SUBSTITUTE LUNA

I STOLE HER IDENTITY

- MARLIA -

“She is getting away!!” Someone yelled behind me. I sprint faster, clawing through the thick bushes, ignoring the branches that scratched me.

They were right behind, I could smell them. My heart thumped against my chest as I fought fear so I could keep a clear head. For a moment, it worked and I noticed something. They were closing in with caution. It was weird, Slavers normally hunted down run-aways aggressively. Well, it didn't matter, because it was to my advantage.

Day was breaking. I was nearing a crossroad. I chose to take left but before I did, I disbursed my scent just as dad taught me, hoping it would throw them off for a while.

It did. I heard their paws slowing at the crossroad. I could also hear something else. Wheels. It sounded like a carriage. I geared myself towards it. The vehicle coming into view. There was a crest on it. The crest of White snow pack.

We must be at the border between our pack and White Snow pack, that was the only explanation. The guards escorting whoever was inside, saw me and stopped immediately, their claws growing out, preparing for me and whatever was chasing me.

I shifted back immediately I was close enough. Falling to my knees the next instant. The prickly rocks scabbing them.

‘Please… please… help me please. Wolf hunters... I escaped.” I panted with each word, breathing too fast to speak.

“Go away. We cannot help you!” The guards yelled at me.

“Please.” I rubbed my palms together. “Don’t… don't leave me to their mercy. Please save me.” I begged. My entire body, quivering.

“I told you we can’t. Leave you dirty breeder.” The wolf guard growled. He was adamant.

Time seemed to stop for a second as it dawned on me that It was hopeless. I gripped my chest, tears burned my eyes. The frustration spilled over into anger. I shot him a bloody glare and opened my lips to yell back but then, someone cut me short.

“Let her come into the carriage. She is a wolf like all of us, we should not discriminate against her.”

A soft tender voice came from inside. The guards halted, turning to look at the door which opened slightly.

They bowed and stepped aside. I scurried to the entrance immediately. The door was shut behind me. The carriage continued on its way, immediately I sat down.

“Who are you?” Asked the lady, throwing her veil open so I could see her face.

My eyes widened.

She… she was beautiful. Long blonde hair rolling down to rest on her fair shoulders. Her eyes were deep blue and yet had a touch of grey. She smiled angelically at me. Her glee enveloping my heart with so much warmth I couldn't speak.

“Are you alright?” was the second thing she asked. I nodded.

She took out a white handkerchief and wiped my forehead.

“You look terrible.” she remarked, humorously.

I tried to smile but failed. “My name… is Marlia.” I managed to say.

“Marlia. I am Marlene, daughter of King Draven and bride of Prince Ryder Nightheart." Her voice was low at the last part. She sounded displeased.

“Thank you for saving my life.”

She smiled and then curled her eyebrows a little, in curiosity.

“Your face… It looks a bit like mine, Marlia. What a surprising coincidence.”

For a moment I thought she was trying to change the topic but then I realized she was right. It was hard to tell because I was covered in mud and sweat and I looked horrib…

‘Wait… Did she just say she was the bride to Ryder Nightheart?’

I suppressed the urge to gape my lips. Ryder Nightheart was Alpha Magnums Lucien Nightheart’s second son.

“Don’t be too surprised.” she said, looking out the window, almost like she read my mind.

“I am returning home to get ready for the wedding.” Her voice had that sad tone again.

“You are the princess who every one said ran away.”

“Ran away? I was roaming the world like my parents asked. Well; t,hose days are over now. Hell, I bet they don’t even know what I look like anymore.” she muttered sarcastically.

I felt pity for her. I stretched out my quivering hands to touch her.

“You will be…”

The carriage braked hard all of a sudden. She fell forward, handing on me. Howls filled the air outside. We heard her soldiers yelling that she should stay in the carriage. That they were under attack. But the princess was a hard head. She tried to look outside. Immediately, she opened the curtain, the carriage turned over and off a cliff.

The last thing I remember was the carriage somersaulting and shattering over rocks the moment it hit ground. I blacked out immediately.

**********

“Ahhh!!!!"

My body shot up from the bed. A piercing pain cut through me. I grabbed my head. The room spinned before my eyes and it hurt my head even more.

I winced in pain. Blinking, holding my head in one place. The wave of the ache refused to subside.

“My lady, be careful.” an elderly voice spoke. I felt aging hands hold me and a cold towel placed over my head.

“Hold it down, my lady.” She said and I did just that.

“Is it a bad dream again?”

I didn't respond. My head was banging. I sincerely wished she would stop talking.

“Oh dear moon goddess, please heal my lady, she has suffered enough."

I shut my eyes. Guess some wishes don't come true.

“Do you need me to brew some pain relievers?” She asked, concerned.

With my half-open eyes, I looked at her. The incandescent lights in the room made it easy to see her. A plump she-wolf dressed in servant clothes. Clean but threadbare. She wore a gloomy look on her face.

I searched her face in my head but nothing came up.

‘I don't know who she is’.

“My lady, talk to m…” she tried to hold my hand, I retracted them immediately.

“Who are you?”

“My lady?” She furrowed her brow. “What do you mean by that?” She attempted it again. I retreated, the towel falling in the bed. My hands went for a hair brush lying on the pillow.

“Stay away from…” the waved of ache but me, I held my head, still trying to keep my hand up.

“Lady Marlene, calm down. It has not gotten to that."

“Who are you?” I asked again, sternly.

“Okay, I am Anastasia, your nanny. You're in your bedroom. Do you remember now?"

Her eyes glimmered in light, a hint of tears which surprised me because none of those names made sense to me.

At that moment I felt a sudden urge to look around. My eyes went to the drapes; golden yellow and sweeping the polished floor that reflected the queen-size bed I sat on. I caught a glimpse of the giant wardrobe left of my bed, a mirror was standing next to it.

I froze, staring at the reflection before my eyes. I gasped. The hair brush fell from my hand. I touched my face.

“OH DEAR GODDESS"

I looked at the room. Fear washed over me. 'No it can't be true. Whose face is this? Where the hell am I?’