Chapter 15

“There! You look ready to win the bake-off, Luna!” Clara grins, finishing up the final touches to the stylish bun she had been working on pulling my hair into.

A quick twirl in the mirror and I giggle, satisfied with the outcome of all her dedication.

I looked wonderful! Felt stunning too–hair all primed and proper, my outfit kept causal but still flattering to my figure and my makeup at a minimal.

Hours! We've been at our chaotic dress up since she came in at sunrise to help me get ready, as the bake-off was to start by breakfast.

Waking up this morning felt easier than yesterday though–nightmares aside…those were now a part of my nightly routine I was left with no choice but to embrace.

And yes, it had something to do with the anticipation of giving this pack exercise my best.

I was going to give in my best and earn a bit of respect for myself from the members–not with the influence of Ethan's authority–one that was deserved.

I turned to the maid who was now gradually beginning to warm up to me with a giddy smile.

“You're a lifesaver Clara, thank you!” I gush, and she laughs softly with a small shake of her head, as she shrugs.

“You're the one I should be thanking Luna, thank you for not being difficult to serve.” Her eyes cloud up with sadness, a faraway look in her eyes as she says this.

What really was going on in her mind?

I couldn't help but think of all that she must've gone through over the years, ten long years of scrubbing and serving.

I wished they were something I could do to make it easier for her–but what really could a human do in a situation like this?

“I want us to talk when I get back later tonight, okay?” The confusion is evident on her face following my request, but she just nods.

I'd explain more later–then I'd be sure of what I had in mind and wouldn't just be raising her hopes only to send them crashing.

I was going to need to talk to the Alpha–hopefully our new cordial relationship would make it go smoothly.

With a few more words of encouragement and playful remarks, she sets off to return to her chores, and I find my way out of my chambers and through the pack house.

There wasn't much of a need to wait for Dan to accompany, locating the huge busy looking kitchen just at the heart of the pack house in their village was relatively easy.

I approach the various groups of women, bustling and buzzing around each other–pots, pans and the usual being passed around.

As I draw closer, the hushed whispers filter through the air and tickle straight through my ear drums.

“What's the deal behind her anyway? Of all other she-wolves out there?” An unpleasant sneer is paired nicely with this statement from one of the ladies as I walk by.

Yeah–tell me something I haven't already heard before.

“She's pretty though–I'll give her that, but she gives off such a weak energy! An Alpha's daughter at that? Pfft.” Another venomous word lash.

They stared–they threw jabs and made jest, but I try my hardest to not let it all get to me.

“Luna! Just the person I was waiting for!” Aurora all but squeals with childlike glee–she might as well had been just snarling from the heavy glint in her eyes.

If they all hadn't noticed my presence before, they clearly did now.

Countless pairs of orbs drilled into my skull, and everywhere they could possibly settle on, warm sweat trickles down my back, the air feeling too tight and heavy.

My lungs felt stuffed and the massive windows in the kitchen space didn't seem to be providing enough ventilation… I'd rather much not be here anymore.

Where was the Lyra from yesterday that was taking up the challenge?

The one from this morning that was so confident in winning?

Ready to face all her fears head on?

Yeah…she fled at the first encounter of the threat.

“How do we go about it? What's first?” My tone is as dismissive as I can pull off as I plaster on a bored expression.

She didn't need to always know she had such a heavy effect on me…

Her face falls for a second–brief, but just enough for me to grab onto.

She blinked, flattered. And then, just like that, she was back. Mask on, smile sharper than earlier.

And just as quickly as she loses her cool, it's back on…odd.

After a quick run through of everything today was to entail, we get into it.

I find myself in a group with four other ladies, according to how they had it planned out–one being Aurora.

Why she planted herself in a group with me sprouted suspicions… it couldn't just be a coincidence.

The air in the kitchen felt thick–not just from flour dust and heat. No. It was something else… something I couldn't quite place a finger on.

We get to bake the different pastry options we had each picked from and for the next hour, the tension fades off.

The interaction with the other ladies begins to feel natural–Aurora an exclusion, though.

By the time we have our cookies in the oven and people move outside to relax a bit while everything settles in, I'm almost sure that I might have made a friend or two.

Not one that felt obliged to be civil to me due to status or obligation–genuine ones, maybe.

But no matter how much I tried to shake it off, the nagging feeling in my gut continues to tighten.

The sizzling glares from Aurora felt up a notch, her energy a bit different… I just couldn't place a finger on it, but I knew for a sure she had something up her sleeve–something bad.

I'm busy adjusting the oven heat, and so I don't notice everyone else has left the kitchen, until the sound of the door being slammed shut catches my attention.

There's a distinctive click sound accompanying that, and I can't help but frown…it couldn't be what I was thinking…

Cookies the least of my priority now, a dreadful feeling having my palms all sweaty and legs wobbly, I rush over to the door and try to pull it open.

Locked! Someone had locked me in from outside!

This had to be some sort of sick joke!

They couldn't possibly have forgotten that I was still in here!

“Hey! I'm still in here. Hello? Anyone?” I scream at the top of my lungs… silence is all I get in reply.

My heart is now in my ears, slamming against my ribcage wildly as I begin to really panic, my entire being trembling.

And then it hits my nose, the smell of gas–heavy and definitely toxic.

No–no–

I'm sent into a coughing fit, clutching at my chest wildly, all the oxygen feeling like it was being sucked out my lungs.

My wheezing doesn't let me scream out, my voice lost in my struggle, eyes bloodshot from the effect the now cloudy room was having on me.

I wasn't ready to leave my dad alone in this world yet…

No–please, not like this.

Not here. Not now.

Not without finding out who was behind this…

I grew weak, pointlessly banging on the door that remained locked, my fists feeling like rocks and my legs giving out beneath me.

My lungs burn. My throat is raw. The door doesn't budge, and I can't scream–I can't even breathe. Gas. Thick, bitter, choking me.

I soon begin to lose my coordination, black spots painting my vision, the fight in me gradually dying.

And then I succumb to the darkness–willing and exhausted.