STOLEN.

Over the years, I have been known by many names. Mani, Tsukiyomi, Aryemis, and Khonsu, to name just a few. I, however, prefer Selene. I am the Goddess of the Moon. This is not my story, though. It is the story of one of my children of the moon. A beautiful young woman named Jade. Jade’s story began before she was even born. A chain of events was set in motion by the decisions that were made by others. Events that changed the course of Jade’s life. She grew up as the daughter of a cruel, unloving Omega. Treated as a servant rather than a daughter. Abandoned by her mother as an infant. Her childhood had been lonely and difficult. Her own brother treated her like a disease. She felt unimportant and ignored. Her life was void of hope and love. But we will begin on the day before her eighteenth birthday. The stars are reflected on the smooth surface of the lake, like hundreds of diamonds in the water. The whole clearing was bathed in the silvery glow of the moonlight. Jade felt completely at peace lying on the soft, damp grass, looking up at the full moon. There was no one else around, yet she never felt quite alone here. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the way that the cool night breeze felt on her skin. Jade waited quietly, and then she heard it. A voice in the darkness. The same soft, melodic voice that she had heard every night since her sixteenth birthday. “Be strong.” It was the same two words every night. “Who are you?” she called out into the empty space around her. She had asked this same question over and over and had never received an answer. Until now. “You will find out very soon, I promise.” Jade was shocked at being answered. She had so many more questions to ask, but before she had the chance, there was a loud, blaring siren. She was pulled from the dream by the alarm beside her bed. Frustrated by the interruption, she turned it off and lay back. Letting her mind wander back to the beautiful lakeside for just a moment. She had been visiting that same place in her dreams every single night for almost two years, and it was the only time that she felt truly happy. With a sigh, she dragged herself back to reality and out of her small, hard bed. It was five o'clock in the morning, and she needed to get started on her chores and get breakfast ready for her father and brother. Jade used the small bathroom across from her bedroom to wash up. Although the word bathroom was probably a generous description. It had a toilet and a fairly large sink, but no shower or bathtub. Once she was done, she pulled on her faded, black maid's uniform and winced as she forced her feet into her worn-down shoes. They had been too small for a while now. Though she didn't dare complain. She scraped her long black hair into a ponytail and froze, her eyes glazing over. She was receiving a mind link summoning her to the sitting room. She hurried off, trying to think of anything that she might have done to annoy her father. She prayed that she wasn’t about to be punished. Clive Woods was a horrible little man. His mousy brown hair was graying and starting to thin on top. He worked as a supervisor at Eclipse, the huge, fancy five-star hotel that was owned by the Alpha family in the nearby human city. He liked to abuse the limited power that he had at work. In the pack, he was just another omega wolf, nothing special. However, here in his house, he was in charge. He was the master. He smiled, a thin, satisfied smile as Jade entered the room. She stood in front of him, her gaze fixed on the floor, awaiting his orders. Her obedience pleased him. He had her well-trained. “We will be having a special guest for breakfast this morning. Delta Scott will be joining us. Use the good crockery and cook to impress. Do not make us look bad or else.” He said, dismissing her. Jade nodded her understanding, not daring to speak. She hurried off to the kitchen to get started, breathing a sigh of relief that she wasn't in any trouble. Clive watched her leave, his beady little eyes narrowing. He hated how much she looked like her mother. He felt that familiar pang in his chest just thinking about Jenny. He let himself wallow in his pain for a minute before pulling himself together and getting himself ready for the Delta’s arrival.