The Rise of the Forgotten Luna

Amira’s P.O.V.

*Slap*

My head snapped to the side, the sting blooming across my cheek like fire blazing underneath my skin.

“You crazy filth!” Catherine screeched, her claws half-shifted and shaking with rage. “Are you too blind to notice that I was seated here!”

I blinked, gathering myself before staring back at her. Catherine was the daughter of Alpha Cedric, who hated me for no reason. She was twenty-two, unmated, and had just returned from her Luna's training overseas. She rarely stayed in the packhouse but since tomorrow was her brother’s crowning ceremony, she needed to be around for certain preparations.

“I was told to drop the tray on this side of the table,” I said quietly, brushing the flour off my apron. But my words didn’t matter. In the Blackridge pack, facts were irrelevant, and each time I walked into a room, I became the reason for everyone else’s insecurities.

She lunged to strike me again, but this time, I caught her wrist mid-air. I could hear the gasps echoing around us. An omega speaking back was enough to cause an outrage, but an omega defending herself? That was practically treason.

“How dare you, Amira!” She struggled as my grip became tighter, but just when I had let go__

“Amira!”

Alpha Cedric’s voice thundered through the hall, and I turned to face him, my eyes locked on his as if daring him to punish me for solely existing.

His gaze narrowed as he came closer. “Your stubbornness will get you nowhere. There will be no dinner for you today. Get out and finish the work at the laundry quarters.”

I rolled my eyes at Catherine and turned to walk away, but paused when she said, “Father, you should’ve left her to rot in the wild just like others. She’s such an ungrateful little bitch.”

There was no need to answer because I’d heard it countless times. The scent of lavender barely covered the mildew in the laundry room. I sat on a stool beside the folding table, rubbing my sore cheek. My stomach grumbled slightly, reminding me I’d skipped breakfast too.

I let out a deep sigh as I picked up a sheet and began folding. It was a normal routine I was used to already—thirteen years of working nonstop and sleeping in a broom closet with a bed barely big enough to stretch my legs. Sometimes, I wondered why I had to stay and endure all of that, but the reality was that I had nowhere else to go.

I was once an Alpha’s daughter too. When I was five, my father’s pack, the Silver Hollow pack, was ambushed and massacred by unknown factions. I only survived because my mother had hidden me beneath the altar at the Moon Temple. I still remember my father’s growl as he fought to protect them, and then the silence that followed.

Days later, Alpha Cedric and some of his warriors found me after I had wandered into their territory. I thought he had saved me, but fate had other plans. They have no idea that I am also of an Alpha bloodline because the last words of my mother to me were to live and never speak of my origin to anyone, and for that very reason, I stayed silent. 

Tomorrow was my eighteenth birthday, and if the Moon Goddess were merciful, she would give me the perfect mate who would finally claim me and take me out of this pack but if I didn't find him, I made up my mind to go rogue rather than dying slowly behind these walls.

“Amira!”

My name sliced through my thoughts, and I looked up to see Beta Renard in the doorway, sneering. “The Alpha wants you in his office. Now.”

My stomach dipped, but I kept my face blank. “Okay,” I murmured, folding the last of the sheets neatly before placing them on the pile beside me, ignoring his eyes as they rolled over me in disgust.

The walk up to the fourth floor always felt like I was climbing into the clouds. The Alpha’s office had a certain dark aura that made me cringe, and I always hated going there. When I entered, He leaned back against his chair, with an indifferent expression on his face.

“I’m sure you’re aware of what’s happening tomorrow,” he said in a casual tone.

“Yes,” I nodded. I’ll finally be eighteen and no longer bound to you.

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Make sure every part of the hall is spotless. You’ll handle the flower decorations and guest lists for the ceremony.”

I clenched my fists. “But you promised this year, I’d have the day to myself.”

“I changed my mind,” he snapped. “After that stupid stunt, you pulled with my daughter, you should be glad I didn't lock you in the cells.”

I kept mute and didn’t argue further. There was no winning with men like Cedric. He treated everyone as if they were beneath him, and his children were no better. Knowing I had a trauma for dark places, they had locked me in the cells countless times in the past and my experience was not so pleasant. 

He shoved a parchment into my hands containing the list of tasks. “I won't tolerate any mistakes.”

Later that night, after cleaning until my hands were sore, I waited until the halls fell silent before I made my way to the pond at the edge of the territory, which was my only sanctuary. The pond glimmered, and a small breeze kissed the surface, rippling the water in shivering lines.

I stripped off my uniform and dipped into the icy water. Even though it bit at my skin like needles, I welcomed the shock because the cold reminded me I was still alive.

It was midnight already by the time I came out of the pond, the water trailing down my skin. I wrapped myself in the black silk shawl I had brought out and sat on a boulder, looking up at the moon.

It was officially my birthday. 

“If you’re listening, MoonGoddess,” I whispered, “please… don’t forget me. I’m tired of pretending this life is enough.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, but there was no answer except the rustling of leaves. I noticed the wind had changed, so I quickly put on my uniform back, arms folded tightly around myself, and headed back to the packhouse, which was still ahead. I was careful, as always, not to make noise or draw attention. But halfway across the courtyard, I froze.

A strange flicker shivered across my mind, followed by a soft, wild, feminine voice echoing the word.

‘MATE’

I stumbled forward, catching myself on the side of the fountain as my heartbeat thundered in my ears. A powerful scent of amber and cedarwood crashed over me, and my knees nearly buckled.

It was unlike anything I had ever felt. My heart surged with a force I couldn’t control like it was trying to break free of my chest and throw itself at whoever it was. I closed my eyes, forcing a breath through my lungs. I didn’t know what excited or scared me more: the fact that my wolf, Maya, who had been dormant since she came to me, finally spoke, or the realization of what she was saying.

If my mate was inside the packhouse, that meant it was someone I knew. A place where no one offered me kindness and only looked at me with hate. Was my mate a Beta? An Omega like me? Or a warrior? I wasn’t sure which would be worse. 

‘He’s close, ’ Maya whispered again, this time more excitedly. ‘Our mate is here.’

My pace quickened, and I followed the pull until I stopped in front of a black, ornate door on the east wing of the third floor.

“No…” I breathed. 

This wasn’t real. I stepped back, shaking my head as my stomach twisted violently. I felt the tears dropping down my cheeks. 

Why him?

I covered my face, pleading with the Moon to rewind time and erase this cruel revelation. But it was done. I was about to turn away when I heard the sound of a lady from inside, moaning.

“Fuck me harder, Derek.”

I felt something inside me break into a million pieces. Prince Derek wasn’t worthy to be anyone’s mate, least of all mine. It was the worst fate ever and I’d be damned if I ever accepted it.

I swallowed my tears and ran until I reached my room, slamming the door behind me. If this is what the Moon Goddess had planned for me, then let her watch what I do with it now.

I would be alright.