CH. 4

Luna woke to the sound of curtains being violently yanked open and sunlight stabbing through her eyelids like knives.

Her head throbbed with a sickening intensity, her mouth tasted like copper and ash, and her entire body felt wrong.

Heavy. Disconnected. Like she was wearing someone else's skin.

The wolfsbane was already working its poison through her system.

"Rise and shine, Luna." The voice was sugar sweet, dripping with fake cheer that barely hid the hate beneath. "The Alpha wants you looking good for the press conference in two hours."

Luna forced her eyes open, right away regretting it as the room spun hard.

Three figures stood at the foot of her bed, dark shapes against the too-bright window.

Pack omegas. The ones assigned to "serve" her. The word was a joke given how they actually treated her.

The lead Omega, Marissa stood in the center with hands on her hips.

Beautiful in that planned way, every feature arranged just so.

She'd been with the Treuman pack for years, had probably hoped to catch Damon's eye before Luna arrived.

The bitterness had never quite faded.

"We don't have all day," Marissa's tone got sharp. "The Alpha has a schedule to keep."

Luna tried to sit up and right away regretted it. The room tilted at a sick angle.

The omegas right away launched into their usual mocking, talking about her inability to shift.

The embarrassing incident last year when she'd gotten stuck halfway through a transformation, how disappointing she must be Damon.

How Helen was everything Luna wasn't, how everyone knew the truth about the broken Luna.

Their voices dripped with fake concern as they hauled her to her feet and guided her toward the bathroom.

Marissa moved toward the shower, turning on the water. "Let's get you cleaned up."

"I'll shower alone."

All three omegas turned to stare.

"Excuse me?" Marissa's eyebrows rose. "You can barely stand."

"I said I'll shower alone." Luna's voice was stronger now. "Get out!"

Sophia exchanged a look with Marissa. "The Alpha told us to help you."

Luna's jaw clenched. "This is my bathroom. My body. Now get out before I make you!"

"Make us?" Claire laughed. "You can barely walk. How exactly do you plan to..."

Luna’s eyes blazed. "And if you don't get out in the next five seconds, I will make sure the Alpha hears exactly how his omegas have been treating his mate."

Marissa's face went pale. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me. You think he wants Council people hearing rumors about how his pack treats their Luna? That would look great for his campaign, wouldn't it?"

The three omegas exchanged glances.

"Fine," Marissa finally said, anger barely held back. "Shower alone. But when you fall and crack your skull open, don't expect us to take the blame."

"At least I'll die without having to look at your faces. Now get out!" Luna's voice dripped with hate.

Sophia's face flushed red. "You're going to regret this attitude. The Alpha won't put up with this kind of disrespect forever."

With that, the door slammed shut behind them.

-

Luna stood there, gripping the counter until her knuckles turned white.

She turned toward the shower with steam already filling the bathroom.

Getting undressed felt huge.

Her fingers fumbled with buttons, each movement sending waves of sickness through her.

Finally, she got the nightgown off and caught sight of herself in the mirror.

Luna right away wished she hadn't.

Bruises covered her arms, her ribs. Some fading to yellow. Others fresh and purple.

A map of abuse written on her skin.

Luna looked away and stepped into the shower.

The hot water hit her and she braced against the tile to keep from falling.

Washing her hair was a nightmare.

Her arms felt like lead.

She had to stop twice, pressing her forehead against the cool tile.

At one point, her legs gave out but she caught herself on the wall, sliding down to sit on the floor.

Hot water pounded down on her head.

Get up, she told herself.

With that, Luna forced herself back to her feet.

By the time she turned off the water, she was completely drained.

She managed to pull on the bathrobe and opened the door.

All three omegas were waiting.

"Well," Marissa said. "Look who managed not to kill herself."

Luna ignored them, moving past toward the bedroom.

Each step carefully measured, her hand trailing along the wall.

"Sit," Marissa ordered, pointing to the vanity. "We need to make you look good."

Luna wanted to refuse. Wanted to tell them to fuck off and do her own makeup. But she knew her limits.

Her hands were shaking too badly. She could barely stand. Doing her own makeup was beyond her right now.

So she sat.

The moment she did, Marissa was on her, yanking a brush through her wet hair with unnecessary force.

Luna's head snapped back, her scalp burning.

As they worked, they kept up their cruel gossip.

How Luna had let herself go, how Damon deserved better, how Helen knew how to present herself properly.

They hinted of the time Helen and Damon had been spending together without fear.

Luna stared at her reflection.

Pale skin stretched over sharp cheekbones. Dark circles under lifeless eyes.

Hair that had once shone like gold now dull and brittle.

She looked like a ghost.

"Honestly, I don't know why he keeps you around," Sophia stepped back. "You're useless as a mate. Useless as a Luna. Useless as a wolf."

She paused. "What good are you?"

"Maybe he's just waiting for her to die," Marissa offered. "Then he could mate properly. With someone like..."

"Helen," Luna finished scornfully. "You were going to say Helen, weren't you? My dear, devoted sister who's been spreading her legs for my mate behind my back?"

All three omegas froze.

Luna stood slowly.

Her body fought every movement. But her spine straightened with a meanness that had nothing to do with physical strength.

Even weakened. Even poisoned. Even broken. She was still a Lunar Princess.

Still born of Alpha blood.

And right now, she was done playing nice.