The Betrayed Luna: Twin For My Mate

6

The sun climbs lazily over the pack's territory, painting the horizon with gentle hues of orange and pink. It's the start of another day, and we werewolves gather in the clearing as we always do. Ryder, the dependable leader–although they tend not to call him an alpha because every werewolf here has a free reign–assigns hunting groups.

"Elara, Aiden, you're in the same group," Ryder says in his firm, no-nonsense tone.

My heart skips a beat when I realize I'm in the same group as Aiden. We avoid eye contact, feeling tense.

Ember, my older sister, catches my eye and gives me a disapproving look.

"Can't she do the cooking or something?" She's always been protective of me, and I know she disapproves of me hunting with Aiden. My heart beats faster. 'Please don't say anything.' I hope she doesn't say anything about my pregnancy. Not in front of Aiden.

"I'll be fine." I say.

"J-Just," Ember says quietly, "be careful."

I nod quickly and follow Aiden into the dense forest. He sweeps his dark hair back, exposing his intense grey gaze.

The last thing I need right now is more attention from the rest, especially from Aiden. He's been cold this morning, and I think he kinda hates me. I thought he understood my reasons for not wanting a mate. Seems I'm wrong.

We go deeper into the woods, the rustling leaves and distant bird tweeting. I look at AIden who's staring straight ahead.

"Why can't we just get meat from the mall?"

Aiden's response is curt, his tone cold, his grey eyes locked on the path ahead. "Hunting is part of our nature as werewolves, Elara. We can't rely on humans for everything."

His words sting, and I keep quiet, my footsteps echoing in the quiet woods. I know he hates me, but I thought he would understand my reasons for not wanting anyone, especially now.

There. A flash of brown in the green. A deer. Our prey. We move in silently, trying to cooperate, but just as we're about to strike, I make a clumsy move, stepping on a twig that snaps loudly. One possible way to shorten this, make it less robotic and make it make sense is:

The deer runs, vanishing into the woods.

Frustration mounts between us, and Aiden can’t contain his irritation. He grabs my arm and pulls me behind a tree, his voice sharp. “You’re being too loud, Elara,” he scolds me. “You need to be more careful. You’re not hunting rabbits, you’re hunting deer. They have keen senses and can hear the slightest sound.” He points to my feet, where I’m wearing heavy boots. “And those things are not helping. You need to wear something lighter, like moccasins or sandals. Or better yet, go barefoot. We’re werewolves, remember?” He looks at me with a mix of pity and annoyance. “Don’t you know anything about hunting?” ‘He’s right, I need to learn. But why is he so harsh?’ I wonder, feeling a sting in my heart.

I can't hold back my question any longer. “What’s wrong with you?” I snap, my voice trembling. “I thought you get why we can’t date.”

Aiden clenches his jaw and nods stiffly. "Yeah... because of your mate," he says and then walks off, leaving me behind. I just don't get it! We're werewolves but he won't run after the deer? I follow him, but he’s too fast for me. I lose sight of him amidst the dense trees and undergrowth.

Where is he? I think, frantically scanning the surroundings. Did he leave me here? Did something happen to him? Panic grips my chest, suffocating me. I call out his name, but there’s no answer. ‘Please, don’t let me be alone.’ I pray, tears stinging my eyes.

But just as it threatens to consume me, Aiden reappears, a massive game dangling from his shoulder. He looks at me with a smirk, as if nothing happened. Relief and anger wash over me in waves. “Where were you?” I demand, trying to sound calm. “You scared me to death.”

“Sorry…” he mutters, lowering his gaze. I glance at the deer on his shoulder, its fur still warm and soft. I smile, feeling a spark in my chest. We walk back to the pack, side by side, our steps in sync. I can’t help but feel proud of the hunt even though I didn’t really do much. Can’t do much not with the kid in me.

I’m lost in my thoughts, trying to make sense of everything, when I trip over something and fall. I look down and see a severed arm, still clutching a knife. I scream and scramble away, feeling sick. ‘Oh God, oh God, oh God.’ My mind is racing. As we cross a clearing, we see a horrifying sight. Several werewolves lie on the ground, motionless and bloody. Their eyes are wide open, but they don’t see anything. A cold shiver runs down my spine. It’s a m******e.

I stare at the c*****e, unable to look away. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see Aiden. His face is pale and grim, his eyes haunted. He squeezes my shoulder gently, trying to reassure me, but I can tell he’s shaken too. Who did this? Why? I wonder. I look at him, searching for answers, but he shakes his head slowly. He doesn’t know either. We’re both speechless, overwhelmed by the horror before us.

I clutch his arm, trembling uncontrollably. He hugs me, but I sense his fear too. His heartbeat is fast and erratic, matching mine. The dead werewolves have a strange mark on their chests, a dark and twisted symbol. It’s a mystery that fills us with dread. I wonder, cold sweat dripping from my forehead, Who did this and why?

We carry the bodies back to the pack, hoping for answers. But as we approach the camp, we see the shocked and horrified faces of our packmates. They gape at us. I can hear their whispers and questions, but I can’t answer them. I don’t know anything.

I feel like I’m going to collapse any moment. Ember runs to me, her eyes filled with tears.

She hugs me tightly, as if she’s afraid to let me go. I bury my face in her shoulder, feeling her warmth and love. She strokes my hair. But they don’t help much. I can’t get rid of the images in my head, the blood and the pain. I whisper the question that haunts me. “Who could have done this?” My voice cracks, betraying my fear and uncertainty.