The Slave Who Owned The Moon

CHAPTER 9

AMAYA

I should have known I would pay for Lucian's antics.

Evelara hates when she isn’t the center of attention, and Lucian putting me on the spot yesterday must sting for her.

I'm still exhausted from all the work I did last night, and it doesn't help that I'm not able to get proper sleep all night.

My mind is plagued by a million and one things, one of which is a certain gray-eyed alpha who refuses to stay gone.

I also can’t shake off how the moment in Lucian’s room makes me feel.

"I hear that you almost caused a fight between Lucian and Luna Evelara yesterday," Trish, one of the maids, says to me.

I stare at her in shock. “Who tells you that?” I ask, and she just shrugs.

"Everyone is talking about it. They're saying you have a thing with Lucian, and Evelara is against it," she answers.

I sigh. I hate pack gossip. Most of the time, it’s all a bunch of exaggerated bullshit.

What could possibly make them think that Lucian, the alpha’s brother, would have anything to do with me?

"I can assure you that anything you hear is a complete fabrication. First, there is no fight between the Luna and Lucian. I didn't meet Lucian until yesterday," I tell her.

She frowns in confusion, like I’m somehow the one telling a lie.

“Then why does he insist that you serve him?”

"I don't know," I reply truthfully. "Maybe he likes to play games, and I'm just a pawn in his game. I'm at the bottom of the food chain after all."

She nods, as if finally seeing reason with my explanation.

“You’re right,” she says. “Lucian is known for his carefree and playful nature. I mean, he’s been gone for years, touring countries abroad. No wonder the council doesn’t really regard him. He’s absolutely nothing like his brother.”

That’s because they are two completely different beings. I don’t like the way she speaks about Lucian like he’s just a pretty face, but I say nothing so as not to raise her suspicion.

“Just be careful, Amaya. For such a rumor to go around, it means Evelara isn’t happy with the attention you’re getting, and you know how she is when she doesn’t get what she wants.”

I nod, all too aware of her wrath.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful. Thanks, Trish,” I reply and focus on the task I’m doing, hoping she gets the subtle hint that I’m done with this conversation.

Surprisingly, I haven’t seen Evelara all day. Not that I’m complaining, it’s just a bit unusual for her. Ordinarily, she would have come up with a way to make my day miserable.

Maybe she's sick with the plague, or the moon goddess is finally punishing her for her evil; any of the options would be a favorable one for me.

Alas, I get a reminder that I never get what I want when she corners me in the hallway, staring daggers at me with her icy-blue eyes, like she wants me to spontaneously combust.

“Luna Evelara,” I greet, bowing my head a little.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” she asks, and I stare at her in confusion.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean,” I reply.

“How dare you undermine my authority in front of the alpha and his brother? It’s like you forget that I have the power to make your life a living hell,” she says.

Oh, how I wish I could forget.

“No, I haven’t forgotten, but I can’t exactly refuse him. After all, he is the alpha’s brother, and I serve him as much as I serve you.”

The words are barely out of my mouth before her palms connect with my cheeks.

The slap stings, but not as much as my dignity. Evelara always makes me feel less than.

“I don’t ask for your silly excuses, and don’t speak unless I specifically ask you to, else you’ll be getting more than a slap next time,” she sneers.

I nod in understanding, not wanting to risk getting slapped again.

“Now you listen to me, you rogue slave. The next time you undermine my authority, I’ll make sure you regret your pathetic little existence. Are we clear?”

I nod again, and that seems to satisfy her… for now.

“Now get out of my sight,” she orders.

I don’t need to be told twice before I hurry towards my room. I should have known that there’s no reasoning with her.

Just when I think I have her all figured out, she goes and does something to up the wickedness meter a notch.

Moments like this are when I miss my family. We aren’t a large pack, but we have love.

We are peaceful and loving. They are taken away from me in the blink of an eye, and it’s not fair.

Everybody around me has a family except me. I have no one in this world. I don't even have friends in this place. They are too concerned with protecting their interests and avoiding Evelara at all costs.

Why can’t Darian pick a better Luna? At least if my mate is going to reject me, it should be for someone who is actually worthy of that title.

That’s not my business anymore. The only thing important to me is making the entire Grayhide Pack pay for what they do to my family.

Feelings? I have no time for that. So I’m just going to have to ignore the pain of the mate bond.

I can’t afford to fall for someone who doesn’t give a damn about me, not when I’m in hell every day I spend here.

I’m feeling frustrated, restless, and in dire need of a release. My wolf is getting antsy and unsettled.

Evelara ruins the good day I think I’m going to have, and I know there will be no sleep for me, so I do the only reasonable thing I can think of.

I go for a run.