Failed Interview

I sit with the camera in my face; it's far closer than it had been for any of the other candidates, and I feel like it's a way to try and make me nervous. It's working.

"Elara, we don't have a last name. Why is that?" He smirks at me. I knew it.

"I do not have one. I was an orphan."

He glances at his papers. "An orphan? It says here you were sold?"

Shit. How much does he know?

"I was, yes, but I was first an orphan."

"Hmm." He looks at me. "Elara, is it true that you were a servant and prostitute for your past Alpha?"

I freeze, and I watch his smile widen. Opening my mouth, I close it again.

"End it here." I watch him turn the camera off. "You're done."

"Wait." He can’t cut it off already.

"Sorry, but you couldn't answer a simple question. Not only that, but you sound bored and highly unworthy of watching. You’re finished, I think you beat the candidates. One minute, well done." He laughs.

"Ahm." He raises his head, and I watch the roll of his throat as he swallows. "Delete it. All the footage you just took of her, delete it."

"Prince Kellan, I'm sorry, but the king requested we do no retakes or deletes."

"The king wouldn't want that footage used. The last question alone is vile and shows the royal family as sleazy. Now delete it and start again."

I don't turn to look at him. I just stay still. I watch the producer mess about with the camera.

"This will be spoken of to the king; he was already displeased with your behaviour before he arrived. I'm sure with this, you won't be filming after this." I hear a chair move and watch as he places it next to me and sits.

"I apologise." The producer's head lowers.

"This competition is meant to be non-biased and available to all. Your actions, however, make it seem like the competition is biased and focused on only a few women. That is disrespecting the king's wishes."

The producer doesn't reply. He sits and sets back up the camera. I watch him finish and sit back.

"You may leave Prince Kellan." He looks at him.

"I should stay, ensure that you're being appropriate."

"I understand, Prince Kellan; however, won't it appear that the mu...Elara is getting special treatment if the kingdom sees you sitting with her and none of the other candidates?"

"Please understand, I am not walking away. Someone must ensure you follow the rules and don't cut this short because of your beliefs."

Prince Kellan stares him down, and I watch him nod. The producer presses the button and looks at his paper; his eyes scan it, and silence engulfs us. I'm guessing his paper only has inappropriate questions.

"Elara, may I know why you decided to enter this?" Alpha Kellan looks at me.

"Well, Alpha Kellan, you could say it was interesting; I was intrigued to see the outcome of my application. I also did not expect to be chosen."

He nods and smiles, looking at the producer, but he is still searching for a question.

"What would you say are some important traits that a Luna to the king must have, Elara?"

I smile at his question. "That, Alpha Kellan, is an amazing question. I would say understanding is essential. The King’s Luna meets people from all walks of life, so she must be understanding to each of them. She must also be resilient and calm. A Luna shouldn't act on impulse or her emotions."

"Very well answered." He turns and grins. "Do you think you have those traits?"

I chew my lip slightly. "I would like to think so, but wouldn't we all? The fact is, Alpha Kellan, no one truly knows until they are put into situations where those traits are required." He goes to talk, and the producer cuts him off.

"So you have never had to be understanding or resilient?" He looks at me.

"Resilience is one thing I know for sure I have. Same with understanding."

"How do you know?" He leans closer.

"Well, I wouldn't be sitting here right now if I wasn't resilient. I wouldn't have made it this far in my life. As for understanding? I understand some people's need to see me as merely a mutt, not worthy of being Luna; I understand that everyone has their own opinion and don't judge them for it."

His mouth drops open. Yes, I just called myself a mutt, which we all know he is thinking.

Alpha Kellan laughs. "I have to say, she answered that one perfectly, don't you think?" His grin widens.

"Was it true that you were being punished and whipped when the guards collected you?"

"Cut!" Alpha Kellan stares at him. "That is highly inappropriate!"

"Sorry, Alpha Kellan, I will delete it." His voice wavers, and he moves quickly. "Elara, there are many women here; why do you think you would be a better Luna than some of the more professional ones?"

"I don't think I would be a better Luna. There is no way to know that yet. Many will not be showing their true selves, so to believe you're going to be a better Luna would be a waste of time. I, however, can say that in my life, I have faced things many of the other candidates never have. That alone means I can understand and relate to the majority."

"That's enough." He presses the button.

"Why?" Alpha Kellan looks at him.

"Well, it's been long enough. The conversation isn't going in the right direction."

"The direction to humiliate her? I suggest you forget her past and treat her like you had any of the other ladies."

The producer sighs. Pressing the button, he sits and asks me questions. After nearly half an hour, we finish.

"I shall walk you back to your room, Elara. The other women have gone." Nodding, I stand and follow him out. We walk quietly, and he guides me through the palace.

"I apologise for the way you have been treated."

"You don't need to apologise, Alpha Kellan. It was not you treating me in such a way." He nods and continues to walk.

"Even so, I apologise. This is meant to be a fair competition, and you already seem to have the odds stacked against you to lose, purely based on others' beliefs."

"I expected this. Someone without a wolf, pack, or last name is not seen as worthy to be Luna."

He stops at my words and turns to me. "That I am sure will change when people see your interview. Good night, Elara." He walks off and I step into the room.

"Hi, I'm May!" The maid stands up and smiles.

"Hi, May, I'm Elara."

"Anything you need, let me know. I will also be responsible for making your gowns. Each event will require a specific gown to be made." I nod and step further in. "I shall leave you. I will see you in the morning." She smiles and walks off.

Closing the door, I get changed and instantly pass out on the bed, exhaustion crippling me.