The Alpha's Fated Luna

Chapter Two: Dark Woods

The sun sank quickly below the horizon, it reminded Reina of the time she had lost while away from home. She increased her pace as they neared the house, she was worried about the things her stepmom could do to her.

“I think you should wait in your room, ma’am.” The servant, Jeremy said in a calm voice that had a tinge of sympathy in it. “I’ll let her know you’re back” With this, he hurried inside the house, leaving Reina with her thoughts.

‘What do I tell her? If she finds out I went outside without her permission she’ll-she’ll.’ Her thoughts trailed off, as her eyes widened in fear at the mere thought of what Serene was capable of doing. To her. She ran upstairs into her room and shut the door gently.

“I am the alpha and you are my mate. My name is Aries, you are my mate” Reina’s thoughts spiraled, they almost didn’t feel like she was thinking about the strange words of the man at the lake, she had this voice in her head that didn’t sound anything like hers. It was chanting in her head, drawing her away from reality. She felt her body begging for something, longing for what she couldn’t seem to fathom.

“You are my mate. You are mine. I am the Alpha, and you are mine” Reina’s hands flew to her ears in a weak attempt to shut out the voice that spoke incessantly in her head.

“Stop, please stop. No, stop. Stop!” She screamed as she fell to the floor swinging her head back and forth.

“What is this nonsense, Reina? Have you gone nuts?” Serene’s voice startled her back to her senses. She breathed heavily and looked around the room temporarily confused about what had happened.

“Come with me this instant” She added angrily.

Something felt off about Serene as she led Reina into a large room in the house. It looked like a*****e meant for keeping tools used in the house. There were large piles of wood in a corner of the woodshed. The room also had items like gardening tools and other supplies needed mostly outside the house.

“Look at that space.” Serene ordered, as she gestured to the little space on the woodpile. There was a long ladder that led to the top of the woods, and it looked like some wood had been removed, which left a little space there.

“We are almost out of wood and the weather is cold, so you have to go into the forests and get some. I can show you the path to follow.” Serene announced nonchalantly.

“Mum but…” Serene glared at Reina as she interrupted her.

“How many times do I have to remind you never to call me that? Now, take a chainsaw from that corner and I will show you the way.”

Reina was dumbfounded and worried. She pondered on why she had to do a job that late let alone the type that required manpower in an unsafe area.

“I can do this tomorrow, please don’t send me into the forest this night I beg of you.” Serene’s hand came up suddenly and struck her across the face. The slap was unexpected and hard, which made her stagger a few steps backward, utterly stunned.

Serene walked up to her again pulled her hair right from the scalp, and yanked it hard till Reina fell to her knees in pain. Serene struck her again, then again, and tossed her across the room.

“Possessed child! I’ll have your body feasted on by the lowest beasts in public!” She said in a raised voice. She bent down a little to grab Reina by the jaw. “Do not forget your place, swine. I will ruin you in an instant.”

Reina, afraid, crawled behind the pile of wood, to get away from Serene.

“Please forgive me! I will get the wood, please let me go.” She begged amidst tears and pain, folding herself into a ball as she backed further into a corner.

Serene wasn’t done, she went to her and dragged her by the hair which caused some strands to fall off. “I said take the chainsaw and get out of here!” She said in a low angry tone, before pushing Reina to the space meant for tools and machines. Reina fell on hard metal and her ribs burned painfully. Her lips were busted, and she bled profusely.

“Stand up you lowlife! I wish you were never born! I wish you died with your mother!” Serene exclaimed as she kicked Reina continuously at the side, knocking the wind out of her.

“Die! Die! Die already!” She continued with the assault until Reina coughed out blood, only then did she stop.

Reina rolled on the ground, her head heavy and a sharp nasty pain clouded her thoughts. She jerked and turned to her side to spit out blood. Her side hurt and she winced. She held a Trowel for support as she struggled to stand. She found the chainsaw and limped to get it.

“Follow me.” Serene instructed again as she walked out of the store. They reached outside and everywhere was quiet and dark except for the brilliant lights that radiated from the building. It was late.

“Take that path into the forest and I want mahogany woods that can only be seen deep in the forest. Hurry up and get back here before midnight.” Just then, footsteps approached, and Valerie appeared with a worried expression on her face.

“What’s going on?” she asked both of them suspiciously. She noticed the chainsaw in Reina’s hand and then the blood on her shirt with her hair in complete disarray. “Reina?” She whispered in disbelief. “What…what is this?” she stuttered. Her hand flew to her mouth, shocked at what she had witnessed.

“Mum? Did you do this? Do you have a…” Before she could complete her sentence, Serene raised her hand, her eyes narrowed angrily at her daughter.

“Valerie, do not push me. Go back inside, now.” She said, her eyes twitched with anger.

Valerie tried to protest but one look at her mum made her panic. She felt like a prey in front of a predator. She hugged Reina and sobbed then turned to her mum again. “Please don’t let her go this late, she could get hurt.” She knelt, with the hope that it could appease Serene.

“Please, she can always leave in the morning, it’s late outside and anything can happen.” Her voice cracked as she tried to hold back her tears.

Seeing her mom wouldn’t bulge, she got up and hugged Reina, “Please be safe, Reina. I don’t want you to get hurt.” The girls held on to each other and cried, each praying for help.

Valerie turned and ran into the house, crying as she left.

“Go on, go get the woods.” Serene urged with a small smirk.

Reina looked at her with the last hope in her eyes, but Serene only stared back blankly. It was useless to beg now; Serene always had her way.

“Since you like the forest so much, let’s see you make it back here alive.”