Between Life And Moonlight

Serafina's POV 

My mother's words echoed in my head, letting me know that the wedding to Don Silvano would go ahead tomorrow. I cringed at the creepiness of that old alpha, the way he had tried to flirt with me and hadn't even said a word in my defence when Marcus came to mock me. Even my mother had stood watching in silence. None of them cared for me; that was obvious. But I was glad Matteo showed up and protected me; he had promised not to let anyone harm me again. I was grateful but did not want him to see me as a burden, as Luca had eventually. I could not bear to be seen so unworthy by another soul. 

 I walked through the woods towards the cemetery of my beloved father's grave, the only place I ever felt at peace, away from everyone's disgusted looks. 

The storm was in full swing and the rain pelting down made me think of the many tears I had already shed. I did not let it stop me from walking through the woods. Looking up at the night sky, the stars twinkled amongst the falling rain. 

"Oh, Papa. I am so sorry," I mumbled under my breath as I stopped at his graveside. I sat down, leaned against his gravestone, and hugged my knees to my chest. "I promised you I would be strong, but I no longer know how to fight. I wish you were here with me."

Lunaria remained silent. She refused to respond to my pleas to come to her, which made me feel even more alone. Since Luca's outburst in the club, things have continued to spiral out of control, and today has been the end of the straw for me. I woke up to yet more blood on my pillow and cruel messages from my mother insisting that I do as she says because I am nothing more than an embarrassment to her. I owe her for the humiliation caused, and if I refuse to abide, she will sell the rest of our land, the land that my beloved Papa was so proud of. What choice did I have? 

I could not face anyone at that moment, and staying by my father's grave gave me comfort in my time of need. Being soaked in the rain and freezing from head to toe made no difference; I was already numb from everything happening. 

I wish that I knew why. 

Why was I being dealt such a cruel card?

Did I do something to deserve this shit?

Before coming to be with my father, I had penned two letters to Matteo and Nonna Lucia—the only two who cared about me. 

"Dear Nonna Lucia, the world feels dark, and I am lost without my beloved Papa and precious wolf to guide me. I thank you for always loving me; I will always be your Serafina," I had written the words that spilt out from my mind, my tears smudging the ink and smearing the words I had written. I had pulled out another page, thinking of Matteo and how kind he had been to me; nobody had done anything like that for me before. I recalled how I had hesitated for a slight moment. What could I say?

"Dear Matteo, I am sorry for everything; you will never know how much your kindness has meant to me. You deserve the world and more. Please take care of my Nonna, all my love, Serafina."

"Foolish girl. Where are you? You will marry Don Silvano. Tomorrow." The message read from my mother; I scowled at it. The sheer nerve. How could a mother do this to her daughter? I was her flesh and blood; she had bought me into this world. Papa would never have allowed it to happen. I found myself rereading the cruel messages and wishing she was more of a mother to me. She only cared about getting her way and did not care what I wanted or how her actions would make me feel. It just was not fair. 

Matteo and Nonna Lucia deserved better than to be burdened with my cursed world. Even my precious wolf had given up, so what was the point in me sticking around? My mate did not love me; he did not care about me. If he had, then why hadn't he claimed me? Bianca Romano was all he wanted; I was in the way. At least he could be with her then if I was no longer around. My silent curse was getting worse, and soon it would claim my Ie; I knew it was just a matter of time. Why should I continue to allow those around me to cause me to suffer some more? I should go and be done with it. Do them all a favour. 

And that was decided for me. 

Tonight, I will finally meet the Moon Goddess early.

My phone rang, and there he was. 

Luca. 

I did not want his pity; he would have my blessing. "I hope that you will find peace and happiness with Bianca; I truly do." 

Then the line went dead, and everything around me went black as thunder crackled loudly.

My eyelids fluttered open, and I felt weak. So weak. Was I dead yet?

I vaguely saw someone towering over me. 

“Serafina!” 

Matteo. 

What was he doing here?

"Serafina, what have you done?" He exclaimed, cradling my head in his lap as the rain drenched the soil. 

"There she is, I found her." I heard shouts and a car door slamming in the distance. It was my mother, the face I did not want to be compelled to see—not now. 

"Serafina, get up and get in this car at once." My mother shouted profusely. “Stop acting so silly. Let’s go now.” 

"I found her here, and luckily I did; she is frozen to the bone and almost close to death." I heard Matteo growl at my mother, who huffed and puffed her usual way. She did not care that I could die; she only wanted me to be there for the wedding tomorrow. To fulfil the deal that she had made with Don Silvano. 

"You will not touch her again. Not whilst I am still breathing." Matteo growled, his eyes glowing gold, and he stood protectively over me. 

The moon breaking through the storm clouds illuminated my pale face, and I could feel my wolf still fading as each second ticked. 

But maybe, just maybe,  I could still be saved.