I Want my mate

Aria's pov

I couldn't cross the kingdom's borders since they have been given strict orders not to take me in.

I was angry and confused at the same time.

I couldn't believe I was even thinking about the Mate Games. The thought of them alone made my stomach turn.

I had heard the stories in whispers around town, stories of brutal challenges, unfair trials, and an ultimate prize, becoming a breeding tool for the kingdom's Moon Maiden. It was a path lined with the screams of those who had tried and failed.

Yet, after my futile attempt to cross the kingdom's borders, I had to reconsider my options. My mission was clear, I needed to find out more about the Mate Games and how they could be connected to my quest.

The town's marketplace was bustling with traders, entertainers, and those seeking information. I slipped through the crowd, keeping my head down and my ears open.

"The Mate Games tested the Moon Maiden's intelligence, etiquette, combat skills, loyalty, endurance, and more." A group of older women gathered around a fruit stand caught my attention. They were chattering about the games.

My ears perked up and I slid closer to them. They were talking about a woman at the edge of the far reaches. I smiled to myself and slipped away.If she could give me what I need then I would be on my way.

I went to the far reaches, it was a dangerous tumbled upon a secluded cottage nestled amidst the trees. The old, wooden structure seemed forgotten by time, yet it exuded an undeniable charm. Curiosity sparked, and I approached and knocked on the door.

A frail but sturdy voice called from within, "Enter, young one."

I hesitated briefly, then pushed the door open, revealing a modest living room. An elderly person, with wispy silver hair and a wise, penetrating gaze, sat by the fireplace.

"Welcome," the elder said with a nod. "What brings you to my humble abode?"

"I am sorry to have disturbed you, I need answers. I've been researching about the Mate Games," I explained, closing the door behind her. "I stumbled upon your home by chance. My name is Aria."

"Ah, the Mate Games, you say?" The elder's gaze softened, and they gestured for me to sit. "I have tales you might find intriguing. I am called Martha. What do you seek?"

I sat down across from Martha, "I'm curious about the games, why do we do it? What happens to those who choose not to?"

She smiled at me like she knew why I was asking, her sharp gaze saw right through me.

"Please, can you help me?"

She nodded knowingly. "Ah, you have stumbled upon themysteries of the Moon Goddess and the Mate Games, haven't you?"

My eyes widened with surprise. "How did you know?"

"I saw your moon mark," Martha said, pointing to a small, crescent-shaped scar on my forehead, "It is a mark of destiny, a connection to the Moon Goddess. Long ago, the kingdom was very different from what it is now. Women played a central role, leading alongside their male counterparts. It was a time of harmony and balance, overseen by the Moon Goddess herself."

"That's astonishing," I murmured, unable to hide her amazement. "What changed?"

Martha shrugged, and said nothing.

I leaned in, "Please, I want to know everything about the past, about how Ravenstone came to be the way it is today. I want to understand why the kingdom is so male-dominated and what it was like in the past."

Her eyes shone with approval, "Very well,"

Martha leaned forward, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "Power shifted when the ancient rulers began to challenge the Moon Goddess's authority. They sought to dominate the werewolf packs and enforce male leadership. The Mate Games was her creation, a means to exert control over the people's fates."

My thoughts raced as I processed the information. "So, the Mate Games were a way to manipulate the natural order?""Yes," Martha confirmed. "The games were used to bound souls in ways the Moon Goddess intended. The males of the kingdome were so proud that their pride became a tool for control, allowing those in power to maintain their grasp on the kingdom."

My heart ached for the loss of the old ways, when women mattered and not used as a breeding tool for those bull headed men. "It's tragic to think of what was lost. I am guessing the moon goddess was not happy. How did she react?"

"She retreated, watching from afar," Martha said solemnly. "But her power and influence remained strong. Those with the moon mark are still connected to her, and her guidance is not lost on them."

I thought about my moon mark and the way I was so against it. I was so insistent on getting rid of it and avoiding the games altogether but there might just be another way,

I looked at Martha who was smiling softly as she stared at me, "Thank you for sharing this knowledge with me, Martha. It's opened my eyes and given me a lot to think about."

"You're welcome, Aria," She said with a gentle smile. "May the Moon Goddess guide your path and help you restore the balance that was lost."

I bowed my head in respect and headed out.

That night, I was deep in a dream in a waterfall. The sound of the water rushing over the stones made the night so serene, one that I could have stayed in forever. But then she appeared.

The Moon Goddess materialized before me, Her presence commanded my attention, and I instantly fell to my knees in reverence. I could feel her power, her wisdom, radiating from her like an aura.

I knew why she was here, she could feel my resolve to go on to the games.

"Aria," she spoke, her voice as soothing as a lullaby, yet firm and commanding. "Changing your own destiny and the destiny of the country both lie herein."

I looked up at her, Her message was clear, but its meaning was not.

My goal had always been to become the kingdom's bravest female warrior, to fight for the rights of women and show the world what we were capable of.

But now, it seemed there was another path ahead of me, one that would require me to lead the kingdom as queen.

"Moon Goddess," I said, my voice quivering slightly. "What do you mean by this? How can I change my destiny and the country's at the same time?"

The Goddess tilted her head, a soft smile on her lips. "Your path has always been one of strength and courage, Aria. But now, you must guide your people not just through your sword, but with your heart. As queen, you can shape the kingdom, influence it in ways you never imagined possible."

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Me, the queen? It seemed impossible, and yet, the Moon Goddess's words resonated deep within me.

She was right; being queen would give me the power to enact real change, to improve the lives of all the kingdom's citizens.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. The Moon Goddess was right. I couldn't let fear hold me back. If becoming queen was the path to changing the fate of the kingdom, then I had to embrace it.

"Thank you, Moon Goddess," I said, a newfound resolve in my voice. "I will do as you say. I will find my way."

The Goddess smiled, her eyes twinkling like the stars above. "I believe in you, Aria. You are the light that will guide your people to a brighter future."

When I woke up, her words echoed in my mind and I knew that I was going to join in the games.

Suddenly, being chosen as a moon maiden didn't seem as bad.

The next day, I was lined up in the palace alongside the other maidens, I nervously twisted my hands.

"Behold the king!" The eunuch announced.

I looked up and when my eyes met his, I gasped when I saw my mate sitting proudly on the throne