Luna of The Hearts

Kyra limped down the stone path, her boots leaving faint marks in the frost. Her shoulder burned. Her ribs ached. The left side of her face bore a fresh claw mark, and a faint trace of blood was still there. Dried blood stained the sleeve of her coat. Then, suddenly, a sharp pang struck her chest. “Ugh, I should have used more painkillers. I need to get my medicine soon.” Still, she smiled as she looked at the bright red flower in her hand. Its nine petals glowed faintly, absorbing the energy from Kyra’s blood. Soft flakes of snow began to fall, and Kyra caught one on her fingertip. Christmas Eve had come. No pack members could be seen outside. Everyone must have been with their families, enjoying the rare holiday. But Kyra had gone to the Blood Hills to retrieve Hell’s Blood for her mate, Jimmy Hobbs. It would be the final ingredient needed to make the Ruby Potion. 'Hell’s Blood', she thought, tightening her grip. 'Jimmy will be so happy with my Christmas gift. We can start our family after he gets promoted. I won’t be lonely anymore.' She had nearly been ripped apart by those mutated bloodsucking creatures while trying to get it. Hell’s Blood bloomed only in the most dangerous zones of the Blood Mountain range, avoided by even strong werewolves. But it was worth it. The flower could normally strengthen a werewolf’s body and push their power higher by improving their potential. But with Hell’s Blood mixed with her own blood… It would create a miracle. 'Jimmy can finally reach Rank A, she thought proudly. 'He’ll be the strongest beta in the pack.' She straightened her back and tidied her clothes as she reached Jimmy’s house. The doors opened easily. Warm light spilled into the hallway. The hallway fell quiet. A maid glanced at her wounds and whispered, “She’s bleeding again.” Another muttered, “Doesn’t she ever learn? Even if she dies, a half-blood like her will never be worthy of our master.” Kyra heard them. She always did. But she didn’t stop. Let them talk as much as they wish. What mattered most to her was Jimmy’s love. Jimmy had chosen her as a mate even when he knew she hadn't been able to awaken her wolf. He always treasured her and even vowed to touch her only when he could give her the grandest wedding. She walked straight toward Jimmy’s room on the third floor, restricted to everyone except her. She reached the heavy oak doors of his suite, her heart racing with excitement. But as she raised her hand to knock, she heard it. A soft, melodic giggle. A very familiar voice. “Jim…” Kyra froze. Her heart slammed violently against her ribs. Her raised hand hovered inches from the door, fingers trembling. 'What’s Maddy doing here? What’s going on?' Kyra’s thoughts tangled into a mess. Her cousin should have been with her own family tonight, like everyone else in the Blackmoon pack. The giggle came again, soft and playful, filled with a moan. “Jim… slow down… What if others find out?” A low chuckle answered from inside. “Relax,” Jimmy said, his voice warm and amused. “No one’s coming up here.” Kyra leaned closer without realizing it, her breathing nearly stopping. She had to see it. She couldn’t believe her ears. She needed to know if it was really Jim and Maddy. She found a narrow opening. With burning eyes, she peered through the gap. Inside, Jimmy had Maddy pinned against his desk. His shirt was gone, his back muscles rippling as he buried his face in her neck, devouring her like she was the only meal he’d ever had. Maddy’s silk robe was pulled past her waist, her legs locked around his hips, her fingers clawing into his hair as if trying to pull him into her very soul. “Jim…” Maddy choked, her back arching as he bit down on the sensitive spot between her neck and shoulder. Then she pulled back slightly, her eyes wide and innocent like a trapped doe. “What if she comes back and finds us like this? I’d never forgive myself for hurting my poor orphan cousin.” Jimmy scoffed. “Why would I care?” The words knocked the air from Kyra’s lungs. Jimmy’s hand slid from Maddy’s hair to her waist, gripping her so hard his knuckles turned white. “Let the b***h see us together,” he added, his voice thick and rough. “I’m sick of faking it. Sick of playing 'Loving Mate' to a half-blood mutt who can’t even shift.” “But she loves you so much and is willing to do anything for you...” Maddy murmured, though her eyes said something else entirely. Jimmy noticed the shift in her gaze. He couldn’t afford to lose Maddy. Her mother came from the greatest healer family, and he needed to secure her heart completely. “My dear, don't think too much. I never marked her as my mate. I am only waiting for the Ruby Potion made with her blood. With that, I can boost my power one last time and be the most powerful person next to Alpha,” Jimmy said plainly. “After that, I’ll just sell her. Half-bloods like her sell fast on the black market.” Maddy sighed. “She’s still my cousin. I feel bad for her.” Jimmy laughed softly. “You’re too kind. How can a grey-brown wolf like you be related to something like her? A half-blood shouldn’t even exist. She should feel lucky to be used by us.” That was the moment Kyra stopped hearing anything else. Her hands trembled violently as her emotions went out of control. A faint red hue began to seep from her body. The nine petals of the Hell's Blood in her grasp vibrated, then collapsed into a small pool of blood that spilled through her fingers. She tried to process all the information she got suddenly. She must accept the reality. Everything had been a carefully crafted lie. She had been too blind to see the signs. This illusion had to end. It was time to wake up. Wiping her tears, Kyra turned and ran with all her strength. She had to escape this nightmare. Crash. Her shoulder brushed a table in the corridor. A porcelain vase fell and shattered loudly against the floor. Her wound opened again, but she didn't stop for breath. Inside the room, the couple froze. “What was that?” Maddy said sharply, pulling away. Jimmy’s head snapped toward the door. “Someone’s there.” The door burst open. They saw the very person they had been plotting against. “KYRA!” Jimmy roared. Kyra didn’t stop. She didn’t look back. “Stop her!” Maddy screamed. “She heard us!” Footsteps thundered behind her. Kyra ran harder, lungs burning, her heart screaming louder than ever. She burst down the stairs and into the cold night in a red flash, leaving her shattered past behind.