Larissa: The Outcast Luna

Faint voices echoed around me, distant and muffled, like whispers drifting through fog.

With great effort, I forced my eyes to crack open, just barely. Two young maids stood nearby, unaware that I was awake.

Curiosity seeped beneath my skin as I caught snippets of their conversation. I stilled my breathing and let my body remain limp, pretending to be asleep.

"Luna is so beautiful," one of them whispered, "but Alpha seems to hate her."

"Ugh, you may be right. But, honestly, I agree with Alpha. Luna looks so... weak."

"Weak? What do you mean?"

"I heard she can't even shift... and she's already eighteen. That's lame."

"What?! No way. Who told you that?"

A pause followed. I sensed them staring in my direction, checking to make sure I wasn't yet awake.

"A friend of mine from the Colter estate," the maid murmured. "She said the Gamma's youngest daughter is... wolfless. Shameful. Shameful."

"Oh my goddess... But why would Alpha marry her? There are so many stronger Lunas to pick in the pack."

"I know, right? Probably because of her father. You know how powerful he is."

"What? Her father must have hated her, too. He surely knew she would be the one who was suffering. Now, everyone calls her the Outcast Luna. Alpha Mark didn't marry her out of love. He did it to—"

"Shh! Don't say that! If Alpha hears you, he'll rip your heart out and eat it. Have you forgotten? No one is allowed to talk about what happened on this floor!"

"Oh my! I know... I know. I almost forgot."

Their voices faded as the door creaked open.

I clenched my fists beneath the blanket, rage and humiliation burning through my chest. But I kept my eyes shut. I wasn't ready to face the world. Not yet.

"What are you two doing in here!?" a sharp, commanding voice echoed through the room like a whip.

"If you're done cleaning, then leave Luna alone!"

The maids scrambled.

"M-Ms. Pepper," one stammered, "we finished cleaning the room and changed Luna's clothes. But... she still seems to be in a deep sleep."

"We're leaving now, Ms. Pepper," the other added meekly.

Their footsteps retreated, the door clicked shut, and silence fell.

...

Earlier, I had been too ashamed to face anyone after the fight with Alpha on our wedding night. But now, I wasn't just ashamed. I was frozen.

It felt like half of my spirit had drained from my body.

How did a maid know my secret? Only my family knew I couldn't shift.

'Someone betrayed my family. Who?'

Even after the door closed again, I kept my eyes shut. I wasn't ready. I didn't want to see anyone.

'Did they leave? Not yet? Just a little longer…' I told myself, my chest tightening with nerves.

Then,

A woman's voice broke through the silence, startling me.

"Good morning, Luna. You don't have to pretend. You can open your eyes..."

I tensed. My hand curled into the bedsheet as I realized how close her voice was. She was standing right beside the bed.

Her presence stirred unease in my gut. I didn't know who she was, but her commanding tone left no room to ignore.

Whoever she was, I couldn't afford to ignore her.

'Someone close to Alpha Mark…'

'His Beta?'

The thought made me shudder. If I were right, one wrong move could mean another wave of punishment.

Slowly, I forced my eyes open.

A woman stood before me, perhaps in her late fifties. Deep lines carved her forehead, and a soft gray pixie cut framed her face.

But what unsettled me most were her eyes, filled with a strange gentleness and warmth that didn't match her stern voice.

"W-Who are you…?" I whispered, my voice trembling. A lump rose in my throat, making each word burn.

A sharp sting tugged at the corners of my lips, making it hard to move them.

Then the memory hit: Alpha Mark's slap, cruel and sudden. The pain flared again, not just in my face, but in my heart.

I clenched my fists beneath the blanket, fighting the rage clawing its way up.

The woman's reply came calmly but firmly. "Luna, I believe you've already heard my name. I'm Pepper, the head maid of the Pack House. Just call me Pepper. No need for 'Ms.'"

"Pepper…" I repeated softly, trying to sit up. My body protested, stiff and heavy from having spent too long lying still.

Pepper moved without hesitation. Her weathered hands reached out to help me, guiding me gently to the edge of the bed.

"Thank you, Pepper," I murmured, managing the faintest smile as she gave a curt nod and walked to the corner of the room.

Moments later, she returned, holding a glass of water and a small pill.

"Luna," she said, offering them to me, "drink this. It will help your body recover."

Something twisted inside me as I stared at the pill in her hand.

Instead of taking it, I reached only for the glass of water.

My gaze met Pepper's calm brown eyes. There was no hint of malice in them.

'Why is she giving me medicine on the first day of my marriage?'

Countless questions swirled through my mind, making me uneasy.

"Luna," she said gently, "if you fear I mean you harm, please let that go."

Her words startled me.

'Can she read my thoughts?' The very idea sent a chill down my spine.

Just as I opened my mouth to respond, Pepper lifted her hand and drew a graceful arc through the air with her fingers.

I froze.

She was casting magic.

'Oh my goddess… the head maid of the Pack House can use magic?'

And if she could, how powerful must Alpha Mark be to command someone like her?

"Luna," she continued calmly, "you've misunderstood. I'm part of your father's faction. He sent me here to monitor the situation inside the Pack House."

Her words hit me like a slap.

The glass slipped from my hand. 

But she caught it swiftly and passed it back to me with a faint, knowing smile.

"Your father asked me to protect you. And..." she hesitated, her voice trailing off.

Her silence made my skin crawl. "And what?" I pressed.

"Please take the pill first," she said, her tone soft but firm. "It's important for your recovery."

With no room to argue, I reluctantly obeyed, swallowing the small white pill with a sip of water.

Then she said it.

"Your father expects you to win Alpha Mark's affection before the year ends. He wants you to carry his child next year."

Her words were thunder, ripping through my mind.

'How am I supposed to do that?'

'Alpha Mark didn't marry me for love... But he married me to make me suffer.'

I didn't answer. I rose from the bed and walked to the window, trying to calm the storm inside me. But even the beautiful scenery outside couldn't soothe my racing heart.

When I turned back, Pepper stood quietly behind me, just a few steps away.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. "You can tell my father, it won't happen. Not even with the Moon Goddess's help."

To my surprise, Pepper laughed. The kind of laugh that isn't mocking, but exhausted.

"Luna, come," she said, taking my hand. "Let's sit. My old back can't take much more standing."

We moved to the sofa. Once we were seated across from each other, her expression turned serious.

"Listen, Luna, your father won't accept NO. His plan is final. You're expected to bear a child... whether you want to or not."

I scoffed, my fists clenching on my lap. "Pepper, do you even know what happened to me last night?"

She nodded. "Of course, I know. Well, everyone on this floor knows that Alpha didn't spend the wedding night with you. But don't worry, he'll return soon."

"So my father knows the Alpha only married me to torment me?"

Pepper's composed face cracked with surprise. "What do you mean?"

As I observed her sudden change in tone, bitterness could be heard in my voice.

"Alpha Mark married me out of revenge. Last night, he told me he would never mark me as his Luna. That man BEAT me, Pepper. So please, do me one favor... tell my father to abandon his foolish plan. It's never going to happen."

Silence hangs between us.

"Okay. I'll inform your father," she said finally, her composure settling back in place.

She stood with a small, courteous smile. "Your breakfast will arrive shortly. For now, Luna… please, don't do anything that may provoke the Alpha."

And with that, she left me alone in the eerie silence. Again.