Chapter 1 THE CURSED CHILD

DESDEMONA

“Cursed child. Bad omen. The Alpha’s doomed bride.”

That’s what they called me since the night I was born under the blood moon.

I hear it every day, even from my parents. To them, I am nothing but a mistake. Bad luck wrapped in flesh.

Even my name ‘Desdemona’ tells it all, an ill-fated, cursed name just for me. Sometimes I wonder if they named me that on purpose, just to humiliate me more and remind me that I am nothing but a curse that shouldn't have been born.

I shouldn't be treated like this, no one should be treated like this, my existence only brings pains and sorrows to me. 

My gaze shifted to my sister, Selene. Their beautiful perfect Selene. The daughter they wanted, and gets all the love, care and attention.

“Mona! Come here,” Mom’s voice cracked as she walked towards me.

Before I could reply, her hand was already pulled in my hair, dragging me inside to the dark storeroom.

“Stay here, and don’t try to cause any trouble. I don’t want you ruining your sister’s wedding!” she spat, shoving me down onto the cold floor.

The air pressed against me as I stared at the walls. This… this was where I always ended up. My cage. My prison. I was treated like an animal they could lock away whenever guests came, whenever there was a celebration.

And still, like a fool, I had hoped today might be different. That maybe, just once, I could be allowed to watch, to feel like I belonged.

A bitter laugh escaped me, sharp and broken. Why did I even think I deserved that?

“Did you just laugh?” Mom voice was sharp and dangerous, her shadow fell over me like a storm

She grabbed the broom, and my stomach twisted, my chest tightened and my lip parted slightly, a bitter smirk escaped my mouth. I already knew what was coming.

“What are you planning, cursed child?!” Her words cut deeper than the broom ever could. “Did you want to cast your evil eye on my Selene?”

The first strike landed hard against my back. I clenched my teeth, forcing myself not to cry out. I had learned long ago that screaming only fed her fury.

I curled on the floor, covering my head with my arms, the broom cracked against my skin. But worse than the pain was the ache that to her I wasn't a daughter, I was nothing but a burden that she wanted to hide.

When she finally stopped, her footsteps faded away slowly leaving me in the dark silent room.

I lay there on the cold floor, my whole body trembling, bruises all over my skin. But what hurt the most wasn’t the beating. It was knowing that I could scream, and bleed, without anyone caring.

If I vanished tomorrow no one would notice, not my mother, my father or sister, I should not have been born.

I crawled on the floor, groaning in pain as I moved gently, the storeroom was piled up with food, and nothing else.

I wanted to escape, but where to, my eyes sight soon faded and lost its gaze, as I fell into the night.

The storeroom door creaked open, and a harsh line of light cut into the dark room, the bright lights hit my eyes, I blinked slowly, trying to adjust.

It was Selene.

My chest tightened, I curled my leg together, biting my lip.

Why is she here? Did she want to mock me?

Selene smirked and moved slowly towards me, her steps were steady and dangerous. She bent down in front of me grabbing my chin, making me look into her eyes. 

“Did you steal the gold earrings betrothed to me, I know that you wanted it, but you should have asked instead of stealing it.”

My breath caught as I shook my head, and grabbed her hand. “No I didn't….. no,”

She snapped my hand away, pushing me to the floor. “If you didn't steal it, why did I find this in your belongings?” She asked, raising her brows, and showed the earnings to me.

I furrowed in fear as I crawled back to her pleasing. “I am sorry, I…… I….. didn't,” my lip trembled in fear.

Selene stood up and looked down on me. “Strip her naked and beat her 20 lashes!” She yelled, her voice sharp and clear.

Before I could react, the maids had already rushed in. They stripped me naked and lashed my skin without hesitation.

My chest tightened, and I closed my eyes, my whole body aches in pain, and this betrayal hurts more.

Selene eyes sparkled with delight as if my pain was the sweetest entertainment 

At first I thought that Selene likes me, she plays with me, before she started framing me for the things she does, and I get blamed for everything, but I thought that It was ok as long as she likes me, but she does not. She despises me.

Every lash burned my skin, but worse was the humiliation. Stripped, exposed, treated like nothing, and my own sister watched with a smile, that when I realized she didn't just despise me, she enjoyed seeing me break. I groaned on the floor, as I saw a satisfying smile on her face.

“I am sorry…….” I pleaded as my eyes teared up. No one listens and continues to beat me.

I wanted to scream, and tell them I was innocent, but the words were stuck in my throat, I knew even if I shouted, no one would believe me.

“Next time, you will learn not to steal from me,” she smirked, she took a few steps and stopped.

She crouched down and whispered to my ears, her voice sugar coated, but cruel. “Have you heard? Tomorrow the villagers are planning to send you away as a sacrifice to the northern Alpha.”

She smirked and traced down my jawline. “You can as well ask your wolf groom to give you earrings, so you won't have to steal. You know that everyone will be at peace when you are gone forever, mother will be happier, when her burden is lifted.”

The word hit me like a stone, my stomach twisted, my body trembling, but no sound came out from me.

Her laughter echoed through the room as she walked away, I was left naked in the dark room again.

I groaned on the floor, rolling in pain, my body covered in blood and bruises. From inside I heard the faint laugher—the laughter of my parents and Selene celebrating, while I lay forgotten in the dark.

I trembled on the floor, unable to move my body. I haven't had anything to eat this morning, maybe that's why I am so weak.

I tried to lift my hand, but I had no strength left, before I knew it. My vision turned blank and I fell into the dark night.