The Hidden Luna

Elora's POV: *Trigger Warning: Abuse* I loved my husband. I loved my kids. I loved my pack and I loved my life... But they were all taken from me and every single face from my previous pack haunted me as they were slaughtered in front of me by the very man on top of me now. The confines of my cell were pathetic, to say the least. The walls were damp and covered in what I could only assume was mold and the only exit was a dense heavy metal door. I had no idea where I was, but I knew I was far from any kind of civilization. Alpha Gunnar took exactly 1032 steps to reach my cell, or at least that's what I could hear from where I was. It's possible the tunnels leading to me were much longer, but I could only ever count the 1032 dooming steps this man took to reach me on the nights he came to visit. The only saving grace I had was a small peephole in the very top corner of my cell, which allowed me to see the moon for a few moments every night. I'm sure the Alpha would have that hole covered if he knew, but he only ever came when he could hide in the darkness of night. He wouldn't dare come to me during a full moon either; there was too much light and he wouldn't chance someone finding his hidden gem. Suddenly, I felt his release filling my insides. His body was covered in sweat on top of me, I felt his hot breath panting desperately in the nape of my neck. I could barely feel his strong grip cutting off my air supply. Honestly, tonight wasn't nearly as bad. He must be in a good mood...Or maybe I just hadn't been paying much attention. I had been trapped here for so long that I no longer had a sense of how long it had been. I use to count my monthly periods, but I have fallen pregnant too many times now. I never carried to term though... I always lost it. My body was no longer able to carry a child, it was barely surviving at this point, not to mention Alpha Gunnar only brought food that has wolfsbane in it. He liked it when I was weak. He didn't really like a fight. A hard kick to my stomach sent me into a coughing fit. If I had food in my stomach it surely would have come out. "Are you f***ing listening? Eat your god damn food before I leave with it." he growled at me, digging one hand in my hair to pull me up roughly while shoving the bread into my mouth with his other hand. I felt myself gagging on it, the wolfsbane was burning my throat, but I couldn't allow myself to spit it out. I clenched my hands tightly as he continued to shove it into my mouth. I tried my best to chew it a bit before swallowing, but I couldn't help but choke. It didn't stop him though, he was insistent on making sure I ate it all. After what felt like forever the bread was gone, he finally released my hair and I proceeded to collapse coughing and gagging. I refused to get sick though... I had to keep it down or else it would be far worse going back down again. He stood towering above me until I finally ceased my coughing fit. Usually, by now, he would storm out and I'd listen to his steps as he made his way out of this labyrinth, but for some reason, he stood towering above me still. I didn't dare look up, I kept my eyes fixated on the torch behind him. The fire burned my eyes, but it had been so long since I had seen fire I wanted to engrave the beautiful dance of the flames in my mind for as long as possible. "You're disgusting." his voice echoed in the cave. I laughed to myself internally. Of course, I was disgusting; I hadn't bathed since my husband was alive. I barely remember our last bath together... But I couldn't allow my mind to wander to those beautiful long-lost memories. Not now. "I suppose you're due for some cleaning... But bringing a bucket of water to you would be quite a nuisance." He kneeled down, brushing the hair from my face, causing my eyes to flicker towards him. He liked that, he always liked it when I looked at him. He smiled a sickening smile before brushing my cheek gently. "You were so beautiful back then. I fell in love the second I saw you...I had to have you. I must say I miss seeing you all dolled up. Maybe I will bring a bucket and comb next time and we can make you look just like the day I first laid eyes on you. Do you remember that day?" I felt my heart speed up a bit in my chest and my breath staggered. I closed my eyes trying to calm myself down, he wanted a rise out of me. He wanted a reaction... The day I met him was the day I was married to my husband, Alpha Callum. "You were so beautiful in your wedding dress... That day I knew I would take you from that bastard. Aren't you happy to be free of him and those two annoying things that followed you everywhere?" I opened my eyes and stared at the flames once more. My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall. That life Gunnar spoke of no longer existed. I refused to let his words reach me and I could tell this irritated him. His eyes burned into me as if contemplating what to say next, but instead, he stood up and walked over to the torch, grabbed it, and came back. I think he wants to burn me with it, so I began to prepare myself mentally for that. It wouldn't be the first time he lashed out at my lack of response, but if I did respond it would always be worse. However, punishment never came. Instead, he just stared at me for far too long and then left without a word. I listened to every step he took as they got quieter until they stopped. I finally allowed myself to breathe and let a few tears slip out. Once I allowed myself a moment to mourn, I forced myself to stand up. My legs were wobbly and sore, he must have been rougher than I realized. I hugged the wall as I made my way to the corner where I did my business and tried to get as much of him out of me as possible before relieving myself and stumbling to the furthest corner from it to finally rest. I picked this corner to sleep in because from here I could see the most through the opening in the other corner. I stared at the small peephole as the stars twinkled until they started to fade. The sun was beginning to rise, which meant I was finally safe for the rest of the day. I knew I needed as much rest as possible today. Tonight was a new moon, which meant complete darkness. He would come early tonight because he needed to take my blood. It was always the worst when he came to take it. I truly had no idea why he wanted it. Maybe it was some disturbing s****l fantasy he had or maybe he just took it to keep me weak, but I hated those nights the most. It was truly unusual he came to visit me last night, but I hoped this meant he would only desire a release once tonight instead of multiple. Either way, I needed to rest to prepare for what was to come. I closed my eyes listening to the faint sounds of birds in the distance until I fell into a restless slumber.