The Alpha's Secret Luna

5. AN ANGEL

I was fourteen when I was brought injured, and near death to Shadow Bane. I don’t remember being dragged out of the ocean or hoisted into a car and rushed to Shadow Bane, I was plagued with nightmares, memories of a woman crying, dark creeping shadows coming out of flames towards me, and I awoke in a sweat, screaming.

“Ssh, ssh.” A voice had comforted. “You’re safe here but please try not to move.” I opened my eyes to see two deep, mesmerising jade pools staring back. “There we are sweet; I was wondering when you would wake up.” The face smiled and I noticed a dimple on one side, partnered with plump rosy cheeks.

“You’re like an angel…” I blurted out, she gave a polite laugh and patted a damp cloth on my head. “Where am I?” I croaked out, my throat sore.

“Shh sweet.” The lady lent over for a glass of water with a straw and brought it to my lips. “You’ve been through a bit and still need rest. But you are at Shadow Bane.” I remember wondering why I was at Shadow Bane when it all came rushing back to me, the flames, the screams.

“My family?!” I shot up in bed. Big mistake as a sharp pain tormented my side, and a thunderous ache came from my bones.

“There will be time for that later. For now, rest.” The lady gently pushed my back down and my body willingly fell. “Could you tell me your name?” She smiled softly. I thought hard. What was my name? Something came back to me.

Whatever you do, do not tell them your real name Cassandra. Keep it simple, short, easy to remember.

“Cora.” I lied.

“Cora.” She smiled again, a small part of me winced at lying to the kind face. “Well Cora, pleased to meet you. My name is Odessa.” My eyelids grew heavy as I fell back asleep and let me body continue its healing. Lycans had an accelerated healing capability, granted to us by the Goddess along as our wolf halves. Even then a premature Lycan with a broken leg would take a few weeks to fully recover. I spent the night in tortured sleep, and the memory from earlier came back.

**

Whatever you do, do not tell them your real name Cassandra. Keep it simple, short, easy to remember.

Why mother?

Because if they knew who you were they would never stop coming after you. You promise me Cassie.

What about you? And father?

I remember tears in her eyes as she held my face. We will always be with you. In the sound of the breeze, the rustle of the grass and the crash of the waves.

A loud bang and a rush of flame came towards us. Mum, come with me!

My people need me.

My father came running through the fire.

Katherine! They’re coming!

My mother kissed me gently on the forehead. My heart. Whatever you hear, whatever people say do not retaliate. If they knew the truth you will be hunted but always remember you are Cassandra Ravenscroft, daughter to the mighty Alpha Declan and beautiful Luna Katherine. A soft laugh escaped her lips. You are strong, you are loved, and you are never alone. Live my daughter. And as the shadows crept out the fire my mother threw me out the window into the sea below.

**

So that’s how I came to be found on the shore. I got more memories of my home; my friends, my favourite tree to climb, my mother playing with me in the fountain on a summer’s day, the look on my father’s face when I disrupted his warriors training with a snowball fight one winter. I could feel it in my soul that they were all gone, all 346 of them.

The sun was high when I finally awoke from my disturbed slumber, and I spotted Odessa walking in with a huge plate of pancakes and steaming jug of something.

“Awake again.” She beamed. Those eyes of hers mesmerised me. “Just in time for breakfast.” She glided past and sat down next to me.

“How did you know-”

“Intuition. One doesn’t get to be the best nurse and carer in this whole region by not knowing when your patients are hungry.” She interrupted with a smile. “Now eat up, you need your energy if you are to heal quicker.” I stared at the pile of pancakes topped with syrup and found myself disturbingly hungry. How long had I been asleep for?

“Thank you, Odessa, these are great.” I said between stuffed mouthfuls.

“Haha, well I can’t take the credit. The chefs upstairs made them, and I just sneaked a few down here.” She helped herself to one of my pancakes and laughed. “I didn’t think you would ever wake, I was very concerned.”

“How long was I out for?”

“2 weeks.”

A bit of pancake got stuck in my throat and I coughed it out.

“2 weeks?!”

“Yes, you were gravely injured. We did what we could but the pack doctor wasn’t sure of your survival. But I knew better. That’s why you’re here in my private suite.” She gestured round her, and I took in my surroundings for the first time.

I was in a small room, with a window behind me, a door to my left and a privacy curtain drawn to my right.

“That’s where I stay.” It’s as if she read my mind. “Now eat up.” I ate the rest of my breakfast and sat back enjoying the feeling of a full belly.

“Why bring me here?” I questioned. Odessa leant back in her chair.

“The hospital ward was full to the brim of all the Shadow Bane warriors injured from the attack. It was no place for a fighting young woman to be, they said you have given up, but I saw a fight in you.” I knew the reality of my situation.

“I’m the only one.”

“Yes. I’m afraid so.” Her hand gently touched my leg, a simple comfort. I pushed away the tears in my eyes.

“And my home?”

“Nothing left, they searched for 8 days but found no survivors.” She paused. “None but you.” A reassuring smile did little to help me, I was alone. For the first time in my life and I felt angry, why did the Goddess allow me to survive when my whole family, memories, friends were wiped for the face of existence? In what world is violence and devastation allowed. I would find the ones responsible, and I would make them pay, I swore on the lives of my pack. A small cry distracted me from my destructive thoughts. I peered over to the curtain and the cry happened again.

Odessa had excused herself from my side and headed to the sound, to draw back the curtain and reveal a small baby. She picked the child up and brought it over, she nestled next to me on my bed and tilted her arm up for me to look at the little bundle of joy.

Looking in a peaceful sleep a tiny hand poked out and reach up. I held my hand out to take hers and as her fingers wrapped round my pinkie, I forgot all my hateful thoughts and they were replaced with a desire that this child would never know pain like mine.

“I think she likes you.” Cora beamed warmly. “This is my daughter, Alicia. Ali, I’d like you to meet Cora.”

“I like her too.” I replied, holding on to Ali’s little hand. In the safety of her mothers’ arms, all wrapped up snuggly, little Ali had unknowingly saved a part of my soul. We sat in silence for a moment before Ali gently awoke from her nap and two beautiful emerald eyes stared back at me.