TRUE LUNA: DANCING IN FLAMES OF THREE

Rune's POV “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” I kept whispering those words to myself while in the shadows of my past. My mind drifted back in time when Rune used to be her father's little princess and her mother's angel. I shut my eyes tightly and let myself drown in the memory. ~ Eighteen years ago ~ “Mum, why is everyone running?” “Shhhh,” a tear dropped from my eyes as she pulled me to an embrace, sniffing behind my ear. “You don't have to worry, okay? Dad and everyone are busy preparing for a party,” she smiled and tried to tuck some strands of hair behind my ears. “Party? What party, mummy?” “It's our anniversary today, sweetie. They're busy putting everything in place and I have to go and help them out,” she still sniffed. Now, something was wrong because she didn't let me look at her face again. “Are you crying because of the party?” “I'm happy because you always surprise me with your smartness, sweetie,” she pulled my cheeks playfully. “Like I said, daddy needs my help now and I have to go and assist him. You have to promise mummy that you'll be a good girl and remain in your room no matter what happens, okay? When we're done preparing, we'll get you ready in your new dress and we can start the party, okay?” “Okay, mummy, but please don't cry.” “Sweet girl,” she pulled me in, kissing my forehead. “You'll make a true Luna someday and whether we live to see it or not, we'll be so proud of you.” With that, she stood and exited the room with so much hesitation. I waved at her innocently, but stopped when another tear fell from her eyes. Why was she crying when she was happy?. I waited patiently as she had asked me to, looking outside through my window every now and then. I was so eager to wear my dress and eat the brown cake only meant for me, but I didn't understand why the preparation was taking so long. I got exhausted from looking outside and retired to my bed to play with my doll. It fell when I tried to reach for it and just as I bent over to pick my doll from the floor, a beautiful object caught my eye. It was small and bright. Very bright like a star in the sky. I couldn't contain my curiosity, so I tried to reach it. There was a problem, though. My doll was under my bed and the bright object was lying helplessly in the next room. Scared of entering the room as I had never stepped into it before, I tried to reach for it, instead. My arm was too short. I tried other means just to satisfy my curiosity, but I still couldn't get to it. I stood before the door. Gazing at it in fear, I gripped my dress tightly, used a blindfold to cover my eyes so I wouldn't see anything scary, and then pushed the door open. I paused to take note of how nothing seemed to make a sound except for my heartbeat. My palms were sweaty and cold shivers were running down my spine. I bent over on all fours and began to feel the cold marble floor beneath my palms and knees. I gasped. I finally felt it. Too excited, I removed the blindfold. At second glance, I knew this was the best present for mum and dad. They said precious stones only exist in stories. I wouldn't stay the same now that I'd have one. A fantasy. I stood up and turned towards the door immediately, except I was really far from it. Also, I could hear strange noises in my room. Things smashing to the ground and someone shouting ‘Find her!’ My heart sank. I rushed to a corner I was able to fit myself in, bent over and shuddered in fear until the darkness around me enveloped me. I woke up in a different place and unfamiliar faces, bearing the worst news of my entire life. ~ Present time ~ A tear fell from my cheek as I recalled getting the moonstone eighteen years ago. Even at this moment, the memories still haunted me. Who knew that seeing something so precious would also mark the last time I would see my mum and dad? “Ahem,” I shifted my gaze to the direction from which the voice came and quickly wiped my cheeks. “Hey, Theo,” I swallowed the salty lump in my throat while watching him walk towards me. “How are you doing, princess?” “I'm fine, just waiting for Ivy to show up with what all I need for my embroidery,” I explained. “Embroidery?” “Yes. You have decided to lock me up forever. I also agreed to be your locked-up doll, but we have to agree that I can at least get something to keep myself busy,” I teased. “Of course, we agree,” he chuckled. “It's good you already plan on keeping yourself busy today. Your movement will be more restricted,” his voice dropped while his fingers drew an irregular shape on his lap. I jolted up and turned to him. “Did something happen?” I almost choked on my last word. After I found out who was responsible for my parents’ death and the reason for it, my brother, Theo, who was the only family I had now and the present Alpha of Nightshade pack, had been so protective of me. He restricted my movement to the packhouse alone unless he was going out with me. While they were all for my safety, this was going to be the first time he restricted me from stepping out of my room. “I'll be meeting members of a different pack for a pack business and they're kinda dangerous. I don't want any of them seeing you or trying to make a bargain with you, especially since no one could get to you after eighteen years.” “Dangerous? Why have something to do with the dangerous ones?” I scolded him, with my voice breaking off at some point. “You know that you're the only family I have and yet, you still risk your life on a deal with the rogues?” “Rune, listen. They're not rogues. They're from the most powerful pack of the clan. Their Alpha has been kind to us since mum and dad passed away, Rune. We need them,” he nodded with each of the words from his last statement while holding my shoulders in place. “Nightfall pack?” He nodded, making my shoulders fall. I sighed and brushed off his hands. “Alright, then. Send a message as soon as they're gone.” “I will,” he smiled, pulling me in for a hug. Afterwards, he left and I went back to looking outside through my window. In no time, I could sense a strong presence. Even stronger than Theo's. The air was thick with tension although I hadn't left my room yet. I let out a sigh of relief when Ivy finally showed up. She played around with my favourite yarn so I could see, and that only got me excited, so excited that I forgot my brother's words and hurried downstairs to get everything she bought. “You can't be seriously asking for my sister, Alaric. Have you gone mad?!” I froze. I slowly turned in the direction of the heated argument with wild eyes. “Yes!” The other voice snapped. To think that I was standing at the wrong spot wasn't even enough to tear my intense gaze from them. I stood directly in front of the door, which perhaps they didn't know was slightly ajar, letting me see not just the tension, but the most feared Alpha giving my brother a death glare. “I spent a decade roaming the entire clan, mad, while waiting for the perfect time! It's finally here, Theo. Besides, it was the deal all along—” “No, no, no,” I heard my brother chuckling nervously while Alaric just raised a brow at him. “You've got it all wrong, Alaric. She. Is. Off. The. Deal!” “Don't try to play smart or I might have no other choice but to erase this pack from existence,” he sneered, making all the hairs on my skin stand erect. I tried to move, but couldn't. Worse. My frantic heartbeat only grew louder. At the last second, his gaze met mine, sending a strong shockwave through me. It was quick and unfathomable, but I saw it flash across his eyes… I gasped, took three steps back and covered my mouth with my trembling hands. He was the one from ten years ago.