Black Luna

Chapter 12

The morning sunlight seeped through the thin curtains, golden and soft, but its warmth did nothing to ease the chill crawling down Lia’s spine. She sat on the edge of her bed, her body stiff, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Last night had been… different. For the first time since being dragged into this pack, she hadn’t felt completely alone.

Cora’s whispered comfort still lingered in her mind, wrapping her heart in a fragile thread of hope. But that thread was already fraying. Lia couldn’t shake the unease that haunted her.

Alpha Kieran was many things—cold, cunning, merciless—but never oblivious. If he even sensed she was hiding something, he would tear it out of her, piece by piece.

A sharp knock jolted her thoughts. Before she could answer, the door swung open.

And there he was.

Alpha Kieran filled the doorway, his presence suffocating. His tall frame cast a shadow that seemed to swallow the room. His eyes—those cold, piercing eyes—locked on her, sharp as blades.

“Where were you last night?” His voice was smooth, but beneath it simmered authority, dangerous and unyielding.

Lia’s breath hitched. Her mind raced, searching for something, anything, that wouldn’t betray her conversation with Cora. She lowered her gaze, trying to compose herself.

“I didn’t leave the room,” she whispered, careful, cautious.

Kieran stepped inside, the door closing behind him with a thud that made her flinch. His boots echoed against the wooden floor as he moved closer, slow and deliberate, like a predator cornering prey.

“Strange,” he drawled, tilting his head. “Because I hear otherwise.”

Her heart skipped. Someone told him? No, it can’t be… Panic clawed at her chest, but she forced her expression to remain neutral.

“I—I don’t know what you mean.”

In a blur, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist with punishing strength. She gasped as pain shot through her already tender skin.

“You dare lie to me?” His voice was a growl now, low and menacing. “Do you think I won’t notice when my little pawn starts whispering secrets in the dark?”

Fear wrapped its icy hands around her throat. She shook her head quickly, her eyes wide with terror. “I swear, I didn’t—”

His grip tightened, cutting off her words.

“You forget where you are, Lia.” His face was inches from hers, his breath cold against her cheek. “You are in my territory, under my rule. Every breath you take belongs to me. Every step you make is because I allow it. Do you understand?”

Her lips trembled, but she managed a choked, “Yes.”

Kieran released her abruptly, and she stumbled back onto the bed, clutching her wrist. He straightened, his gaze sweeping over her like a blade.

“You need a reminder,” he said, his tone calm again, which somehow felt worse than his fury. “Come with me.”

Her stomach twisted in dread, but she knew better than to resist.

He led her through the corridors of the pack house, his strides long and commanding. The whispers of passing pack members followed them like shadows. Lia kept her head down, shame and fear burning her skin.

Finally, they emerged into the courtyard. The bright morning sun clashed cruelly with the scene before her.

An omega knelt on the ground, her face bloodied, her arms bound behind her back. Two guards stood beside her, their expressions blank. Around them, a small crowd had gathered, watching silently.

Lia’s heart lurched. She recognized the girl—an omega who often helped in the kitchens. Her eyes were swollen with tears, her body trembling with exhaustion.

Kieran’s voice rang out, cold and sharp. “This omega was caught stealing food meant for the warriors.”

The crowd shifted uneasily, but no one dared speak.

Kieran’s gaze flicked to Lia, pinning her in place. “And what do you think happens to thieves in my pack, Lia?”

Her throat went dry. She shook her head faintly, unable to answer.

His lips curved into a cruel smile. “They are punished. Severely. So that everyone remembers who holds power here.”

He gave a signal, and one of the guards struck the omega across the back with a whip. The sound cracked through the air like thunder. The girl cried out, collapsing to the ground.

Lia flinched violently, tears springing to her eyes. She wanted to scream, to beg him to stop, but fear sealed her lips shut.

Kieran leaned closer to her, his voice a whisper only she could hear. “Watch closely. This is mercy compared to what happens when someone lies to me.”

Another strike. Another cry of agony. The crowd stood stiff, silent, their fear as heavy as chains.

Lia’s nails dug into her palms, her body trembling with suppressed emotion. Her mind screamed at her to intervene, to say something, but the weight of Kieran’s presence crushed her courage.

At last, after what felt like an eternity, Kieran lifted his hand, and the punishment stopped. The omega was dragged away, sobbing and broken.

The Alpha turned to Lia again, his expression unreadable. “Do you understand now?”

Her vision blurred with tears. She nodded weakly, her voice trembling. “Yes, Alpha.”

“Good.” His tone was final, sharp as steel. “Remember, Lia—obedience is the only reason you still draw breath.”

With that, he turned and walked away, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow. The crowd dispersed silently, avoiding Lia’s gaze as though she carried his wrath like a disease.

She stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. Her body screamed with fear, but deep inside, something stirred. Watching the omega beaten, helpless and broken, had ignited a spark of anger she didn’t know she had.

When she finally returned to her room, she collapsed against the door, sliding to the floor. Her whole body shook.

Kieran’s words echoed in her head: You are my pawn. Every breath you take belongs to me.

But beneath the fear, her wolf’s voice—faint but insistent—whispered something else: You are not his. You are more than this.

Her tears fell silently as she curled into herself, torn between despair and the fragile seed of defiance taking root in her heart.

And in the shadows of the corridor, a figure slipped away—the same omega who had overheard her secret with Cora. Her lips pressed tight, her eyes calculating. She knew what she’d heard was valuable. And she knew exactly who would pay to know it.