His Astonishing Luna

Count Down

“Beep… beep… beep!"

My alarm clock blared alerting me it was now 4:30AM, time to crawl from beneath my scratchy covers and begin the days work.

Before leaving my makeshift bed I scratched out a line on the wall. Only 4 more days until my 18th birthday. I'd no longer be shackled to the remnants of the Silver Dawn pack.

Moving to the cardboard box where my few pieces of clothing were stored I grabbed out my signature black leggings and matching oversized hoodie. Making my way to the cold faucet located in the corner of the basement I cleansed myself as best I could. Lastly I brushed my long straight mahogany hair, pulled on my worn clothes then made my way towards the stairs.

Once I reached the door I banged three times to alert the staff it was time to release me. This had been my daily ritual since Sara told me my fate 14 years prior.

I could hear the familiar sound of scurrying feet before the latch was released and I was welcomed by the kind maids who worked along side me. The only difference was they were paid. Alpha Kako showed them no respect.

“Olivia!” a gravelly voice yelled from the adjacent hallway. I rushed my way over to greet Kako and his Beta Xain. As I rounded the corner a fist collided with my forehead, knocking me to the ground.

“You are late you foolish girl! I don't know why we haven't just disposed of you. You're lucky Sara takes pity on you!” Kako screeched.

“Get up and get to work!”

After soothing the fresh bruise on my forehead, I followed my orders trying my best to keep to myself. While the maids were kind I did not want to associate with anyone and risk bringing them harm. Sara had ignored me since that fateful day but I'd heard she too cut everyone off.

There was only one girl I spoke to. Her name was Sylvia who happened to be Xain's mate. Unlike her other half who followed directly in the footsteps of his Alpha, Sylvia was kind. Our time was limited to when I cleaned the Beta’s chambers where she resided but I was grateful for that small bit of interaction without worry of punishment.

"So Olivia, what are your plans for your birthday? We should go out!" Sylvia stated.

I loved her positive attitude but it was just not possible.

"You know that can't happen. Between your mate and Kako I'll be lucky if I'm not beaten. Happy birthday to me!" I sarcastically replied.

"You'll be 18! They can't control you anymore! Wait, you're going to leave, aren't you?" she questioned.

"They'll never let me out of here alive," I stated.

"They will if I help you! Girl, you've been my only real friend. If helping you escape is what you really want then I'm doing it. Xain would never lay his hands on me plus I'm pretty sure my wolf would kick his ass," Sylvia replied matter of factly.

The remainder of my time spent in the Beta chambers Sylvia threw idea after idea at me on ways to get me out. This may be the best way but I did not want to risk Sylvia's safety. I needed time to consider my options so I excused myself and headed down to begin dinner.

After dinner was cleaned up I was ushered back to my basement door. Kako nearly pushed me down the steep stairway as he slammed the door and latched it behind me.

For once I was happy to be back in my prison. I managed to scrounge some leftover garlic bread which I devoured before moving onto the task at hand. I had to plan my escape. I would not risk Sylvia. Despite being free on my 18th birthday according to werewolf law, I knew Kako would not let me go easily. I had a goal but needed to organize.

Pulling out my notebook I collapsed upon my makeshift bed made from a piece of plywood placed upon cinder blocks topped with a pile of feather pillows handed down by the maids. To me it was my only comfort.

As soon as I sprawled across my bed my eyes became heavy and I drifted off into a deep slumber.

A man stood before me. He looked about five years older than I. His piercing green eyes looked deep into my own light blue pair. Something about him seemed so familiar.

‘Olivia, I've been waiting for you,’ the mysterious man spoke.

Breaking my gaze I took in his entire form. He was over 6 ft tall, broad shoulders, full lips and a body I wanted nothing more than to press myself closely against.

Stop! What was I thinking? Snapping myself from the intimate thoughts encompassing my mind I forced myself to speak.

‘Where are we? Who are you?’

‘You don't remember me sweet Liv? Don't worry we shall meet soon.’

Only one man had ever referred to me as Liv, Alpha Xerces, but this man was not him.

‘How? I don't even know how to escape? I do not want any help! When I leave here I have a mission of my own. I refuse to drag anyone into the danger.’

‘You may not have a choice,’ he replied before walking back into what I realized was a dark forest, a forest that like the man, seemed all too familiar.

I awoke suddenly. Grabbing my notebook I began to draw the forest I'd just envisioned hoping to trigger my memory. As I drew the last branch the pieces fell into place.

It was the forest surrounding my original pack. Alpha Xerces carried me through those dark trees on his way to bring me to the once prosperous Silver Dawn pack.

A sudden urge came over me. I was being drawn towards the forest. And the man, who was he? I refused to focus on him. This was my calling. He was not my concern. I just knew I needed to escape and find my way back to the forest.