The Bloodmoon Pack's territory is surrounded by forests on all sides.Once,l felt a sense of comfort here, but now it feels more like a prison, isolating me from the outside world.
Alpha Thorne has forcibly taken away the omega who was by my side sending guards to closely watch over me, all to cut off any link l have to the outside.
Outside the window, the rain intensifies, casting a gloomy shadow not unlike my bleak future.
Suddenly, there's a commotion in the yard, it turns out that Selena, now elevated to the "Moon witch." has made quite the entrance at Alpha Thorne's residence.
She's directing the omegas as they scurry around, arranging bizarre wolf-bone talismans and blood-red moonstones.
I try to ask Alpha Thorne about the ritual, desperate to know if this so-called "transfer of the Moon Goddess's power" could harm the innocent baby growing inside me.
But he merely dismisses me coldly repeating over and over, "lt'll be fine.”
I don't believe him, l can't afford to gamble with this.
I fight back vehemently, refusing to cooperate with the witch's so-called “purification ceremony.”
"Lucy, don't worry. I've invited your parents to the pack for your Moon Celebration," he eventually says after is pill the purification walf blood for the umpteenth time.
A glimmer of hope sparks within me. Maybe my parents will notice something's off and save me from this nightmare.
At the celebration, my father raises a toast while my mother beams at me praising my"happy marriage.”
I want to speak up, but then Alpha Thorne grabs my wrist.
"Smile a little, don't let them worry.”His tone is gentle, but he gestures for me to look at the map displayed on his phone.
On the screen,l see a clear route back for my parents and the information about the Gammas who are escorting them.
In that instant,i understand-he's using my parents' safety as leverage against me!
A wave of fear and anger threatens to engulf me, but for my parents safety,l swallow my tears and force out a smile that's more painful thans sobbing.
As they take their leave, my mother presses a moonstone charm into my hand, her eyes filled with concern.
"This has been blessed at the Moon Goddess's temple. It'll protect my grandchild during its birth."
At that moment, l almost impulsively want to tell her the truth, to scream out all my grievances and fears.
But the words die on my lips as l catch Alpha Thorne's warning glare.
"Mom, I'll take good care of it,"l promise, clutching the charm tightly,feeling a hint of warmth seep into my grip.
After they leave, l find myself kneeling before Alpha Thorne.
I cast aside all my dignity and agree to cooperate with the ritual.begging him to spare the life of the child inside me.
"Alpha Thorne, please, you can kill me, just don't harm the baby.
His eyes flicker, his tone wavering between softness and harshness."The baby. 'l consider it."
In that moment of hesitation, a flicker of hope ignites within me.
Maybe he isn't completely heartless.maybe there's a glimmer of compassion for me and the child within.
Yet, fate doesn't grant me much breathing room.
On the morning of the ritual, Selena barges into my room with a group of Omegas.
Her gaze is cold, a victorious smirk plastered on her face.
"The purification ritual is beginning A sacrifice should look like a sacrifice.”
I shrink in terror in the corner of my bed, protecting my belly, but two strong Betas forcibly hold me down.
Disregarding my struggles, they chop off my long hair and drape a rough white robe over me.
“Is this the tacky trinket your mother gave you?" Selena yanks the moonstone charm from around my neck, raising it for all to see before smashing it to the ground.
"The transfer of the Moon Goddess's power requires cutting ties to the past,she sneers. "Lucy, you have too many attachments.”
I look around at the devastation-my hair, my charm, my dignity, my hope..
'Selena,"l raise my head, my voice eerily calm, "l will make you pay a thousand times over."
She freezes for a moment, then bursts into laughter. "You? A useless Omega? A worthless soul without a wolf spirit?"
Selena leans in, whispering venomously in my ear, "After the ritual you'll be discarded like trash, and l will become the only future Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack.”
On the day of the ritual, the Betas drag me deeper into the pack's hidden Moon Goddess temple, which is usually locked away.
Inside, moonstones flicker in the dim light, and the walls, floor, and ceiling are densely etched with ancient pack runes l have never seen before.