The Luna's vendetta

Chapter 3

Damien’s jaw tightened as he glared at me, his patience fraying. “Why are you really leaving, Alice?” His voice was steady, but the anger was clear. “Is it because of Nathan? He’s just a child.”

I felt my hands tighten at my sides, my fingers trembling slightly as I held myself back from shouting. The words weren’t enough. They never were.

Damien’s expression shifted, anger flaring as he took a step forward. “So you’re willing to throw everything away? For a child’s tantrum?”

He exhaled sharply, the breath rattling with frustration. “You’ll lose your title. You’ll lose everything. Is that what you want?” His voice dropped to a low growl. “Look, I don't have time for this. I still need to find someone suitable to attend the function with me tonight.”

Damien spun on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door with a force that rattled the walls.

I didn’t bother watching him leave. I didn’t have the energy for another argument.

I sat back down on the bed, staring at the shattered pieces of my jade necklace. It lay in front of me, broken in the way my life had been for years. I tried to glue it back together, my hands shaking as I fumbled with the tiny fragments. The glue stuck to my fingers, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make it whole again. The pieces wouldn’t fit.

********

I was leaving today, but before that, having my sister's memorial ceremony.

She died today, five years ago. I wasn’t sure what hurt more: the fact that she was gone, or that I was still here, a ghost of the life she’d left behind.

The table was set with fresh flowers, a single candle burning low. I stood at the memorial, staring at the picture of her — a woman I had once looked up to, someone who had been taken from all of us too soon. The day was meant to be a reminder of her sacrifice, the legacy she left behind.

Beta Zane entered quietly, standing beside me.

“Have you really made your decision? About leaving?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“Yes,” I said softly. “I’ve made up my mind. There’s nothing here for me anymore.”

Beta Zane gave me a long, thoughtful look. “You’ve done a lot for this pack, Luna Alice. A lot more than anyone gives you credit for.” He hesitated. “Do you really want to leave them all behind? We can give Nathan a little time. As he grows up, he will learn.”

Nathan will only grow to hate me more. I have given everything I had to keep the pack running and stand out among other packs. I raised Nathan into the golden pup everyone admired. I even took on Alpha Damien’s emotional mess, trying to make life easier for him.

But no matter what I did, it never earned me a bit of their love.

To Damien, I was nothing more than a brain box and a workaholic to carry out every task concerning the pack and at the same time satisfy him every night. The rest of the time, I might as well have been invisible.

As for Nathan, he hated me. Because of a few words from outsiders gossiping about me, he hated me with every fiber of his being. Every time he looked at me, it was like he was willing me to die.

How could that situation ever be called a family?

Beta Zane eventually gave up trying to talk me out of leaving. Instead, he agreed to inform the elders because I wasn't sure I could face them all.

********

Later that day, I went to the store to get new candles because the one on her memorial plaque had burnt completely.

I was just about to turn when I heard his voice.

“You’re still here.” Nathan’s tone was sharp, filled with contempt.

I turned to face him, my heart tightening at the sight of the boy I had once loved as my own. “I’m just looking for something,” I said quietly, not bothering to hide the tiredness in my voice.

Nathan stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. “You should have died that day. She should still be here. It should have been your memorial, not hers.”

The words hit like a slap to the face. My breath caught in my throat, but I didn’t say anything. There was no point. Not anymore.

I turned back to the shelf, pretending not to hear him.

But Nathan didn’t stop. “You ruined everything. She was my mother, and you took her place. You’re nothing but a stand-in, a replacement. You’ll never be her.”

His words stung, each one landing harder than the last. I clenched my jaw, willing myself not to react, not to show him how much it hurt. The candle fell, and I bent down to pick it up.

As I did, I heard the click of a lighter. My stomach twisted as I turned, seeing Nathan standing in front of the door, the flame flickering to life in his hand.

He held up a bottle — half-full, the scent of gasoline unmistakable. My breath caught.

“Nathan,” I whispered, slowly standing. “What are you doing?”

His eyes glinted, wild with pain and fury. “She’s gone because of you. And you’re still here, pretending this is your home.”

He tilted the bottle slightly, letting a line of fuel splash across the wooden floor, trailing it between us.

My heart pounded, dread knotting in my chest. “Nathan, stop this. You don’t want to do this.”

But his hand tightened around the lighter, the small flame casting eerie shadows across his face.

He dropped the lighter and the fire caught instantly, a wave of heat and smoke rising as the flames leapt up between us.