THE RISE OF A FORBIDDEN LUNA

ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Valeria’s POV

“Don’t stop.” Camila shouted at me.

Her voice cutting through the chaos in my head.

But I can't stop even though I was tired and almost breathless.

The night breeze clawed into my lungs as we ran through the forest, with branches snapping against my skin, and thorns tearing into my dress. My legs were hurting, but the fear I harbored in me pushed me harder than pain ever could.

Behind us were the guards of the Moon fang pack who sighted us escaping and started coming after us.

“How far do you think you can run?!” one of the guards said, mocking our speed.

My heart skipped violently.

La Manada Colmillo de Sombra guards have never lost their prey.

“Valeria!” Camila grabs my wrist, pulling me sharply to the left. “This way!” she directed.

We rushed off the main path, diving into thicker parts of the woods where the trees grew closer, darker, more suffocating. My feet nearly slipped on damp soil, but I steadied myself, by gripping onto a low branch.

I could hear the stamping of multiple feet coming from the Moon fang guards and I knew they were getting really close to us.

"Godddd…” Camila muttered under her breath.

If, by chance, the guards get close to us, then we’re doomed, because we don’t have wolves or speed to defend ourselves. Except a few stolen seconds and a desperate plan that might already be falling apart.

“Keep moving,” I whispered more to myself than to her.

Then we came close to a cave-like stone in a particular area of the forest and I suggested to Camila that we hide there in order to buy time.

When we did, the Moon-fang guards did not get any clue that we were there, and they ran past us hurriedly.

Sitting on a stone almost breathless. My mind dragged me back to where this all started.

*VALERIA’S CHAMBER*

Earlier that day, I carried the poison which burned slightly in my hand as I held the tiny bottle. It was small and deadly.

“Are you sure about this?” Camila asked softly, her eyes searching for mine.

I didn’t answer immediately, because for a fact I wasn't sure. About everything, the poison, the escape plan or anything, but I was sure of the fact that if I stayed a little longer in this palace, I would die slowly or even worse, live as nothing.

“He’ll never let you go, Valeria,” Camila continued, her voice tight. “You know that, right?”

Of course, I knew that Alpha Gael never lets go of what he owns. And that’s all I was to him. A mere breeder and a mistake that he tolerated.

My fingers tightened around the vial.

“I’m not staying,” I said quietly, but firmly. “Not anymore.”

Camila exhaled slowly.

“Then go do it tonight,” she assured.

♦ GAEL’S CHAMBER♦

The cup trembled in my hand as I approached the table where Jules sat with Roćio beside him as the Luna queen and her fingers resting possessively on his arm.

I forced a fake smile so they wouldn’t suspect anything.

“I brought wine your highness,” I said softly, pouring into their glasses.

Rosy didn’t even look at me.

“Careful with that,” she muttered lazily. “You’re clumsy.”

My jaw tightened, but I said nothing, definitely not tonight when everything depended on the outcome of this moment.

I slid the poison unnoticeably into the drink. The poison was colorless, odorless, and perfect that no one would suspect anything.

I placed the glass in front of Gael and then Rocio.

“Drink,” Gael ordered without even a glance at me.

I stepped back with my heart pounding.

Then Rocio lifted her glass first, took a sip and Gael followed.

And then I stood there waiting for the outcome as well as calculating my next move.

Rocio was the first to react. Her glass shattered against the floor as she choked, with her body convulsing.

Gael stood unexpectedly, knocking his chair back.

“What….” His voice cut off as the poison hit.

His expression twisted in fury.

Then he realized that I might be aware of what was happening to him.

“You……?” he said. His gaze snapped at me with rage.

“Guards!” he shouted.

And that was my cue to run. So I ran.

“Stop her!” The guards' command echoed behind us, it was authoritative and deadly.

But I didn't look back. And I knew that if I did, I might freeze. And freezing means dying. So I had to ignore everything.

In the midst of everything, my lungs felt like they were collapsing, and my legs barely responded anymore.

But I keep moving. Because I refuse to go back there.

♦IN THE WOODS♦

“Valeria”, Camilla's voice, snapped me back to reality.

“We should continue since they are out of sight,” she said.

I only nodded in agreement.

“ I think we should take a different route,” she continued.

We took a different direction from the older one and kept running tirelessly hoping to get to another pack before sunrise. Hopefully we do.

A branch slaps hard across my face, causing a scare across my face.

“Valeria, faster!” Camila urges.

“I’m trying!” I shoot back, my breath uneven.

My body feels heavy, like the weight of everything I’ve endured is finally catching up with me.

Coupled with the rejection, humiliation and loss. But I have to shove it all down and continue.

We broke into a small clearing of the moonlight spilling across the ground in pale silver spots.

For a second, I thought we'd gained some amount of distance.

Then a wail breaks through the night. It was loud, sharp and terrifying.

My entire body froze.

“They’ve shifted…” I whispered under my breath.

Camila turned to look at me with her face pale.

“Run, Valeria,” her voice echoed.

We ran but it was different now.

A sharp pain shoots through my ankle as I misstep. I cried out, falling to one knee.

“Valeria!” Vera drops beside me instantly.

“I’m fine,” I gasped, trying to stand.

But my ankle hurts so badly.

“We don’t have time!” Camila said with urgency in her voice. And looking behind us, I heard another growl, it was closer this time. Fear had already engulfed me.

“Go,” I told Camila quickly. “Leave me.” I continued.

“What?” she snapped at me, her eyes blazing. “Are you insane?” she asked.

“You’ll make it if you go now…” I told her.

“And leave you here for you to die?” she cuts me off sharply. “That's not happening.”

“Camila—” I shouted

“I said no!” she cuts in.

“Move.” she beckoned on me

I bit back the pain and forced myself forward. Taking one step at a time.

Suddenly, Camila stopped with me, nearly crashing into her.

“What?” I asked with confusion all over my face.

That was when I saw that we were at the edge of a cliff. Cold chills ran through my veins.

And closely behind us, we're the Moon fang guards already close to us.

“There’s nowhere left to run,” one of them shifted partially, with his voice mocking us.

My heart pounded violently.

I glanced at Camila, who looked back at me with her face filled with hopelessness.

And at that moment we both understood one thing. It is either we die or we go back into captivity.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

I shook my head quickly, gripping her hand.

“No,” I whispered back. “We will survive this.”

Her lips trembled while she nodded affirmatively.

And behind us, the wolves stepped closer to us.

The edge of the cliff crumbled beneath my foot as there was nothing but darkness below.

And without thinking, I pulled Camila with me, and we jumped down the cliff.

The wind roared in my ears as my body dropped fast.

And a thought creped into my mind: “So this is how I will die?”

Suddenly, I felt strong arms wrapped around me in midair. My eyes snap open.

What!!! I didn’t hit the ground rather I was held up by a dangerously familiar scent. And I looked up only to meet a pair of piercing blue eyes that were glowing in the dark.

I was shocked, it couldn't be Luciana. The same person who sold the poison to me.

“Found you,” she said.