KIERAN

I slammed the door behind me, my heart pounding as I made my way to the floor length mirror beside my window. I lifted my gown, my eyes widening as I saw the blood trailing down my legs. How is this even possible in a pack guarded by the fiercest wolves?

My mind raced, searching for an explanation for this, but everytime it seemed like I was getting a certain picture in my head, a stinging pain knocked it out. I pressed my hand against the wall to steady myself, the pain sharp and excruciating.

Yet it was nothing compared to what I was going through in a pack where I held the title of Luna.

Growing up, I thought attaining such a position was the solution to end one's misery. I saw it as a direct connection to the moon goddess, who will, in turn, take away every pain and sorrow from me. It turned out to be the exact opposite after I was mated to the Alpha, Shaun.

In my case, I was no different from people without a mate. It's been four good weeks since the mating ceremony, and yet, I hadn't seen my mate nor spent an hour of a day with him. Tonight was supposed to be the first night where we see him, the Alpha.

But as usual, he was absent. The bangs from the fireworks knocked me out of my thoughts. I grabbed a cloth hanging by the window side and started wiping off the blood on my leg. It had stopped flowing, but the pain was still there.

My mind raced, grasping at explanations, but nothing made sense. Just as panic started to overwhelm me, the door swung open without a knock. I turned around, hiding the cloth behind the mirror.

"Ivory," I breathed her name, preparing myself for a second phase of pain. She had a suspicious look written all over her face. I saw the way she kept trying to see what was behind me, but I was quick enough to kick the cloth a little further in.

"Well… well, look who slipped out of the festival," she sneered, a smile highlighting the left side of the cheeks. With slow and firm steps, she covered the distance between us, glaring directly into my eyes. "You weak…pathetic animal," she cursed.

Her words drooled with contempt, striking my heart which I thought should have gotten used to her by now. For the first time, I wanted to snap back. To tell her I didn't want any of this either. But of what use would it be when it would only land me in a more difficult position?

She leaned closer, a smirk tugging her lips as her index trailed up my face. "Is that tears?" She asked, her smirk growing into a hilarious laughter. I swallowed, burying my head and locking my fingers to hold back my rage.

"I'm just getting started, you daughter of a nobody!" She spat.

I lost it—every attempt to hold myself in. I snapped at her, pulling her hair and dragging it with every strength I had. But I was nothing compared to Ivory. She made a swift turn, twisting my hand and throwing me against the mirror.

"Bitch!" She cursed, her voice filled with rage. A chuckle escaped my lips, my head still spinning round the room as I found my feet. I had no idea the blood covered cloth was now visible, until Ivory flagged it across my face. "What is this?".

I lifted my face, my heart sinking immediately. Every word I wanted to get back at her with drowned alongside my heart.

"I…"

The door opened again, this time, it was a wolf guard. "Ivory, the Alpha Dante requests your presence immediately," he delivered. Ivory and I remained silent, staring into each others eyes. There was this unwillingness to leave without an answer lurking behind her eyes.

She squeezed the cloth in her palm, an evil smile tugging her lips before she walked out. Tears trailed down my eyes as I stood. I went after her, wanting to know what she would do with it. Deep down, I knew she would twist it into a weapon against me.

The ache between my thighs worsened as I walked down the hallway. This wasn't what I imagined for myself—a Luna. I was about to make a turn for the exit when my eyes caught the stairway opposite the hall.

The forbidden stairs. The orders of Alpha Dante rang in my head. He forbade anyone from ascending those stairs. Anyone but himself, Ivory and Shemei. For a moment, I stood at the base of the staircase, my heart pounding as I remembered his warning.

The staircase was off limits. An absolute rule which everyone obeyed. But as I stared at the dimly lit path, my curiosity grew. I didn't need someone to tell me that it was leading to my mates room. But why keep it off limits? Why restrict even his mate from seeing him?

What kept him away from his pack all this while? With a deep breath, I took the first step. The wind flushed against my face, like a warning that I shouldn't be there. But I waved it aside, climbing further with a racing heart.

I swallowed, pushing down thoughts of what awaited me above. I deserved answers, didn't I? I was his mate and he couldn't avoid me forever even if he wanted to. I arrived the top of stairs, and there was just a single door at the end.

I heard a low growl behind the door. My heart skipped a beat, but that wasn't enough to make me turn around. I made my way to the door and noticed it was slightly open.

Was he expecting me?

Everything about my actions seemed wrong. Even my wolf was against me being there at that hour. It was too late however, because now, I was standing at the entrance of the room, staring at my mates broad shoulders.

"Shaun?" I muttered with a voice lower than a whisper. A loud click sent my pulse racing. It was the clock. The long hand just struck twelve, meaning it was midnight. My hands were fidgeting, my legs trembling, and I began reconsidering my actions.

Shaun fell, his neck hunched as his claws dug into the floor boards. He let out a growl, sending shivers down my spine. My blood ran cold, my feet felt frozen at that spot. I was doing the exact opposite of what was supposed to be done in this situation.

"Run," my wolf urged in my head. But how was I to do that when I couldn't feel my legs?

Shaun's muscles rippled beneath his skin. Black veins snaked up his arms and his back. His breathing was heavy as he struggled to keep control. I didn't know if I was supposed to help him or run to safety.

All I knew was that this has nothing to do with morphing into a wolf. It was different—dark. More like… a curse.

The curse!

The rumors were true. I turned around, finding my strength once again and raced to the door. But I saw Ivory standing there. And with a smirk on her face, she shut the door and locked it from outside, leaving me with the Night beast—my mate.

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