Two-The chosen Luna

Chapter Two—The chosen Luna

“Turn around.”

I shook my head, vehemently refusing the priestess’s command.

She said nothing to me, her eyes as cruel as ever signaling her aides. They rushed out of nowhere, two females, pummeling me to the ground. She signaled them again and they ripped off the back of my dress, I felt a stinging sensation no longer on my neck but my spine.

“Great goddess.” She gasped loudly, seeing the glowing mark.

I could hear the resounding murmurs and snickers from the crowd. It all came in full swing. Something came over me, I couldn’t tell what it was but it was a gnarly ache I wouldn’t wish on my worst of enemies.

“Get up, child.” She muttered.

I listened this time, rising to my feet and sending her aide on my right side a death glare for ripping my dress. The goddess was before me, bowl still in hand. She nudged the bowl towards my hands, the moon’s reflection being as clear as ever.

I wanted to refuse but even I knew the truth. I nipped my bottom lip, still praying for a silver of hope that my fears weren’t to pass, dipping my hands into the bowl of water.

It was chilly. I took my hands out and nothing happened for the first minute, then the contents of bowl turned into a ghastly red color. Everyone gasped, some in horror, some ecstatic that I was in their position.

The priestess smiled, “It is an honor.”

I shook my head, “Wh—

“The goddess has chosen you.”

“No”

“You are to unite our lands. It is your god-given duty.”

Tears started to well up in my eyes. I didn’t want to believe it. I couldn’t believe it. I was an orphan, It felt like a slap in the face to be chosen by the moon goddess herself.

I was just a healer. One liked by none. There was no way I could simply be the chosen Luna, the one to unify the lands altogether. I shook my head, turning my back on the priestess despite her aides wanting to pull me back.

“Leave her be.” She said, “She’ll return. I know it.”

********

It was all a dream. I told myself that when i reached my home.

It was a dream. I murmured to myself as I took off my dress and turned to face the mirror. The ghastly mark had spread, from a red blush the a purple inkling that went from the nape of my neck to the base of my spine.

It was a dream. I gulped hard as I splashed water all over my face, wiping the grunt off with a fresh towel.

It was a dream. I kept on saying as I ignored the fizz I felt all over my skin, the voices in my head, the subtle glow from the mark at my back. I changed into my night clothes, still dazed from the events of the blood moon and fell into a state of deep slumber.

*********

It wasn’t a dream when I packed up my herbs and made way into the market. They all gave way, the people of the oasis, staring at me like I was ridden with the plague. Their eyes didn’t carry the usual disdain, instead it harbored a sense of fear I’d never seen before, even respect.

Some of the other shop owners nodded at me instead of ignoring my existence like they usually do. I gulped hard, ignoring the murmurs that filled the night market and the crowd that was starting to gather in front of me.

They stared like the pitied me, like I was some prized bull being put up for auction. I hated it.

“The priestess calls upon you.” The officer from yesterday murmured, “You should answer.”

I paid him no mind, rolling my eyes as I started to shade my herbs. The sensation at the nape of my neck had gone from stinging to throbbing, like there was a power coursing through my very own veins. I ignored it, still not wanting to believe the reality that was bestowed upon me.

It was cruel. The moon goddess was cruel.

I was just an orphan, there was no way I could handle the task of being the chosen Luna.

“You’ve been chosen.” I heard and lifted my head up. It was Boggs, one of the townspeople who’d been wanting my stall for the longest time.

“Go away, Boggs. I’m tired.”

He snickered, “Oh chosen one.”

I rolled my eyes at his sarcastic snider, “Would you like some wolfsbane? I heard it’s rampant amongst your kind.”

Boggs was an omega male, he frowned deeply, “I will have your stall. You’ve been chosen as the Luna which practically means you’re going to die soon, prepare yourself for the worst.”

It didn’t take long when the crowd dispersed as the high priestess’s carriage made its way down the market road. I quickly dusted off flower heads from my hands against my apron, gulping hard as the high priestess herself got out and walked towards me.

I couldn’t bear to look her in the eye.

“Ivy Amire.” She said out loud.

“Yes, my lady.” My head, still sunken low.

She grabbed jaw in one swift movement of the hand, tilting my chin upwards to look at her. Those eyes, wicked as the day became.

“The red moon chose you.”

I wanted to shake my head, refuse this nonsensical power that was bestowed upon me. My eyes darted towards an opening in the crowd, and I started to plot.

“I’m an orphan. It’s not—

“The moon doesn’t discriminate. You have duty to uphold now. I need you to come with me to the temple, we have to prepare you to meet the Alphas.”

She released me from her grasp and I bit my lower lip, feigning resignation as she turned around to head for her carriage. I tagged along, walking slowly behind her, and just as she was about to make the first step I stopped.

Then I broke into a full run.