Maya

My mother dragged me to a quiet corner as we exited the meeting room. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"So, you've finally decided to heed your mom's advice, huh?" Her grin stretched from ear to ear as she pulled me into an embrace. This was the first time in years that she had hugged me, and every fiber of my being revolted against it. I hated it—I absolutely fucking hated it.

She was no mother; she was a blood-sucking parasite, one who'd drain the life out of you without remorse.

I pulled away from her as soon as I could muster the strength. 

“None of this is because of your so-called advice, Mom. Don't deceive yourself with such thoughts."

"Oh, come on, Maya. Are you still upset about that night?" She chuckled and reached out to caress my cheek, but I flinched away. Her smile, however, remained, as if she were concocting all sorts of sinister plans involving me, especially now that the twins had declared me as their mate, “Forget all about it, okay, honey? You and I are a team, remember?"

A team? My foot!

"You've got to be kidding me. A team?"I chuckled, bitterly, “You and I have never been on the same page, and we never will be. As for that night? Do you even remember how many nights like that we've been through, how many times you raised your hand to me? To forget what you did, I'd have to erase my entire memory, all the years I spent with you, even though I never wanted to!”

Her smile began to fade, replaced by anger that crept into her eyes.

Well, it looked like the facade of the loving mother was about to crumble. Hell, it definitely was.

"You're saying all of this out of anger. Forget it; we'll talk later," she said with a forced smile. "Take care of yourself and your mates, all right?"

My temper got the better of me just as she was about to walk away.

"Take care of them, how? Whore my way to that seat to rule this pack, just like you did?" I spat out my words, filled with venom, “By grovelling at their feet and worshiping them for power that would never truly be mine, because you won't allow me to have it—or should I say, your insatiable greed won't? What do you expect me to do? Become their slave, just to keep them content, while you secure fucking permanent place in this bloody pack?!"

She froze in her tracks, her muscles tensing. After a brief pause, she turned and walked back towards me, her face now stripped of any pretense, consumed by a fiery rage that revealed the real woman hidden beneath—A greedy woman void of any emotion

So, the mask had finally come off.

"Look, Maya," she hissed through clenched teeth, her fingers gripping my arm painfully, shaking me, her nails threatening to cut the skin even through the fabric, “Don't forget who brought you to this point, okay? I got you here, no matter the cost. You're fucking obligated to listen and do what I say, do you understand? You will do as I say without a fucking word!”

"No, I absolutely fucking won't!" I forcefully yanked my arm from her grasp, almost shouting, my emotions teetering on the edge, “I won't! Can you fucking hear me, so-called Luna Morgana? I won't listen to you. What do you all even think of me, huh? I'm a person too, with emotions, desires, and the right to make my own choices and simply live. But you and…. everyone else have reduced me to nothing more than a pawn, a mere object—for revenge, for your own selfish gain, to be a target for taunting, someone to ignore, and to satisfy someone’s fucking hunger. I won't let you fucking control me any longer and I won’t allow you to treat me like this! I am done with it!” 

My mother scoffed before she gripped my face, pushing me forcefully against the wall. This time, her nails dug into my cheek, drawing blood, and a hiss of pain escaped my lips.

"Yes, Maya, you are an object," she spat, her voice laced with bitterness, "An object I've kept alive with food and shelter only because it serves my interests. You're nothing more than an investment. So, start accepting the truth now, because that's the path your life is set on. That's your place, and the sooner you embrace it, the less painful it'll be. So, instead of trying to put on a show, focus on pleasing the twins. At least that way, you might find some purpose in your life, unless, of course, you're truly worth nothing."

Damn.

I didn't love my mother, nor did I ever expect anything from her, but this cut deep.

It hurt so damn much that I found it difficult to process her words. Unbidden tears welled up in my eyes.

"Pleasing the Twins, following their orders, shadowing their every step—that's how you'll amount to something, and maybe one day you'll even thank me for injecting some sense into your head and showing you the mirror," she spat.

"I won't become a whore for like you. Never ever! Do you hear me? I am going to reduce myself for your fucking gain! I won't be anyone's whore to achieve so-called worth, because all that would ever make me is a whore like you—“  I shouted, "And I refuse to be your reflection. I refuse to be a whore who—"

Her hand connected with my face in a sharp, stinging slap. "Ungrateful little brat!" she seethed.

Before I could regain my composure, she yanked a fistful of my hair, forcing me to meet her gaze. "Yes, I am a whore but at least I'm living a better life than you, aren't I? What have you gained from your stubborn, shitty attitude? Just look at yourself— fucking pathetic!"

Why was a woman like her even given a womb? 

She should have been fucking barren!

"You're worth nothing, a good-for-nothing loser who'll squander every opportunity because you're as foolish as your damn loser of a father."

"You're crossing a line..."

"No, I'm drawing a line. You should understand that showing defiance against those more powerful is nothing but sheer stupidity. And, just like your father, you're an idiot, a nobody who perished in the pack wars, leaving his family to eat from scraps for survival," she spat. "I mean, what more could I have expected from you? It's so painfully evident, isn't it? Like father, like daughter!"

Okay.....this is enough.

I grabbed her hand, releasing myself from her grip. 

Pain slanted her face as I grasped her wrist and twisted it. "This is the last time you'll lay a hand on me, Mom. If you do it again, I promise, I'll ensure you won't have hands to raise," I said, my voice icy. "And one more thing, I'd rather die with my stubborn useless attitude than become someone's whore. As for scraping by, you never had to, even when he was alive. You were too busy sucking dicks of rich businessmen who provided enough for both your luxury and lavish desires, so don't play the 'victim' card. Now, if you've heard me, fuck off!" I pushed her away and began to walk, wiping away the traces of blood on my cheeks.

"You're already a whore, Maya! The very thing you despise so much— they’ve already made you on , so drop the act! You have nothing to be so proud of!” She shouted from behind me, clenching her fists at her sides, “You're no better than me, as much as you'd like to think. Instead of trying to shame me, try to be smart. They'll ruin you eventually, so try to gain something while you can!"

God, I can’t believe her….

"I don't want to gain something just for you to exploit after my death, Mother. Since I'm destined to share the same fate as the previous Luna, I'd rather be like her so that after I am gone, I’m remembered with respect," I shot a glance back at her, her eyes smoldering with rage, “So, instead of becoming a Luna who still doesn't earn respect, I choose to be Ayla Sterling, the previous Luna. Not like Morgana fucking Sterling."

And with that, I walked away, drowning out her curses and insults.

She could go to hell if she wished, but I would never play her games or become a part of them as long as I lived.