The Lost Luna: Meredith’s Forbidden Powers

Meredith’s POV I gritted my teeth, enduring Vernon's relentless blows. The training arena's cold air stung my face, but my heart hurt more. "Three years, Meredith," Vernon sneered. "Three years, and still, you've failed to bring back the Lunar Stag's antlers." My mind flashed back to my mother's stories. She'd hunted the Lunar Stag, its antlers crucial for the Shadowmoon Ritual. Vernon, my stepfather, had married my mother for his own greedy gains. He coveted our pack's power and wealth. After Mom's death, Vernon's obsession grew. He believed controlling the ritual would solidify his power. "You're not worthy of your mother's name," Vernon spat, his fist connecting with my jaw. "She was a legend, a huntress without equal. And you... you're just a pathetic omega." Tears pricked at my eyes, but I couldn't cry. I was too broken. Vernon's blows rained down, punishing me for my failures. I'd tried for three years, but the Lunar Stag remained elusive. "The Shadowmoon Hunt is in three days," Vernon snarled. "You'll join the other hunters, and you’ll bring back those antlers.” His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, searching for any sign of defiance. "If you fail," Vernon's voice dropped to a whisper, "you'll suffer consequences worse than anything you've endured." I knew what that meant. Last year, I'd failed, and Vernon had taken away my freedom, forcing me to work like a slave. The year before, he'd denied me food for weeks, leaving me weak and starving. He'd locked me in the cellar for days, with no light, no hope. I shuddered, thinking of what he'd do this time. Vernon's voice cut through my thoughts. "You're nothing, Meredith. You'll never be the huntress your mother was." His words stung, and I felt my last shred of hope fade. I was weak. I was a failure. I would never escape. Vernon's cruelty escalated, his blows harder and faster. My body screamed in agony. I wanted to scream. To beg for mercy. To collapse. But Vernon's warning echoed in my mind: "Don't flinch. Don't make a sound. Or you'll suffer more." I bit my lips. Hard. Tasting blood. My eyes welled up. But I didn't cry; I couldn't. Fear gripped me. Helplessness suffocated me. Vernon's training session continued endlessly. I lay on the cold floor, my body aching from Vernon's relentless blows. Vernon towered over me, his eyes filled with disgust. He paced around me, his footsteps echoing off the walls. "Your mother, Elara, was a legend. She brought down the greatest prey with ease. But you... you can't even catch a wounded rabbit." I winced, feeling the weight of my failures, and I felt tears prick at my eyes. Vernon's expression twisted in contempt. "You're not worthy of your mother's name. Her strength, her skill... it's all wasted on you." I bit back a sob. With a dismissive glance, Vernon turned to leave. As he reached the door, he spun around, his voice full of hatred. "Don't think your mother's reputation will protect you. You'll prove yourself worthy or face the consequences." The door slammed shut behind him. I struggled to stand, my body aching with every move. My mother's words echoed in my mind: "Never give up, Meredith. Never let them break you." But Vernon’s words had shattered me. As his footsteps faded, I remained frozen, trembling with pain and fear. The silence was a brief relief from the torment. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Healer Althea entered. Her face showed concern and kindness. "Meredith, you need to clean up," Althea said gently, her voice calming. "Let me help you." I nodded, still struggling to stand. Althea supported me with a gentle arm, and we walked to the nearby washbasin. In the mirror, I saw bruises and welts covering my face, and my eyes looked sunken and haunted. Althea guided me to the basin, where warm water and soft clothes awaited. She cleaned my wounds with a tender touch, her hands whisper-soft. "Vernon's cruelty knows no bounds," Althea whispered, her voice barely audible. "But you mustn't give up, Meredith. Your mother's spirit lives on in you." I looked up, meeting Althea's gaze. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of defiance. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Althea's expression turned cryptic. "The Shadowmoon Hunt is approaching. Althea's gaze lingered on my battered face, her expression a mixture of worry and urgency. "Meredith, how will you cope with these injuries? The Shadowmoon Hunt is just three days away, and you still haven't shifted." I felt a pang of shame and frustration. As an omega, I should have undergone my first shift years ago. Althea's voice softened. "Without your wolf, you can't heal as quickly as the others. How will you survive the hunt?" I shook my head, feeling hopeless. "I don't know, Althea. Vernon's training sessions are getting worse. I'm not sure I can endure it." Althea's eyes flashed with determination. "You must find a way, Meredith. Your mother's legacy depends on it. And I fear Vernon's plans go far beyond just controlling the pack." Althea paused, studying me intently. "Have you experienced any... sensations? Any sign that your wolf is stirring?" I hesitated, unsure how to answer. There had been moments, fleeting whispers of a presence within me, but I'd dismissed them as imagination. Althea's gaze probed mine. "Tell me, Meredith. Is there anything?" I shook my head, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "No, Althea, there's nothing. No sensations, no signs. Just emptiness." Althea's expression softened, her eyes filled with compassion. "Oh, Meredith, don't lose hope. Your wolf is within you, waiting to emerge." But I couldn't muster hope. Vernon's cruelty, the pack's rejection, and my own failures had crushed me. "I've tried, Althea," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I've tried so hard to please Vernon, to prove myself. But nothing works. I'm just a disappointment." Althea wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight. "You're not a failure, Meredith. You're an amazing young woman, strong and brave." I buried my face in Althea's shoulder, tears flowing down my face. "But what's the use? I'll never be like my mom. I'll never be a skilled hunter." Althea hugged me tighter. "Your mom's legacy is more than hunting, Meredith. It's about being brave, caring, and kind. You have those qualities, and they'll help you through these tough times." As I cried, Althea's words slowly sank in, offering some comfort. Just then, faint rustling and footsteps echoed outside. Althea's head jerked up, her eyes narrowing. "Vernon's coming. Quick, Meredith, pull yourself together." As Althea left, a chill ran down my spine. The silence felt heavy, weighed down by Vernon's looming presence. I quickly smoothed my hair, trying to hide any weakness. My heart raced, anticipating Vernon's next cutting remark or cruel blow. The door creaked open, and Vernon walked in, scanning the room. His gaze settled on me. "Althea's done her job, I see," Vernon said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You look... presentable." I remained still, avoiding eye contact. No one dared meet Vernon's gaze, fearing the wrath that would follow. "Get ready," Vernon instructed, his voice firm. "There's a meeting about the hunt. Be there in five minutes." I nodded, wincing in pain as I stood up. My injuries still lingered, but I knew I had to push through. As I limped to the meeting hall, the weight of Vernon's warning settled upon me. I had to volunteer for the hunt, no matter the cost. Upon entering the hall, I slipped in quietly, trying not to draw attention. Everyone's eyes seemed to flicker toward me, their expressions a mix of pity and curiosity. They knew what had happened, but no one dared ask questions. Alpha Thane stood at the front, surveying the crowd. "Welcome, pack members. As you know, the Shadowmoon Hunt approaches, and we, the Ravens pride pack, will be hosting this year." The room fell silent, anticipating the building. "This hunt is crucial for our pack's reputation and strength," Alpha Thane continued. "We need volunteers to represent our pack and bring honour to our name." Without hesitation, a mass of people stepped forward, eager to prove themselves. I took a deep breath and joined them, Vernon's warning echoing in my mind. The room fell silent once more, with all eyes on me. Whispers began to circulate, and some pack members snickered. Alpha Thane's gaze settled on me, his expression unreadable. "Very well, Meredith. You'll join the other volunteers in training." After this meeting, all the volunteers would begin their survival training immediately. As I stand there, trying to ignore the whispers and snickers, Vernon steps forward, a sly smile spreading across his face. "I have an altimatum, Alpha Thane," he says, his smile filled with hate. "If Meredith fails, she'll be stripped of her identity as a member of the pack. Her name will be removed from the pack's records, and she'll be forced to surrender her pack emblem. Furthermore, she'll be given as a slave to any pack elder or chief who claims her, forced to serve them for the rest of her life." "A s-slave? He’s going to give me out as a s-slave?"