THE LUNA WHO WAS NEVER ENOUGH

My parents never loved me. I wasn't their real child after all. Sometimes I found it funny how they chose to adopt me, yet treated me like I forced myself on them.

It was all because of that damned mark of mine. The mark of the eclipse.

If I didn't have it, they would have abandoned me when they found my three-year-old self unconscious in the forest. The elders of the pack wouldn't have insisted I become the Luna of the pack.

Everyone said it brought prosperity and blessings to those affiliated with the bearer. I call bullshit! The only reason why my parent's fortunes changed was because they took the actions necessary, not because of a mark. It was the same with the Pack.

Perhaps it was the illusion that their success was guaranteed that made them take the steps they did. Giving them the confidence and boldness they lacked was probably the only thing the mark did. Besides that, it was nothing but a curse that made the bearer miserable.

Everyone wanted a piece of me because of a fucking rumour!

I knew my parents would hand me over to Kieran the moment they found out I ran, but it stung. Never being there for me, and putting their selfishness above me was expected, but it always hurt.

If not for the money I had tucked away in a secret compartment in my room, I wouldn't have neared Ravenhollow. The words she told the guards fuelled me with rage and hatred. I didn't want to see her or my father, who was no better than she was. But I earned that money through my own sweat, and blood. And if I wanted to escape this damned pack, I needed it.

The guards soon left, but I still stayed hidden behind the fence, shivering as the rain kept pouring down on me without mercy. If I went in immediately, she'd call them and they'd be back in a few seconds.

About twenty minutes later, I dragged myself into the house. “Lyanna!” My mum gasped, faking concern as she rushed to me. “Why are you drenched? Oh dear! Come, I'll take you to your room.”

Then lock me in, and call the guards so they can hand me over to Kieran.

I didn't respond and followed her lead, shaking violently so she'd believe I was truly weak. It was the first time she showed me care since she adopted me. If I hadn't overheard her conversation with the guards, I might have believed she was a changed woman. “Stay right here, okay? I'll fix you a nice, warm meal.” Her eyes were soft.

Rolling my eyes, I said. “Since when did you become a caring mother?” Her mouth fell open as she blinked in shock at my harsh words. I was always the dutiful and obedient daughter who barked at her command so her reaction wasn't surprising.

“One would think you were planning to turn me in or something.” Her face paled in shock, but she masked it with a laugh that didn't reach her eyes. “I know I've not been a good mother, but how can you say that? Can't I make it up to my daughter anymore?” her eyes were filled with pain.

For a brief moment, I felt my heart break at the pain I was causing her, but then I recalled her words and everything else she'd done, and my expression hardened. When she didn't get a positive reaction, she sighed, “Let's talk after you eat. I don't want you catching a cold.”

The moment she left the room, I heard the lock click, and immediately threw off my wet clothes, changing to something more suitable for an escape. “I’m just locking the door because I don't want you to disappear. I'll bring your food up soon.”

In less than seven minutes, I had the window open, ready to jump down and make my escape. Thankfully, my window faced the dense forest. If they came after me, and they would, it wouldn’t be easy for them to find me in the shadows of the trees.

Without another thought, I jumped down, landing on the ground with ease. I gave one last look at the house, memories of the pain, torture, and humiliation I'd suffered rushing through my mind. And the people who caused them—my parents, Kieran… this pack itself.

I thought I'd cry, scream, feel something, but there was nothing. Just a hollow, weightless void where my heart should be. As if I were merely a bag of skin, stitched together to hold the emptiness inside.

The sound of cars rolling up in front of the house yanked me out of my thoughts. Their speed was surprising, but they weren't fast enough. I turned my back on the house, my past, and everyone who had broken me.

I would survive. And when I returned…

My lips smile curled into a wicked smile.

They'd pay.