Sixteen

Kira had gone back to her pack to see her aunt and also keep her up to date with how everything had turned out. She had been communicating with her through a mind link but the distance between them made communicating a lot more difficult.

She also had plans of informing her pack members about everything that had suddenly hit and she knew for a fact that it would most likely not sit well with them that their newly appointed Alpha is walking into the enemy's territory and putting their Pack ruler's bloodline in jeopardy but since she understood the greater purpose of it all, she couldn't bring herself to fall back on her plans.

For thousands of years, her kind has existed and have formed packs for better instincts and to protect themselves from risk and danger.

Many packs have gone extinct as the rivalry between their kinds started and now their kind are on the brink of extinction and this time it won't be by their kind but by a greater force known as the night crawlers or creatures cursed by the sun.

Kira felt the burden she was carrying was way too much for her age and most of the time, she wondered why the moon goddess had to put such trust in her.

"You will do just fine Kira, worry not cause you have me." Her aunt, Layla assured her as she massaged Kira's shoulders.

Kira sighed, "Aunt...I just can't not worry. It all feels like a whole lot for me."

"Kira, look at me." Layla said to her. Kira raised her head to look at her aunt.

"To whom much is given, much is expected. The moon goddess wouldn't bestow such on you if she didn't deem you worthy and capable. You might feel it's a lot but with time, you won't see it as a burden anymore." Layla assured.

Kira smiled at her aunt in gratitude. She couldn't even express how much she loved her. As a child, her aunt stood by her and encouraged her whenever she needed it and now that she thought about it, she couldn't help but think the reason the moon goddess had not blessed her aunt with a child must be because of her.

Her aunt was there to take charge as her mother and aunt at the same time. To tell her she was strong and that she could do anything and whenever her aunt encouraged her, she felt some kind of relieved and giddy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"I know all that aunt but it's just too much for me at once. I don't just feel like I'm ready." She tells her aunt, letting out her worries.

Her aunt pulled Kira closer as she engulfed her in a hug. "You are a strong girl Kira. So strong that I believe that nothing can shake you." Layla said.

"I guess I'm just worried. Worried that I might end up failing but at the same time, I feel I can do it. It's just a messy feeling aunt. Having to stay in another pack for a long period of time to uncover the truth and prepare against the creatures cursed by the sun is too much. It just makes me wish my dad lived a little longer." Her voice broke when she mentioned her father and her eyes welled in tears.

It has not been long since he left her and now a whole lot is on her shoulder and she is not sure if she is ready for it.

"You will do just fine and when you can no longer bear it, if it is unbearable, trust me to stand by you and I could even finish what you started." Her aunt joked while patting her on the back.

"Excuse me for interrupting Alpha Kira but the people are already gathered for your announcement." Philip, her newly appointed third in command informed her.

Kira sighed and wiped her tears hurriedly. Her aunt squeezed her shoulders lightly with a smile on her face, "Kira, you will do fine. I'm right beside you." Her aunt assured her and she nodded her head.

The members of the Redmoon pack were all waiting for Kira. Although she had not been fully crowned, they all knew she was the new Alpha.

They looked forward to hearing her address them for the first time and they were all curious to know what she had to say.

When Kira was standing in front of the massive crowd, she hiccuped.

All eyes were on her and she began to worry. Her palms became sweaty and she started to shiver slightly.

She inhaled and exhaled deeply.

She looked towards the direction of her aunt and her aunt mouthed, 'you can do it' to her.

"Good day everyone." She greeted.

"It's really great to be standing here in front of you all but I must admit that I'm pretty nervous right now." She said, chuckling lightly but the serious expressions on everyone's face did not change.

She cleared her throat, "Okay, so as you all already know, I am taking over from my late father as the new Alpha but it breaks my heart to announce that I will be away from the pack for a while and unfortunately, I will be absent from my duties in the process." She announced and the pack members were immediately curious to know why.

"The reason is partly because I have found my mate." She took in a deep breath as she prepared herself to tell them who her mate was. She wasn't sure she'd be able to handle their reaction when they eventually find out that her mate is their enemy.

Everyone stared back at her quietly, patiently waiting for her to finish up her speech before having a reaction.

"I know you'll all be surprised to find out who he is but I'd appreciate you guys' support because believe me when I say, this isn't easy for me." She sighed.

There were a lot of people who wanted to interrupt and ask questions but they kept their mouths shut.

"So the thing is, my mate turned out to be the Alpha of the silvermoon pack." She announced and at that moment, the silence got even more deafening and uncomfortable.

Kira began to worry as no one said anything and no one was doing anything. She knew they wouldn't be able to handle the shock and even if they did, they wouldn't be able to accept it easily.

"You are joking right?" Sebastian, one of the oldest wolves in the pack asked.

"I..." Kira was cut short as her aunt interjected.

"Sadly Sebastian, she isn't." Her aunt replied to him.

Some of the older members of the pack started to laugh hilariously. "You played a prank and trust me, you got us but tell us what exactly is going on because we do not accept such kind of jokes." Luke said firmly and sternly.

"Sorry if it sounds like a joke but, it is the truth." Layla repeated and unsurprisingly, the people began to whisper amongst themselves.

"You know this calls for war right?" Sebastian spoke.

"War? There will be no such thing." Kira said firmly.

"What do you mean there won't be war? You do know that we won't let it work and besides the silvermoon Alpha won't accept this. He is a ruthless bastard who has been murdering our people, your people and you want to accept it? What is going on Layla? Explain to me because I am confused." Luke said.

Kira cleared her throat. "I would appreciate it if you all listened to me first before jumping into your own conclusions." Kira said in a firm tone.

She had expected a reaction like this from them.

"Go ahead then! What is it you have to say about this nonsense and it had better have nothing to do with accepting the likes of such a treacherous pack! I mean what was the moon goddess thinking when she even paired both of you? It makes absolutely no sense!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"Sebastian, I would appreciate it if you could calm yourself." Layla reprimanded.

"Fine." He hissed.

"It would be nice if you all stop the side talks and listen to me." Kira requested and they did as told.

Now that she had gotten their full attention again, she spoke up, "I have already been to the silvermoon pack and I'm back safely and soundly. In fact, I already have a room there too." She teased.

Everyone gasped. They were completely taken aback by her words. They wondered when she went and when it happened and they began to whisper to one another again, this time Kira could hear some of their whispers.

"Just when we thought we would have someone better to lead us." Duncan muttered in a disappointed tone.

Duncan is also an elderly wolf. Many of the older wolves hadn't come to accept Kira as their new Alpha as they felt she was way too young and naive to lead them.

"Please decorum!" Layla voiced out but they weren't fazed by that as they began to argue.

"I would appreciate silence!" Kira yelled harshly after a while. She clenched her fist tightly as she tried to keep her temper at bay.

She exhaled deeply. "I would love you all to listen and support me not being against me. It's actually sad that many of you already concluded before even listening to me."