Chapter 4: Injured Luna
915 Words
Asteria's POV
I'd thought I could get used to being hated, being shoved aside, being mocked, but getting that expression from my father was enough to shatter me.
While my mother was being treated, I stood at the entrance, hiding away like I could trigger her own death.
I was like a plague she avoided, a painful twig in her toe she was desperate to remove. I wiped my tears shakily and leaned on the wall.
My father strode towards me, placing an invitation card on the desk, “tomorrow's the king's ball. We've been given another chance by the moon goddess to make things right.” he sighed, taking off his blood stained clothes.
My gaze lingered on the invitation card and I inhaled a shaky breath, “father, we can't attend. Mother's sick.”
“And if the king picks you or your sister as his mate, the rogues would stop attacking!”
“Father, the king has to choose me.” Anastasia stepped in, crossing her legs as she majestically sat on the couch.
She tucked some loose strands of her hair behind her ears and flashed me a smile, “in terms of beauty, I'm better than Asteria. Allowing her tag along is only a waste of time.”
“Yes, father.” I whispered, clutching my dress, “I can stay back and take care of my mother. If the king chooses my sister, then it's for the good of us all.”
The king of Wolverine kingdom and also the Alpha of the Shadow Grey pack was the heart desire of women across all packs, but no one had ever seen his face.
He'd been without a woman for ages, but since it was time to crown a Luna, he was suddenly willing to reveal his face to his kingdom.
“You really want to do this? If you stay back, who's going to protect your sister!” My father snapped, rising up furiously, “the ball is in a few days time, make sure you're ready. No mistakes this time. Let's hope the moon goddess would shine her mercy upon us.” He added before walking away.
Anastasia picked an apple from the table and took a wide bite, “You shouldn't have told Alpha Leonard you couldn't shift.” She sighed, sucking in a breath as her gaze lingered on me, “You've successfully allowed another rogue attack, made mother injured.” Her gaze turned cold, “why don't you just die, huh?”
“Anastasia!” I snapped, yelling like a maniac as tears gathered in my eyes, “You've said this several times already, how much more? How much more do I need to understand that you hate me?”
I balled my hands into fists, “we're sisters.”
“Sisters?” She laughed, matching my gaze, “you robbed me of the chance of having a little brother. Your cursed birth jinxed us for life.”
“It's not my fault.” I whimpered, falling to my knees, “I…i would have died in her womb if i could control it.”
“Stop acting like you're guilty.” She snickered, rising up slowly, “the ball is in a few days, but I need to get ready. Who knows, this might be a chance to never see you again.”
I stared at her retreating figure and dragged myself up my feets. I walked towards the couch and sat down, staring at the fireplace for hours.
I'd tried committing suicide several times, but my sister never stopped me. Sometimes she kept some ropes underneath the bed to trigger me.
Anastasia frustrated me and tried to poison me when we were only kids. She'd said “I'm tired of being mocked because of your failure. Why don't you just die, huh?”
I wiped my tears harshly and took slow strides towards the kitchen to grab a meal. Due to the war, the maids left to their various homes to have a check on their families; since Anastasia and I couldn't cook, all we had left was the baked bread in the oven.
As I walked into the kitchen, I stumbled upon a familiar frame.
My heart raced as my eyes lit up, “Jonah.” but my heart turned cold, when I saw his arms wrapped around Anastasia’s waist. I staggered backwards, “Jonah?”
“He's mine now.” Anastasia stood before him, placing her hands on her waist, “You think I don't know you're into him?” she blurted out, her loud chuckle echoing in my ears, “It's my duty to take everything you love, sister. Do you think you're allowed to love?”
She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed his lips, “You're not. Not until you fix everything your birth has caused us!”
Jonah was my childhood friend, someone my heart longed for. I'd always admired him from afar, but I knew I couldn't profess my feelings for him. He'd never like someone like me, he'd never want a loser like me.
Anastasia always had the habit of taking everything that brought me happiness. It started with my self made toys, my friends, and now the man I've longed for all my life.
I swallowed hard, my gaze lingering on Jonah, “I'm not into him.” I denied, even though a tear slipped down my cheeks, “I never have.”
- Writer
