LUNAR BOND: The Alpha's Luna

**Alice** I was walking through a desolate battlefield, the air filled with a thick fog that obscured my vision. The ground was littered with fallen bodies, both human and wolf, their blood staining the ground a dark shade of red. The sound of roaring filled my ears, mingled with the clash of steel against claws, as the terrifying battle unfolded before my eyes. Fear took hold, gripping my heart like a vise, as I stumbled over the uneven ground, desperate to escape the chaos surrounding me. In the midst of this war, a woman appeared before me, her mysterious beauty unsettling. She stood tall, with flowing red hair that seemed to dance in the eerie half-light, cascading down her back like strands of fire. Her eyes, wide and blood-red, bore into mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. A sense of recognition flickered within me, despite never having seen her before. "Alice," she called out, her voice filled with equal parts rage and triumph. "I have finally found you!" My heart pounded in my chest as her words sank in. How did she know my name? Before I could react, she lunged towards me with an otherworldly rage, her every movement sending waves of terror coursing through my veins. Time seemed to slow as her outstretched hand reached for me, fingers curling like claws ready to tear me apart. But just as her attack was about to connect, a flash of snow-white fur shot past, intercepting her with blinding speed. A majestic white wolf, filled with fierce determination, attacked the woman with a fury matched only by her own. They clashed, teeth bared and snarls rumbling through the air, becoming a whirlwind of fangs and fur. And then, with a startle, I awoke. My body was drenched in a cold sweat, my heart pounding within my chest. It had all been a dream, a nightmare born from the depths of my subconscious. The intensity of the imagery still clung to me, refusing to fade completely. I took a steadying breath, feeling the relief wash over me like a wave. I glanced around the familiar comfort of my room, the soft glow of dawn slowly creeping through the window, banishing the nightmarish visions that had plagued my sleep. What kind of dream was this? The funny thing was, I didn't even recognize anyone in it. The woman seemed familiar, but even if we were related, I wouldn't know. I don't even have any memory of what my parents looked like. My aunt said she didn't have any pictures of them left. That was how pathetic my life was. My parents had died in a mysterious fire when I was still a baby, and my aunt was tasked with taking care of me. I was grateful, but she never cared for me. Aunt Claire, a single mother, had never gotten married and had a set of twins, Annabel and Cristabel, who were my age. They were loathsome and indolent. I was never treated as a relative in this house. I had to cook, clean, wash, and keep the house going while my aunt gambled and drank her life away. And her daughters? All they cared about were parties, boys, and dressing up. I drew a heavy sigh, got up from my bed, ready to prepare for school. I made my way through the crowded hallways of Albert High. My eyes were glazed over by the blur of students and their chatter. Fragments of sentences and snippets of laughter filled the air. Backpacks and bodies collided as everyone rushed to make it to their respective destinations on time. I weaved my way through the sea of students, focused on getting to my own locker. Welp, this is my life. I had to go to this dump known as school, but not to worry, I only had a year left until I got done with this freaking hell hole. I reached my locker sluggishly to place my notebook inside, but I was left startled when the sound of commotion and teenage girls screaming filled the air. When you hear screaming like this, just know that they're here. I know you're wondering who I'm speaking of. Well, let me fill you in. They're known as the Golden Trio. They consist of Tyler and Alex, and then there's Dennis, the most handsome and popular boy in school. Don't get me wrong, the others were handsome too, but Dennis was another level of attractive. Alright, I know you're wondering why I'm giving him special attention. You guessed right, I have had a huge crush on Dennis for the past three years. I had dreamed of dancing with him to slow music while he swirled me around blissfully, and we stared into each other's eyes, engaging in a passionate kiss under bright lights. "Get a hold of yourself, Alice!" I was startled and broke out of my thoughts as Harley, my best friend, banged on my locker lightly. Harley, a pretty brunette with a slim figure, stood at 5ft6. We've been best friends since junior high. "What did I do?" I sent her an innocent look. "I was just glancing around, Harles." My lips came together in a little pout. She was staring at me, hand behind her waist. "Uhm no, you were visibly gawking at Dennis again," she remarked with a hint of sarcasm, her hazel eyes piercing through my calm demeanor. "Look right there!" She placed her hands on my shoulders, signaling for me to glance at Dennis and his friends who were surrounded by a cluster of screaming and drooling girls beside his locker. "They're just humans," she rolled her eyes. "Just walk up to him, tell him how you feel, and ask him out to the damn dance. He's not going to kill you, I promise." "No way," I muttered, shaking my head. "I could never do that. That's such a bad idea, Harles, and no, I'm so not going there, OK!" "And who said you'd be going there?" She tilted her head sideways, spotting a broad grin on her face. Oh, I know that look; she was up to no good. "You'll be giving him a letter instead," she suggested with a pleading note in her voice, afraid I might refuse. "I don't know Harles." My heart raced as I considered her words. Could I really do that? Confess my feelings for the boy I've been crushing on for years? The mere thought made me feel lightheaded. As I gazed at him from a distance, surrounded by his admirers, I couldn't help but feel intimidated. Dennis was out of my league; I was just a shy, awkward girl who blended into the background of high school society. Harley rolled her eyes once more. "Suit yourself, Alice. But just know that you'll never know unless you try." "You know what? I think I should!" I said with renewed vigor. I mean, I had just one year, and then I'd be done with high school. I should probably make the best of it. I'm so done with being invincible. "Let's do it!" I reached forward, clanking my locker shut as Harles led the way towards the cafeteria. So Harles helped write the letter because I sucked at it, and I thought she did a great job after reading through it. "He'll definitely love it," she reassured me, her eyes glinting with hope as she handed over the white note. "Are you sure about this, Harles?" I gulped nervously. "I'm certain!" I nodded my head slowly, accepting it from her. "Now go get your man!" She spoke with a smile. This is it. I'm about to do the second most courageous thing I have ever done, the first being attending high school, by the way. I inhaled and exhaled sharply as I stood on wobbly legs. Each step I took felt as though I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, but nevertheless, I willed myself towards his locker. He was standing beside his friends, and they were chattering. In between conversations, he smiled as I caught my breath at the glorious sight in front of me. I don't think I can do that. Maybe he was too handsome for someone like me. I turned around, almost ready to bolt out of the hallway, but Harley was by my locker, urging me on with a thumbs up. I swallowed hard. My mouth had suddenly gone dry, and beads of sweat were already forming around my forehead, but I willed myself to ignore my anxiety as I approached his locker in quiet strides. I was standing in front of him now, staring into those ocean-blue orbs and his chiseled face of perfection. I gulped nervously, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Hi, Dennis," I greeted him, and I instantly hated how my voice sounded small and inaudible, barely a whisper. For a second, I felt a stirring of my senses and a quickening of my heartbeat when he faced me, his gorgeous eyes scrutinizing me with a sarcastic gaze, my gaze drew to his lips impulsively. He was leaning against his locker, his white designer sneakers crossed at the ankles. "And you are?" He said it coolly with an air of superiority, his blue orbs subjecting me to a piercing gaze. I lowered my gaze nervously, unable to hold his intense stare. I knew he could be a jerk, but he was making me so small right now. "Well?" He arched a brow. "Do you have something to give me?" He directed his gaze to the letter in my hand, and I stiffened. At this point, his friends turned their attention towards us. "Oh, what's that?" Tyler teased with amusement in his eyes. My nerves tensed, and the weight dropped into the pit of my stomach. "Maybe it's a love letter," Alex chimed in with a note of mockery in his tone. My stomach was in knots. I wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. Nope! I would rather die than let Dennis read this letter. "I'm so sorry. It was a mistake," I hurriedly said, unable to keep myself steady. I turned around, ready to run off. He halted me, saying, "Let me have it." His baritone voice sounded persuasive to my ears, sending a sweet sensation coursing through my whole body. Maybe I was overreacting, letting my insecurities get the best of me. "Come on," he prompted, stretching out his hand to me, a smile curving his lip. Dennis freaking Henney is smiling at me right now! Listen, he hypnotized me. I wasn't in control of myself when I reached for him, unconsciously placing the letter in his hand. The realization hit me when I noticed what I had just done. My palms were sweaty, and my stomach was in knots as I watched him unfold the paper. I turned around hastily, ready to bolt out. I was shaking all over, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I bet he could hear it. "Hmm, so what do we have here?" I halted my steps. No, he wouldn't do it, right? He's not that cruel. "Dear Dennis…" I swung around with extraordinary speed, reaching for the letter in his hand, but he was super fast. My 5'4" frame was no match for his 6'2". I stood motionless as my eyes widened in horror. My heart sank as he continued to read my letter aloud for the entire school to hear in a tone of mockery. "I've been in love with you since I first saw you in class. I remember the clothes you wore." The letter, which was meant for only him, was now being used to mock me in a cruel way. The laughter of the students around us only made the pain worse. Each chuckle felt like a knife twisting deeper into my heart. My face flushed with embarrassment, and the tears started to well up in my eyes. I tried to stay composed, but I couldn't bear the weight of the humiliation any longer. I turned on my heel and ran out of the hallway, my footsteps echoing against the tiled floor. Tears streamed down my face as I sprinted down the corridor, struggling to breathe. I felt exposed, vulnerable, and small. To have my private feelings laid bare in front of my classmates like that was a humiliation I couldn't bear. Suddenly, I felt a sharp jolt in my leg as I stumbled forward, realizing with dread that someone had stuck their foot out to trip me over. I tried to steady myself, but it was too late; my foot caught on them, and I went tumbling to the ground with a loud thud. I groaned in pain as I hit the concrete, my palms scraping against the rough surface. I gazed up as Chelsea and her friends giggled as they stepped over me, their laughter echoing in my ears. How could they all be so cruel to another person? I felt so vulnerable and exposed, as if everyone in the school was out to get me. I lay there, shaking and trying to hold back the tears, and then struggled to my feet. The shame kept burning in my chest as I ran out of the school building. It felt like everyone could see inside my soul, and they all knew the crushing pain I was feeling. All I wanted was to get away from my tormentors and the merciless laughter that followed me out of the hallway. I didn't think I could ever look at Dennis again without feeling a deep sense of hurt and betrayal.