Chapter 8 - Ombra Nera

I wondered if I should speak to someone about the figure in the shadow. 

Days blurred together in a quiet, uneasy routine , meals in silence, stolen glances at the Alpha who barely noticed me, and too much time on the balcony pretending to enjoy the view.

Restless, I left my room for a walk.

On my first lap around the house, I heard voices.

“The land we acquired from Open Creek is large enough now,” one of them said. 

Hearing my former pack’s name, I froze, inhaling sharply. I hid behind the wall to listen in.

“Are you sure about that? We need all the space we can get. We can't have their pack members looking into Ombra Nera’s operations,” a second voice responded.

They spoke of my pack, of the killings, stolen land. My blood ran cold.  Ombra Nera… the name sounded familiar, I just couldn't recall where.

“Alessia said so. You can confirm again. The alpha is very thorough, we can't afford to make a mistake during this expansion.”

My eyes bulged as I held in a gasp. Expansion? 

All that blood, my pack’s blood…..for this?

Nausea churned through me. The Alpha wasn’t just any monster. He was the monster who’d ravaged my pack. 

My hands shook as I pressed them to my mouth, fighting back tears.

I’d thought the war was just a clash of wolves. I was wrong. His hands were stained with my family’s blood. I didn’t need any more details.

So why come for me? Was that part of his plan?

I stumbled back, every instinct screaming to get away before they saw me.

My feet moved on their own, carrying me through the unfamiliar corridors and into my room. I slammed the door, locked it, and fled to the bathroom.

I gripped the edge of the sink, leaning over it. My reflection blurred in the mirror, with my breath fogging the glass. The voices I’d heard replayed in fragments until until only two words remained; blood and Ombra Nera

I splashed cold water on my face, but it offered no comfort. My body convulsed, sobs wracking my body. Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the water. 

I knelt by the toilet, dry-heaving as the taste of acid bile rose up my throat. 

Faces flashed in my mind; My aunt, friends, neighbours, died protecting their families. 

All gone because of an expansion.  Because of Ombra Nera group.

After what felt like an eternity, my sobs subsided, leaving me feeling worn out, drained. I pushed myself up with my aching muscles and stumbled to the large mirror above the sink. 

My reflection stared back, a pale, tear-stained face, with swollen eyes and dishevelled hair. I reached up to wipe away a tear with a trembling hand.

But the reflection didn’t move.

It remained still, eyes wide and fixed.

Then, its lips parted, and a  voice, my voice, but somehow not mine, whispered.

"Selene."

A choked scream tore from my throat and echoed in the wide bathroom. 

My reflection, who I was almost certain had just spoken, remained completely still. 

Then, it flickered. 

The glass rippled, like I had just blinked, and then it was gone. 

My face stared back at me, tear-streaked and terrified, perfectly mimicking the wild fear in my eyes.

I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breath, as my heart hammered inside my ribs.

The grief from my mates involvement in the destruction of my pack cracked, and frantic thoughts rushed in. Was I losing my mind? 

The pounding on the door made me flinch. “Luna! Are you alright? I heard a scream!” the guard’s voice called, sharp and close.

The knocking grew harder, joined by the thud of his shoulder against the wood. “I’m coming in, Luna!”

I stared at my reflection, chest tight. The last thing I wanted was for him to find me in this condition.

"I'm fine!" I yelled, grabbing as many wipes as possible. My voice sounded hoarse as I rushed out towards my bedroom door. 

"I thought I saw something in the bathroom but it's nothing."

The pounding paused. 

"Luna, I need to confirm you are well. Please open the door," his voice was firm, leaving no room for refusal.

Clutching the used wipes in one hand, I unlocked the door with shaky hands.

The door swung open to reveal the tight face of the guard. He was massive, built like a gym rat. His eyes swept over me, then the room. His gaze lingered on the open bathroom door, then returned to me.

He walked to the bathroom and looked around it before walking back to me. "Are you certain, Luna?" he asked, his voice softer, but still firm. "You sounded distressed."

 "I'm sure," I said, forcing a thin laugh. “Silly, really. I thought I saw a rat and I really hate rats.”

He hesitated before giving a curt nod. "Very well. If you require anything, do not hesitate to call me attention." He left, leaving me to my thoughts again.

I sank onto the bed, burying my face in my hands. My mind reeled.

Grannie was alone for the first time in my life…. and I couldn’t protect her.

 The shadowed figure at the ceremony. The discovery of Ombra Nera who destroyed my home. And now, my reflection… speaking to me. I shook my head. No. The last part couldn’t be real.

As I tried to make sense of the madness, a vague memory tugged at me. Ombra Nera…I’d heard that name somewhere before.  Not from my pack, I didn't know many people outside my pack, Not the news, I barely watched it. It was quite recent in fact.

Then it clicked. The old tailor.

Mr. Perri.