The Cursed Luna

The moon was bright over the clearing. I stood there waiting for Tore, my hands shaking. My heart beat really fast. Tonight would decide everything. "He's coming," I whispered. "He has to come." Three hours. I waited three hours for him to make his decision about our mate bond. The pack elders said he needed time to think. Time to consider what accepting me would mean. What it always meant. Death. I heard footsteps in the grass. My breath stopped as Tore came out from behind some buildings, but he wasn't alone. Elder Morio walked beside him, along with four other pack members. Witnesses. My stomach felt sick. You don't bring witnesses for good news. "Kiera." Tore's voice cracked when he said my name. He couldn't look at me. His eyes kept moving to the ground, to the buildings, anywhere but my face. "Tore." I stepped toward him, but he backed away like I was dangerous. "You came." "I had to." He cleared his throat and stood up straight. "The pack... everyone needs to hear this o

"Do not look through the windows," the enforcer in the front seat said without turning around. I am curious why they instructed me to not look outside but did not dare to do otherwise. Most likely, they do not want me to map out their territory. Smart move.I turned my face away from the glass and closed my eyes. My head was pounding, my vision blurry from crying.This is how they deliver cattle, I thought.The ride felt endless. Forest roads, mountain passes, darkness everywhere. I had no idea where they were taking me or what would happen when we arrived.I thought about running. But where would I go? My own pack just called me a murderer. No other pack would take me in with my reputation.I was completely alone.The car finally stopped. It was very cold as they opened the door and pulled me out.I looked up and saw it looming in front of me. A massive stone mansion built into the mountainside like a fortress. Dark windows stared down at me like dead eyes.The Grimshaw estate.The i

I was back in my room trying to process everything when the lights went out.Complete darkness. Not even moonlight through the windows.My heart started pounding. Something was wrong. Power doesn't just cut out in a mansion like this without reason.Then I heard it. Footsteps in the hallway. Click. Click. Click.Slow. Deliberate. Someone was walking toward my room.I pressed myself against the wall, trying to stay quiet. Maybe if I didn't make noise, they'd pass by.First I thought it was sore, but the steps were too quiet to be him. The footsteps stopped right outside my door.My hands were shaking. This had to be an assassin. Someone who wanted me dead before I could become Luna. Or maybe a spy from my pack. Or the notices I'm a Luna already? They want me dead? The door handle turned slowly.I held my breath.Light suddenly flooded in from the hallway, blinding me after the darkness."Did I scare you?" Dante stood in the doorway holding a battery-powered lantern. His smile was p

"TARLON!" “SOREN!” Dante's voice exploded through the mansion. I jerked upright on the couch, my bandaged hand was throbbing. Tarlon was instantly on his feet."Something is wrong," he said, already moving toward the door."TARLON! GET DOWN HERE NOW!" Dante shouted with panic.I have never heard Dante sound afraid before. Ever.Tarlon ran for the stairs and I struggled to follow him, my legs still weak from blood loss."Kiera, stay back!" Tarlon shouted without looking behind.I made it to the top of the staircase just as Tarlon reached the main hall below. What I saw made my blood freeze.Dante was on the floor. Blood everywhere. Soren knelt beside him, his hands pressed against a massive wound in Dante's chest."What the hell happened?" Tarlon demanded, dropping to his knees beside his brothers."Attacked," Dante gasped. "Outside. Three of them.""Three what?" Soren snapped. "Who were they?""Masked. Fast. Really fast." Dante coughed and blood came from his mouth. "Like they

I woke up to the sound of boots in the hallway. Heavy footsteps. Multiple sets.The sun was barely up, gray light coming through my windows. I sat up in bed, my heart already racing. Something was wrong.More boots. Voices giving orders. The sound of doors slamming shut throughout the mansion.I got up and tried my door handle. Still locked, but now I could hear someone right outside."Hello?" I called out, my voice shaky."Step away from the door," a cold voice answered."Who's there?""The security. Alpha Soren's direct orders."Security? My stomach dropped. I pressed my ear to the door and listened. At least two - three men"What kind of orders?"No one answered.I walked to the windows and looked out. More security guards were posted around the mansion grounds. They stood at every entrance, every path, even near the garden areas.The mansion was completely surrounded. But something else caught my eye. Fresh tire tracks in the gravel driveway. Multiple vehicles had left during the