Sold to the Luna

WINTER'S POV

I didn't know how long I had been staring at the gorgeous woman, but I was snapped out of my daze as I sensed my parents behind me.

"What's taking you so long, Winter? Who's at the door..." My mother trailed off, and I felt her stiffen as she stood behind me.

"Someone is here," I mumbled, unable to tear my eyes away from her face. It had suddenly turned pale. Even my father's expression mirrored the same shock.

I didn't know what was happening, but it didn't seem like a good sign. They both looked as though they had seen a ghost, their mouths opening and closing like fish gasping for air.

"Luna Ashley?" My mother stuttered, breaking the silence.

Frowning, I stared at her, and it dawned on me that the woman before me was Luna Ashley, the Luna of the Royal Moon Pack.

I hadn't recognised her at first, but now it was clear. So, why was the Luna of the Royal Moon Pack standing at our doorstep? What could she possibly want?

I couldn't tell, and I certainly hoped it had nothing to do with my parents being indebted to her.

"You can go out for a while, Winter," my father said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

Seeing Luna in front of our house wasn't unusual, but my father's statement caught me off guard. He was never willing to let me leave the house willingly, always throwing a fit whenever I was away or out late. Even though he benefited from whatever I brought to the table, he would still flip out. Now, he was telling me to go out without even questioning him. It was news to me.

I tilted my brows, staring at him, but the expression on his face left no room for argument.

Nodding, I shrugged and glanced at Luna again before walking out of the house.

During my walk, my mind raced, contemplating Luna Ashley's presence, her resemblance to me, and the reason she was here. I couldn't make sense of the situation, and each thought led me to more confusion.

Puffing out a breath, I trudged back to the house, my exhaustion weighing heavily on me after aimlessly walking for almost an hour.

As I entered, the atmosphere that greeted me was even tenser and colder than before. My eyes narrowed as I observed my father and mother, sensing that something had transpired while I was away. My voice came out in a murmured question, "Did something happen while I was gone? Is it about debt? Don't worry, my pay at the plaza should cover..."

"Pack up; you're sold to the Luna," my mother coldly declared, her gaze shifting away, fixated on nothing in particular.

"W-what?" I stuttered, my gaze locked on her. When she offered no response, I asked again, desperately seeking clarification. "You sold me? What does that even mean?!"

"You're leaving first thing tomorrow on her orders, and we have no right to keep you here anymore," my father added, further confusing me.

My parents had sold me off to someone I barely knew. Was it because of debt? Was I being used as payment?

My head spun with countless unanswered questions. "Why?" I muttered, but both stared back at me with blank expressions as if they were seeing me for the first time. "Did she threaten you?!" I demanded but received no answer.

With their backs turned to me, they walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

The feeling of betrayal was beyond anything I had ever experienced. I had sacrificed so much to make them comfortable, going above and beyond what any daughter should have to do in our pack.

I had endured insults and ridicule due to my inability to pursue higher education, as I had left school to work and support my family. Yet, here I was, sold off without an explanation.

My chest tightened as I stumbled up the stairs to my room. Kicking the door open, I marched inside, not bothering to close it behind me. I collapsed onto the bed and unleashed my frustration, punching the pillow repeatedly and finally releasing a scream into its softness.

I couldn't believe my parents would do that, and I didn't understand why they did. I was their daughter, after all. Or had something changed? Not that I knew of.

But the hurt was overwhelming. I had trusted them so much, never suspecting they could betray me this way. I had always believed they loved me even though they didn't show it. Or perhaps I had been delusional, assuming too much.

Why was I being sold? Why were they pushing me away? Was it all about the large sum of money that must have been promised to them?

I had no answers. Questions swirled in my mind, adding more pain to my throbbing head. Mother showed no remorse; she and Father had left as soon as the news was delivered. Maybe the money meant more to her than I did.

I bit my quivering lower lip, blinked away tears, and gasped, clutching my chest as my heart constricted.

Try as I might, I couldn't hold back the tears. I didn't know how to escape this predicament. Even if I wanted to run away, I had nowhere to go. I wasn't familiar with many places, but maybe I could find a hiding spot until I devised a better plan.

The Royal Moon pack loomed ahead, and I had no idea what life would be like there. I expected everyone to act superior, as if they had sticks lodged in their asses, although I hadn't witnessed it personally—just heard stories.

But that wasn't the worst part. I dreaded the thought of living with the others in the pack. How would I possibly fit in? Would I be reduced to a mere maid, ordered around and treated poorly?

"No... It hurts," I whimpered. I didn't want this life, but it still seemed better than moving to an unknown place.

At this moment, staying with my abusive parents felt like a luxury, yet I had no clue how to persuade them. I highly doubted I could change their minds.

When morning came, I dragged my belongings out of the room, and as soon as I stepped outside, I noticed a luxurious car waiting to transport me. It was unlike anything I had ever seen or been in before. The car seemed too extravagant for someone like me, an omega daughter.

Reluctantly, I made my way towards it, but a sudden urge to run away surged through me. Without thinking, I flung my bag onto the ground and sprinted back towards the house. My heart pounded with desperation.

In my haste, I failed to notice a small pebble on the ground, and my feet collided with it. I tumbled forward, landing face-first on the hard surface. Thankfully, I managed to brace my fall with my palms, but my knees bore the brunt of the impact. A sharp stone had cut through my skin.

Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled out a tissue I always carried for moments like these. I covered the wound and glanced towards the house entrance. My parents stood there, watching me without a word or any concern.

"You need to leave, Winter. You no longer have a home here," Mother said coldly.

I couldn't fathom what had caused them to change so drastically. Did they hate me now? I racked my brain, but I couldn't think of anything I had done to deserve this treatment. Reluctantly, I trudged back to where I had tossed my luggage, and with their threats lingering in the air, I made my way to the waiting car.

As we drove away, I wished I could turn back time to restore things to how they once were. But deep down, I knew it was impossible. I had to accept who I was and prepare myself for the uncertainty that awaited me.

The car arrived at the Royal Moon Pack sooner than I had anticipated. I was escorted to the Alpha's residence by the chauffeur. When I stepped into the spacious room, Luna Ashley greeted me with excitement.

"Winter, I'm thrilled to see you here!" Luna Ashley exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.

She rushed towards me, her eyes flashing with excitement as though her long-lost daughter had just arrived.

I raised my eyebrows, taken aback by her display of emotion. "W-what did you offer to my parents?" I murmured, hoping to understand the deal they had struck and perhaps negotiate a way to repay any owed debts, as I had done with others in the past.

"Offer?" Luna Ashley asked, her expression filled with confusion. I nodded, searching for answers.

"I can't believe they would be so heartless as to let me go without a reason," I said quietly, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and uncertainty.

"They didn't tell you why you're here?" she asked, disbelief lacing her words.

"I don't think there's anything for them to tell me," I replied, my voice trailing off, "because I know I'll be here as a maid..." Before I could finish my statement, she interjected.

"You are here because you are my daughter, Winter. I am your mother, and you are Winter Marvel." Her words hung in the air, leaving me stunned and speechless.