The Luna Stands

Aria’s POV.

I staggered down the stairs, my face pale like someone who life was slowly being drained out of. 

If I hadn’t heard everything myself... if someone had told me, I wouldn’t have believed Kael could do such a cruel thing.

“Luna...” Silas, who was standing at the end of the stairs, called, the rest of his words dying in his throat.

His eyes widened as he realized my heartbreaking state—my trembling hands, my unfocused gaze, and the tears I didn’t even realize were still rolling down my cheeks.

I stopped midway down the stairway, my hand gripping the rail tightly as dizziness washed over me again.

“Are you alright, Luna?” his voice dripped with concern as he took a step toward me.

Alright?

Would any woman be alright after finding out her husband murdered her child... and was planning on doing it again?

“Silas,” I called calmly, lifting my head slowly as my gaze locked with his.

“Yes, Luna.”

“How long?” my voice shook. “Since when have they gotten back together?”

He stilled.

His lips parted open and then closed.

“Since when, Silas?” I asked again, this time, my voice was cold and eerie.

“Vivienne never left, Luna,” he muttered, his gaze fell.

For a second... I stopped breathing.

The world tilted, and the words echoed in my head—not once, not twice.

She never left?

So, calling off the engagement three years ago was all a facade? His search for her, was it all a lie?

A hollow laughter escaped my lips, my tears flowing uncontrollably. I released the railing slowly and took the remaining steps down the stairs.

“Luna...” he called again, but I didn’t answer. I walked past him but then I stopped.

“Silas.”

“Yes, Luna.”

“I was never here. You never saw me today. Do... you understand what I mean?”

Silas froze.

He stared at me keenly as though trying to figure out what was running through my head. He hesitated for a moment, but eventually gave in.

“Yes. Luna,” he gave a small nod.

Good.

I turned around and walked out of the house.

No one needed to know I was there that day, just the same way they didn’t need to know what would happen next.

“Zayden, we never came to be pack house today. Do you understand me?” I said as soon as I entered the car.

“Well noted, Luna.”

“Are we going straight home or you need to stop by somewhere Luna?” he asked.

Home?

I needed some time alone—time to think and figure out the next step to take. If I wanted to keep my child safe, I needed to act fast.

“Take me to the beach,” I concluded.

I spent hours at the beach, watching as the waves crash against the shore repeatedly. I wished the waves would just wash away my sadness, but no matter the number of times I stared at it, it didn’t.

By the time I left the beach, the sun had fully settled. I headed home and when I arrived, darkness had taken over the sky.

I stepped into the mansion and all I could feel was tension. The maids were lined up, fidgeting.

“Welcome home, Luna,” the head maid greeted me.

“Thank you, Ann. Is anything the problem? Why are you all here?”

Ann hesitated, her hand tightened around the hem of her apron.

“The thing is...” she trailed off, swallowing hard. “Dowager Luna instructed that we await your return.”

Kael’s mom?

"And why is that?” I asked, my brows furrowed.

“That’s because dinner has not been prepared yet,” Ann lowered her gaze.

Oh!

That actually skipped my mind.

For three years, I had been their maid in this house. 

Kael’s mom and his siblings lived with us. 

They wouldn’t eat the food the maids prepared. So, I was saddled with the responsibility of cooking for them, taking care of their laundry, cleaning after them and many more.

I was more of a maid in my own home than a Luna.

Sick or not, I woke up early to prepare breakfast, and I wasn’t even allowed to eat with them on the same table.

I thought doing all this would earn me their love, but I was wrong. Even if I died for them, those people would never love me.

I left out a soft chuckle.

How stupid of me to have reduced myself to that and endured their humiliation for years.

That night was the night—the night to draw the line.

“I see,” I calmly said.

“Ann.”

“Yes, Luna.”

“Prepare dinner.”

Her head snapped up slightly, confusion flashing across her face.

“But Luna...”

“I said to prepare dinner. Do you want to defy my orders?”

“No, Luna. That’s not it. It’s just that Dowager Luna said...”

“That I must be the one to prepare it?” I cut in and she nodded her head.

“Then, she’s not ready to eat. You know what? Tell her I said I am not cooking tonight. If she won’t eat your food, let her go to bed on an empty stomach.”

“Luna...” Ann’s mouth fell open, her breath hitched.

“You can’t tell her? Don't worry, I will do you the honor,” I said, walking toward the dining room.

“Tonight,” I whispered to myself, a small, cold smile tugging at my lips. “They will learn that I am the Luna, and not anyone’s puppet.”

The dining room was already filled when I walked in. Their eyes drifted toward me the moment I appeared.

“I heard you were looking for me, Dowager Luna,” I said calmly, feigning ignorance.

“Where is dinner?” my mother-in-law demanded, her eyes burning with irritation. “Or have you suddenly forgotten your duties in this house?”

“Dinner?” I furrowed my brows. “Oh, my bad,” I held my forehead, faking forgetfulness.

“I didn’t cook.”

The words fell softly, but they hit like thunder.

Her lips parted slightly, shock flickering across her face before it twisted into fury.

“You didn’t cook?” she repeated, her voice rising.

“Yes, I didn’t. I just came back from an outing, and I am too tired to cook. But I have already instructed Ann to prepare something for you guys,” I said nonchalantly.

“Guys? Did you just call us guys?” Cassandra, Kael’s little sister, asked, taken aback.

“Little child, learn to shut your mouth when elders are talking,” I said, my eyes sharp, icy, and unwavering.

Cassandra froze. Her gaze faltered. She opened her mouth to talk back but closed it when she realized I meant business.

“You good for nothing whore!” my mother-in-law rose to her feet in rage, pointing her finger at me. “How dare you talk to my daughter like that?”

“How dare you, Aria? How dare you speak down on your sister-in-law?” my stupid brother-in-law, Jack, who had achieved nothing but failed businesses over the years said, also jerking to his feet.

“You dare call me a little child? It’s time someone put you in your place!” Cassandra, who seemed to have regained her confidence, said, walking toward me.

She raised her hand to hit me. My fingers closed around her wrist. Time seemed to freeze… and then my palm met her cheek

Gasps filled the room. Cassandra staggered, losing her balance. But before she could collapse on the floor, Jack grabbed her.

Then his voice came.

“What the hell is going on here?” his voice roared from behind me.

I turned around, and there he was.

The almighty Alpha Kael.