Rise of the Luna

Chapter one. "Quick! You need to escape through the back door!," her voice had a tinge of fear mixed with urgency. The loud banging continued, and the door squeaked, and I jumped in fear. "Mother, I can't leave you behind. We need to leave now!" She shaked her head in refusal. "No, just leave! And there is something I must tell you, Nella." My heartbeat accelerated and I looked at her anxiously. "What could that be?" "I am not your biological mother." Air rushed out of my lungs and my jaw dropped in shock. I blinked in confusion, "W What are you saying? Is this a prank? Tell me you're joking," I stuttered. I could hear a forceful sound at the door and my mother held my hand in fear. "Years ago, I found you as a baby in the woods." I was in shock as I gazed at the woman I had known as a mother. I was dazed by the news. "No, this is not true!" "Your necklace is a key to unlocking your identity," she touched the necklace on my neck. It was a delicate chain with the moon symbol as a pendant. "Now, ru…..," She was interrupted by the burst of the door and a scary looking man stepped in. We screamed as the man tried to grab me. And she came between us. I saw it happen like a nightmare. The man pierced her with his gleaming sword. "No!!!" I screamed in pain. I took the flower vase on the table and crashed it on his head. "She is trying to run!," he groaned. I ran away looking for a means to escape. The back door! I made my way to the back door and yanked it open. My feet hit the hard earth as I ran into the cold night to escape. "Get her! She went that way!" I heard a voice say as I ran for my life. Horses' hooves pound the ground, sending waves of panic through my veins. One of the men on horseback was gaining in on me. He tossed a snare in the air, and it caught my feet, which sent me crashing to the ground. Before I could stand up, he yanked my hair, grabbing me up to my feet. "Let go of me," I yelled. He laughed mockingly. "You can't escape, you omega!" I was dragged away while I struggled against their hold. A few hours later, we got to the packhouse, and I was thrown into the darkest dungeon. " You'll remain there for not paying your tax". I fell on the ground and tears welled up in my eyes. I can't believe that the woman I have known as a mother is dead.I was in deep agony. "Stop crying, it's of no use," a voice whispered. I gasped and looked up. Then I realized that I was not the only one in the dungeon. It was a young girl my age who sat in a corner. "My name is Dixcy. I have been here for months." I sat up and wiped my tears. "I am Nella. How did you get here?" She gazed at me. "I am a slave." "Well, I am an omega, we couldn't pay our tax, and they killed my mother." I decided to stick with the omega identity. To keep myself safe. She came closer to me and gave me a hug. "Nice knowing you, Nella." "Same here." She pulled back, and we talked for a while, getting to know ourselves better. Soon, we drifted off to sleep. I was sleeping when I felt cold water splash on me. I gasped and jolted awake. A guard was looking down at me with scorn. He kicked me. "Stand up this instant! It's morning." I shivered as the cold enveloped me. Dixcy had sprung to her feet in fear. "You," he said, pointing at me. "You're now a slave. And you'll join other slaves in cleaning the packhouse. And the Alpha has decreed that you'll join other slaves that will be sent to the Lykan King as part of the tribute." I was devastated. The Lykan King was feared by all, and he ruled over the 12 packs that make up the Wolfberg Empire. We were dragged out of the dungeon. "Take this and start cleaning. Slaves," he sneered. Handing us a hard brush and a bucket of water. My gown was wet and torn. I was tired and my bones ached. I got down on my knees and started scrubbing the floor. My life is a huge mess. A few hours ago, I was a free omega but now, a slave. The packhouse was being adorned in preparation for the upcoming moon festival. Which coincides with my eighteenth birthday, which is tomorrow. The event is an opportunity to find one's mate. Will I find my mate? It will be good if I find him. It will be a means to leave this wretched life behind. Sara had always told me that I'd make a good mate. Too bad she is dead now. She will always be my mother. I was deep in thought, wondering what my biological parents look like and what life would have been like with them. I clutched my necklace. Sara said it holds the key to unlocking my true identity. Is there more to it? I don't even have the slightest clue about how to go about looking for my parents. What if they are dead? I quickly snapped out of my thoughts. If they are dead, that would not be good at all. I silently prayed to the moon goddess to guide my part. I looked over my shoulder to see Dixcy cleaning with vigour and her skin glistened in sweat. I was still cleaning when, suddenly, a pair of feet appeared in my line of vision. Before I could look up, I received a kick in my gut which sent me flying across the large hall. I slammed my back on the wall and I winced in pain, coughing out blood.