I
was still confused with the pain in my heart. The idea of the Alfa being intimate with another female. It wasn't only an emotional pain, it was physical as well. I placed my hand on my chest, massaging the area where my heart was beating irregularly.
I remember Rebeca saying that it was the nature of our species the libido to be at its peak. Wolves love sex and power; after all, sex often turned into an expression of dominance and power, just like the males of the tribe that held us captive for so many years.
It was normal, after a duel for position, for the winning male to force himself in the loser in front of everyone else.
I saw it happen once; I was paralyzed by the violence, the smell of blood, sweat, excitement, and excrement. No one helped, not even his friends, who laughed and said he deserved it for being a loser….
She also said that once a female finds her mate, the urgency for both to mate and mark each other increases every day. The attraction is triggered at the first exchange of glances, both natures recognizing each other. After they unite and mark, their souls become inseparable.
I believe she was just trying to make me less pessimistic. Everything about our species' nature is violent. I heard that on the other side, in a parallel world, there are beings that do not transform, whose souls are complete, and people choose their companions.
Humans.
Many nights I wished to be human; the world of these people must be very happy and free…
— Hm… Luna, I… I think it's better if Alfa Dérik explains to you who Hira is.
I just nodded and she smiled once again. This female smiles all the time; at times, I almost believe she is happy, but it's not possible for a female to be happy in a world where the strongest can do whatever they want with the weakest.
The double wooden door in front of us looked solid and heavy, but the Beta opened it easily. Still showing her white teeth in a doubtful smile, she gestured for me to pass.
The change of environment was surreal; we left a dark building with stone walls, but now we were in an open-air setting, with a central garden of colorful flowers.
It was like a childhood dream in a nightmare.
We followed the path of white pebbles that circled the garden, moving towards three females who were chatting animatedly. They were beautiful and wore light-colored tunics, adorned with a sheer, flowing fabric. I had never seen clothes like that, which conveyed an idea of lightness and sensuality; however, they were not practical for manual labor.Their faces had traces of paint on their lips and eyes, which enhanced their beauty. The lower part of their clothing had slits that revealed their beautiful legs when they moved.
A strange emotion, one I had never felt before, took hold of me. They had curves in their bodies, ample bosoms, and the closer I got to them, the more I wanted to hide my body.
I felt inferior because of their appearance.
When I was in the previous captivity, I thanked the gods for not drawing the attention of the males. Rebeca told me it was better that way, that I would mature only after escaping from there. However, in front of the females of Alfa Dérik's harem, I wished to be more beautiful than them…
What was happening to my mind? Why the hell would I want to draw more attention than they did? I needed to hide, to go incognito so I could escape and not attract the attention of such a frightening Alpha!
— Good afternoon, girls! — Tabita greeted them with her hand on my right shoulder.
— Good afternoon, female Beta! We were here eagerly awaiting your arrival! — Said one of them excitedly, the one with fiery red hair.
They were proud and smiling, different from the prisoners of the old tribe. Perhaps they are less cruel to the slaves here…
— Is it true that she is a Luna by birth? — Said another redhead, more delicate and with a face sprinkled with brown spots that made her even more cute.
— A Luna like that…— The one with brown hair, cascading in waves over her shoulders, said sarcastically. — How can it be? She looks more like a boy!
She looked me up and down, her perfect arched eyebrow raised in disdain. The words were interspersed with giggles.
Instinctively, I shrank back behind Tabita. That female, as pretty as she was, was just as malicious. I believe she wanted to hurt me without even knowing me.
The Beta female held my hand and said to her:
— Know your place, Eda, you're talking about a Luna!
Eda, a beautiful name for an attractive and cruel female. I recognized that glint in her eyes, there was malice in them. The glint of the guards before they splashed cold water on us, or when they ordered us to change clothes in front of them…
I was surprised when she shrugged, tossed her hair back, and answered the Beta arrogantly.
— I didn't say anything bad nor did I lie, besides, she's not MY Luna, nor is she from our pack!
I was right, females are never respected; the title belonged to her male, not even other females respected her.
— Then, respect me, before I have you shave your head! — The Beta female retorted as if she had heard my thoughts.
I could sense authority in her voice, but her command did not affect me. However, the three females quickly lowered their heads, and that Eda hurried to apologize with repeated and empty words.
— Enough! I don't have time for your nonsense! Alpha Dérik ordered for the food be served in the banquet. Also, we have to prepare Luna Nadja for the acceptance ceremony.
— What? The Alpha will accept her on the same day she arrived? But the council won't— The one named Eda lifted her head with wide eyes.
— We will have a Luna in our lands, this is wonderful! — The small redhead smiled at me.
— We already have a Luna! Hira won't like these orders without consulting her!
— That's her problem, Eda! — The Beta replied with a smile on her face that showed her prominent canines.
She was angry… Her smile didnt hide it.
— You shouldn't speak to me that way, Beta, especially in front of strangers.
— Eda, I think you should run to tell Hira, maybe she'll throw you a bone.
Eda stared at Tabita for a few seconds, but couldn't withstand the Beta's authority and lowered her head. She looked at me once more with contempt before leaving. The two supposed sisters remained silent during the altercation, but I noticed the younger one biting her lips to hide her smile each time the Beta put Eda in her place.
Perhaps, there is authority among females after all…
— Don't stress about her, Tabita, you know how she is… — The taller redhead said in a calming tone.
— Disrespect and foolishness are not part of personality, but a lack of character. — The Beta retorted. — Didn't you know about the ceremony?
— The Alpha ordered us to prepare a banquet, the servants have already been ordered, we didn't know it was for the integration of the young Luna. It's a pleasure to welcome you to our pack, Luna Nadja, my name is Hadit, and this is my younger sister, Sunna.
— Thank you, I hope we have a good relationship. — I couldn't think of anything better to say while the three of them looked at me.
Sunna is shy and had a charming smile; for some reason, I felt good near her. She approached hesitantly.
— How old are you, Luna?
— I… I don't know…
— Oh... — Sunna looked nervously at the Beta, but she was talking with Hadit and didn't seem to be paying attention to our conversation. I believe it was a pretense.
— I'm seventeen cycles old. Can I help you get dressed? It's so nice to have someone at my age here, I mean, I think you must be…. The old healer will help you, don't worry, and the whole pack will be happy to have you here.
She spoke quickly and a lot, which was comfortable for me, as I had no desire to say anything. Walking towards the temple of Hecate, which I discovered, was the headquarters of the Harem. I could smell the scent of fresh food and roasted meat. My stomach growled and the Beta ended the conversation, hastily taking me to the kitchen.