena," his voice came through the line.
"There is an event tonight hosted by the Alpha King. I won't make it on time, and I don't want to offend him. I need you to attend in my place."
Lura could hear every word.
Alena smiled broadly, " Of course, my love."
When the call ended, she turned to Lura, giddy.
She had thought it would have been difficult telling him about the event but calling to tell her by himself had just made things so easy for her!
Alena's excitement was over the roof, even her cheek was beaming so red.
Lura laughed along, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
She nearly rolled, must she always act this excited about Alpha George?
Alena was too obsessed with her mate, and it kind of disgusted Lura most of the time!
She couldn't just wait until she stops talking about him and plans how to leave for the event tonight!
Her excitement bubbled uncontrollably, cheeks warming as she smiled at her reflection later that evening.
By the time the driver dropped her off at the Alpha King's palace, her breath caught.
The Corvina territory was breathtaking. Glowing lights, towering marble, nobles dressed in shimmering finery.
The moment she stepped in the hall, she could already feel the eyes lingering at her.
Her shoulders stiffened as unease crept in. Maybe she shouldn't be here.
Alena could tell her dress was no class close to the ones the women here wore.
But she had already come this far, she couldn't leave anymore. What if.. people gossip about her like her pack members had always done?
Alena couldn't shake off the humiliation she had gone through because she was Luna of her pack. If it had not been for her mate who stood by her and defended her, she would have already crumbled by now.
She encouraged herself, if she had survived her pack mockery then she could do anything.
With shaking breath, she lowered her gaze, adjusted her glasses and stepped through the grand glass doors.
The hall was enormous, dazzling beyond imagination. Her heart beat thudded.
The weight of their eyes on her, made her realize it was a mistake being here. Maybe she should have just remained in her pack.
She tried calling Lura ever since but no response from her yet, nor had she even arrived.
She began looking around the hall for any sign of Lura, when her gaze fell on a group of familiar faces. Alena's blood froze like ice water.
Her hands clutched against her bag, what were they doing here?
They were her classmates from high school, the same school she and Lura had attended and these people made life miserable for her!
Alena wanted to avoid their trouble at all cost , as she tried to run in the direction of the convenience room.
But too late when a sharp female voice stopped her in her tracks.
" Well, look at this," the lady, dressed in black sleek black gown, sneered. " Isn't this Alena?"
Laughter erupted from the other ladies around her. Alena was the one who looked odd standing in front of them.
" What are you doing here loser?"
" Oh wait," another added mockingly.
"Isn't she mated to the Alpha of the North?"
"I heard he only accepted their mating bond out of pity." Someone laughed cruelly. " Lura should have been the one chosen."
" No wonder her dress looks so old-fashioned."
"Did he hate you that much to have let you come here dressed like this?"
Alena's cheek burned with embarrassment. What was wrong with her dress?
She looked at her outfit, it was a beautiful dress that Lura gifted her for the event.
Her hands trembled but she said nothing.
" I think she's trying to be fashionable like Lura. But she doesn't know that no matter how she tries she can never be close!"
Alena didn't see it coming, when suddenly one of them named Sara, suddenly stepped out of her table, lifted her glass to her head and poured its content over her shoulders.
" You will always be Lura's shadow." Sarah added.
Alena's vision blurred as cold seeped into her bones.
Her heart clenched with pain, she was holding herself back. As she stood in that spot she prayed for the ground to swallow her whole.
Her lips quivered.. She tried so hard to suppress the tears threatening to roll down her cheek.
Lura had already arrived, but she stood far in a corner watching the show. This was so exciting to see, she smiled broadly..
' This is just the beginning of your foolishness, dear, Alena." Lura laughed out in the corner.
Alena felt so humiliated she could barely move her legs.. her knees were numb.. She loathed herself so much now.
She hated that she wasn't informed that her bullies from high school would be here to haunt her again!
Why were they so cruel to her! What did she ever do to them?
It felt as though her foot was planted on the spot. The more she kept standing in front of them.. the more ashamed she felt to even walk away!
Tears slowly broke out from her eyes, she shouldn't have been here.. she should have stayed back and there wouldn't have been any of this embarrassment!
Running towards the entrance she slammed against something so hard, it felt like a wall..
" I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry!" She bowed repeatedly, apologizing without looking at who it was.
" I..I.. didn't mean…"Alena slowly lifted her face.
"To…" As their eyes met, her throat instantly closed up, his presence chilled her more than the cold in the air.