Bound By The Moon's Curse

Loria “Get her in here!” Kael’s roar echoed through the grand hall. The heavy wooden doors slammed open as two guards dragged Loria inside. She stumbled, her bare feet rubbing against the cold stone floor. Before she could steady herself, one of the guards shoved her down, his large hands around her head. She fell hard, her palms stinging as they hit the ground. Her heart pounded in her chest, louder than the voices of the wolves standing along the walls. Kael stood above her, his sharp features twisted in anger. “This is my mate?” His voice was like ice, sending a shiver down Loria’s spine. She curled into the stone floor. Loria started crying, snot running down her nose. All her life she had been laughed at and hit and beaten. This was no different but somehow it felt worse because she had done nothing wrong. “Alpha,” one of the, Grant said. “she was at the healer’s hut…” “I didn’t ask for excuses!” Kael’s growl silenced the room. His sharp green eyes bore into Loria, making her feel small and stupid. Loria kept her head down, trying to steady her breathing. Every eye in the room was on her. Kael looked everything like a leader should. He was strong, powerful and cruel. Even furious, he was the most handsome man Loria had ever seen. But that only made her feel worse. How could someone so fine be so evil? Kael stepped closer, bending just enough to meet her eye level. “Look at me,” he ordered. Loria’s fingers curled into fists against the floor. She knew the punishment for looking into his eyes could be death. Did he want her to do wrong so he could kill her? Maybe death was better, wasn't her father dead already? And her brother so sick he was almost dead too? Kael slammed his open palm against the floor beside Loria's head. “I said, look at me!” Loria’s head jumped and she cried louder, wiping tears off her cheeks but they onlu flowed faster. Slowly, Loria lifted her head. Her blue eyes met his, full of fear. Kael’s lips curled into a grimace. He looked disgusted by her. “Pathetic,” he muttered. “The Moon Goddess must be punishing me. Of all the wolves, she gives me…this thing.” Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire. Loria returned her head to the floor, their words hurting her. “She’s just a healer’s daughter,” someone murmured. “A weakling,” another said. “She doesn't deserve to be in the palace.” Kael stood, his cold eyes sweeping the room. “A weakling, indeed. This girl isn’t fit to stand in my presence, let alone be my Luna.” Loria’s chest tightened, but she forced herself to speak. “I didn’t choose this.” The hall fell silent. So silent she could have heard a pin drop. Nobody challenged the alpha of SilverFang pack. “What did you say?” Kael’s voice was dangerously low. “I didn’t ask for this,” she said louder, her whole body shaking. “But I can’t change what the Moon Goddess decided.” The boldness of her words made the crowd gasp. Even Marcus, Kael’s beta, seemed taken aback. Kael’s jaw tightenes as he stepped closer. Loria thought for a moment that he would step on her. “You think that excuses you? You think that gives you the right to speak back to me?” Loria could feel sweat mixing with her tears. “I only want to help my brother. Please let me go.” Kael’s laughter was bitter and sharp. “Help? You can’t even help yourself.” Marcus moved forward cautiously. “Alpha, maybe we should—” “Enough!” Kael cut him off, his eyes never leaving Loria. “Take her to the packhouse. She can live with the slaves where she belongs.” Loria’s breath hitched. “Alpha, please!” she cried as the guards yanked her to her feet. “I have a sick brother—” Kael’s face hardened. “Not my problem.” Kael stepped closer, his boots hitting hard on the stone floor. "Take her outside," he commanded, his voice firm. "Tie her up. Let her feel what it’s like to be in a place she actually belongs—on display as the failure she is. Maybe you bribed the moon goddess but you won't deceive me.” The guards didn’t hesitate. They pulled her up, their hands holding her arms so tightly it hurt. "Move," one of them barked, dragging her toward the door. The cold air hit her face as they shoved her outside. The main square was filled with wolves; warriors, workers, and even pups, watching Loria being humilited before the entire pack. She bent her head and wished death for herself. She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. "Is this the Alpha’s mate?" someone whispered. "She won’t last a week," another said, laughing. Loria’s face burned with shame as the guards tied her wrists to a wooden post in the middle of the square. The rough rope bit into her skin, and she blinked back tears. She wouldn’t cry anymore—not here, not in front of them. Kael stood on the steps of the packhouse, his face hard. For a moment, his eyes feasted on her, and something entered his eyes. Was it guilt? Pity? No. It was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by the same coldness he always wore. "Leave her there," he ordered. "She doesn’t deserve anything better.” Kael left her there till sundown. Loria's arms ached from the pain and the sun beat hard at her. By evening, the guards came to drag her to the pack house. As they shoved her forward, one leaned close to her ear. His voice was cruel and mocking. He repeated what she had heard one of the wolves say. “You won’t last a week.” Loria’s heart sank, but she bit her lip to stop herself from crying. The packhouse was just ahead. She stared blindly ahead, wishing she was back home with her father, listening to him heal the sick people who came to him. The guards pushed her inside, the heavy door pushed shut behind her. The room was black, smelling of wood and sweat. Loria fell, her hands reaching out blindly. Then she froze as someone screamed aloud. It was close, somewhere in the darkness. Loria’s blood became cold as she tried to see, but it was too dark. The person screamed again, louder this time. Her breath became harder and she almost fainted from fear. Loria pressed herself against the wall, her heart hammering. She couldn’t see anything, but she wasn’t alone. Something, or someone was in the dark park house with her.