The Golden Luna

The Golden Luna

last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-20
Oleh:  ShawneelleOn going
Bahasa: English
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Sinopsis

Cara Wylder is the last female in the prestigious Wylder lineage, a family blessed with a rare and powerful she-wolf known as the Golden Luna. This ancient blessing grants her lineage immense power, as any Alpha bonded to her is destined to rule with unmatched strength. However, Cara’s legacy is threatened by a secret—she cannot shift into her wolf form. As rumors of her wolflessness begin to spread, her father, Alpha Roy Wylder, offers her hand in marriage to Darius Wrent, the powerful Lycan King, in an effort to preserve her reputation and the family's standing. On their wedding day, Darius, suspicious of her lack of a wolf’s presence, demands that Cara shift in front of the gathered wolves. When she fails to do so, he publicly rejects her, leaving her disgraced and humiliated. As the other powerful Alphas look on, uninterested in a wolfless bride, Darius mockingly asks if any would dare take her hand. To everyone’s surprise, Lucien Valen, a weakened Alpha who lost most of his power after the death of his fated mate, steps forward to claim her. Lucien, once a contender for Alpha King, has been ridiculed for years, holding onto his title solely due to the loyalty of his people. Ignoring the scorn of the other Alphas, Lucien marries Cara and takes her to his castle. Though she expects a life of shame, Cara soon discovers that Lucien is not cruel, neither is he weak Alpha the others believe him to be. His power remains but is locked under the grief from the loss that haunts him and his inability to enact revenge even after all this years. As they get closer, unsettling truths about Lucien's past and the mastermind behind the fall of the once legendary Alpha is exposed.

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Bab 1

One: The Cage of Expectations

Cara’s POV

I was sitting through yet another round of meditation, one of the many things I was required to do to help my predicament when a maid came to call me.

“Your father would like to see you, My lady.” She said with a curtsey and my nerves rattled immediately. Taking a deep breath, I rose and made my way to him, already dreading the meeting. He rarely requested my presence these days. He seldom smiled when he did see me. After all, what reason did he have to smile? I— once his pride and joy— was now the sole source of shame to our great pack and no matter how hard I tried, there was nothing I could do about it.

My heart pounded in my chest as I stood outside his study, fingers trembling on the brass handle. The heavy oak door loomed in front of me, a barrier between me and the inevitable disappointment that would be etched into my father’s face once I stepped in. I knew why he had summoned me. It was the same reason he always did. The wolf. My wolf—or rather, the lack of her. Eighteen years and I was still without a wolf. How shameful, especially considering my bloodline.

I steeled myself, taking a deep breath before pushing the door open. The familiar scent of leather-bound books, burning firewood, and the sharp tang of my father’s ever-present cigar greeted me as I entered. He was sitting behind his grand mahogany desk, eyes fixed on the paperwork before him, though I knew his focus wasn’t truly on the papers. It never was when I was in the room.

“Cara,” he said without looking up, his voice tight, anxious. “Close the door.”

I obeyed, shutting it softly behind me. The click of the door felt like the lock on a cage. Every time I was in here, I was reminded of the bars that held me—bars that weren’t forged from steel but from expectation, legacy, and failure.

“Sit.” His voice was clipped.

I took my usual seat, the chair that faced him directly across the desk, and folded my hands in my lap, trying to steady myself.

He finally looked up, his gray eyes sharp and assessing, the same way they always were when he examined me, as if searching for something that wasn’t there. His face, weathered by years of command and dominance, was a mirror of my future—or at least, it should have been.

“There’s no change,” I said before he could ask, my voice sounding thin and hollow even to my own ears.

Father’s jaw tightened, and he leaned back in his chair, rubbing a hand over his face in frustration. The movement exposed the deep lines etched into his skin, lines that I knew I’d put there, despite his every effort to hide it. He’d loved me once— maybe he still did— but worry and disappointment had eaten away all of that until now, there was barely anything left.

“Nothing at all?” His voice was quieter than I expected, but no less devastating.

“No,” I whispered, lowering my eyes to the floor. “I still can’t... I can’t shift.”

A tense silence fell over the room. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, but its warmth did nothing to melt the ice that had settled between us. I waited for the sharp reprimand, the cutting words that would remind me, once again, of my inadequacies. But instead, my father sighed heavily, his fingers drumming against the desk.

“I’ve had every witch in the territory come here, trying to figure out what’s wrong with you,” he muttered. “Year after year, each one more powerful than the last. Yet none of them have been able to bring out your wolf.”

I flinched at his words. Familiar as they were, it still hurt to hear them, especially from him. I was a Wylder; the last female of the ancient lineage blessed by the moon goddes herself. Immense power lay within my very veins, yet I was broken— weak, useless.

His disappointment was like a living, breathing thing, pressing down on me and choking the air from my lungs until it was almost impossible to breathe.

“Selene’s blessing skipped your mother and so I did not benefit of its powers, but a seer assured me that you would be next. Never has the golden wolf skipped two generations after all. You were meant to be the strongest of them all in fact.” he continued, his voice growing harder. “I was promised that even if I didn’t marry a golden Luna, I would father one— and now look at you. You can’t be even an ordinary Luna because you have no wolf!”

“I know,” I said softly. I knew the story by heart, it was my legacy after all. The legend of the Golden Luna, a she-wolf whose power was unparalleled and whose bloodlines had shaped the strength of our house. I’d grown up on those tales, always knowing that one day, I was supposed to fulfill them.

But that day had never come. My wolf had never come and now, it appeared my time was up.

“Give me a few more months, I can—”

“No.” Father said tersely, shutting me down immediately. “No more time. No more healers or witches or potions. No nothing.” He sighed again, deeply and tiredly and the sound of it cut to my very core. “I’ve done my best to hide your… condition. Made excuses as to why you cannot run with the pack. Staked my very reputation on your abilities all on the hope that you might find your wolf if I gave you enough time.” He shook his head “No more.”

“So… what are you going to do? Expose me?” My lips trembled and I bit them, doing my best not to cry. He let out a humorless laugh.

“If I did that, I would be humiliated as well. And shunned by the rest of the Alphas for lying for so long. Do you know how many of them have asked for your hand in hopes that they may get the golden luna?”

I paled, remembering the many suitors whose interest in me would disappear the moment they learned the truth. And father… he had been so patient until now but it looked like his patience had worn out.

“I’ve accepted Darius Wrent’s proposal.”

The words hit me like a blow and I gaped at him, shock reverberating down my body. “What?”

“The Lycan King, Darius Wrent. He’s one of the many who asked for your hand in marriage, and I’ve accepted his offer.”

I swallowed hard, blinking back tears of horror as the reality of his words hit me. Darius Wrent. The Lycan King, the most powerful Alpha in the territories. He was a terrifying man if the rumors about him were to be believed. Considering his reputation, he’d be the last person I’d want to trick into being my mate and I doubt he’d accept a wolfless Luna willingly.

“Is he aware of my… condition?” Father didn’t like me to voice my wolflessness and even now, his lips tightened. “No.” Was all he said and I stared.

“Father, Alpha Darius won’t—”

He waved off my hesitation with an impatient flick of his hand. “There’s no need for him to know. He’s the strongest possible match any female can get and he’s been after your hand for years now. If anyone can awaken your wolf, it’s him.”

“But what if it doesn’t work?” I asked, my chest tightening. “What if... what if my wolf never comes? What if—”

“It will,” he interrupted, his voice firm. “The bonding ceremony with an Alpha like Darius will bring your wolf to the surface. No one would ever have to know you were… wolfless in the first place.”

I shook my head, panic rising like a tide inside me. “Father, I think this is a bad idea. From what I’ve heard, Alpha Darius—”

“A solution to our problem,” my father said coldly. “Wake up Cara. I’m done protecting your secret. You will wed Darius Wrent or figure out your own life away from our pack. Once you are bonded to him, your wolf should be restored. And if it doesn't… well, you can guess what awaits you at his hand.”

I couldn’t believe my father was saying this. The tears I’d been holding back since I stepped in the room gathered in my eyes.

“Once your secret is revealed, you will not be accepted by any other Alpha. You’ll be cast aside. Incable of bringing value to anyone. I won’t stand for it Cara.”

His words stung, but they weren’t new. I knew the fate of a wolfless wolf. Rejection. Isolation. A life of insignificance, away from pack life. Away from everything I’d ever known.

“This is a chance, Cara,” he pressed, leaning forward. “Your last chance. You either succeed in bonding with Darius and awaken your wolf, or you’re nothing. Do you understand?”

I stared at him, unable to find words. He was asking me to place my fate in the hands of a man I didn’t know, a man whose cruelty was known throughout the territories. But what other option did I have? If I said no, I’d be rejected from the pack, from the only life I’d ever known. If I said yes… Darius would certainly kill me once he found out what I was.

“I... I understand,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Good.” He leaned back in his chair, satisfied. “Your bridegroom will arrive tomorrow as will all the surrounding Alpha’s to bear witness to your union. You’ll be ready.”

Tomorrow. The word echoed in my mind like a death knell. Tomorrow, my fate would be sealed. I stood, my legs feeling like lead, and turned toward the door.

“Cara.” He called and I paused, my hand on the handle.

“Don’t fail me,” he said quietly.

I nodded, though I didn’t look back. I left the study then, breaking into a run once the door was shut. Tears streamed down my face, my heart neigh bursting with misery as I fled. My chest was so tight I could hardly breathe.

Why wouldn't she come, My wolf? I’d waited for her my entire life, through every full moon and every whispered promise, but she had never come. She'd abandoned me, just like everyone else.

Now, I was expected to bind myself to a man like Darius Wrent in hopes that his power could force her out of hiding.

I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to stop this. My mind whirled furiously yet I couldn’t find the answer. I didn't stop until I got to my room, flinging myself atop my bed and wept. My already bleak life was about to turn for the worst, and there was nothing I could do about it.

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20 Bab
One: The Cage of Expectations
Cara’s POV I was sitting through yet another round of meditation, one of the many things I was required to do to help my predicament when a maid came to call me. “Your father would like to see you, My lady.” She said with a curtsey and my nerves rattled immediately. Taking a deep breath, I rose and made my way to him, already dreading the meeting. He rarely requested my presence these days. He seldom smiled when he did see me. After all, what reason did he have to smile? I— once his pride and joy— was now the sole source of shame to our great pack and no matter how hard I tried, there was nothing I could do about it. My heart pounded in my chest as I stood outside his study, fingers trembling on the brass handle. The heavy oak door loomed in front of me, a barrier between me and the inevitable disappointment that would be etched into my father’s face once I stepped in. I knew why he had summoned me. It was the same reason he always did. The wolf. My wolf—or rather, the lack of her.
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-22
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Two: Rejected By the Alpha King
Cara's POV I woke to the sound of bustling servants, the echo of footsteps and hurried whispers filling the hall outside my chamber. It was my wedding day, I thought with a sinking feeling, bile rising in my throat as I stared at the ceiling above me. The morning passed in a blur, every second counting to prepare me for the afternoon. Dresses were draped over me, my hair tamed, my skin perfumed and powdered. Despite the short notice of the wedding, it went very smoothly, leading me to wonder just how long father had been planning this before he informed me. I was ready just in time because two servants came shortly after the maids left, their faces set in impassive masks as they led me to my father. I followed silently. As we entered the great hall, I stiffened, folding into myself at the sight of the small crowd that had already gathered. Steeling my nerves, I walked down to where my father was seated, and took the empty chair beside him, doing my best to ignore the eyes and whis
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-22
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Three: The wedding
Cara's POV The hall, once filled with mocking laughter and leering faces, fell into a stunned silence. Murmurs spread like wildfire as everyone processed what they had just heard. I myself, abandoned my manners and gaped at him, unable to believe he had actually said that. Even Darius who had preened over his control of the situation looked momentarily taken aback. He recovered quickly and let out a long, booming laugh filled with ridicule. When it finally died down, he looked at Lucien, eyes gleaming with barely controlled malice masked with a thin layer of amusement.“You? You want to claim her?” He mocked, his voice dripping with contempt. “I’m surprised you even bothered to show your face around here Lucien. I heard your claws have been clipped.”Lucien barely flinched, his calm, unflappable exterior firmly in place. He seemed a bit contained, but I wouldn’t at all describe him as a wolf without claws. He just didn’t seem all that interested in drawing them. “My claws are jus
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-22
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Four: The welcome party
Cara’s POV : The rhythmic clopping of hooves against cobblestone punctuated the silence that had settled in the carriageHe sat opposite me, his face partly obscured by the shadow, his presence filling the cramped space between us. I studied his profile; the tightness in his jaw as he stared out the carriage at the blur of passing trees, lost in his own world. Did he regret taking me as a mate? Was he contemplating taking me back? Would my father allow it? “I regret wasting so much time and resources trying to fix whatever you are. You’ve brought nothing but disappointment to this family.” My father’s voice echoed in my head and I shut my eyes tightly in a desperate attempt to forget. He would never allow me return. I was stuck here, with Lucien Valen— completely at his mercy— and there was nothing I could do about it.Time passed slowly as we traveled deeper into the countryside where Lucien’s castle lay. Our arrival was heralded with the ring of a bell and my breath caught in m
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04
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Four: The weight of an alpha
Lucien’s POVThe heavy oak door of my study clicked shut behind me, sealing me in blessed silence. I exhaled, leaning back against it for a moment, allowing the weight of the day to rest on my shoulders. The decision to take Cara Wylder as my mate had been a strange one that surprised even me. I'd spent the entire journey trying to figure out why I'd done that. I still didn't exactly have the answers, nor could I particularly defend my decision before any of my people, but it had been done and I was damned if I was going to go back and forth on it. Straightening, I crossed to my desk, the intricate patterns carved into its surface barely visible beneath the stacks of correspondence, reports, and council summons. I ignored the bulk of it, reaching instead for the sealed letter sitting on its own. Breaking the wax seal with a sharp flick of my wrist, I skimmed the contents.It was another reprimand from my beloved council. Their disappointment in my failure to forge a political union
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-12
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Six: The wolfless luna
Cara’s POVThe towering oak doors of the great castle closed behind me with a hollow thud, leaving me feeling dwarfed by the grandeur of the place. The air inside was cool, carrying the faint scent of polished wood and old stone. The hallway stretched endlessly in both directions, lit dimly by sconces that flickered as if unsure of their purpose. My eyes traced the intricate moldings and the high, arched ceilings, marveling at the undeniable resplendence of it all. Yet, there was something unmistakably sad about this place—a weight that clung to the very walls.The castle was beautiful, yes, but also lifeless. Flower vases lined the hallways, their ornate craftsmanship wasted on their emptiness. Some statues, which must have been majestic once, were shrouded in dusty white sheets, their forms reduced to mere silhouettes. The carpets beneath my feet were pristine, but the patterns felt outdated, like relics from a time when this place had known joy. Even the golden chandeliers above, t
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-13
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Seven: Lady Petrova
I froze as Emily stepped inside, her confident stride and sharp gaze filling the room with a tension that made my heart pound. I didn’t know whether to stand, speak, or simply shrink into the chair I was perched on. My fingers gripped the armrests tightly as I stared at her, unable to mask my wariness.Emily’s eyes swept the room before landing on me. Her lips curled into a smirk that made my stomach churn. “So,” she began, her tone dripping with mockery, “this is where they’ve decided to stash you. Not bad, I suppose. Though, I’m surprised they didn’t opt for a broom closet. That’s probably more your speed.”Her voice was cold and haughty, her words hitting me like a slap. My throat tightened, but I couldn’t summon a response. I was too scared. I felt small under her sharp gaze, too meek to challenge her, too unsure of my place to even politely ask her what she wanted. I didn’t know her very well, but I could certainly tell why she’d taken the trouble to come here. All my life I’ve b
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-14
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Eight: The council
The council chamber was stifling, filled with the murmur of discontented voices as the elders filed in and took their seats. Each one carried an air of authority, their expressions stern and expectant. I stood at the head of the long oak table, my back straight, arms folded behind me. Beside me, Sean stood like a sentinel, his presence steady and reassuring. My brother, Luke, leaned against the far wall, arms crossed but silent.Even before Elder Haverson, the oldest and most powerful of the councilmen, cleared his throat and began, the room was heavy with unspoken judgment.“Alpha Lucien,” he started, his tone clipped and laced with reproach. “We bid you welcome from your recent travels. However, we have learned you came with some concerning news, about decisions you have taken concerning the question of your Luna.”I cleared my throat and stepped forward. “Yes.”“So it is true then? You have taken some unknown girl as mate?” This came from Elder Marlow, a rail-thin woman with sharp
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-16
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Nine: Garden Gossips
Cara’s POVThe morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting faint streaks of gold across the dark wooden floors of my room. My eyes fluttered open, the heaviness in my chest returning as soon as I stirred. I hadn’t slept much—how could I, after Emily’s tirade? Her words still clung to me like thorns, each one pricking at my already fragile sense of self-worth.The sound of a gentle knock broke through my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and Alice entered, carrying a tray laden with breakfast. Her ever-present smile was a small comfort amidst the storm brewing in my mind.“Good morning, my lady,” she said, setting the tray down on the small table near the window. “I thought you might like something to eat. You barely touched dinner last night.”I sat up slowly, brushing my hair away from my face. “Thank you, Alice. I wasn’t very hungry yesterday.” To say the truth, I wasn’t very hungry today either, but I didn’t want to talk about why. I wanted des
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-18
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Ten: Jealousy
The fire in the hearth cast uneven shadows across the stone walls of my office. The flickering light was barely enough to make the stacks of papers on my desk legible, but I didn’t care. I had a wolf eyes. I could see in the dark just fine. Besides, there was nothing I really could do right now. The mountain of reports, requests, and demands could sit there for all I cared. It wasn’t as though anyone expected me to fix things overnight—not anymore.My hand rested on a letter I had half-read, the contents mattering little in the face of my troubles. The words blurred together, their meaning lost against the tide of memories that kept clawing their way to the surface. Lucy would have scolded me for ignoring the work piling up. Then she’d flash that smile, the one that made the worst days bearable, and she’d find some way to make the burden seem lighter.The ache in my chest deepened, the need for what was nearly overwhelming. I closed my eyes and leaned back in my chair, the leather cre
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-20
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