All Chapters of LUNAR TEMPTATIONS - SHORT STORY COLLECTION: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

ELENA'S POVThe gates of Silvermoon Pack loomed in front of me. Tall iron. Sharp points. The kind of gates that told you not everyone was welcome.I was welcome. I hoped.The guard checked my papers twice. Looked at my face. Looked at the papers again. Finally nodded and waved me through."Assistant position?" he asked."Yes.""Luna's personal assistant?""Yes."He made a face. Not a good one. "Good luck. She goes through assistants fast."I knew. I'd done my research. Five assistants in two years. None lasted more than a few months. The last one quit after three weeks.Perfect. They were desperate. Desperate people don't ask too many questions.The pack house was bigger than I expected. Three stories. Stone and wood. Flowers in the front. Guards at every door. This was where the Alpha lived. Where his Luna lived. Where I would live now, in a small room on the third floor, close enough to serve but far enough to be forgotten.I walked up the steps. Knocked. A maid let me in."Wait her

ELENA'S POVTwo months passed.I learned the rhythm of the house. Woke before dawn. Reported to Serena. Listened to her complaints. Ran her errands. Served at dinner. Fell into bed exhausted. Did it again the next day.It was easy. Easier than I expected.Serena talked constantly. About everything. About nothing. She told me which pack members she hated. Which dresses made her look fat. Which servants she planned to fire. She didn't see me as a person. Just furniture that listened.Perfect. Furniture didn't get noticed.I was careful. Always careful. The blockers my grandmother gave me were strong. Herbs I took every morning without fail. They hid my scent completely. Made me smell like nothing. Like Beta. Like anyone.I stayed away from Caden. Served his food without looking at him. Left rooms when he entered. Kept my head down and my mouth shut.He didn't notice me. Why would he? I was nothing. Staff. Invisible.Two months. Safe. Hidden. Waiting.Then everything shifted.It was a Tu

ELENA'S POVAfter that night, everything changed.Caden started watching me.Not in a creepy way. Not the way men watch women they want. Different. Confused. Like he was trying to solve a puzzle and couldn't find the pieces.I felt his eyes everywhere. At breakfast when I served. In the halls when I walked past. At dinner when I cleared plates. Always watching. Always thinking.I kept my head down. Kept moving. Kept being invisible.But invisible was harder now.Three days after the celebration, I was organizing Serena's closet when I heard voices in the next room.Caden and Serena. Arguing."She's just an assistant," Serena said. "Why do you keep asking about her?""I'm not asking about her.""You asked where she's from. You asked how long she's worked here. You asked if she had family. That's asking."Silence. Then Caden's voice. Calm. Careful."Something about her. I can't explain it.""Try."Another silence."I don't know. She feels... familiar. Like someone I knew a long time ago

ELENA'S POVSerena found me in the kitchen at dawn."Pack your things. You're gone by noon."I looked up from the dishes I was washing. She stood in the doorway. Arms crossed. Face hard."No reason," she said before I could ask. "I don't need one. You're done."I dried my hands. Nodded."Yes, Luna."She blinked. Surprised I didn't fight. Didn't beg. Didn't ask for another chance.I walked past her. Went to my room. Started packing.It was fine. I'd been here long enough. Learned enough. The plan could continue another way. From outside these walls. From somewhere safe.I folded the few clothes I owned. The box under the dresser caught my eye. Old photos. I pulled them out. Looked at Lily one last time.Plain. Forgotten. Dead.I put the photos in my bag. Left the room.Mira met me in the hall. Eyes wet."I can't believe she's doing this. You're the best assistant she's ever had.""She has her reasons.""What reasons? You did everything right."I touched her arm. "It's okay. I'll be fin