Chapter 4

Mireya's POV

No one will come to rescue me.

Caius won't waste his time to find me and if he did….my body had already turned cold.

And my Mom? She didn't even flinch while I was being taken. She will always take Blaire's side to please Alpha Edward. She would never trade the life that she has just to save me.

I have no one but this mysterious man.

I don't want to die like this. I don’t want to die without making them pay.

Out of desperation and rage, I slowly nodded and in a snap, his pang was buried on my neck, cutting my last thread of strength.

Just before the abyss claimed me, I heard him speak, "We will make them pay. No one will survive, Mireya,"

***

"Mireya!"

Mom?

Why is she here? Did she change her mind? Did she come to rescue me?

I slowly opened my eyes, taking a few seconds before I fully adjusted to the light.

This is not the dungeon. I'm in the…attic?! My room in Alpha Edward’s mansion!

How? Why am I here?

My mother held my shoulder and made me face her. As I stared closely I couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in her face. She looks younger. Her wrinkles were gone.

My hand unconsciously cupped her face. "What have you done to your face Mom?" I couldn't help but ask. "Did you drink a potion?"

She slapped my hands and glared at me. "What potion are you talking about?! Stop with your nonsense and fix yourself! We're going to the palace,"

"Palace?" I asked still lost.

I don’t know what’s happening anymore. I was in the dungeon dying, then a man named Azrael proposed a deal…he said…he said he would give me a chance to rewrite my fate.

"Blaire ran away. You have to replace her Mireya. Caius will mark you tonight as his Luna,"

Blaire ran away?

Caius will mark me as his Luna?

My eyes widened as my mother’s words sank in.

I am reborn! I was taken back to the time when my darkest nightmare began.

"Mireya!" my mother snapped, pulling me out of my train of thought. "Follow me,"

She stood up and I already knew where she would bring me. My memories are vague since this happened a long time ago but I remember all the important details.

The preparation that we did before they presented me to Caius.

My mother guided me towards Blaire’s room. Two omegas were already waiting inside and without any warning they stripped me and pulled me towards the bathroom, soaking my body in the rose-scented water. They scrubbed my skin like they plan to peel me.

"Ouch," I complained but they didn't even bother to stop.

When I am all cleaned up they cover my naked body with a deep crimson gown, crafted from layers of flowing silk and delicate lace. The bodice is structured and form-fitting, sculpting my waist with black embroidery that looks like vines.

"You look like royalty, Mireya," my mother commented upon seeing me all dressed up.

She circled me slowly like she was trying to find any flaws. When she was satisfied with how I turned out she held my face and stared at me gently. "Be an obedient Luna, Mireya. Do everything to please Alpha Caius. This might be your chance to change your fate,"

I smiled not because I agreed on what she said but because I knew where that obedience led me and I refused to be that kind of fool again.

The whole ride towards the palace, I just silently sat inside the carriage while listening to their advice. You have to be this. You have to be that. They sounded like a broken cassette I despise listening to.

The color of the sky was a mix of orange and red when we arrived at the palace. The royal guards welcomed us and guided us towards the Grand Council Hall. Alpha Edward and my mother walked side by side while I was behind them.

"Mireya,"

Azrael. That was his voice. I can't be mistaken.

"Mireya,"

My steps slow down then I take a full stop. I thought they would notice but they are already a meter away and didn't even realize that I wasn’t following.

They turned right while I stayed standing, watching them vanish from my sight.

"Mireya,"

His voice sounded like a spell, and before I could fully comprehend it, my feet turned in the opposite direction—away from the Grand Council Hall.

If memory serves me right, there is a door at the end of this hallway… a heavy iron door that leads down to the underground dungeon.

A few more careful steps and I found what I had been looking for. I stood before the huge iron door that couldn't be noticed from a distance since there was no window and this part was only lit up by the faint fire of a single torch.

"Mireya,"

"Mireya,"

Two baritone voices called me at the same time. The difference is that one voice was inside my head while the other came from behind.

I slowly turned around. My heart skipped when my gaze met the greenest eyes I used to adore. The light was dim but his irises glowed when hit by the faint light of the fire.

"C-Caius,"

I held a part of my skirt as I fought his gaze. Our first meeting was at the Grand Council Hall when Alpha Edward officially adopted me as his daughter. That first meeting made my young heart fall. The first time I laid my eyes on him I immediately fell in love. I started admiring him from afar. Maybe that was the reason why back then it was never hard for me to be his substitute, Luna. It was not just to salvage the alliance. Not just to save him from humiliation but because deep inside me I believe that it was fate and the Moon Goddess was granting my young heart's desire...only to realize I stepped into my darkest nightmare.

"What are you doing here?" he glanced at the huge iron door behind me. "The Grand Council Hall is on the other side, Mireya,”