The Awakening of the Moon Goddess: Embracing Destiny and Defying Fate

I groan with every step leading to my room, wincing in pain. Life is unbearable! That thought floats through my head as I slip out of my worn-out clothes and into some plain, comfortable black sweats and a long-sleeved black shirt. With Finn still helping me now and then, protecting me from Beta Caspian and Miss Piper as best as he can, he's the only other ray of hope as my eighteenth birthday draws closer. The thought of meeting my mate, breaking free from Deep Water, and never seeing this pack again after graduation is the only thing that makes me smile as I lock the door to my room and open the window. It's midnight, and the moon shines down at me while the wind brings a much-needed breath of fresh air. The leaves of the large sugar maple tree next to my window rustle in the breeze, bringing the delectable scent of maple inside.

The tree is a luxury that Finn managed to convince the Betas to let me keep when they realized the room I was put in almost eleven years ago was so terrifying that I'd never try to sneak out and run away. But I've learned how to use the tree to my advantage. I remembered the first night I spent in the attic, the tapping on the glass and shadows cast by the sugar maple tree scaring me so badly I was unable to sleep. Curled up under the duvet cover, shaking like a leaf in the wind, until morning when I mustered enough courage to peer outside and see the tree standing tall and proud with bright red leaves. Finn promptly taught me how to sneak out using the window and the tree, and Beta Caspian and Lady Piper were none the wiser to their son teaching their disowned daughter how to climb in and out of the attic with the help of a seemingly useless tree. With practice every night, almost getting caught by patrols, by age nine, I had mastered sneaking out unnoticed.

With sure footing after sneaking out the window, I shimmy down the tree with deft movements and land silently on the grass-covered earth. Blending into the shadows, I look around and listen for a moment, making sure no one is near or awake and watching the pack grounds, before sprinting towards the safety and covering the forest provides. At the pack house, I may only have a few friends, but outside, deep in the hidden valley, I have Genesis and the Unicorns to keep me company.

With a wide grin hidden behind the mask I wear, I make my way towards the river, keeping my footsteps light and body hidden in the shadows. The calming scent of water and the sounds of the waterfall draw nearer, and I pick up speed, letting the glow of the moon guide me. My eighteenth birthday is drawing close, and the thought of being free from this place again brings a sort of giddiness inside my battered heart as I pass through the hidden entrance and into the tunnel. The magic in the air breathes life into me with each step until I enter the meadow, the scene glowing with moonlight and the wind bringing a sweet scent that washes over me.

"You're late," the musical voice of the Elf reaches me just in time for me to dodge to the right, reflexes having me backflip away to a comfortable distance. Genesis chuckles, her eyes holding mischief while the Elf and I stare at each other.

"Sorry about that, but I am still here for training, like always, Liz," I answer, rushing forward and throwing a handful of loose soil into her face. This gives me an opening, and I jump over the ancient one and quickly unsheathe the sword strapped to Genesis's back. Spinning around just in time to block the blow sent my way, the blades meeting with a clang, the two of us waiting for an opening. My body is already sore from the punishment I received earlier this day, and it's a struggle to keep my positions with the blades locked against each other, sweat building on my forehead.

With a deep breath, I drop to the ground, bringing my right leg around and sweeping out the Elf's legs from under her, then quickly dodging to the left while Genesis lets out a surprised gasp behind me. But I am too slow, and as I spin around, ready for the next attack, I barely dodge the blade wielded by my mentor but not the bunch thrown to my left side. I gasp, my body flying backward as the punch activates the pain from the large purple bruise made by Caspian himself.

"What took you so long to get here?" Genesis questions, her slow steps walking towards me. Too focused on the pain, I ignored her question and curled my body in on itself, trying to breathe through the pain and pleading for it to settle down.

"Mads?" The footsteps stop, and the sound of a dull thud hitting the ground alerts me to the sword fight I am supposed to continue with Genesis, but my body refuses to move. Even when I really wanted to keep practicing and fighting. I did not want to be weak anymore, and Genesis promised to make me stronger.

"Madison, they beat you again, didn't they?" Genesis's voice was filled with concern. By "they," she meant the pack and the Beta couple. Today, I was lucky that Finn was on patrol when this happened; otherwise, he would have been forced to watch and participate in handing out the punishment. Neither of us could refuse an order, and a public beating, where every wolf but an Omega could partake, was a fan favorite among the pack.

Warm hands cupped my cheeks as I looked into the concerned eyes of my friend, her brows furrowed above me while I forced myself to take slow, steady, deep breaths. The pain was still fresh, and my body ached from the beating I endured. "I spilt water while in a rush to serve dinner. They beat me in the middle of the dining room as punishment, then made me drag myself out to the foyer while everyone else ate and chatted away like nothing happened," I started, my voice shaky as I recalled the torment.