Shadows Of Revenge

The water came without warning. Ice cold. It crashed over Elira’s head and soaked her to the skin. "You b***h! Why are you still in bed?" Evelyn stood over her, bucket in hand, lips twisted in disgust. Elira didn’t even have to ask. She already knew. "Think you’re a princess?" Evelyn kicked the mattress. "Up. Now." Elira pushed herself up. Her nightgown clung to her, heavy and cold. This was her life now. One month. That’s all it took. One month after her mother died, Alpha Logan brought home a new wife and a new daughter. And just like that, Elira went from daughter of the Luna to a ghost in her own home. Worse than the slaves. Invisible. She followed Evelyn through the silent halls, bare feet slapping against cold stone. The palace didn’t feel like home anymore. Evelyn’s bathroom smelled like roses and entitlement. Steam still rose from the tub. Evelyn sank into the water and looked at Elira expectantly. "Shave me." Elira’s stomach dropped. "What did you say?" Pain exploded in her chest. Evelyn’s foot connected hard. "I said SHAVE ME. The Luna ceremony is tonight. I need to be perfect." The words hit harder than the kick. This wasn’t about grooming. This was about breaking her. About reminding Elira exactly where she stood. Elira said nothing. She couldn’t. She just lowered her eyes and did what she was told. When it was over, her hands smelled of rose oil and something else she couldn’t wash off. Her throat felt tight all the way to the hall. **_ *The Luna Ceremony* Torches burned. The whole pack was there. Tonight the Moon Goddess would choose the next Luna. And because Alpha Logan had no sons, it would be one of his daughters. Everyone assumed it would be Evelyn. She’d been trained for it since birth. Evelyn stood in the center circle, moonlight on her face, the sacred orb in her hands. Her voice rang out, practiced and proud. Silence. The orb stayed dark. Dead. Whispers started. "The Goddess didn’t accept her." Evelyn’s face drained of color. The priest turned to Alpha Logan. "If the Goddess rejects the firstborn, tradition says we try the second." "NO!" Evelyn’s scream echoed. "She’s a servant! A nobody! She can’t—" "Elira." Her father’s voice stopped her. It was deep, tired, and for the first time in months, it sounded like the man who used to carry her on his shoulders. "Come. My daughter." Elira walked forward. Each step felt unreal. The crowd parted for her. The stone was cold under her feet. She lifted the orb. Her hands were still trembling from earlier. "Moon Goddess," she whispered. "Be kind. Be merciful. Ble—" Light. Blinding, golden light shot from the orb straight into the night sky. The whole hall gasped. Evelyn stumbled back. "No. No, this is wrong. I trained! I bled for this! How could she—" Tears cut down her face. Elira had never seen Evelyn cry before. The priest raised his hands. "The Moon Goddess has spoken. From this night until her last, Elira of the Blood Moon Pack will be our Luna." The word hit Elira like a wave. _Luna._