HUNTED

The pack broke into hushed murmurs at Aila's words; excited energy buzzed through the hall, landing on both girl's ears. Aila watched as Lydia's eyes widened and instantly started plotting. Aila kept herself from smiling; this was not part of Lydia's plan tonight. She definitely wants to challenge her, but not yet; she wondered why. 

Is there an easier way than a challenge?

"No, Aila, that is not a challenge-"

"That is Luna to you," A man's voice shouted from the crowd.

Lydia tsked and waved her hand, "I am only here for the sake of the pack."

"Is that so.." Aila trailed off; she could feel Damon's growl from behind her. She knew Lydia's disrespect towards Aila was something that could earn her a punishment. A real punishment in the form of the cells in the basement. 

"And if this was another pack, would that rule still apply? That mates HAVE to wait until the Luna is challenged before being marked?" Aila queried pensively. Malia hummed in the back of her mind, liking where Aila was going to steer the conversation. 

Lydia scoffed and flicked her long hair behind her shoulders, "This isn't any other pack. This is Silver Crescent, and the Luna has to be correct-"

"I am not right for this pack!? That is what you are implying.." Aila's eyes glowed, and a growl erupted through her lips. Power surged from the pit of her stomach. Lydia smirked and opened her mouth to continue, but Aila held her hand up, which caused Lydia to forcefully stop. Her mouth was gaping like a fish out of the water while she tried to resist the simple order from her Luna.

"Not only have you disrespected our beloved Moon Goddess, Queen of night," Aila tapped her forehead then her chest before forming her hand into a 'C' and let her hand glide down her body and away. The religious sign of respect to the goddess.

This made the pack gasp and bend the knee, with their heads bowed and repeating the sign, murmuring the recitation, "Beloved Moon Goddess, how we love thee and thank thee for thy gifts."

Aila continued, "But you have disrespected my family name. One that has upheld this pack way before you were born." 

Malia growled and came through Aila's lips. Her eyes glowed again; this caused the pack members to bare their necks to her. Lydia's eyes widened at how the tables were turning and how the pack was responding to Aila.

"Our beloved Moon Goddess does not make mistakes by choosing our mates. It is even blasphemous to even suggest such a thing-"

The crowd gasped, and Lydia interrupted, trying to win them over again, "I never suggested such a thing-"

"Yes, you did. You have openly made it clear that you have been against me becoming Luna from the beginning. Now, I understand your worries at a newcomer joining the pack and sharing the duties of the Alpha," Aila glanced at Damon, who now stood tall and proud, his arms crossed against his chest with a small smile on his lips as he watched Aila take on Lydia. 

Aila looked back at Lydia with more confidence. Seeing her Alpha, her mate, silent and letting her take charge empowered her.

"But our Queen of night never mistakes who is mated. Being marked is to signify our union and our acceptance of Selene's choice," Aila made the sign again, which others followed, "I am a Cross, and this IS my pack by birthright. If you don't think I am capable of leading and protecting this pack.. Then challenge me, instead of trying to use this rule to not only kick me out of this pack.. but also, YOUR ALPHA," Aila's voice boomed at the end.

Damon's growl erupted from his chest and resounded through the hall, making the plates on the buffet tables shake. Others in the pack also growled while Aila and Lydia stood across from each other in a locked gaze. Lydia's face hardened, and her hands fisted by her sides.

A small smile twitched on Aila's lips as victory settled on her shoulders. 

Check.

"I'd say, checkmate," Malia smirked.

"Not yet. Lydia probably has a plan b and c," Aila murmured back to her wolf while her gaze left Lydia's and swept across the pack.

As it were, Darren was the one to next speak up. Aila bit her tongue in annoyance, but she plastered a neutral expression on her face as she looked at him.

"That is all well and true. And you make some excellent points. I don't think Lydia ever MEANT to suggest kicking you or Alpha Damon out," He paused, waiting for the crowd to settle back down in their seats. 

He glanced towards Lydia knowingly before continuing, "But our concerns do need to be answered.. You've barely been a werewolf for a month? And now you expect the pack to accept you as their Luna?"

Aila stalked towards him; the heels she wore made her steps echo in the silenced hall as the pack seemingly held their breath simultaneously. 

"I EXPECT you to show me the same respect as you would any other werewolf here. Which you also have not shown me. I may have only been a werewolf for a month, but I was raised with manners and to respect others," Aila's voice grew cold as her eyes scrutinised his features. The locked jaw and hard look behind his eyes showed he was not yet done trying to 'stir the pot' as it were.

Darren closed the small gap between them; it took everything in Aila not to step back. She tilted her head back, so her eyes stayed locked with his. He came forwards slowly before whispering, "Raised by your adopted parents, away from the pack.."

Aila's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Where was he going with this? A smirk formed on his lips as his eyes glanced back at Lydia before returning to Aila gleaming in amusement.

"You know, I heard about you.. the missing 'princess'," He mocked in a whisper.

  "And what did you hear?" Aila drawled. 

Darren brought his face forwards slightly, so she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. She had to stop herself from gagging at how close he was.

"That your parent's death was all your fault."