HUNTER'S POV
On the edge of the cliff in the Rocky Mountains, I gazed at the vastness before me, lost in thoughts about my imminent coronation as Alastair's heir. Despite always portraying a facade of calmness to Fierce, the young black-furred wolf I had grown up with and was in love with, the truth was that concerns haunted me.
What would my life be like after accepting to be the heir? And, most importantly, how could I convince Alastair, my father, that Fierce was the mate I wanted as Luna? These questions echoed in my mind as I contemplated the horizon of the majestic mountains.
I closed my eyes and, in a moment of introspection, silently asked the Moon Goddess to intervene for our love, to indicate Fierce as my Luna when the time came. It was a deep wish, a silent plea echoing in the vastness of the mountains.
The cold mountain breeze caressed my face as I caught the familiar scent of Ulrich, the pack's beta and my father's right-hand man, approaching. Without turning, I asked, “What do you want, Ulrich? It's still too early for the coronation.”
“Alastair asked to summon you for a discussion before the coronation, to go over the final details,” Ulrich said, maintaining formality.
I sighed, knowing this conversation wouldn't be just about ceremonial details. My father had a peculiar way of addressing important matters, and this meeting would likely involve much more than protocol formalities.
“I'm on my way,” I replied, opening my eyes and preparing to face whatever was reserved for me in that conversation with Alastair.
The throne room was imbued with the ancestral aura of leadership, walls carved with symbols telling the story of countless Alphas who ruled before me.
My eyes were fixed on the twisted trunk throne, where my father, Alastair, used to sit with all his grandeur. The sight was enveloped in a mix of admiration and anxiety because I knew that this throne would be mine one day.
A slight smile played on my lips as I envisioned myself taking the throne, with Fierce by my side, playing the role of Luna.
My thoughts were interrupted when Alastair, my father, approached. He saw me standing before the throne, lost in thought, and offered a gentle smile.
“It's good to see my heir contemplating the future that awaits him,” Alastair commented with a serene expression.
I nodded respectfully. “Alastair.”
He joined me, also looking at the throne. “How do you feel? Later, it will be the coronation, the beginning of your path as the heir.”
“I'm nervous,” I confessed, letting the tension that was hidden beneath my expression escape.
Alastair understood, as he himself had faced the same nervousness in his youth. “It's natural. I felt the same when my turn came. But, you know, there's someone who can calm that nervousness.”
Curious, I stared at him. “Grandfather?” I suggested, remembering the previous leader, my predecessor.
Alastair shook his head. “No, it was Brave, my Luna, and your mother. She had a way of bringing calm amid the storm.”
A soft smile formed on my lips as I remembered my mother's characteristic serenity. “Indeed, she was always calm in situations like this.”
Agreeing, Alastair emphasized the importance of the right mate. “And you, Hunter, will find yours.”
The mention of Luna brought forth the concern hovering over me. “So, it's about who will be my Luna that you want to talk?”
Alastair nodded, initiating the conversation I knew was inevitable. “Soon, the contenders from all packs will arrive to meet the next Alpha King.”
The responsibility of this choice weighed on my shoulders. “But it's not yet decided that I will indeed be the next Alpha King. Garnet, the current Alpha King, may have a male heir.”
“If that were true, he wouldn't have sent his daughter, Zora, as one of the contenders. Garnet is aware of the tradition. He's paving the way for you, my son,” explained Alastair.
Uncertainty persisted in my thoughts. “That's no guarantee that I will be chosen, nor that Zora will be chosen as Luna.”
“I understand that your heart is filled with what you believe you feel for Fierce. However, my son, you need to keep an open mind. If the Moon Goddess chooses another, duty must prevail above that feeling.”
“What would happen if I rejected the Luna chosen by the Moon Goddess?” I asked, staring fixedly at the throne that would one day be mine.
Alastair widened his eyes, surprised by the question. “Hunter, you wouldn't be capable of doing something so shameful, rejecting the Luna designated by the Goddess.”
I sighed. “It's just a question, father. I'd like to understand the consequences.”
He crossed his arms, thoughtful. “If you disobey the Goddess's will, you will eventually be punished. The Moon Goddess has power over the pack, and defying her choice would result in punishment.”
I pressed, “What would that punishment be?”
Alastair looked at me seriously. “The Goddess could curse you, Hunter. The curse would affect not only you but the entire pack. It could be a life without heirs, or any other consequence she determined.”
I swallowed, reflecting on the gravity of the situation. “Understood.”
“When you meet the young contenders, be as polite as possible. Don't dare show favoritism for Fierce,” Alastair warned. “Each alpha's daughter who arrives is a potential future Luna, and any display of preference could lead to reprisals from their packs.”
I nodded, aware of the responsibilities that awaited me. “Understood, father. I'll do my best.”
Alastair placed his hand on my shoulder, showing confidence. “It's an important moment, Hunter. The future of the pack is at stake. Always remember that and make your decisions wisely, as the next Alpha King.”
These words hung in the air, and I knew that, as the future leader, I needed to take my father's words seriously.
I knew I would have to face not only the challenge of leading the pack but also the possibility of a future alongside a Luna that the Goddess would choose for me. The path to the throne that lay ahead of me, and the decisions I would make, would affect not only me but the entire pack.