The flutter of leaves reacting to the caress of breeze was the only sound that could be heard, my wolves waiting to hear my answer, his wolves ready for war. Memories of my childhood flood my mind, the pain and suffering I had to go through to acquire my kingdom, my fighting for survival. But now I had to fight for theirs, the survival of my pack. I have made plenty of choices before, but this is the hardest of all.

Putting my crown on the floor as their queen and submitting to him is proving I am not worthy to be an Alpha. Alpha's always fought for their pack and position. But I will protect mine. Choices will always bring consequences. Pack before emotions.

He waits patiently, his eyes never once drifting from mine. He knows my choice but he wants me to say it out loud. "I withdraw my rights as Alpha and shall submit to you." I cannot breathe. My heart clenches, the spines around them pushing deeper to pierce through flesh.

The females cry holding their babes not knowing the outcome of this whilst the males snarl and growl at me wanting my throat. I never once turn and look at my wolves, only hear their responses to my decision. I am a coward.

"Ragon," He beckons the male by his side, muscular and visually striking with hair the colour of the dark sky. The title he holds radiates as an aura from him, this male is Deimos's beta. "Leave a team of our warriors for their protection. Help this pack prepare for the move."

Ragon kneels, his head tilted in a bow. "Yes, Alpha." I turn towards my Beta, her eyes brimming with tears.

"You understand why I had to do what I did." It wasn't a question, I know she understands.

"I will protect you with my life as you have protected us Alpha." Her voice cracks.

"No, this is my fight. Now go help the pack, they need you."

Turning around, peering up at the daunting male our eyes collide. The field is vacant of wolves except for both of us. No matter his ruthlessness, I find no hate in my heart for him and so does my wolf. Rather, we wish to acquire a taste of what lies in front of us. The pathway to his soul, his eyes are void of any emotion. I have never seen a wolf as such who can hide his feelings quite well.

"What is your name?" I do not answer him. "I will not repeat myself mate!" His voice thunders across the field.

"I do not wish to answer you." His eyes darken, fangs elongating he strides towards me. My heart quickens its beat. Hands around my neck, claws tightening. My body quivers from the sparks his touch brings. A new feeling.

"You will know better than to disobey me. Mate or not I will put you in your place."

"What is my place?"

His eyes lock with mine. "Beneath me." He growls. I just look at him gazing into his eyes trying to decipher any other emotion than fury. Does our touch not rise any feeling within him? Like the path of heat trailing from my chest to my core.

"Give us time, we need to bury our dead. A few of my elder wolves passed away in their sleep last night." Alarmingly vacant emeralds peer down at the meeting of our flesh right where I hold him.

"They shall remain upon this land's soil and their souls shall be put to rest. There is no need to bury them." A tilt of his head to show his denial of my wishes.

"It is my duty. You must allow me this." My voice falters, palms sweating as I feel the curse of my ancestors befall upon me. Our traditions collide, unable to fit together as one. He wants me to choose his way.

His irritation to my pestering surges as he loses control to remain calm and collected. Gripping my chin harshly he propels my face towards his. Forest greens shoot bestial cold-blooded arrows straight to my heart. The way he looks at me hurts me. "This pack belongs to me now. My word is the law. Your wolves will not be buried."

"You cannot do this. I will not allow my traditions to be tarnished by yours!" Low growls of disapproval of this male's ways are shown blatantly for him to see and feel.

His voice drips with an icy coldness that freezes my heart, "I gave you a choice, be willing or go to war with me. I have been kind to offer you that choice. Do you rather wish I did like the rest?"

Closing my eyes shut, my pain deepens with every minute. With every word, he spits at me. I am lost, I am helpless once more.

"Look at me when I speak to you." A large warm hand reaches forward thick long fingers coil up the strands of my hair as he pulls my face to him.

"You offered me no reasonable choices. You know this." I merely do as he asks gazing into his eyes trying to decipher any other emotion than fury. The heat of his breath kisses my skin, his eyes linger on my lips. Does our touch not rise any overwhelming feelings within him? Like the path of heat trailing from my chest to my core.

"Your wolves shall be protected much better than under your rule." His eyes flash with his truth he pours out with dominance, which leaves me speechless. "You must learn to obey me. I do not do well with disobedience." Eyes darken, fangs elongating he shows me his true essence. Alpha.

"Alpha." Ragon interrupts our conversation. Deimos's eyes glance up at him and he slowly withdraws his hands from my neck.

"Speak", he commands bringing back his eyes to mine.

"Everything is prepared." Ragon's voice falters feeling the tension between us.

"Let us leave," Deimos says walking away from me.

"What of my land?" Worry coats my voice.

"I will use it as I see fit." He walks away without facing me.

As I prepared for departure with a mourning soul, my future is uncertain yet I know one thing for sure. My defiance with him shall bring me problems.

The drive to Deimos's pack was quite the drive. No one spoke a word, only silence. My pack was not that large therefore werehuddled in huge trucks following our jeep. My eyes tried to meet with that ofDeimos's but he never once spared me a glance. I was truly invisible to him.

Finally arriving at his pack gates, I jump up in my seat to have a view of my new home, my wolf's ears perk up with undeniable curiosity. The gates open to give way to the sight of lush green land, fresh pastures and healthy pine trees covered with snow. My window open, the sound of laughter fills my ears. Pups chasing each other, females sitting in circles chattering and giggling with males training and jogging around the field. The trucks holding my pack stop there, all of them getting down looking around anxious and in fear.

But I am taken elsewhere, down a road holding trees on both sides. It is a secluded area, away from the noisiness of the pack. My mouth opens with a surprised gasp as I take in what stands in front of me.

"This is where you shall stay, my home." Deimos's voice tunes out, the entirety of my attention lies upon the gorgeous white castle. Yet gaping at the glamorous building in front of me, I couldn't feel happiness. It looked like a prison. A prison waiting to bound me.

Ragon walks from the driver's seat opening my door. "Luna." He says helping me get down. Luna. A word I thought I would never hear coming out from a wolf's lips. It feels different.

There are a few older wolves present bowing down low, patiently waiting for us. Deimos walks up to them. "Rise," he commands.

They rise heads still bowed hands held together over their belly, Welcome back, Alpha Deimos."

"These wolves will show you to your room." He turns towards them pointing at me, "Make sure she is settled." They bow down again with a chorus of "Yes Alpha." Deimos walks away still not sparing me a glance. Is this how I am to be treated? As an undesired mate?

"Please follow me, Luna." A petite female, barely a full-grown wolf, strides towards keeping her eyes on the floor. She reminds me of a wild hare, cautious and meek.

Following her inside the castle my eyes sparkle watching the chandeliers hanging high, marble floors and red royal carpets flowing down the staircase. Climbing the stairs, grazing my fingers on the railings feeling the coldness of it, I enjoy this walk. She climbs up to the last floor walking through a long corridor, huge windows to the right bring in streams of sunlight.

"This is your room, Luna." She finally peeks up at me, pointing to a huge oak door across the hall. "You may explore the castle and its grounds as you please." She whispers whilst leaving me by myself shutting the door softly behind her.

Inspecting the spacious room, I acknowledge it is fit for a queen. It feels as though it was waiting for me, waiting for my arrival. I adore it, it is modern yet possesses a romanesque interior and I barely find myself interested in things of this matter. Lying upon the softness of the mattress my eyes meet with the ceiling. I see myself in the mirror attached to it. Is this meant to be my home now? Is this the place I shall find the happiness I seek? Will this be my future?

Further thoughts of my situation consume me during and after my warm shower, a luxury we did not possess in my pack. Hoping to fill the emptiness of my belly I leave the bounds of my room.

Taking a shower, I go down the stairs hoping to fill my grumbling stomach. A servant walks up to me. "Can I be of any help, Luna?" I look around searching for the kitchen.

"I would like to eat, where is the kitchen?"

"Would you like to eat here or with the pack, Luna?" I think my pack would be settling down by now, I have to face them.

"Take me to the pack." Worry seeps into my mind, I have to endure the rejection from my pack. I need strength.

Strolling into the pack's kitchen my steps nervous, my pack seems to enjoy interacting with Deimos's wolves including Elriam. All the chatter comes to a complete stop as they regard me. I look each of them in their eyes ready for the consequences of my choice.

Elriam is the first to get up, she comes to my side putting her nose against my foreheads touching, a sign of affection. "Alpha." She whispers. Soon each female from my pack does the same while the males bow to me. "We understand your choice and we will protect you as you did with us."

I smile a real smile. "Thank you," I reply to them. And so the time passes all the wolves chattering, sniffing, trying to get used to different scents while preparing the meal. Mixing the cake batter, Elriam tells me a joke to which I laugh. My laughter booms across the kitchen. For the first time, my heart feels proper content. Chuckling, turning round I meet eyes with Deimos.

He was watching me and I didn't even know. I was so engrossed in everything around me I didn't notice him. My cheeks flushed, I look down. Turning my eyes back to him, his fingers shake. I know that feeling, he wishes to touch me, to feel the warmth of my skin.

Getting up from the table with males sitting all around having beer bottles in hand. He strides towards me, posture confident. His fingertips brush against my cheek bringing the cake batter to his mouth, licking it, maintaining eye contact. He turns around going back to his seat at the table.

My body is on fire, my throat parched. I need water. Getting some water swallowing huge gulps to calm the fire within me. I can't concentrate on the task at hand. I am aware of him now. I feel his gaze on me from time to time. Acting like it does not affect me. But inside me, a storm brews every time his gaze lands on my skin.

After the table is set up, we get ready to eat. It is a tradition that the Alpha starts the meal, feeds some from his plate to his female and the pack begins. Deimos eats his share, whilst I wait for him to place some on my plate. The pack watches, but he gives me none. He just continues to fill his belly, while I wait for him to place some on my plate.

The pack watches, but he gives me none. He just continues to eat. He looks up "Eat." he commands. Everyone begins to pile their plates with food including me, my hands shaking. His way of saying he does not accept as his Luna, that I have no place on this table. He does not want me.

Trying to look strong in front of your pack when all you want to do is curl up and cry is difficult. But I do it to show my strength.

Finishing first I get up, my chair scraping the floor, the dining room turning quiet. I walk to the kitchen holding my head high placing my plate in the sink. I walk out trying to get to my room before my legs lose their strength before they see my lips wobble before they see my tears.

Closing the door to my room, screaming the pain of my heart, slowly sinking to the floor. The sun hides, giving birth to darkness and I still lie on the floor my screams turning to hiccups. Getting up to take a bath, my eyes swollen, my throat sore. Sinking into the tub feeling its warmth, my heart finally settles.

A knock interrupts my engrossed state with the book I was reading. "Come in," I answer looking towards the door, my back on the headboard of my bed. The petite wolf that showed me around bows down. "What is it?" She slowly stands straight looking at me.

"Alpha wanted me to fetch you for dinner." Never again will I have any meal with that male. He proved his point, now I will prove mine.

"Tell him, I am not neither hungry nor interested to have a meal with him." Her eyes widen to my answer her mouth opening to persuade me. "That is my final answer." She slowly bows and leaves probably wondering how to deliver my message.

A few minutes later, the loud bang of my door hitting the wall startles me. Deimos walks in his chest heaving up and down. Trying to reign his anger, his wolf accepting no disobedience even from his own mate. "You dare disobey me?" He questions me calmly. It's quite surprising how he can be calm when his wolf wants to lash out.

"I did not disobey you, I merely don't want to share a meal with you ever again," I answer him, my tone cold.

I look at him straight in the eye. He growls, snarling his anger trying to overtake his calmness. In return my anger with him overflowing its cage. "You proved your point this afternoon, this is just my response to it. Now leave." I scream at him. He losses his fight, stalking towards me holding my jaw in his hands making me look at him.

"If you ever raise your voice at me again, I will make sure the pack hears your screams to my punishment. Do you understand?" He snarls. My mouth wants to defy him but looking into his eyes I know he speaks the truth.

"Yes." My voice trembles not with fear but my surging of rage that I control with all my might.

"Now you will get dressed and you will come down for dinner to eat with the pack. Do I make myself clear mate?" I just look at him not wanting to answer. "Answer me mate, my patience is running thin." I lick my lips his eyes looking at it.

"Okay," I reply not wanting to fuel his anger. I have no power against him now but I will definitely gain it in the near future.

"Good." He answers leaving me to get ready.

Sitting among the pack, he refuses to acknowledge me. I continue eating until he turns to me. "Tomorrow you will train with the pack, I wish to see your strength that rumours say you possess." I nod not speaking a word. "Use words mate." I look up at him making sure he sees straight into my eyes.

"Yes, Alpha." He winces apprehending the words that are spitout from my mouth but pays no attention to it.

They are not rumours and I'll make sure to prove to him that. A sense of determination fills me. He will see the true power of a Queen.

Night is yet to welcome Day. There is barely any light outside, but I am wide awake. Running around his territory, warming up my body. Today is the day I have to prove myself to my so-called mate. It is not the fact that I am nervous or anxious as to why I feel upset, but that I have to prove myself. That I have to tear myself apart piece by piece to show him my worthiness to rule by his side.

All my life I had to fight, thinking there might be an end to it. Perhaps when I take my throne or even when I find my gift from the moon. But I guess my destiny is always to fight. I fought for survival, now I fight for acceptance. Acceptance from him.

I stop in my tracks all thoughts swirling in my mind flies, his scent overtakes my body. My mind growing hazy. Eyes searching, legs trying to take me to him. Hands itching to hold him, skin wanting to feel his warmth. It's a battle between mind, body and heart. A war I can't seem to walk away from, a war I can't win.

I watch him, the flex of his muscles to every stretch of his bones. Sweat dripping from his chest, downwards to his sculpted stomach. Every bob of his Adam's apple to the gulps of water he swallows. His jaw clenches, hands turning to fists. He feels the heat of my gaze on him. Eyes meet, my breath hitches the bond flaring to life between us. How can he fight this? Why does he wish to do so? I don't understand.

I take uneasy steps towards him, his eyes looking to my feet catching my movement however, I halt once more. A female walks up to him, smiling with red shy cheeks. Handing him a towel, to which he takes sparking a conversation between them. She slowly puts a strand of hair behind her ear, biting her lip. She desires him. Has he had her before? Has he tasted her?

I get my answer when his eyes meet mine once again. He answers my question with those eyes of his. The thorns around my heart dig deeper, tears wanting to be released from the hold I have on them, legs shake from the weight of my heart. I look at her, memorizing her features. She will be the first I destroy. My wolf agrees. Choices bring consequences.

Turning around, not wanting him to see my weakness I begin to run. Tears flow down my face freely, I release the hold. It's okay...it's...okay. I don't know where I am going, but this is the only way for me to heal. Gliding past trees, my sobs growing louder, tears blocking my view. I run faster, deeper into the woods farther and farther away from him.

Out of nowhere, my body is pushed from the back. I scream to the sudden impact tumbling down to the ground. Pain overtaking my body, lying on my back, feeling something hovering above me I open my eyes.

Recognizing the scent I know it's Deimos's wolf. He snarls, saliva dripping down his chin onto me. His growls keep booming from his chest, red eyes glaring into mine. He circles me as if I am his prey. Sniffing, licking, biting, getting used to his mate. I understand his anger. I ran from him. The wolf part of him did not accept that, fought and tore through Deimos to find and catch me. I brought his wolf out.

I just sit there quietly not wanting to see the wrath of a true Alpha male. Slowly lifting my hands to touch his fur. He sinks his fangs into my wrist, blood seeping out. I wince from the pain. Retracting and licking my wound. His way of showing he accepts me as his Luna. His Queen. Tears flow down my cheek, rubbing his fur. Our foreheads touching, eye to eye.

"Thank you, My King." I smile, lips wobbling. I am happy. He whimpers licking my tears, sparking a laugh from me. Time passes, we spend time getting to know each other, playing a game of chase, hunting. Just relishing in each other's warmth. He makes me forget everything for a while, I feel content and I am thankful for him. The sun rises and I know it's time. It's time for my fight. Getting up, he wags his tail ready for another game of chase.

I chuckle rubbing from his neck to back, "My King, let me show you the outcome of the strength you gave me. Watch my fight and remember that my victory is yours."

Running back to the field, licking Deimos's wolf's cheek showing my affection for him in front of all. I walk forward, hearing the sound of bones cracking knowing the man that hates me is back. Straightening my posture, chin raised I search for that female who has had my male.

Finding her, she is already looking at me. Disgust for me evident in her eyes. Hatred consuming her. Cracking my knuckles, licking my teeth I smirk. Today will mark the day of her death. My wolf will take pleasure in spilling her blood. Deimos walks to the centre of the field. "Today, each one of you will fight an opponent. You may choose who you wish to fight, put all your training and hard work into it. Make me proud." Wolves puff up wanting to show their Alpha their strength.

"Who wishes to go first?" Deimos questions, eyes looking from one wolf to another.

"Me." My voice booms across the field. No hesitation. "That female shall be my opponent." I point to her. I want her blood.

Deimos grows nervous. Good, I want that. "Do you accept, Nadia?" Deimos looks at her.

So, Nadia is her name. Did he scream her name when she took his thrusts? Did he call her name as a lover would? This just fuels my anger. This will be the last time he will speak her name, I will make sure of it. The female looks from him to me, determination in her eyes. She wishes to take my place. I laugh quietly. Not even in her dreams will she be able to acquire that.

"Yes, Alpha. I accept." Her voice doesn't waver, she's strong. Pity, she won't be able to see tomorrow's sunrise.