The Broken Luna: Scarred and Unclaimed

Chapter Two: One More Day

Ayla sat alone in her room long after midnight.

The fire had burned low, leaving the room cold.

She reached beneath the collar of her nightgown and touched the old scar along her collarbone.

The rogue attack.

That was what everyone had told her.

A terrible night. A dead mother. A dead father. A little girl left alone.

She remembered almost nothing from before Bloodmoon.

Only flashes. Fire. Someone screaming. Strong arms carrying her. Then darkness.

Ayla closed her eyes.

She sometimes wondered whether forgetting was a blessing.

At least she couldn't remember enough to miss what she'd lost.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

Twenty-two. Ink-dark hair. Tired eyes.

A face that wasn't ugly. Just never enough.

Not enough for Brandon. Not enough for the pack. Not enough to possess the one thing every wolf expected a woman to have.

A wolf.

She lowered her gaze.

Maybe Serena was right.

Maybe Ayla had stolen a place that was never hers.

A knock sounded.

She quickly wiped beneath her eyes.

"Come in."

The door opened.

"Luna, the Alpha wants you. Now."

Her heart betrayed her.

Hope sparked. Foolish, stupid hope.

Maybe something had changed.

Maybe Brandon had finally decided to speak to her like a wife.

Maybe tomorrow's ceremony wasn't going to end with her humiliation.

She stood.

"Thank you."

She followed the servant through the quiet corridors.

Brandon's study was at the end of the eastern wing. The door was open.

He stood at the window, his back toward her.

Moonlight cut across his shoulders, making him look carved from stone.

"You called for me?"

"Yes."

He didn't turn.

Ayla clasped her hands together.

"What is it?"

"Tomorrow is my coronation."

"I know."

"The alliance packs will be watching."

"I've prepared the ceremonial robes. The elders also confirmed the seating arrangements."

"Good."

The word was so emotionless that Ayla almost smiled at herself.

Of course. Even now, she was thinking about decorations while he was thinking about replacing her.

Brandon continued.

"After the coronation, there will be a public Luna Selection."

The air left her lungs. Ayla stared at his back.

"I'm already your wife."

Silence.

"I'm already Luna."

"You were."

She swallowed.

"Because my father made you one."

Brandon finally turned. His face held no softness.

"No. Because my father made the decision for me."

Ayla's heart pounded.

"What happens tomorrow?"

"I take the pack." He stopped a few feet away. "His rules die with his title."

The meaning settled slowly. Ayla felt sick.

"You're removing me."

"I'm choosing a new Luna."

"Because I'm wolfless." It wasn't a question.

Brandon didn't deny it.

"A pack cannot be led by someone weak."

Her throat tightened.

"I've led beside you for three years."

"You've worn a crown." He looked at her. "You've never had the strength to carry it."

Ayla flinched.

"Serena."

His silence confirmed it. Ayla nodded slowly.

"So it's her."

"Serena is strong. She has the bloodline, the wolf, the respect of the pack."

"And I have none of those things."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

Her voice cracked. She hated that he noticed.

For the first time, his expression shifted. But it wasn't tenderness. It was irritation.

"Hand over the Luna crest gracefully tomorrow. Don't embarrass me."

Ayla stared at him. Then she laughed softly. It was a terrible sound.

"You don't have to worry about that, Alpha."

She turned toward the door.

"Ayla."

She stopped.

"If you make this difficult, you'll regret it."

She looked back at him. Something inside her had gone strangely quiet.

"I've spent three years making myself smaller so you wouldn't regret marrying me." Her eyes burned. "I don't think there's anything left of me for you to break."

She walked out before he could answer.

Back in her room, Ayla shut the door.

She pressed her palm against the cold glass and stared into the darkness.

Beyond the pack's borders, the Savage Mountains rose against the night. Dark. f*******n. Untouchable.

She had heard stories about them since childhood. No wolf went there willingly. No one returned.

Ayla rested her forehead against the window.

"One more day."

Tomorrow she would lose her crown. Tomorrow Brandon would choose Serena. Tomorrow the entire pack would watch her fall.

She closed her eyes.

She didn't know yet that she was counting down to more than her humiliation.