THE KING’S EXILED LUNA

Chapter Three

Maelin

That night, I packed up the little dignity I had left to my name and abandoned the place I used to call my home.

I left my entire family, they had absolutely no idea I was eloping anyway and after what happened today, I don’t think they’ll be bothered enough to try to find me.

I never thought that the day would come when I’d look at my home from a distance and turn my back to it. I felt a knot tying itself tightly inside my belly and I let the tears flow down my face uncontrollably.

Three years later, and now all the tears in my eyes have dried up. I barely even think of that phase of my life anymore, and whenever I do, just like right now, I shake my head to ward those horrible thoughts away.

The sun was rising quickly and soon enough, it was already scorching before I was even done shining my sword.

“This better do the trick today..” I groaned, securing it in its sheath.

My life has taken a drastic turn after I walked away from my home, but no matter how hard things became and how difficult it was for me to get by everyday, not one moment did I ever think of going back.

“What’s a fine young lady like you doing in a place like this?” a croaky voice came from behind me.

I rolled my eyes in disgust and slowly turned around.

“Whoa…” he grinned, running his dirty fingers through his disgusting beards.

“Piss off, old man!” I scolded, one hand on my sword and ready to draw it if he decided to act funny.

He glanced at my arms and sized me up. He knew in his heart that he couldn’t take me on and challenging me would be like digging his own grave.

“I was only giving a harmless compliment..” he groaned, dusting his hands on his shirt, “can’t a man appreciate a good creation when he sees one?”

His voice trailed off as he walked away slowly. I stood there, clearly unfazed because working in the wildest of places for the past three years has trained me to be familiar with people like him.

“I see you can take care of yourself now, can’t you, Wren..” another voice came from behind me. It belonged to the man in charge of the underground fighting ring and I knew I was in trouble for coming in late, but I also didn’t know who Wren was.

“Wren?” I repeated, turning around so he’d see the face of who he was speaking to.

His brows lifted and the corner of his lips lifted into a smile.

“For the millionth time, Wren, this is the name you told everyone was your name and I still don’t know why you keep asking who Wren is each time the name is mentioned..”

I pursed my lips immediately, my eyes widening as I immediately remembered I changed my name entirely so nobody from my past could recognize me in any way.

“I was only pulling your legs.” I laughed nervously, rubbing my palms together.

“Oh really?” He sneered, “well then you can go in there and pull the legs of your sparring partner. You have a fight this evening and I’d appreciate it if you move your bloody legs and get your s**t together!”

Yes, believe it or not I became a fighter and it’s not even the worst job I’d taken over the years. I fled to the Northern territory and when you lived in a place like this, putting food on the table was the priority because no one was going to take pity on you.

I spent the first year of my independence working as a scout and after a year of service, I got promoted to a caravan guard. That phase almost claimed my sanity, I had to find a way out and soon I ended up as a fighter in underground rings.

No one cared about my background here, all that matters is survival but I still didn’t risk anyone finding out I was merely an omega so I masked my scent with herbs used by the northern mercenaries.

“I’m coming..” I exhaled, my hand still feeling for my sword. “I just need to get my mask.”

I never agreed to fight without the mask. That was my rule, people might treat me less if they found out I was a really young woman and not want to fight me.

I could risk that.

But after enough wins, people started calling me the masked fighter, the one who could take down wolves twice her size, and the name stuck.

The truth was a lot less impressive; I only wore it because fights like these pull in crowds from everywhere rogues, city packs, loners and if even one person from Wolfgard happened to be in the crowd, they would recognize me instantly.

I’ve heard they’ve been looking for me which is funny, in a sick kind of way considering how much they hated me when I was actually there.

When I was sure the mask was fastened on my face, I made my way to the ring.

The second I stepped into the battlefield, the whole place exploded. People were on their feet, shouting my name or at least what they thought was my name and clapping so loud it hurt my ears.

I never got used to it.

No one had ever cheered for me before, certainly not at Wolfgard and not anywhere. For years I’d been the one people whispered about when I walked past, not the one they stood up for.

I smiled shyly and scanned the crowd, that was when my eyes found him. Corvin Ash.

“What on earth is he doing in a place like this?” I gasped as the painful memory of his rejection stung me like a bee.

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter, he can’t see you and you don’t exist to him. Winning this fight is your priority.” I muttered as I walked into the ring.

My opponent was already there waiting. He was the captain of the border guards, the border guards are known to be the strongest and this man towered over me.

Broad chest, arms the size of my legs, a wolf who looked like he could snap me in half if he wanted to.

I wasn’t the best fighter but I was good at watching. It was easy for me to learn how someone moved, where they left themselves open and what leg they used when they were tired.

I stood back for the first few seconds and let him come at me, let him swing, and then I saw it the part of his rib he left open while attacking.

Once I saw it, I knew where to hit.

It wasn’t a long fight after that.

I hit him where it hurt, and I didn’t stop until the referee pulled me back and his knees gave out.

The bell rang and the crowd went crazy again.

Then the commentator’s voice boomed over the speaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, our undefeated champion! Ten fights, ten wins! I think it’s time we finally see the face behind the legend. How about you grace us by taking off that mask?”

My blood ran cold immediately, my gaze shifting to Corvin.