Ella’s

The full moon hung heavy in the sky. Its silver light spilled through my window, mocking me as I stood before the long mirror.

The gown the Queen had chosen for the Luna ceremony clung to my body. It was made of silk and lace, the deep blue fabric shimmering like the ocean. It looked like it belonged to someone else—someone who was actually worthy of being a Luna. I closed my eyes and gripped the edge of the dresser. I prayed this was just a nightmare I would wake from, but the weight of the gown and the pounding in my chest were all too real.

The door creaked open. My eyes snapped open, and I saw Mara standing there. Her smirk was as sharp as a blade.

My stomach twisted into a knot. What was she doing here? She was supposed to be part of my past, not my future. I had been sold to this mansion like a prize, and I thought I was finally rid of her.

“Well, well,” Mara said. She sauntered into the room, her eyes raking over my expensive gown. “I remember you whining about how we made your life hell. You cried about us forcing you into this. And now look at you, playing princess. You haven't even said thank you for getting you here.”

I spun around to face her, my hands clenching into fists. “What are you doing here, Mara?” I snapped. “What do you want from me now?”

She smiled slowly. She looked like she was savoring my anger. “Oh, I want a lot of things,” she said, stepping closer. “But first, let’s celebrate your big day, future Luna.”

She held out a glass filled with a dark liquid. The surface of the drink caught the moonlight, looking murky and strange.

I stared at the glass, then at her. I searched her face for the trick I knew was coming. “Why are you really here?” I asked, my voice low and dangerous. “What is this actually about?”

She tilted her head to the side. “Nothing, Ella. I am just happy for you. Finally, you are living the royal life. No one is going to mess with you now, right? Drink up. It’s a toast.”

I hesitated. My gut was screaming at me to throw the glass across the room. But her eyes were locked on mine, daring me to refuse. I wanted her to leave, and I thought if I just drank it, she would go away. I snatched the glass from her hand and took a sip. The liquid was bitter and sharp on my tongue. I shoved it back at her.

“Take it and get out,” I said, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

Mara chuckled. She didn't move. She just watched me. “So bossy already,” she teased. “You are really getting into this Luna role, aren't you?”

Before I could snap back at her, the room began to tilt. My vision blurred into a mess of colors. My legs felt wobbly, like they had forgotten how to hold my weight. I grabbed the edge of the mirror for balance. My heart raced as I looked at Mara. Her smile had not moved, but it looked colder now.

“What… what did you put in that drink?” I whispered. My voice was slurring, and my tongue felt heavy.

She crouched down beside me as I sank to the floor. My body felt like lead, and my eyelids were drooping.

“You were only ever meant to be a slave, Ella,” she hissed into my ear. Her voice sounded like venom. “You were never meant to be a Luna.”

I fought to keep my eyes open. My mind was clawing for clarity, but the darkness was winning. “You said… you were happy for me,” I mumbled.

Mara leaned closer, her breath hot against my skin. “Do not believe everything people tell you, little sister.”

Then, the world went completely black.

…

When I finally opened my eyes, I was lying on a strange bed. A rough, scratchy blanket was pulled over me. My head throbbed with a dull pain, and my throat felt as dry as sand.

I clutched the blanket and looked around. The room was small and dimly lit. The walls were made of cold stone, and a single window let in a tiny sliver of moonlight. This was not my room in the mansion. Where was I?

The door burst open. The Queen stormed in, her face a mask of pure fury. Her silver hair was pulled back so tight it looked painful. Her eyes were blazing with a light that looked like it could burn me to ash.

“I thought you were different,” she spat. Her voice was shaking with rage. “I thought my son had finally found a woman who would care for him. But I was terribly wrong about you, Ella.”

I sat up quickly, though my head was spinning. Confusion crashed over me. “What is going on?” I asked, my voice hoarse. “How did I get here? What happened to the ceremony?”

Mara stepped out from behind the Queen. She had her arms crossed, and her smug smirk was back.

“Stop lying, Ella,” Mara said. Her tone was full of fake pity. “You have been caught red-handed. Why are you still trying to deny it?”

“Denying what?” I snapped. My heart was pounding against my ribs. “I do not even know what you are talking about!”

Mara pulled out a phone and shoved the screen in my face. It was a photo. It showed me passed out on a bed, my head resting on a man’s bare chest. His arm was wrapped around me. His face was blurred out, making it impossible to see who he was.

My stomach dropped. I felt bile rising in my throat. “What is this?” I whispered. My hands began to shake.

“Do not play dumb,” Mara said, snatching the phone back. “You know exactly what you did while the Alpha was waiting for you.”

I looked at the Queen, my eyes filling with tears of desperation. “It is not true,” I said, my voice breaking. “I do not know what happened. I drank what Mara gave me, and then I blacked out. I did not do this! I would never do this!”

Mara laughed, a sharp and cruel sound. “Are you blaming me now? You are pathetic, Ella. You are just a curse to this pack. You don’t belong here.”

I turned back to the Queen. “Please, Your Majesty. I swear on my life I didn't do anything. I don't even know who that man is!”

The Queen’s eyes narrowed until they were like frozen slits. Her voice was as cold as ice. “Enough,” she said. “The ceremony is canceled. You will suffer for this, Ella. Betraying my son and this pack is a crime that will not go unpunished.”

My heart sank. A tear escaped and rolled down my cheek. “Please,” I whispered.

But the Queen turned away, her shoulders rigid and hard. Mara’s smirk widened. I wanted to scream and demand the truth, but before I could say another word, the door flew open again.

Cara, the maid, stepped inside. Her face was pale, and she looked terrified. She glanced at me with a look of hidden satisfaction before turning to the Queen.

“Your Majesty,” Cara said, her voice trembling. “It’s your son… Noah. He has fainted. He isn't waking up!”