The Luna He Forgot

Chapter 6: New Luna Rising

Because everything had changed, I went home early…and I got caught. I was beaten badly for sneaking out. But strangely, I didn’t care as much as I thought I would. A few lashrs or bruises…mountain of clothes to wash.

None of it could compare to the pain of dying…at least I was alive. That night, I lay in my old bed, staring at the ceiling. I couldn’t stop thinking about Ava, my sister. She had actually killed me.

Flashes of her face couldn’t let me sleep. That smile, the hatred in her eyes as she watched me struggle for breath. I shivered beneath the blankets. How could someone hate me that much? I tried to push the thought away. Maybe it was better not to think about it, I thought to myself. I had been given another chance, I was still alive. And this time, I would stay that way.

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The next day, the Alpha King came to the Vale Mansion. I knew exactly what was about to happen.

But this time…

He didn’t recognize me.

He looked at me for a moment, then he smiled politely. No shock or recognition…nothing. Just a stranger looking at another stranger. Something inside me cracked. I wanted to say something—Anything.

It’s me, you know me, you loved me. I didn’t have the courage to blurt it out, Instead, memories flooded my mind.

His arms around me, his laugh, his lips pressed against mine…his stupid eyes or thr way he’d looked at me the night we’d met.

A single tear slipped down my cheek, I quickly wiped it away.

“You have beautiful daughters,” he said to my mother.

My mother’s face brightened.

“The heavens have certainly blessed you.”

She asked the question I already knew the answer to.

“And which daughter has Your Majesty chosen as his mate?”

He turned toward Ava, she was already smiling.

“Ava Vale.”

Her eyes widened.

“I have chosen her as my Luna.”

My sister covered her mouth.

“And she will be my Queen.”

Ava’s face lit up. “Oh, heavens!” Mother cried. “What have I done in my past life to deserve such favor?” Everyone erupted into celebration. I stood silently among the servants, watching.

Watching the man who had once been mine choose another woman, my wedding, crown…my whole life being handed to someone else. Like a page in a book being ripped out, hoping to be found, before it gets truly lost.

And nobody knew that I had already lived it once.

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The next day was dreadful. Ava was happier than I’d ever seen her. She talked constantly, laughed constantly, and changed outfits so many times I lost count. I had never seen her this excited. But every time I looked at her, I remembered her kneeling beside me.

with that eery smile, and her voice telling me I was going to die.

I wanted revenge.

I wanted to put my hands around her throat and make her feel the same fear I had felt. But I stayed calm. I had already died once, I wasn’t going to let anger kill me twice.

“Everything has to be perfect,” Ava said, holding two necklaces against her neck. “Which one?”

Mother studied them.

“Blue. Always blue. It brings out your eyes.”

Ava smiled.

“You always look out for me, Mother. Thank you.”

They embraced. I watched them silently, something hot burned in my chest. When I had been chosen, this house had felt like a funeral.

Ava had hated me and Mother had barely known how to look at me. Everyone had been miserable. But now? Ava was the future Queen. Suddenly, everyone was happy.

I almost laughed. Life was cruel like that. It seemed as if the heavens were rewarding her for killing me. It probably was not the case, but that was what it felt like. They were celebrating the woman who had murdered me, and only I remembered everything.

“Axia…” Ava’s voice softened. Mother had barely left the room when she turned toward me. She picked up a delicate tiara and placed it on her head. “I didn’t ask for this,” she said.

“But Mother thinks I should make you my lady-in-waiting.”

I stared at her.

“You?”

“Me.” She responded, admiring herself in the mirror. “Now that I’m Luna, I have more authority. More responsibilities. More people around me.”

She turned to face me. “But I need someone I can trust.” A small smile appeared on her lips. “Mother suggested you.” I said nothing. She tilted her head. “So… what do you say?” “What does that mean?” I asked.

“It means you’ll live with me in the palace.”

My heart skipped.

“You’ll follow me everywhere. Help me with my duties.” She said as stepped closer.

“You’ll be my eyes and ears.”

I stared at her.

Even in victory…

She still wanted me beneath her.

“And if I say no?”

Ava’s expression changed.

For the first time, she looked genuinely surprised.

“No?”

I nodded.

“What happens if I don’t want to be your lady-in-waiting?”

“Live in the palace,” Ava said, almost bouncing with excitement. “Eat until you can’t breathe, attend banquets, meet noblemen…”

She grinned.

“Don’t you want to get married someday?”I stared at her. How could she sound so happy?How could she stand there like she wasn’t the same person who had watched me die?

“I don’t think I’d fit into a place like that,” I said carefully. “I’d rather stay here.”

Because I couldn’t go back! There’s no way I couldn’t see Elyan every day or look into this stupid smile. I would mess things up, I couldn’t survive that.

“Can’t.” I responded, looking up.

“What?” Ava’s smile vanished. “You can’t refuse.”

“Ava—”

“You’re my sister.” She replied, turning back toward the mirror, adjusting her tiara.

“That’s what sisters do.” Her reflection smiled.

“And you’re going to do this for me.”

I stared at her back.

“So get ready.”

She picked up another necklace.

“Don’t waste my time.”

I said nothing, I just walked out her room and leaned on the wall just to breathe.

A wave of emotions suddenly hit me as I realized that so far, I had spent my second life trying to stay away from Elyan.

And my sister had just found a way to put me in his palace.

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