ZANA’S POV

It’s been almost 8 hours since my brother left my room, I am trembling with anxiety to the unknown, was he able to convince Father about not sending me away? Oh; Mother Luna, why is taking so long? What if Father got angry at him and punished him too, oh Goddess no! Please, the last thing I want is to put him in trouble.

“Calm down”, A soft velvety voice whispers.

Startled, I jump from my chair and move closer to the door. "Who's there?" My voice trembles, echoing my fear.

No one replies. The voice giggles, light and teasing, as if I’ve told a funny joke. "Who is it?" I demand, trying to mask my fear with forced confidence.

“Please return to bed, princess. No one is allowed to talk to you,” a guard’s voice replied from outside the door.

Relief washed over me, but confusion lingered. Was I really losing my mind?

I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and changed into my night clothes. Exhaustion tugged at me after a day spent practicing for a ceremony I might not even attend. Lina had failed to find my anklet in the garden, so I had asked her to send a couple of guards to search for it, she offered them as a small bribe some of the headbands I had embroidered, everyone knew how precious my handwork was, as I am the only female royal by blood still alive, ‘traitor or not’.

That anklet was one of the little few things I had left of my mother. How could I have been so careless?

I pray the moon they can find it.

As I lay in bed, voices grew louder outside my door. I recognized Xali’s voice, accompanied by Lina’s. Panic seized me. What were they doing here at this hour? The door creaked open, and I quickly pretended to be asleep.

“Zan... mmhhm; Princess, please wake up,” Lina whispered, shaking my shoulder gently.

“Mmhmm, what happened, Lina? Is there a problem?”

“No, princess. I was sent to deliver a message from the Emperor, your father,” Xali announced with a poker face, making it impossible to discern whether the news was good or bad. I despise this witch; I wish I could prove that she is using my father.

Standing from my bed with the help of Lina as per protocol, I kneel to listen my father’s word.

"Tomorrow, as the eldest of the Emperor’s offspring, and as a representation of the late Luna; Zana of Nahual, princess of Aztlan, shall proceed with the Sacred Ritual Ceremony, as tradition marks."

Did I hear correctly? Am I been given back my title and my name? is this a dream? Did Huitz finally convince him? Am I dreaming?

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“Mmmh mmh.”

Lina clears her throat while shaking me a little to take me away from my stupor.

"Uh, ummh, I, Zana of Nahual, princess of Aztlan Pack, listen and obey. If I fail to execute my duty, I shall pay with my blood." My words come out in a rush, joy infusing them with life.

Xali nods and claps. Three helpers enter, carrying chests filled with clothes, ornaments, jewelry, and makeup. Everything a princess should have and wear with pride.

It’s hard to balance pride without boasting, but Mother taught me well. She was the epitome of grace, elegance, and mercy. She wasn’t just the Luna of our pack, but a motherly figure everyone loved and respected. I’ve always dreamed of becoming half of what she was. Oh, how I miss her.

I stare blankly at the ornate chest until Lina gently shakes my shoulder. I manage a gracious smile, bowing slightly to thank them, my rusty royal manners evident in my awkward curtsy.

Thank the moon Lina always kicked my but to keep studding and practicing, in hopes that one day I could become the Luna Alpha of the pack.

Xali and the others bow and leave. I stand frozen, staring at the closed door, my mouth agape. The reality of my restored title sinks in.

Lina hugs me, jumping and crying with joy.

"Lina, am I awake? Is this real? Did I die?"

"It is! It is, Princess. You are alive, and you are being returned your name and title by none other than your father!"

A warm sensation spreads through my chest, lifting the weight of my worries. And then I cry, sobbing and whipping, scaring Lina in the process. This time, the tears are of happiness. Tears of hope.

Lina kneels beside me, hugging me sisterly until I calm down. She tucks me back into bed, saying goodnight.

“Lina” I called her before she exited the room.

“Yes, Princess?”

“Don’t call me like that, for you I’m always Zana, I asked.

“I haven’t train you all these years for nothing, you have your duties, and I have mine, so, now, sleep princess, is past midnight and we have a very long day ahead”.

“Goodnight. Lina. Thank you.”

She turns off the lights and close the door behind her.

And, with that, I fell asleep.

“Zana, wake up!”

I snapped my eyes open, That voice again!

“Don’t worry, everything is ok, and no, you are not losing your mind.”

“Who are you? Where are you?”

“I’m, well, I’m you!”

Huh? Did I say that or I think it?

“You said it. But I don’t have much time, I came to warn you…”

“What? Warn me? About what? What’s going on?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t say much; but whatever it happens tomorrow, everything will be ok, just trust in yourself, I’ll be there with you.”

“Huh? What the hell? I don’t understand anything I finally gain back my father’s trust and not an invisible voice is telling that something is going to happen? I’m really losing it!”

“Listen, I don’t have much time, you just need to let me cross, don’t be afraid of anything else, and Zana; I’m so happy I finally meet you, good night.”

“Wait, to cross from where, what’s your name?”

Gone, the voice left as it came, and it took with it my good sleep, I get up and I walk to the window, still barricaded, but the moonlight finds its way in through the wood gaps. Slowly, I advance to it, and I can see how gradually the light ascends from my feet to my legs and thighs as I get closer to the window, stopping just as the silvery light reaches my chest; and then it hit me! My Lycan! It was her! It was er voice!

How stupid am I that I didn’t recognize her! Oh goddess, I hope I didn’t hurt her feelings, I didn’t mean to be that dumb, I have been dreaming for this moment for so long and now that finally happened, my dumb stupid self didn’t even realize it was happening. Idiot!

After pacing the room and muttering under my breath, I clenched my fists and slammed them onto the bed. I buried my face in my hands, feeling the heat of shame creep up my neck. With a heavy sigh, I flopped onto the mattress, my frustration simmering as I stared at the ceiling.

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I hugged myself tightly.

“I’ve been waiting for you for so long. I love you. Welcome.”

I closed my eyes, hoping she could feel the sincerity in my words. With a deep breath; and thinking of our little encounter as if it was a fairy tale, I lulled myself back to sleep. Tomorrow will be a great day! I can’t wait!