The Moon's Decree

Luna's hands wouldn't stop shaking. She tried hiding them in the folds of her dress, but the silky fabric just made the trembling more obvious. Her father stood in the reception hall looking exactly the same as he had at every uncomfortable family dinner, every parent-teacher conference where he'd asked why she couldn't be more like her brothers, every pack gathering where she'd failed to meet his expectations.

He even wore the same cologne – something expensive that gave her a headache.

"You're going to leave bruises," Alexander murmured, and Luna realized she was gripping his hand too tight. She tried to let go, but he just held on tighter. Through their bond, she felt his own hands itching to shake, felt how hard he was working to keep his composure.

It helped, somehow, knowing he was nervous too.

"Alpha Richards," Alexander said formally, though Luna felt him wince at the headache-inducing cologne. "You didn't make an appointment."

Luna's father ignored him completely, which was probably the worst thing he could have done. She felt Alexander's irritation spike, adding to her nausea.

"Three weeks," her father said, addressing Luna like she was still sixteen and sneaking romance novels into pack meetings. "Three weeks of avoiding our calls. Your mother is worried sick."

Luna's laugh came out more hysterical than she meant it to. "Mom's in Paris. She texted me yesterday about some fashion show."

She immediately regretted the words when she saw her father's face tighten. Her parents' marriage had always been more political than passionate, but lately...

"The pack is talking," he said stiffly.

"The pack is always talking." Luna's voice cracked. "Remember when they talked about sending me to work in the palace? Remember how that was supposed to 'build character'?"

She felt Alexander's confusion through their bond – they hadn't discussed this part of her past yet. There were still so many conversations they needed to have, so many quiet truths they hadn't shared. But her father was already speaking.

"You were too soft," he said, like he was explaining something obvious. "Too emotional. You needed—"

"I was seventeen." Luna surprised herself by cutting him off. "I cried when I had to leave home. Remember? And you said crying was for weak wolves."

"Luna..." Her brother James stepped forward, looking uncomfortable. He'd always been the kindest of her brothers, though that wasn't saying much.

"No, let's talk about it." Luna's voice shook but didn't stop. "Let's talk about how you sent your teenage daughter to work in the palace kitchens because she wasn't 'tough enough' to be an Alpha's daughter. How you told everyone it was a character-building exercise when really you just couldn't stand having an Omega embarrass you at pack functions."

She felt Alexander's rage building and squeezed his hand. *Not yet*, she tried to project through their bond. *Let me finish this*.

"And you know what?" She continued, wiping her eyes with her free hand. "You were right. I did learn things. I learned how to hide my anxiety attacks in supply closets. I learned which kitchen staff would share their lunch when I was too nervous to eat. I learned—" her voice cracked again "—I learned that family isn't always about blood."

"You're being dramatic," her father said, but she saw something flicker in his eyes. Uncertainty, maybe. Or guilt.

"No, I'm being honest. Finally." Luna took a shaky breath. "I'm not asking for your approval anymore. I'm not that scared girl hiding romance novels under her bed. I'm—" she nearly choked on the words "—I'm a queen. Whether you like it or not."

"A queen who still hides snacks in her pockets," her brother Michael said coldly. "Who stress-bakes with the kitchen staff. Who can't even maintain proper dignity in Council meetings."

"Actually," Victoria's voice cut through the tension as she entered, "those cookies she stress-bakes have become quite popular at diplomatic functions. The Swedish ambassador specifically requested them at next month's trade negotiations."

Luna felt a hysterical giggle building in her chest. Trust Victoria to turn even stress-baking into a political advantage.

"And as for dignity," Victoria continued, dropping a stack of files on a nearby table, "perhaps we should discuss the 40% increase in staff productivity since she implemented her reforms? Or would Alpha Richards prefer to explain to the Council why he's questioning policies they unanimously approved?"

Luna's father actually took a step back. "That won't be necessary."

"Then I believe we're done here." Alexander's voice was deadly quiet. "Unless you'd like to further insult my mate in my own home?"

Luna felt him trembling now too, his careful control slipping. The full moon was too close for this kind of confrontation. They were all on edge, wolves too close to the surface.

"Luna." James stepped forward again while their father and Michael turned to leave. "I... I kept your books. The ones you left behind. They're still in your old room."

Luna's eyes burned. "The romance novels?"

"Yeah." He shuffled awkwardly. "Even that weird one about the vampire pianist."

A wet laugh escaped her. "It was a violinist, actually."

"Right." He smiled slightly. "Maybe... maybe you could come get them sometime? When things are calmer?"

"Maybe," Luna whispered. She felt Alexander's approval warm through their bond.

Once her family was gone, Luna's legs gave out completely. She ended up sitting on the fancy reception room floor, hyperventilating into her knees while Alexander rubbed her back.

"That could have gone worse," Victoria said pragmatically, sitting down next to them despite her expensive suit. "No one wolfed out. No one got bitten. And I think James might actually be salvageable."

Luna hiccupped a laugh. "My dress is wrinkled."

"Your dress was already wrinkled." Victoria pulled a protein bar from her pocket. "Here. You're shaking."

"That's not hunger, that's anxiety." But Luna took the bar anyway. "Did the Swedish ambassador really request my cookies?"

"No, but he will once I send him some." Victoria smirked. "Never waste a good stress-baking session."

Alexander made a sound that might have been a laugh. "You're terrifying."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

They sat in silence while Luna's breathing steadied. She could feel Alexander's wolf still pacing under his skin, agitated and protective. The full moon tomorrow would be... interesting.

"Speaking of the full moon," Alexander said carefully. "There's something else we should discuss."

Luna groaned. "Please tell me it doesn't involve my father."

"No, it's... there's this tradition. For newly mated pairs." He actually blushed. "A hunt."

"A hunt?"

"The male wolf hunts for his mate. Proves he can provide." His embarrassment leaked through their bond. "It's stupid and outdated and probably offensive and—"

"Yes."

He blinked. "Yes?"

"Yes, I want you to hunt for me." Luna felt her own cheeks heat. "It's kind of... hot."

Alexander's startled laugh eased some of the tension in her chest. He pulled her closer, pressing his forehead to hers. She could smell his cologne – nothing like her father's, just clean pine and something distinctly him.

"You're incredible," he murmured. "You know that?"

"Getting there." Luna closed her eyes. "But if you bring me a rabbit, I'm divorcing you."

"Noted." His lips found hers, soft and sweet. "Deer at minimum?"

"A queen has standards." She smiled against his mouth. "Even one who stress-bakes and cries on reception room floors."

"Especially one who stress-bakes and cries on reception room floors."

Victoria made a gagging noise. "If you two are done being disgustingly cute, we do have actual work to do."

But she helped Luna up with gentle hands, and there was approval in her eyes.

Tomorrow they would run under the moon together, wolf to wolf, mate to mate. But for now, Luna was content to sit on the floor with wrinkled silk and protein bar crumbs, letting Alexander's warmth chase away the last echoes of her father's cologne.

It wasn't perfect. But it was real. Sometimes that was better.