Belle had never been the popular kid. She had gone through most of High School like a shadow. She hasn't been picked on or picked out and nobody had missed her on the days she was absent.
To be standing here tonight. The moon kissing the mountains in the distance as they swayed to music only their hearts could hear. Belle danced with the most delicious and popular boy in school.
" Belle, your name's meaning has never been more true. You look gorgeous tonight." Alaric said as he gently kissed Belle's knuckles. A small shiver oozed its way from her hand and rippled through her entire body.
" You don't look half bad yourself there." Belle replied, hoping she sounded as non-nerd as possible. His lips captured hers and all thought was wiped away. Replaced only by thoughts of him.
Alaric was strong and tall and loved by all. He didn't do the things that the popular crowd did. He was kind and stood up for the weak. Soon he would be made Alpha and would choose her as his Luna. They had known each other since the tough times.
They were going to change this place back to the good old days. Rule as King and Queen of this town. In four days there was a Rose Moon. On this night a new Alpha would be crowned from a select few. Belle had no doubt Alaric would win and they would lead this pack to greatness.
The days passed quickly and the fourth night was on them. When the night was silent and the moon strong, the challenge started. The first was to go on a hunt and bring the prey back unharmed. This tested control over their wolf nature. Secondly this tested problem solving skills. If the prey was to be delivered unharmed you had to be gentle or set a humane trap.
The second challenge was to get An Alpha or Luna to accept your challenge. If you could get them to touch the ground with a knee they would pass you. A pass meant you were on Alpha rank. Once An Alpha you could pick your Alpha or Luna and start a pack.
This pack is part of many that all stand together. Belle waited with the others from where the challenge had started. She started to pace up and down to calm her nerves. Two of the five had returned to rest before The Alpha Challenge.
" Please let him be next, please let him be ne..." She said for what felt like the millionth time when he suddenly appeared from behind a hill. Alaric ran over to her to show off the beautiful white rabbit he had in his coat. He carefully opened the coat to reveal a snug and sleeping rabbit.
" Let me show The Alpha before I lose this guy." Alaric said with a quick kiss on her cheek before he left. He had challenged his brother Ivan. He hadn't taken it easy at all on his younger brother.
Soon after the match started, he had him in a chokehold and Alaric could feel his body become heavy. He fought panic and remembered to stay calm. There was always a way out.
He fully relaxed his body and Ian released his grip. This was his chance! He reached back and grabbed Ian behind his head. The sudden movement caused them both to fall over but, not before Ian's knee hit the ground hard.
"Well done little wolf!" Ian exclaimed as he got up and dusted himself off. He put his arm around Alaric's neck and turned them both to the others. " I PROUDLY declare my brother Alaric true to his name! He is The Noble Leader. He is now An Alpha!"
In that moment Belle felt such pride and elation. This was the moment they had both waited years for. Any moment now he would call her beside him. She waited patiently as all their friends and family congratulated him.
Then Alaric stood alone before the entire pack. He looked at everyone and took a deep breath.
" I've worked so hard to get to this day. After we lost dad Ian stepped in. He trained me and made sure we had food on the table. Today I got to show our entire family what you did. Today I am An Alpha!"
Then as the crowd cheered loudly Belle watched in horror as a familiar face walked up to Alaric. Cynthia Klarins was a viper of a person and a lazy wolf. She walked up to Alaric and planted him with a passionate kiss.
He returned her kiss and she looked on as he betrayed her for the world to see. She turned away from the crowd and walked away. She kept walking till the voices became silent and her tears dried up.
She would never forgive him and come the next Rose Moon she would become a Luna. She would start mighty pack that would rival his. He would be sorry for what he had done!
This night should have been theirs and now she was alone and lost. She would go to her sister and lick her wounds there. She would make a new life for herself and the beautiful new life inside her.
She had not expected to get pregnant but, the news had filled her with such joy that she hadn't know if she wanted to laugh or cry...so she had done both. She has hoped to share this news with Alaric and see the joy on his face.
She must not have meant that much to him anyway. If he couldn't declare her his love after being his girlfriend for almost two years then, he didn't deserve them as a family.
For now she would take care of them both by taking care of herself. Her sister loved to take care of her. She was going to be over the moon that Belle would be there.
Belle looked over her shoulder one last time. The woods she had called home just looked cold now.
