THE TRUE LUNA

The coarse sand scraped against her knees, sharp and unforgiving. Akira winced, biting down a whimper as the pain seared through her already bruised skin. Her fingers, red and numb from scrubbing, trembled in the icy waters. The wind howled through the cracks in the wooden wash area, piercing her worn out tunic and chilling her bones to the core. But she could not stop, not yet.

First, the laundry had to be done, then the dishes. Then whatever Victoria decided to throw at her. She had long stopped hoping for mercy.

Her stomach twisted in protest, hollow and aching. It has been two days since she ate last and even then, it was just a scrap of stale bread she had stolen from the kitchen when no one was looking. If she were lucky, Thane might sneak her something. But luck had abandoned her a long time ago.

It hadn't always been like this

Once, she had been loved. Her father carried her on his shoulders, his deep laughter echoing through their home as her mother, Aurora, scolded them for being too loud.

Once, the entire village had admired her, seeking her prayers and wishing for a child like her.

She had known warmth. She had known love.

Until the night of her sixteenth birthday.

It is customary to prepare a special dish for your parents as an appreciation when stepping into adulthood.Akira had spent the entire day cooking, carefully selecting ingredients her parents loved. The feast was meant to be joyous, a celebration of her journey into womanhood.

She had been looking forward to this day for weeks, and her mother Aurora , had been equally excited.

But as the sun began to set, Akira's excitement began to wane.

Her father, Elijah, had gone to battle, and she had thought he would arrive on time to take part in the celebration. She had been looking forward to seeing the pride in his eyes as she took her first step into adulthood.

As the guests began to arrive, Akira's mother, Aurora, took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Dont worry, my little wolf, your father will be here soon", she said. "He wouldn't miss this day for the world".

Akira smiled feeling a sense of comfort rush over her. Her mother was always like that – warm, reassuring, and full of love. She had been Akira's rock, her confidant and her best friend.

As they sat down to eat, Akira's mother, took her first bite of the feast, and her eyes lit up with delight. "Akira, this is incredible", she said. "You have outdone yourself".

Akira beamed with a smile, feeling happy that her mother was enjoying the meal. She worked so hard to make it perfect, and it was worth seeing her mother smile.

But within moments, that smile twisted into agony.

Her mother clutched her stomach, gasping, collapsing onto the wooden floor. Panic erupted as servants rushed to her aid.

She was rushed to the community healer after the pain became so unbearable. On arrival, Aurora kicked the bucket.

"Mother", Akira screamed, shaking her mother's lifeless body vigorously.

But it was too late. Her mother's eyes had glazed over, and her body had gone limp.

Akira was left holding her mother's lifeless body, feeling like her world had come crashing down around her.

"She would never kill her mother, the meal was meant for her father".

" Yes, she thought Elijah would arrive on time, but the gods kept him".

"Karma took Aurora instead".

These rumors spread like wildfire

Whispers followed Akira wherever she went. The gazes that once held admiration, now carried suspicion and disgust.

They called her a murderer in hushed tones.

And then, as if her mother's death was not enough, her father married his long lover.

Victoria.

The woman he had secretly loved all along.

A woman who came with two children, Ayla and Thane, claiming to be Elijah's.

The entire pack quickly accepted her as Elijah's true mate. It was easier to believe that Aurora and Akira had been wicked, plotting against their great leader, their Beta.

From that moment on, Akira was disregard, abandoned. She no longer felt like royalty. Infact she wasn't treated like one.

She was scorned. She was nothing.

A servant, a burden, a stain on their legacy.

A sharp voice pulled her back to reality.

"Are you deaf?"

Akira flinched, turning to see Ayla standing above her, arms crossed, lips curled in a smirk. She wore a lavish fur cloak over her pristine dress, her golden curls glistening in the dim light.

Akira, in constrast, was drenched, her hands raw from the cold water, her dress tattered.

" I'm talking to you, filth", Ayla sneered. "Mother says you are taking too long. The dishes are in the sink and dinner won't prepare itself".

Akira swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat. Taking back would only make things worse. She lowered her gaze, nodding.

"Yes, Ayla".

Ayla smirked, pleased, before steeping closer.

"Oh, and don't forget to scrub the floors again, you missed a spot".

Then without warning, she shoved Akira's shoulder, sending her tumbling into the cold water.

The icy shock stole her breath.

Laughter rang in her ears as Ayla walked away, satisfied.

Akira gritted her teeth, pushing herself up, shivering.

"it can't get worse than this she thought.

But she knew better, it always got worse.

By the time she finished the laundry, her limbs were stiff, her hands numb. She stumbled into the kitchen, stomach growling painfully.

Victoria sat at the end of the table, eyes sharp, watching.

"Did you finish your chores?" Victoria asked, her voice laced with ice.

"Yes", Akira whispered.

Victoria sipped her wine, "Good but you forgot something".

Akira tensed,"I......"

"Don't speak", Victoria snapped, she leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "You left dirt near the doorway". Do you know what that means?"

Akira clenched her fists, dreading to the answer.

"it means", Victoria continued, "that you would clean the entire house again. Tonight without food".

"Maybe that will teach you to be more careful, dear sister", Ayla giggled.

Akira forced herself to nod, even though her body screamed in protest.

Victoria smirked, "That's a good girl".

The night stretched unbearably long. Akira scrubbed the floors until her fingers bled. Hunger gnawed at her insides, her head light from exhaustion.

By the time she finished, the first hints of dawn peeked through the windows. Her body ached, he wanted to collapse, but she didn't.

Because it was a new day, she had work to do.

But as she sat there curled in the corner of the kitchen. A thought sparked her mind.

" I can't continue to live like this".

But she had nowhere to run to.

All she had was her father.

How much more could she endure until she finally broke down or.... Fought back?