The Luna's Lie

Chapter 5

Kayla

I followed the maid, who introduced herself as Chloe, through the winding corridors of the pack's headquarters. Chloe was nice, with a warm smile and kind eyes. I found myself opening up to her, sharing small talk as we walked.

“And this…” she said, leading me in, “are your new quarters.”

As we entered I was overwhelmed. The room was opulent, with plush furnishings and intricate tapestries. Chloe noticed my awe and chuckled.

“Don't worry, you'll get used to it,” she said, winking at me,

“Alpha Marcel told us to prepare it in advance. Not a thing out of place.” She smiled satisfied, but it only made my heart sink.

It was clear that he hadn't prepared this for me but for Zara.

“Hey?” her voice snapped me into reality. I realised that I'd spaced out

“I'm sorry, I was thinking about something. Please continue.” I rushed out, fear gripping me instinctively but she only smiled,

“It's alright, I don't mind. I didn't expect you to listen to me for so long considering how talkative i am, but you did,” she shrugged,

“I have to say, I'm a bit surprised. I didn't expect the Luna to be so...down-to-earth. Although I guess I can't say that when your head was literally in the clouds minutes ago.

I couldn't hold back a laugh at her witty joke. She laughed too and for a moment we giggled together. The air felt lighter and I couldn't help but sigh a sense of relaxation washing over me.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd properly spoken to someone like this. In-between Winter and Devon's scolding, Zara's incessant requests and everyone else completely ignoring me, I hadn't realised how lonely it had been.

It was nice to have someone talk to me like I was a person, rather than .

Just as she was about to say something else, the door banged open, making my heart jump. Guards burst into the room, their faces stony.

“What is going on?” Chloe shouted in an outburst, earning their gaze. I shivered as their cold gaze reached mine.

“This is not the Luna's quarters,” one of them growled,

“What do you mean? This is where I was told to bring her.” Chloe shouted,

“You've been misinformed.” The guard sneered, “This Luna will be staying in a more...suitable room."

I was forcefully taken from the luxurious quarters and dragged to a small, threadbare room. Chloe protested, wanting to complain to the guards, but I stopped her.

“it's okay, Chloe,” I said, trying to reassure her. “I'll be fine.”

Before I could even process what was happening, the woman from earlier arrived. Her brunette hair fell in soft warm waves. In contrast, her eyes were cold.

“Good day. My name is Lena, Marcel's sister, but from now on you'll call me mistress.”

“I'm sure you expected some kind of luxury being here, but you'll be sorely disappointed. Here, you'll only be a Luna in name,” she sneered, her disdain clear.

“Starting today, you'll be nothing more than a maid within the pack.”

I swallowed thickly, her words hitting harshly. What other choice was there to do but accept?

Lena turned to leave, but before she could step out I heard a loud-

“Wait!”

I turned swiftly to find Chloe, shock filling me,

“Please, let me serve her as a personal maid,” she cried out,

“Fine, whatever,” Lena said, uncaring, before leaving us alone.

The silence after she left was deafening. I turned to find Chloe, face ashen. She looked equally scared and yet.

“Why did you ask to be my maid?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

As Chloe turned to me, the expression softened.

“I like you already, Kayla. And, looking at you…I think you've been lonely for a long time.”

Her words struck a chord within me, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes.

“Thank you, Chloe,” I said, my voice cracking.

Chloe took my hand, cradling it in hers

“I don't know what's going on, and I don't know you, but I want to stay and support you…if you'll let me,” she says tentatively.

My heart shook and I didn't hesitate to clutch her hands. We sat in silence for a moment, a sense of solidarity forming between us.

…

Throughout the day, I was subjected to working from dawn till dusk, but it wasn't the physical labor that got to me. I was already used to that from home.

It was the constant stares, the jabs, and the snide comments. Servants would purposely knock past me, and soldiers would glare at me with disdain.

By evening, I was forced to serve Marcel and Lena at dinner. I kept my head down, trying to avoid eye contact, but it was impossible. Lena criticized me constantly, finding fault in everything I did.

“You're not even pouring the wine correctly,” Lena snapped, her voice dripping with disdain, “How did you manage to deceive my brother?"

“I apologize, Lena,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.

But Lena was relentless. Criticizing me for one thing before the other. Her anger seemed to grow with every new demand she brought up until it finally culminated.

Her slap connected with my cheek. I fought back tears, my eyes stinging.

“Enough, Lena,” Marcel said, his voice low and even. Despite his words he looked far from sorry. Lena simply huffed in response and I had to fight back my tears.

As soon as the dinner was over, I retreated to my room, locking the door behind me. I collapsed onto the bed, crying uncontrollably.

I thought I'd seen cruelty in my former pack, but this was worse.

How was I going to bear this?

Just as I drifted off to sleep, there was a knock on the door. My heart sank as I got out of bed to answer it.

I opened the door to find two guards standing outside.

“You're summoned by Alpha Marcel,” one of them growled.

….

The darkness of the night made my gut clench in anxiety.

I followed the guards, my heart racing with a mix of dread and anticipation. I had no idea where I was being led, but I knew it couldn't be good.

As we walked, the corridors grew more lavish. I caught glimpses of intricate tapestries and sparkling chandeliers.

Finally, the guards stopped in front of a large wooden door. They pushed it open, revealing a room.

The room was dark. dominated by a massive four-poster bed, with velvet drapes and plush carpets. The walls were adorned with paintings of wolves and landscapes, and at the center of it….

My breath hitched. I understood why I was brought here.

‘This was Marcel's room’

Marcel sat on the bed, his eyes fixed on me. He looked more intimidating than ever, his broad shoulders and chiseled features seeming to fill the entire room.

Fear filled me, but I tamped it down.

The guards left, closing the door behind them. Marcel's eyes never left mine.

What did he want?

“Since you wanted to be my Luna so badly,” he said, his voice low and husky, sending shivers through me.

“I'll give you the opportunity to serve me as one."

My heart skipped a beat as he stood. The uneasy sensation finally found its reason as he stepped closer.

“Strip,” he said, his voice firm and commanding.