Maica Luna

Anna lay in bed, her thoughts and emotions chaotic as her earlier conversation with Eli replayed over and over in her mind. With only two days to decide whether she would accept the title of Luna, she could feel the knot of anxiety lodged deep in her chest tightening. She needed to focus on something else, anything else, but the stillness of the night was stifling, and the only reprieve she could find was the moonlight that filtered in through her window, casting delicate patterns on the ceiling. The soft light danced and shimmered like it had a life of its own, but its beauty did little to soothe her troubled spirit.

With her nerves frayed and hopes of sleep slipping further away, Anna gave in to the relentless cacophony of thoughts. If she couldn’t escape her mind, then perhaps she could at least make sense of it. The decision before her was monumental, and by confronting it head-on, she might be able to find some clarity.

The reality was that by accepting the role, she had to leave behind any semblance of a normal life and embrace a destiny she wasn’t sure she was ready for or even wanted. It meant shouldering the responsibilities and expectations of the entire werewolf race and upholding centuries of tradition. But to reject it was to deny a part of herself, to turn her back on the past Lunas and the sacred bond they shared with the Goddess of the Moon. The choice felt impossible, with her head and heart tearing her in two different directions.

With a frustrated sigh, Anna flung off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Rising from it, her bare feet padded across the cool wooden floorboards as she headed out of the room. The darkness of the hallway wrapped around her, swallowing her in its quiet embrace. Anna paused, letting her eyes adjust momentarily before navigating towards the main living area.

Upon entering the kitchen, she flicked on the light switch, the dim glow casting long shadows across the room. Busying herself with the familiar, soothing ritual of making tea, Anna hoped the simple act would help calm her restless mind. As she waited for the kettle to boil, her gaze wandered, catching the faint light spilling from the slightly ajar door of her father’s office. It wasn’t unusual for Artemis to work late, but with the hour well past midnight, she had assumed he was already asleep.

Curiosity and concern pulled her toward the doorway, and as she peeked inside, she found her father hunched over his desk, completely engrossed in whatever document lay before him. The soft lamp light highlighted the lines of exhaustion etched into his face, deepening the shadows under his eyes. Anna’s heart clenched with a mix of sympathy and worry at seeing him look so weary. Knocking gently on the doorframe, she disturbed the quiet and his concentration. Artemis looked up, his expression softening as he met her eyes, a tired smile tugging at his lips.

“Anna,” he greeted, his voice gravelly with fatigue. “What are you doing up?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted, managing a faint smile of her own. “I thought some tea might help. Do you want some?”

Artemis hesitated momentarily, then nodded and pushed the papers aside with a sigh. “Sure, that sounds nice,” he said, rising from his chair with a slight groan.

Following her to the kitchen, the silence between them became filled with unspoken thoughts and lingering tension. They had yet to clear the air after their disagreement a few days ago, but neither seemed eager to acknowledge it. As they prepared their tea, the quiet clinking of cups and the soft whistle of the kettle filled the space, a small comfort amidst the uncertainty.

Pouring the hot water into two mugs, Anna watched as the steam curled upward in delicate tendrils, carrying the soothing aroma of chamomile through the room. She handed Artemis his cup, and he murmured a quiet ‘thank you’ before moving toward the living room. As they settled onto the couch, the silence grew heavier, laden with the words neither seemed ready to speak.

Anna took a sip of her tea, the warmth spreading through her, but it did little to ease the awkward tension hanging in the air. She glanced at her father, who seemed lost in his own thoughts, his gaze fixed on his cup. The worry lines etched into his face mirroring the turmoil inside her. Unable to ignore this conversation any longer, Anna set her cup down and took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice quiet but firm. “For using my power on you. I didn’t know what I was doing, and I promise it won’t happen again.”

Artemis sighed. “And I’m sorry too,” he replied, his voice soft and filled with regret. “For being overprotective and stubborn. I just wanted to keep you safe, Anna. And I thought I was doing what was best.”

A lump formed in Anna’s throat as she met his gaze, seeing the vulnerability there. “I know,” she said gently. “But you have to listen to me, too. I may be naïve to your world, but am not a child nor am I your subordinate. Believe it or not, I am capable of making rational decisions.”

Glancing down at the cup in his hands, a rueful smile tugged at Artemis’ lips. “Yes, I suppose you have made it this far in life without me,” he admitted solemnly. “In the future, I will try to take your view and opinion into more consideration.”

The self-reproach in his voice pulled at Anna’s heartstrings, tightening the knot of guilt in her gut. If she’d learnt anything about Artemis since arriving here, it was how much he regretted his absence in her life. However, hearing it so bluntly said aloud made the truth all the more real.

“Our disagreement isn't what's troubling you, though,” Artemis stated, his voice gentle. “So, what is really keeping you up?”

Anna hesitated for a moment, her thoughts still a tangled mess of fears and doubts. Should she tell him about her discussion with Eli, or should she wait until after she’d made her decision? She strongly suspected he would be against her taking the Luna title, but he had just promised to be more considerate of her thoughts and opinions. Taking a chance, she decided to confide in him, hoping he would provide a little guidance and understanding.

“I spoke with Eli earlier,” she confessed. “He and the other Elders want to perform the ascension ceremony at the next full moon.”

Artemis’ expression darkened instantly. “What? That’s much too soon,” he argued, his voice rising with agitation.

“I know.” Anna nodded, her fingers tightening around the warm mug. “But they seem set on it, so I only have a few days to decide whether I will accept the title.”

“Damn it!” Her father cursed as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I knew things would get messy the second that boy confirmed you were the Luna. The Elders have been trying to return balance for years, so I’m not surprised they’re rushing to initiate you.”

Watching her father with a calm she didn’t quite feel, Anna’s heart raced beneath her composed exterior. She had somewhat anticipated this reaction, but when pinned by his piercing gaze, it took everything in her to keep a neutral expression.

“You aren’t considering it, are you?”

Holding his gaze, Anna absently traced the rim of her mug as she tried to gather her thoughts. “I don’t know what to do,” she finally admitted. “A part of me wants to decline and go back to my normal life, but there’s another part of me that feels like… maybe I should accept it because I must have been chosen for a reason.”

Her father’s expression became unreadable for a moment as he processed her words. “I can understand your hesitance,” he said, his voice and features hardening again. “The full moon is in less than a fortnight; they cannot possibly expect you to make such a life-changing decision in a matter of days. This is all moving too fast, especially when you do not fully comprehend what you’d be getting into.”

Artemis’ disapproval of the short timeline was clear, but Anna couldn’t tell if he shared the same sentiment about her taking the role in general. While she told herself that his opinion shouldn’t matter, she was interested to hear his thoughts.

“What do you think I should do?” She asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Surprise flickered across Artemis’ face as if he hadn’t expected her to seek his opinion. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, his gaze pensive. “As an Alpha, I would strongly urge you to take it. Our kind has been without a Luna for far too long, and it’s your responsibility to step up. But as a father,” he said, pausing to find the right words. “As your father, I want to tell you to run as far from this as you can because I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. Not after…”

He didn’t need to finish the sentence for Anna to understand. Charlotte’s death had affected him in a way she could never fully comprehend, and Artemis was worried she would suffer the same fate. Anna shared his fears; the thought of becoming a target for the Vanatori or any other threat was utterly terrifying.

“So, you think I should give it to someone else,” she said, more a statement than a question.

Releasing a heavy sigh, Artemis placed his empty cup on the coffee table before settling his gaze on her. “I think... You need to make this decision for yourself,” he said, his voice gentle but resolute. “Don’t let anyone push you into it. Not Eli, not the Elders, not even me.”

Anna nodded, a sense of comfort and clarity settling over her. The fact that he wouldn’t pressure her into either choice filled her with a newfound respect and gratitude for him. His advice, though cautious, was honest and heartfelt, and she appreciated his willingness to let her find her own path.

“I won’t,” she assured him, draining the last of her tea. “And thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.”

“Of course, Sweetheart. Any time,” he responded.

A quiet understanding settled between them, creating a peaceful yet poignant moment. Hit by a sudden wave of exhaustion, Anna felt the pull of sleep finally calling her. Covering a yawn, she rose from the couch, her movements slow and deliberate as she collected their cups.

Artemis rose as well, stopping her with a gentle hand on her arm. “I’ve got this,” he said, taking the cups from her. You go get some sleep.”

Giving him a small, heartfelt smile, she wished him goodnight.

“Goodnight,” he replied, his voice gentle.

As she padded back down the hallway, her exhaustion grew heavier with each step. The conversation with Artemis had given her more to consider, but she was grateful to have finally cleared the air between them. It felt like a step toward a more amicable relationship, something she’d never thought she’d have with her father.

When Anna reached her room, she slipped under the covers, the soft sheets welcoming her tired body. As her head hit the pillow, the tension in her muscles melted away, and with a final deep breath, she let herself surrender to the pull of sleep.