His Slave Luna

Slave 6: A Tiny Step

Abused 6: A Tiny Step

Mariam Erina Vandenberg

It had been a week since my brother’s mate arrived, yet her identity remained shrouded in mystery. No one knew her name, her past, or the circumstances that had led her to the Midnight Moon Pack. I had attempted to approach her cautiously, following Galvin’s advice to respect her space and avoid starling her.

However, her fear was palpable. A simple noise could send her into a panic, and she consistently avoided eye contact, her gaze always fixed on the ground. She barely ate, and I had even found her sleeping on the cold, hard floor, a habit she seemed to have developed from her past.

“Have you informed my brother about her condition?” I asked Galvin, who had requested an update on my brother’s mate’s well-being.

Galvin sighed, “Yes, I’ve already told him. But he’s… well, you know how he is. His mind works in mysterious ways, and he hasn’t shown much reaction to the news.”

“At least he hasn’t ordered her to be moved somewhere,” I sighed, relief washing over me.

“Maybe Malik threatened him,” Galvin suggested, his voice filled with understanding. “Just continue to approach her slowly. Her trauma runs deeper than we initially thought.”

I nodded, taking his advice to heart. I knew I had to be patient and understanding. She had been through so much, and it would take time for her to heal. I would be there for her, offering her support and compassion, until she was ready to open up.

After talking with Galvin, I immediately went to my brother’s mate’s room. When I was already in front of her room’s door, I hesitated for a moment, remembering her startled reaction to sudden noises. Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly on the door.

“Hi. I’m here again… may I come in?”

Silence met my request again, but I couldn’t let that deter me. I gently pushed the door open, stepping into the dimly lit room. There, I saw her curled up on the bed, her body small and fragile silhouette against the white sheets.

Good thing she wasn’t sleeping on the cold floor again.

I can’t help but smile at that thought. Maybe she listened to me. I approached her cautiously, my movements gentle and deliberate. I placed the tray of food on the bedside table, the aroma of the warm meal filling the room.

“I brought you some food,” I said softly, my voice barely audible. “You should eat something…” I looked at her, her back facing mine.

Suddenly, a spark of hope ignited within me as she sat up on the bed, her eyes still cast downward. This was a significant breakthrough. Unlike the first few days, she no longer trembled at my approach. She now seemed more comfortable in my presence.

It was a small victory, but it filled me with a sense of accomplishment. At first, she would recoil, and her eyes went wide with fear. But gradually, as days turned to weeks, a subtle shift began to occur. Her growing trust in me was a testament to the progress I had made.

I hope that this was the beginning of her healing journey.

***

Behati

Since I regained consciousness, Lady Mariam has been a constant presence in my life. Unlike Lady Vida and Luna Dolores, who exuded malice and cruelty, Lady Mariam was the epitome of kindness and compassion. Her gentle demeanor and soothing voice had a calming effect on me.

And I am afraid I am starting to trust her.

I have been here for a week now, slowly adjusting to my surroundings and her gentle care. While I had grown accustomed to her presence, a sense of wariness still lingered within me. And she’s here again, carrying a tray of food.

I decided to face her, but I kept my head lowered. She brought a tray of food again and among the unfamiliar dishes, my eyes fell upon a familiar sight: an orange. A wave of nostalgia washed over me, a bittersweet reminder of my time in Moonbane Pack.

The simple fruit had become a source of comfort during my darkest days. I tilted my head, staring at the orange fruit that I wanted to eat right now. It was a small gesture, a tiny rebellion against the fear that had held me captive for so long.

Lady Mariam seemed to notice that I was staring at the orange because she picked it up before speaking again. “Would you like to try it?” She asked softly. I lowered my gaze as I felt my body slightly trembling. “It’s okay… I won’t hurt you. Remember, I’m here to help you. You can look at me. It’s alright.”

Her words were gentle, and slowly, I lifted my gaze and met her kind eyes. At that moment, a sense of calm washed over me. I nodded while looking at her in the eyes, my heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and dread.

I titled my head a bit, my gaze still meeting hers. Yet her reaction was unexpected: her eyes wide with shock, and her mouth slightly agape. I quickly lowered my head, a wave of fear washing over me again because of her reaction.

Had I done something wrong?

“Hey, I uhm, sorry… I didn’t mean to startle you… you can look at me in the eyes…”

Her apology took me aback. It was the first time someone had apologized to me. It was a strange feeling. It caught me off guard, leaving me bewildered. I hesitantly lifted my gaze again to look at her.

The first thing I saw was her gentle smile, and she began to peel the orange in her hands. When she was finished, she offered the peeled fruit to me. I hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing my mind. But her gentle smile encouraged me to reach out and take the orange in her hand.

She watched intently as I brought the orange to my lips. “You should try the other food as well,” she suggested, gesturing towards the tray. I shook my head, the orange still clutched in my hand.

How could I tell her that this orange was enough to fill my stomach?

***