Chapter 1
Sheila's POV
My eyes opened to meet a lady __ a girl of about sixteen hovering above me with a little smile on her oval face. My eyelids fluttered open. My body ached. Pain radiates through my body as I try to sit ,my head pounding in rhythmic agony with each beat.
The room's fragrance was a nice blend of hibiscus flowers.
" You need to lie still. Your body needs all the rest it can get." The girl said and stretched out her palm to my forehead. I flinched , my eyes crucified her. She withdrew back her frail hand. The girl was dressed in black short skirt and white polo shirt.
"Who are you? Where am I?." I asked. My lips trembled . My eyes quickly scanned the room. It was beautiful,built and designed to suit a princess's taste.
"You are in the Dark Moon pack's territory. You are safe." The girl said and smiled.
I immediately had a flashback and that was when I remembered everything. I massaged my neck, releasing the tension that had built up.
" You blacked out before Alpha Luca brought you in. " The girl said and paused.
" You have been asleep for a three hours or so"
I stared back at the girl with widened eyes, monitoring her every move as I tried to digest the situation.
I'd heard whispers of Alpha Luca's brutality . How he ruled with an iron fist and showed no mercy to those who crossed him. A mere mention of Alpha Luca's name sent shivers down my spine.
Last I heard,his third Luna ran away after facing much cruelty that attempted to break her. Poor girl must have gone through hell itself and seeing myself laying on a cozy bed and In a room in his territory made my bones tremble.
"Where's Luca?." I asked with hate laced in my voice.
The girl stared back at me as though I had just said something that could get my neck on a hangman's dangling rope.
"Alpha Luca left for his room immediately he had instructed the guards to bring you here." She said and a part of her statement caught my attention.
" the guards?." I asked, widening my eyes.
The girl nodded.
"Yes." She replied.
"By the way __." The girl began while watching as I fought to maintain a fierce facial expression.
" My name's Shirley and I am your handmaiden." She announced making me stare at the frail creature claiming to be my personal maid.
"I am here always at your service and if you should ever need anything___ please do not hesitate to let me know. Luna." She said while addressing me with the Luna title as the Luna of the Dark Moon pack.
My brows pull together involuntarily.
"How dare this little girl call me Alpha Luca's Luna?." Arya asked,her voice laced with scorn. Shadows crept into my thoughts, whispered of past nightmares echoing through my mind like a haunting melody. A cold dread seeped into my bones as if winter's icy fingers had wrapped around my heart.
" What the f__." My words choked in my throat when I heard a knock on the door. The entrance door to the room flung open, disrupting me from lashing back at the immature maiden of mine. Luca stepped in. His beta followed immediately before shutting the door behind him. Shirley quickly got down from the bed and gave Luca and Hardin a deep bow.
Luca was dressed in blue sweatpants and a casual white polo shirt. Luca's eyes caught with mine,the intensity of his stare igniting a spark that seemed to burn brighter with every passing moment . I shivered, feeling a chill run down my spine. My pulse thundered in my ears,each beat pounding out a rhythm of fear as adrenaline coursed through my bloodstream like a raging inferno. My skin is crawling.
I bit on my lower lip, enduring the pain as I finally sat up on the bed.
"Well well,look who's awake!." Luca said with a deadpan voice.
I squinted my eyes and held the duvet protectively around my chest as if afraid that any moment from now, Luca or his beta might snatch it away from my body.
" How is she ?." Luca asked Shirley aloofly, without paying regards to how fiery I glared at him.
"Still recovering from the shock, Alpha." Shirley answered with a slight head bow .
"That's good to hear because I want her fully recovered in a few days." Luca said and smiled alone. His beta didn't find it amusing. Hardin's expression softened. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled . His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to Luca's intensity but I couldn't let my guard down. I mentally and frantically searched for an escape route . My mind raced for possibilities as I glanced around the room.
Hardin came forward and felt my temperature. I flinched and frowned. He blinked repeatedly,thoughts boggling in his head.
Hardin's soft smile and gentle gaze enveloped me in a warm embrace , soothing the frayed edges of my mind like soothing balm.
"Why are you doing this to me Alpha Luca?. You better let me go. I already have a mate who I am in love with. I can't be here. Let me go!." I lied in semblance of a plea, trying to sound convincing.
"Shush!." Luca ordered ,his lips curling in self amusement .
"No talking, pet. You are not allowed to ask me such a question." Luca's voice dripped with malice, his smile twisting into a cruel grin as he spoke.
" Don't call me your pet." I threatened and he smirked, enjoying the way I expertly played the hero.
Luca's low menacing chuckle made my shoulder tremble with fear.. The hairs on my skin are standing on their full length.
"What do you want with me?." I seethed , maintaining a brave facade. An unwavering one.
" I am marking you as mine in the next full Moon, Sheila." He answered . His eyes gleamed with melancholic intentions.
"You lie." I muttered,my heart beating furiously against my ribcage.
I got up completely from the bed, and spring towards the door but Hardin was quick to catch me before I could turn the door knob.
"There's no escape for your love." Luca sneered. His voice filled with vice.
" You can't do this." My voice trembled. I clenched my fist. " You can't hold me captive. I am not your slave."
Luca smirked,his eyes glistened with malice.
The door opened and a lady waltzed in. Her presence made my skin crawl.
" Hello princess." The lady beamed. Her eyes laced with scorn.
Her gaze fired imaginary bullet into my heart. A rush of dread seeped my bones.
I faced Shirley.
"Whose this?." I quacked.
Shirley's mouth opened to speak but her she swallowed it when Luca raised his hand.
" An important member of this pack." Luca acknowledged with a grin.
I bat my eyes. Luca's words stirred a dark mist in my head.
" Am Sasha by the way and am here to make sure you don't run away." she mumbled. Her voice husky and dreadful.
My heart sank and I felt my world crashing down.