THE ADOPTED LUNA

Chapter 2

Aurora's POV

The tears that had threatened to drop during the ride home only fell as soon as I was able to stumble into the packhouse, streaming down my face like rain.

The humiliation of the clothing store replaying repeatedly in my head as I ran blindly to my room, trying to avoid the scornful gazes of the maids and guards in the pack house.

I could feel their stares and that only made me run faster. As soon as I was in my room, I slammed the door shut and backed against it, slipping to the ground, hugging my knees tightly as I cried my heart out.

It had always been like this, ever since I was adopted by the Luna and became Alpha's adopted daughter. That fact did nothing to grant me acceptance into the pack. I possessed a unique scent different from other werewolves. I was a hybrid, the product of a werewolf and some other race. I was an Outcast.

I clutched at my dress, feeling it crumple under my iron grip as I stood up and ran to my bed, grabbing a pillow as I buried my face in it, my tears soaking it.

I heard my door open, but I didn't bother looking up to see who it was. The familiar scent wafted into my nostrils just as he announced his presence.

My adopted father — The Alpha.

“What's wrong now, Aurora?” he growled, his voice devoid of empathy.

I couldn't tell him of course. He never offered sympathy even though he knew the brutality I constantly received from pack members.

“You come to cry after a little exchange? What was I expecting from a miserable weakling like you?” He questioned further, but I felt his words pierce my heart like a dagger.

I sobbed harder, already feeling worse than a failure, his words did hurt a lot despite knowing he would say nothing that brought me any solace.

He continued to taunt me, his words laced with venom. “If you weren't so weak, if you didn't have a different scent from other wolves… You wouldn't be here crying and disturbing the Pack house.”

I felt his disdain for me, his disappointment, and his anger. He didn't care that I was hurting; he only cared about how my behavior reflected on him.

“You need to keep a low profile, Aurora,” he continued, his voice cold. “Don't embarrass me further.” With that, he left, jamming the door behind him and leaving me feeling alone and aggrieved.

I heard my door open after a while and a familiar scent flooded the room — my adopted mother.

She didn't say anything, rather she ran to the bed, pulling me to herself as she embraced me. Her soothing voice came, soon calming my tears. “Shh, Aurora, my dear. Don't make me sad. Hey, hush. I'm here, don't mind what your father said,” she said, rubbing my back while I cried to my heart's content.

As I cried into her shoulder, my brother Xander rushed into my room, his piercing blue eyes filled with concern. His well-chiseled jaw and broad shoulders made him a striking figure, and his gentle smile, which could calm even the most troubled of souls.

That was probably all I needed to calm down. Seeing him all caring and concerned for me, somehow assured me that I was loved. Soon I was no longer crying, but my face was now a bit swollen.

“Hey mom, I'll take it from here. Please arrange for food. She must be hungry by now,” he said, pulling me away from her, gathering me in his arms.

“Hmm,” she hummed, slowly getting up as she stared at me with a worried gaze. It was then I caught sight of the huge wet patch on her shoulder. It was obvious because of the light green material she was wearing.

She followed my line of sight and merely laughed at it, “It's nothing Aurora, I will arrange for food for you right now,” she said, waving it off as she left my room.

Xander let out a soft breath, his warm breath caressing my face as I was held against his chest, his hands wrapped securely around me.

“Hey, Little Raven,” he said softly, using the nickname he only used. “I heard what happened. I'm so sorry you had to go through that.”

I played with my fingers not knowing what to do as I half listened to him while I thought about what to wear to the Pack Gathering.

“Aurora?” Xander called my name, shaking me slightly, trying to get my attention.

“I'm sorry,” I mumbled, pouting innocently, meeting his gaze. “I was just thinking about what to wear to the Pack gathering. I don't have anything to wear,” I said, remembering how perfect the gown I had picked was.

I heard Xander let out a small laugh, and I gave him an inquisitive look, wondering why he was laughing. He slowly got up, adjusting my head, but I decided to sit up, folding my legs in as I held my toes together.

He walked up to the door, grabbing a box that I didn't realize was there previously. He brought it back and handed it over to me.

“Go on, open it,” he said, cheering me on. I adjusted myself and then opened the box and in it laid a dress more beautiful than the one I had been robbed of. The silvery blue material glittered in the light, looking like a dress only seen in fairy tales told by the Faes. “I want you to wear this to the Pack Gathering. You'll shine like the star you are.”

I could barely form words as I stared at the dress, opening and closing my mouth repeatedly, I finally decided to say the first words of appreciation that came to my mind.

“Xander, it's… it's beautiful!” I stuttered, my eyes watered, fixed on the dress.

“I'm glad you like it,” Xander said, his face lighting up with a warm smile as he pushed behind my hair some strands of my brown hair that draped over my face.

“Like it? I love it! Oh, Xander, it's perfect!” I exclaimed, my excitement bubbling over.

Xander chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he stared at me. “I'm glad you're excited, Aurora.”

I couldn't stop staring at the dress, my fingers tracing the on the silvery blue material. “I can't believe you got this for me. It's...it's too much.”

Xander's smile didn't flinch. “You're worth it, my little Raven,” he said as he patted my dark hair. “You're my… I want you to feel like the most beautiful woman in the pack.”

I looked up at him, my eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you, Xander. This means so much to me. This is perfect. If I'm able to wake my wolf and also find my mate at the gathering, I can finally have my happily ever after.”

I was still fawning over my gown and I didn't realize when Xander stood up and walked away. It was at the sound of the door that I realized he was no longer in the room, confusion clouding my mind at his actions.

“Did I do something wrong?”