FANGS OF PASSION (Blood Moon)

KIND’S POV… Today is my 25th birthday, but there's no celebration for me. I'm just a powerless wolf, a slave. Meanwhile, Samantha, Lucy's daughter, gets to celebrate her birthday every year. We were born on the same day, and back when my mom was the wolf leader, Samantha and I used to celebrate together. Now, I don't even get a decent meal. This morning, on our shared birthday, Lucy instructed me to clean the hall for Samantha's party. "Hurry up, you good-for-nothing slave," Samantha sneered behind me. "Do you want to take forever to clean the hall? You're slower than a turtle." I just looked at her and continued cleaning. Responding to her would only get me into more trouble. But Samantha couldn't just walk away. She walked up to me and emptied her cup of coffee on me. I was shocked and wanted so badly to stand up to her. I was furious, but there was nothing I could do at that moment. "Do you have something to say, slave?" Samantha smirked. "No, Sam," I responded, tears streaming down my face. "I thought as much," she said, laughing as she walked away. "Hurry up, you fool." I wept bitterly. If only I had my wolf powers, I would have shown her that I am Kind Bernard, daughter of the strongest and fastest werewolf ever. I was just ten years old when a vampire named Marcus attacked our pack, killing my mother and many of our people. We were forced to relocate to the city of Lupine Hollow. That night was the worst of my life. We were all gathered at the meeting ground, and my mother, who was the pack leader, led us with so much love. But Marcus and his vampire pack took her away from me. After the conflict with the vampires, Lucy Stallion took over from my mother. She accused my mother of treason, stripped me of my wolf powers, and made me her slave. Since then, I've been serving Lucy and her daughter Samantha, and they've treated me horribly. The hall was ready, and every wolf was invited except me. My uncle Linus and his wife Helena refused to attend because they knew Lucy and Samantha wouldn't allow me to the party. Uncle Linus had begged Lucy to let me live with them instead of staying with her, but she refused. Since then, my uncle has avoided wolf gatherings or parties, as they only upset him. In my room, I could hear them laughing and cheering. I peeped through the window and saw them all enjoying themselves. "Samantha, I hope you're getting ready and training hard? You'll take over from your mother in the future," Celine, Lucy's best friend, said. Samantha giggled, "I am fully ready, Aunty Celine." "Let's cheers to that," Celine said, and they all cheered. "Where is Kind? Isn't today her birthday too? Why isn't she here again this year?" Linda, Uncle Linus's daughter, asked, looking ready for whatever response they wanted to give. "Oh, she's celebrating in her room. I can't be celebrating my birthday with a slave, can I?" Samantha said with a demeaning attitude. "Oh, shut it, Samantha. That 'slave' is the daughter of this pack's former leader. Your mom decided to make her a slave; she wasn't born one," Linda said furiously. "Watch your mouth, Linda," Lucy yelled from her seat. "Caroline was a traitor to this pack. It was because of her that Marcus attacked and killed our fallen comrades. Kind and her mother should be grateful that I left Kind alive." "Oh, please, Leader Lucy. We all know you've always envied Aunt Caroline. You saw an opportunity and grabbed it. My dad has begged you countless times to let Kind live with us, but you refused. Because of your wickedness, my dad and mom have refused to attend any wolf gatherings or parties. You know how important my dad and mom are to this pack," Linda said boldly. People began to whisper in the background. "Linda, enough! Do not speak to my mom like that. She is the leader of this pack," Samantha said fiercely. "Linda, I can see you've grown bold. I will teach you to respect your elders. Guards! Throw this fool into the dungeon." As they were dragging Linda out of the hall, I ran out from my room into the hall, knelt down, and begged Lucy. "Ma'am, please forgive Linda. She didn't mean to disrespect you. Please punish me instead." Because Lucy enjoys seeing me suffer, she chuckled. "I'm in a good mood today and cannot allow you fools to ruin Samantha's birthday party. Anyway, it wouldn't be a bad idea if you serve punishment on her behalf. After all, she insulted me because of you and your traitor of a mother." "Guards, release her," Lucy commanded. "Since I'm in a good mood, Kind will go five days without food. That will be her punishment for now." "Now leave my sight. We have a party going," Lucy commanded. Linda and I left as they continued with the party. "I'm sorry for putting you into more trouble, Kind," Linda said calmly. "It's okay, Linda. You were only looking out for me." "Don't worry. I'll tell my dad. I believe he will do something about it, even if it means taking it to the wolves' court," Linda said with assurance. "But Linda, you know I will stand trial if Uncle decides to take it to the wolves' court. And if my mom is found guilty, I may be banished from the pack and every other pack, or even executed. That's why Uncle hasn't taken it to the wolves' court yet. He's still gathering evidence to prove my mom's innocence and that Lucy is keeping me as her slave out of hatred for my mom." "Kind, you're right, but with what happened today, I believe Dad won't wait any longer," Linda said firmly. "Well, let's see how it goes, but I don't want to be executed." "Kind, don't worry. Nobody will execute you," Linda assured as she left…