THE TRUE LUNA

h her already bruised skin. Her fingers, red and numb from scrubbing, trembled in the icy waters. The wind howled through the c

ishes. Then whatever Victoria decided to throw

en then, it was just a scrap of stale bread she had stolen from the kitchen when no one was lookin

always be

shoulders, his deep laughter echoing through their home

mired her, seeking her prayers a

warmth. She h

ht of her sixt

into adulthood.Akira had spent the entire day cooking, carefully selecting ingredients her

his day for weeks, and her mother

to set, Akira's exci

ive on time to take part in the celebration. She had been looking forward

d gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Dont worry, my little wolf, your father

ther was always like that – warm, reassuring, and full of love

te of the feast, and her eyes lit up with delight. "Akira,

ther was enjoying the meal. She worked so hard to mak

ts, that smile tw

g, collapsing onto the wooden floor. Pan

r after the pain became so unbearable.

d, shaking her mother's

ther's eyes had glazed over,

lifeless body, feeling like her wor

her mother, the meal wa

ah would arrive on time,

ook Auror

rs spread l

went. The gazes that once held admirat

er a murderer

s death was not enough, her

cto

had secretly l

o children, Ayla and Than

te. It was easier to believe that Aurora and Akira had be

d, abandoned. She no longer felt like ro

orned. She

urden, a stain

pulled her ba

you

ossed, lips curled in a smirk. She wore a lavish fur cloak over

ched, her hands raw from the c

other says you are taking too long. The dishes

her throat. Taking back would only make th

s, A

pleased, before

to scrub the floors aga

ed Akira's shoulder, sending he

hock stole

er ears as Ayla wal

teeth, pushing he

worse than th

better, it alw

mbs were stiff, her hands numb. She stumbled

end of the table, e

ores?" Victoria asked, h

Akira wh

r wine, "Good but y

tensed,

forward, her gaze piercing. "You left dirt ne

her fists, dread

"that you would clean the entire

ou to be more careful, de

o nod, even though her

rked, "That's

bed the floors until her fingers bled. Hunger gna

f dawn peeked through the windows. Her body

a new day, she

in the corner of the kitche

ntinue to liv

ad nowhere

had was h

ndure until she finally br