A Tale of Three Lunas-Completed

Chapter 44

Coral's Story

Ever since I came to this pack, the only thing that has kept me here is Shawn.

I can't stand werewolves, especially males.

My stepfather was a werewolf and there is no one I hate more than him. Stepdad was not my biggest fan either. The last time I saw him, he was beating the hell out of me with his fists just outside of our pack.

I was born into a normal family but when I was 7, my mother left my father and we lived with my stepfather. Yes, my mother grew up in a pack, but she never shifted, so she thought she wouldn't have a mate. She fell in love with my father and went to live in the human world. One day though, that man came into our lives. Apparently, they were mates.

I grew up in his pack, the Black Blood Pack, a human in a cruel, uncaring wolf pack. Growing up, the only thing I was sad about was that I wouldn't have a mate because I am human. I heard about the connection that mates share and it appealed to me. It's not like I had any friends or allies in the pack. I was treated like garbage, so I kept to myself as much as I could. At least I could return to the human world someday and see my father again. There had been no way for me to contact him once we left, maybe he wouldn't even remember me.

I had planned on leaving on my 18th birthday, but after my mom died a month before my birthday, I got packed up and was ready to go, waiting for my opportunity to make my way out. Stepdad had a pack-related trip and would be away for a few days, so I took my chance. I walked to my mother's room, opened her jewelry box and took what she had promised to me.

When I was a kid, back when we were happy, she gave it to me. Me and Dad used to play dress up with it and my mom's clothes. I played with it so much, the clasp broke and I would tie it around my wrist and wear it as a bracelet when the two of them were out of the house. Dad and I made a lot of good memories in that necklace. After the first time stepdad threw something I loved in the garbage, a teddy bear I used to sleep with, I decided to keep the necklace in my mother's room and everything else I loved under my bed.

She had no right to take me from my father. The necklace is all my dad had to remember me by. He won't recognize me after not seeing me for over a decade, but once I show him this necklace, he'll know it's me. I run the scenario a million times in my head and soon, it will be truth.

I shoved the necklace in my pocket and took off.

I had messed up. If I took the turn to go straight to the bus station, I would be with my dad right now. But I hadn't eaten in days. Stepdad had decided that since my mother was gone, he didn't really have to provide for me anymore. Once I left the house, I went to get food for the trip first. Because of my pit stop, I didn't make it to the cab that would have taken me to the bus station before he found me on the side of the road because he returned early. His answer was to beat me and leave me for dead in the woods.

When I next woke up, someone was carrying me through the woods. Then, I was in a man's room.

When I learned that we were mates, I thought that maybe I had found something good. I thought I could get over all the bad things and have good and nice things here in the West Moontrail Pack.

Then his father was captured and he turned into something else. I can be supportive and show compassion, but a few days ago, he raised his hand to slap me when I asked him if he had found out anything about my dad. I will not be beaten again. That is when I decided.

I'm not repeating my mother's mistakes.

I didn't want to be a Luna. I didn't want to live with werewolves. I didn't want to have a mate. All this wolf bullshit had already worn thin with me many years ago. I just needed a reminder and Shawn gave it to me.

I take Topaz' arm, rush to my room and thank God we are not followed. I lead her to the room I was given and lock the door behind us. I listen behind the door to confirm that we were not followed and only speak when I am sure we were not.

"There is not other piece. I just had to talk to you."

"Wha- okay..."

"I'm trapped here. I never wanted to be here. Shawn won't let me leave." I look up at Topaz for the first time and she looks shocked.

"I have been here for months. I was brought here when I was vulnerable and Shawn won't let me leave because I am his mate. I just want to see my father. I don't want to be here."

"Tell me."

I hope she can help me. I kneel before her and speak.

"I got hurt a few months ago and I was in the hospital for weeks. He was there for me and I am thankful to him, but I hate it here. He was nice before, but he is terrible now. I asked him if I could use a computer or get a phone and search for my father, but he said he would take care of it. I gave him all the information I could. Now every time I bring it up, he changes the subject. He doesn't care about me, he just cares about having an obedient mate and I will never be that. I want to see my dad."

"That's terrible! You're a prisoner? What can I do to help you?"

"Take me with you when you leave, only me. I know it's a lot to ask, but I need to get far away from here quickly. I tried to figure out a way to leave, but they tightened security after this other girl fled here a few months ago and I can't find a way out. I just need you to take me to the nearest bus station. I'm just tired of fighting alone. Our mothers were friends once and I need a friend now. Can you-"

There is a knock on the door that startles us both. I toss a rock from my rock collection into her hand before I open the door and get into character.

"I was wrong. I'm so dumb. C-can we still go with them, Shawn?"

"We're gonna meet tomorrow to figure it all out. I don't want you to get to stressed out. Why don't you get to sleep?"

I hug Topaz before she walks out. "-help me." I whisper in her ear before she goes.