THE HIDDEN LUNA: SECRET IDENTITY

Ariel POV

"Don't you ever touch the food in the fridge! You can only eat once you've finished your chores!"

Aunt Juliet's harsh voice boomed from outside the kitchen. I'd just finished washing the dishes and cleaning up the place. It was 9 PM and I still couldn't eat.

My stomach was twisting with hunger. I squeezed it as tight as I could, but I couldn't make the feeling go away. Ariel. That's all I knew about my name. An orphaned Omega living in misery with my aunt, Juliet.

"I can't. I have to eat something."

This was too much. I couldn't hold on anymore. Quietly, I snuck over to the fridge. I saw a leftover slice of Joseph's tart. Carefully, I took a piece and gobbled it down in a hurry. I almost choked, glancing at the door every few seconds.

"You little shit, Ariel!"

That voice was like thunder crashing down. I almost spat out the food in my mouth. I pressed my hand to my chest to make it go down faster, but before I could finish swallowing, Aunt Juliet grabbed me roughly.

"Auntie, I'm sorry. Forgive me. I was so hungry. You didn't give me anything to eat all day. I really couldn't take it."

My body was shaking. I could already picture what kind of punishment was coming.

"How dare you eat Joseph's tart. I told you. No food until you're done with your work."

"But I already finished everything. It's 9 PM now…"

Slap!!

A hard blow landed on my cheek. It hurt like hell. She yanked my arm violently. Her anger was out of control. Aunt Juliet never showed mercy.

Suddenly Joseph walked in with a mean look on his face. He kicked me like I was trash. I stumbled and fell to the floor.

"You bastard! You stole my tart. You really don't know how to be grateful, Ariel! My parents took you in and all you do is steal!"

I winced in pain, holding my hip. Even though he wasn't a warrior wolf, Joseph was strong enough. All of a sudden my stomach felt crampy.

Aunt Juliet pulled me roughly, dragging me out through the back door. In one quick move, she threw me outside.

"*Get lost! I'm so sick of this. *" Her voice was so arrogant. "I don't know why I've been taking care of you all this time. You're just a parasite in this family. Never come back! Get out of here!"

They slammed the door shut and locked it from the inside. I froze, then realized this was a disaster. Fear and panic hit me, I had nothing with me.

"Auntie! Auntie! Don't throw me out! Auntie, please open the door!"

Tears rolled down my face. Aunt Juliet wouldn't change her mind. No matter how much I begged, she wouldn't open the door. This is my destiny.

I walked alone in the dark, not knowing where I was going. There was a little relief though, I wouldn't have to take their abuse and suffering anymore. I ended up in a park. I had no idea where I was, but it looked like it was near some fancy houses. I saw this huge, gorgeous mansion I'd never seen before. I decided to sit on one of the park benches. Tears kept flowing. I used to be like a prisoner and a slave, but now I was homeless.

***

Shadow Moon Packhouse

Nadine POV

"No, Dad. I don't want to marry Lucian. Everyone knows he's a cruel man. How could you make me marry him?"

My heart was burning with anger. My dad had made such a stupid decision. He knew I didn't want to be forced into marriage with someone I didn't love. And this was just a political marriage, too.

"Nadine, Alpha Lucian isn't that bad. Besides, this is the only way to protect the pack. You know we're not as strong as the other packs. And I only have you. We need someone strong to keep our reputation and our pack alive."

I squeezed the sofa so hard my nails hurt. No. I didn't want to marry him, but I couldn't say no. My dad had already made up his mind and he'd never change it. I had someone I loved, Elric, my man. Even though he wasn't my mate, he was the one I wanted. My dad would never agree though, Elric was a rogue.

"Can't I choose my own destiny, Dad? No one wants to be with Lucian from the Black Hole Pack. He's not a good person…"

"Good or not, you don't have to worry. The important thing is you'll live comfortably. You're all I have. I don't want you to suffer. The Black Hole Pack will give you everything. My decision is final. You'll marry him next week. I know you're mad at me, but I'm doing this for you. Before the big war starts, I have to make sure you're on the safe side."

I stood up from the sofa, holding in all my anger. No matter how hard I tried to change my dad's mind, he'd never listen. He loved me, I knew that. But he also put the pack first.

"Where are you going, Nadine? I'm not done talking!"

"I'm tired. I want to be alone!"

I went back to my room. Before I knew it, tears were falling. No. I didn't want to marry Lucian. I didn't love him. No matter how powerful he was, he wasn't the man I wanted. All I wanted was Elric.

When I walked into my room, I looked out the window. I thought for a long time, trying to find a way out, what should I do now? I was a woman who had the right to decide her own destiny.

"Dad, forgive me, but I can't live with a man I don't love."

I walked over to the window and opened it slowly. The drop from my room to the ground was pretty high. I quickly grabbed my sheets and blankets, using them to climb out the window.

"I have the right to be happy! Forgive me, Dad, but I’ll never marry a man I didn't love."

***

Ariel POV

I was so confused about what to do now. I didn't know anyone here. I'd never been allowed to leave the house, for whatever reason, so I didn't recognize anyone. I decided to stand up and try to find somewhere to hide.

I walked along the dark little path in the park, getting closer to that huge building. Then I saw someone running towards me. A woman in a yellow chiffon dress with flower patterns, her beautiful long hair flowing as she ran fast.

"Who is she?"

I rubbed my eyes to get a better look. But when she got really close, I was shocked. I mean… I don't believe in magic, but what I was seeing didn't make any sense.

"Who are you?" The woman stopped when she saw me. "How did you get into the packhouse grounds?"

My body froze. I wanted to say something but I couldn't. My mouth was dry. It was like looking at myself in a mirror.

"Miss, are you a wolf?"

She stared at me. It seemed like she didn't realize what was happening. She looked at me, studying my face carefully. Then I saw her eyes widen. She even touched my cheek.

"Oh, damn. This is real."

What was this? How could this be? This woman looked exactly like me. But… I was sure I had no other family besides the one I'd been living with. Aunt Juliet said my parents died in an accident.