The Alpha’s coronation

Ayla's pov

My feet were starting to ache, but I paid little attention; I was determined to wait for Calyx. To pass the time, I decided to amuse myself by playing with the pebbles scattered on the river bank. Kicking them around proved tiresome, so I glanced at my watch, muttering, "It's almost 6 pm, what's keeping him?" I scanned the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

Calyx and I had been childhood sweethearts, our bond has been strong even before we obtained our wolves. With both of us hailing from influential families in the Silver Moon pack, we were the envy of all. My father is the beta of my pack and I'm mated to the Alpha's son.

We have dated for a few months and those were the best days of my life.

Earlier today I had received a call from Calyx, asking us to meet at the river bank. He mentioned that he had something important to tell me and I was so eager to hear it. But it's exactly two hours now and I've not seen a shadow of him.

“Ogh…”

A tired yawn escaped me, I really hoped Calyx would show up, before my mom starts to look for me. Seated on a mound of stones, I absentmindedly tossed pebbles, growing restless.

But there was no sign of Calyx, not even when I sent him a text that I was waiting. I decided to leave but as I walked home I sensed a trail of eyes on me.

Literally everyone I walked past was staring at me in some funny way, I couldn't think of anything that would guarantee such stares so I just shook it off and continued on my way.

"Thank you, Moon Goddess! This is great news, Jacobs!" My mom's voice reached me.

Excitement echoed in my dad's laughter, "I'm finally getting a break from pack affairs!"

They were sounding so happy, causing me to wonder if something happened in my absence?

"As if!" Mom scoffed, "We both know you're excited about Calyx's coronation. Our daughter will become the Luna of this great pack!" Her excitement radiated.

A new Luna? Calyx's coronation? Hold on.. does that mean the alpha is finally stepping down?!

I was still trying to process everything when I heard my father's cheering laughter.

“Stop teasing me, woman. Of course I can't wait to become the father of the Silver moon pack’s Luna, haha! I almost jumped out of my seat when the alpha announced his stepping down.”

And that was all I needed, I was already dying of curiosity. I couldn't stay a minute longer, peeking at the door, I pushed it open and stepped into the room.

A smile danced on my lips. My mom noticed me and gasped, "You're here." My cheeks flushed under her gaze.

Stretching her hand, she invited, "Come and sit with us."

"How are you feeling, Ayla?" My dad's unusually calm voice reached me.

I joined them on the three-seater couch, fingers fumbling nervously. "Have you heard from Calyx?" my mom inquired, eyes probing.

I shook my head. They exchanged glances, "The training must have started already," my dad remarked.

"Oh..." It suddenly dawned on me; that explained his absence. Eager to know more, I interrupted, "About Calyx's--"

My dad cut me off, "Yes, dear, you heard right. Calyx is undergoing Alpha training, his coronation is around the corner."

“And you will be our new Luna!” My mom squealed.

Excitement crept into my chest and I beamed with smiles. “Really?!” It was true! My dreams were finally coming true! This is the best news ever!

A hand slipped into my sweaty palms, I looked down and saw that it's my mom's. A plump of flesh formed underneath her eyes as she grinned at me, I let her caress it and somehow it calmed my roving nerves.

Moments ago, I was mad at Calyx for standing me up but now I can't even contain my excitement, Calyx is going to be crowned as the alpha of the Silver moon pack and he will make me his Luna.

The news echoed in my head; I, a regular wolf, would be Luna. My joy knew no bounds; I was the happiest woman on Earth right now.

It still sounds like a fairytale to me, of course I knew this was bound to happen one day but I never thought it would happen this soon.

I excused myself from my parents and went to search for Carla. I stopped at her door and took two calming breaths, determined to convey the news calmly.

Knock knock..

“Carla, I'm coming in..” I said in a sing-song voice, stepping into her room.

My eyes fell on her, laying on the bed, engrossed in her phone, she didn't even notice I'm in her room. My face was bubbling with smiles, unable to hold my excitement I hurriedly went to meet her and took a seat next to her.

"Guess what?!" I squealed, suppressing the laughter threatening to tear out my lips.

She didn't even look at me, “come on, guess.” I tapped her leg and she turned to glare at me. Still, I nudged her, unbothered by her reaction.

Uninterested, she mumbled, “Calyx is going to be the next alpha in a couple of days, which automatically means you will become the new Luna.”

“Yes!!” I screamed. “But how did you know?” I asked, surprised she already knew.

She let out a small shrug, “I have my ways,” and went back to her phone.

I instantly developed a feeling of unease but I shook it off and jumped on her.

"The hell, Ayla!" she yelled.

Ignoring her protests, I tickled her, insisting she join the celebration. She eventually relented, shouting excitedly

“Alright, alright.. I'm sorry! Please stop!” She kept on screaming but that was the fun in it.

I laid off her after some minutes and fell on the bed to catch my breath. As I stood up I caught her gaze, she was looking at me sadly, “what are you staring at?”

“Nothing, just.. are you that excited?” She said in a really low voice.

I looked at her and saw the seriousness in her face. What does she mean if I'm that excited? I could pass for the happiest woman on Earth right now.

“Of course I'm excited. You should have seen my face when I heard about this, I thought I would pass out. This is literally the best news ever!”

She watched me for a while and finally let go of the frown. “good for you,” she mused. Her attention was back to her phone again and somehow I was getting an off feeling about her.

Was someone threatening her online? Curious, I snatched the phone from her and just then it dings, “brrr..”

“What the hell is your problem?” She yelled and started dragging the phone with me but I overpowered her and managed to glimpse the contents.

It was a message from Calyx, my brows furrowed instantly, and I shove her aside now staring intently at the screen to be sure I read correctly.

“Calm down, Carla. I promise to tell her myself.” my eyes raised to humanly possible as I read out the contents of the message.

Why does she have Calyx's number?

Why are they texting each other in such a casual way?