Redemption Luna Mae

Nightmares

Mae - POV

A child’s sob echoed in the darkness. “I’ll do as you... say,” the small voice trembled, each word soaked in fear. Crimson-black eyes stared back—cold, glowing, inhuman.

“Good girl, Mae,” the man’s voice was calm, yet laced with control. “You’ll be adopted into a household. From now on, you do exactly as I instruct.” I nodded, trembling.

“Now, repeat after me,” he commanded.

“You will use your power to serve Sir Dante,” I echoed quietly, my voice barely a whisper.

“Don’t look around. Just look straight ahead and follow me,” came the next order, from a man whose presence radiated darkness and malice.

But I disobeyed—I looked around.

A sharp gasp escaped my lips. My heart dropped.

My friends—other children my age—lay still on the cold ground. Lifeless. Gone.

“No!” I screamed.

“I told you to follow orders,” he growled, his tone darkening.

“Why did you hurt them?!” I cried out, shaking. “I did everything you said!”

“Mae, you’re the strongest subject we’ve had. Your friends were weak. They died because they couldn’t handle the power. Stop crying… or I’ll give you the pain you fear most.”

My sobs began to fade. His smirk deepened as he reached out. Slowly, I took his hand, and followed him out of the dungeon’s shadows.

“This is your new family,” he said coldly, releasing his grip.

My eyes blinked against the unfamiliar light, scanning the strange surroundings. For a fleeting moment, I felt safe. I took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from my forehead. My body didn’t ache like before—no more cold dungeon floors. The comfort, however unfamiliar, was a relief. I gulped down water, trying to piece together what had woken me. Was it just a dream?

But the images were too real… too vivid. Could that really be my past? No. My parents never said I was adopted. It must’ve been a nightmare. Just a wild dream.

Still, confusion gripped me as I hugged myself tightly.

Then—the door creaked open.

I stiffened. That door could only be opened from the outside. Who would come at this hour?

I grabbed a flower pot, just in case. I wasn’t fast enough to shift on instinct like others, but I needed some kind of defense.

Cautiously, I took a step toward the door—just as a hand intercepted mine, disarming me. I fell back hard, the lights flickering on.

“What the hell are you doing? Planning to kill me now?” Alpha Oscar’s cold voice cut through the silence like ice. He looked disheveled… drunk, maybe. Annoyance twisted his otherwise handsome face.

“You scared me,” I whispered, my voice small.

He shrugged, putting space between us as he slumped onto the couch, eyes fixed on a family photo hanging on the wall. Grief shadowed his expression.

Why was he here? He could’ve stayed at the Manor. Did he come to see me?

Cautiously, I sat across from him. He stared at the ceiling, completely ignoring me.

“You shouldn’t be here, Alpha Oscar… you should be at the Manor,” I said, my voice slightly stiff.

His eyes snapped to mine—burning with an emotion I couldn’t decipher. He didn’t respond. Instead, he got up, walked into another room, and shut the door.

I sighed, staring at the closed door. Eventually, I made my way back to bed. Sleep never came. My dull headache grew stronger, a pounding reminder of everything swirling inside me. I hugged myself under the covers, watching as night melted into a soft, early sunrise outside the window.

I got up, slipping Daniel’s hoodie over my frame to mask my scent. If a pack member stumbled onto this safe house, I didn’t want any questions. No more problems.

Heading to the kitchen, I nearly jumped when the front door opened.

Alpha Oscar again—this time in track shorts, fresh from a shower. I quickly looked away. He ignored me and walked into the kitchen. I turned around, planning to give him space, when—

“Why are you wearing Daniel’s hoodie?” he asked.

I froze. Was that… jealousy in his tone? No. Couldn’t be.

“To mask my scent,” I said softly, still not facing him.

I heard his footsteps behind me. He came close—close enough to feel his presence—then suddenly turned away. I heard a rustling

from the spare room.

Then, without a word, he tossed something in my direction. I caught it instinctively. It was his hoodie.

“Wear mine,” he said flatly.

I stared at him, confused. He didn’t explain. Just turned back to the kitchen, brewing his coffee.

“No, Alpha Oscar… I can’t wear your hoodie,” I said softly.

He looked at me sharply. His gaze was cold, intense—so intense, my wolf cowered.

“You dare to wear another man’s clothes?” His voice echoed in my mind.

I swallowed hard. Mind link. I thought he'd come over and lash out—but instead…

“Don’t mind my wolf,” he muttered. “It’s just the mate bond. I’ve trained him not to… never mind.”

His words hit harder than a slap. My heart clenched.

Retreating to the bedroom, coffee in hand, I sat down—eyes locked on the steam rising from the mug. I could feel the tears welling.

This punishment… this guilt… was worse than death. I had manipulated Oscar. I had taken lives. I didn’t deserve his kindness.

As the steam curled up into the air, my tears dripped into the mug—silent, heavy, aching.

I muffled my cries in the closed room. Not sure how long I locked myseld in room.No more crying, Mae. No more weakness.

I wiped my face. I had to figure out what was really going on.

I needed to get out of here. I couldn’t follow his orders. Not anymore.

I took a deep breath.

I had to get my head straight.