The Bride of the Moon

Chapter 2

The hold my mother had on the invitation was so timid and gentle. One would think that it was her child she was holding. Not that she ever held me that way. I couldn’t blame her though. The invitation was something else. It was made of important and expensive paper, smooth and almost silk like texture with golden embossing and engravings.

Gingerly, my mother grazed her finger through the words and let out a sigh. “I never thought I would be able to hold one of these.”

I want to tell her that I never thought I would even get to see an invitation, much less hold one, but I kept my mouth shut, still too surprised to speak.

“There is a lot to prepare! The dress, the make-up, the hair,” She looked me over, her scrutinizing eyes boring into my face. “I must turn you into the daughter of Beta with Alpha’s blood coursing through her veins!”

“Am I…” I paused, hesitating in my question. “Going?”

She looked a second away from slapping me. “Of course you’re going. You’re invited with the Alpha’s seal on it. And I will make you the prettiest and the most desired girl there. You’re the Beta’s daughter and you will look like one.”

In all my eighteen years, this was the first time she has ever called me the Beta’s daughter. I was always the mistake of the family, the disappointment that ruined our name, the disgrace… I was never anything but that until now when I am suddenly given a chance to go to a pack event.

I think I might cry.

“Do not disappoint me.” My mother warned in a voice that chilled my spine. “We have been given an opportunity to redeem ourselves from the blight of your birth and you will not ruin this for me. Do you understand?”

That’s what this was for. Not happiness for me, but another one of those moments where she’s trying to be better and bigger than everyone else. Still. I find that I do not care. Whatever her reason was, she was going to take care of me, dress me and show me how to be better.

I could be… normal for once.

She circled around me, fingers to her lips as if in deep thought before clapping her hands together. “We must give James our thanks and invite him for dinner!”

My excitement pummeled at the mention of the boy who was making fun of me only minutes ago. “James? Why James?”

“Who else could have invited you?” My mother snapped as if I was slow and wasn’t picking up fast enough. “Of course it’s James. He’s looking for his mate! And it will be you!”

I wanted to tell her that I didn’t want James as my mate and that it was highly unlikely that we were destined but the happiness in her eyes stopped me. I have never seen my mother so happy before and to take that away by running my mouth… I just didn’t have the heart for it, not when I have already disappointed her enough. So, I smile and I nod like the perfect daughter that she wants. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“You should be. I’ll send word to him now.” She says with a nod. “Shower and make sure you don’t wear these ugly hooded sweaters anymore. I’ll send some of my old dresses up to the attic.”

“Should I start dinner first?” I asked, remembering what time it was and how she likes things prepared at a certain hour.

“Dinner?!” My mother growled venomously, teeth out and ready to bite my head off. “Didn’t you hear me? I said shower and make yourself look pretty! Let the omegas handle that.”

I scurry away before I get hit, running up the stairs and onto the ladder that leads to the attic. I do as I’m told, taking a bath and scrubbing myself clean. The omegas of the house have brought in a few of my mother’s old dresses and they awkwardly ask me to sit in front of a mirror that they’ve brought up. It feels strange not wearing my usual clothes that consist of baggy sweats and hoodies that hide my face.

“Is it true?” They whispered, looking unbelievingly, eyes down and not meeting my gaze. The omegas weren’t used to serving me. “Is the Alpha’s son coming to dinner? Did he really invite you to his party?”

“I don’t really know.” I told them honestly. “I’m still confused about everything.”

“The Beta’s mate has called in the best dress makers, hairdressers and makeup artists.” They tell me quietly as my hair is brushed roughly. There’s a level of animosity in their voice… a hate I’ve become accustomed to but not from them. The omegas and I were the same, until the invitation came. “They’re all coming tomorrow. For you.”

For me.

I still can’t believe this was all happening. One day I’m treated worse than an omega and the next I’m whatever this is.

It takes awhile for them to transform me out of the hermit that I am and into something that closely resembles my mother. The transformation wasn’t as drastic as I thought it would be but it was enough, enough to make me look normal— to look like one of them.

By the time they’re done, my mother is screaming at the top of her lungs. “Get her down here now! James is on his way!”

James. The mere mention of his name already has me sighing. He hates me. I know he does, but my mother loves the Alpha’s sons and there was no way of getting out of this one.

I walk down the stairs with my head down and my breathing uneven. Everything was starting to catch up to me now. My mother, hoping I’m James’ mate, the fact that I am going to a party with the entire pack invited and I think the most stressful of them all is that I’ve never eaten a meal in the dining room before today.

And I know I can’t mess up. If I make any kind of mistake and dishonor the family name again, I just know I won’t survive. She will really kill me this time. The Alpha’s order be damned.

My mother meets me at the bottom of the staircase, eyes like hawk as she inspects me. I held my breath, preparing for the worst, but she didn't say anything. She does scowl though like I’ve insulted her all over again.

Self consciously, I fiddle with my fingers. Of course, she sees this and slaps my hands with a force that makes me close my eyes from the pain. “It’s bad enough that you’re stick thin and can barely stand straight. Remember what I told you. Do not disappoint me.”

I nodded, hiding my hands behind my back instead.

“My husband is coming with James. When they arrive, say good evening and slightly tilt your head low.” She instructs in her snapping voice. “Do not bow. Alpha’s do not bow and you are of Alpha blood. Simply tilt your head as if you’re acknowledging their presence.”

Normally, I’m asked to bow my head low. If my head can touch the ground, the better, but obviously it is not the same today. Today, it was different.

My mother continues her berating and her instructions. I try to understand everything she’s saying but it’s hard to absorb it completely when everything she tells me now is the exact opposite of her rules for me.

Chin up? But she’s always told me to keep my head down?

Make eye contact? Didn’t she say that was disrespectful and I would get whipped for such a thing?

Address her and her husband as mom and dad? What? What? What?

My head was swimming by the time we heard two pairs of feet coming towards the front door. I swallowed but otherwise kept my back straight, my chin up and my head high.

I heard James’ laugh first. It must be something my ‘dad’ said.

A sound like a hand clapping a back is heard. “The Moon Goddess really has blessed you, son.”

James? Blessed by the Moon Goddess? How many times have I heard people say I’m the curse of the Moon Goddess while perfect James is blessed by her? I repress another sigh from leaving my lips and instead force a smile as the front doors open.

My ‘dad’ comes in first, eyes locking with my mother before giving me a quick glance. I almost hear him when he mouths, ‘Good enough.’

There’s a part of me that wants to wipe away the makeup on my face, pull at the pins in my hair and remove the tissue stuffed into my bra. But I don’t. I don’t disobey and continue to play this fake Beta’s daughter.

James comes in next and he does a surprised double take at the sight of me. I didn’t miss a beat, tilting my head slightly like my mother taught me and the smile on her face was all I needed to know I did a good job.

“James! It’s so good to have you here!” My mother squealed in a voice unlike any other.

I admired her then, how fast she could change and switch up. Only seconds ago she was reprimanding me like a beast out of its cage, but now there was no venom or bite, only this pleasantry that an Alpha’s daughter could have.

James snaps out of his shock and wraps my mother in a hug as though they’re the bestest of friends. “It’s an honor to be invited to your amazing home.”

Lies.

He said our house was small. He told me so. He said it was small enough to be their dog house.

“When the Beta told me to come, I couldn’t believe my luck!” He grinned, all teeth and no eyes.

Another lie.

He was hoping to spend his evening with the girls in his car from earlier, but it would be disrespectful not to accept a dinner invitation from the Beta. He was forced to go.

James turned to me. “And Emma? You look so beautiful.”

Liar.

I am nothing but a freak to him, a plague he can’t get rid of.

“My mother is so jealous. She absolutely loves you, Mrs. Noor.” James innocently bats his eyelashes.

Such a big fat liar.

I live in the attic, but even I know this. The Luna notoriously hates my mother. She’s openly jealous of my mother’s beauty and pure blood.

This lie, my mother catches and she laughs, the coldness of it chills my spine. “And she knows I love her too.”

Translation; she equally hates the Luna.

My father cleared his throat, catching our attention. “Shall we eat?”

“Yes, let’s not keep the food waiting.” My mother agreed, gesturing towards the dining room.

My father casually takes my hand, which almost has me gasp out loud. He has never touched me before. “Let me take you to your seat, Emma. Right next to me.”

How I wish this was real and genuine, but I know it isn’t. I know that this is also a lie, a show for James. And even if hurt, I felt myself smile happily. At least this once, I get to experience having him as a father. Fake or not.

“How has your training been?” My father asks James as he pulls back my seat for me.

James shrugs and graces us with another grin. “Best in my class. Combat for both human form and wolf form.”

“As expected,” My mother says with a proud nod. “It’s too bad Emma can’t go to training. You know our daughter has poor health.”

James takes the seat beside me and flashes another one of his smiles, making sure to look directly at me. “Poor health, huh? You must stay inside all day long, don’t you?”

He’s taunting me.

Must. Not. Bite.

I force my most polite smile. “I do.”

If my mother finds out that he has seen me out there, she’ll be furious. The whole point of her allowing me that short time in the library is because I swore to her no one would see me.

James pouts and brushes my hair back. “Poor sickly Emma. It’s a shame. We could have been so close.”

“There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be.” My mother smoothly interjects, insinuating and planting seeds masterfully. “Your home is right next door. You can always visit and Emma isn’t too weak to walk there.”

He catches on. “That’s a very good idea. I’ll definitely keep that in mind. I wouldn’t want a pretty girl like Emma to slip through my fingers.”

The smile on my mother’s face was giant. “Did you know she has Alpha blood?”

I stare down at my food and block everything else out after that. They continue to talk but I don’t listen anymore.

Does my mother know that James hates me? Would she even care if she knew? And what about my father? Is he okay with all of this?

The sad answer was… they don’t care about me or what happens to me.

My plate is taken away, replaced by another and another and another until dinner is over and James has excused himself. Relief washes over me and as a ‘family’ we walked him out. James turns to face me before wrapping my small frame in an uncomfortable embrace.

“You don’t need to hide anymore.” He whispered loudly into my ear, making sure my parents heard his every word. “We see you go to the library every day. Everyone knows you're there.”

My lips part and he pulls away, the grin on his face when he sees my mother’s rage made me deflate. He knew exactly what he was doing.

It all happened so fast after that. Like a horror movie, I was pulled into the house by my hair with the pins digging into my skull. I’m dragged up the stairs with my back slapping against each step. The ladder to the attic was the worst as my mother climbed it, my entire body dangling in midair as she hauled me up and threw me against the wall of my room.

All in the places that would be hidden in a dress she punches me, claws at me and kicks at me. It goes on for a long time but I have gotten really good at drifting away when this happens. I’m left bleeding on the floor when she’s done, the door to the attic closing loudly. I hear her padlock it, to keep me in.

My breathing ragged, I thought about my death and when it would come. I think of a future after this but I don’t think there is. This was it.

Painfully, I crawled to my small window and stared up at the moon. It’s big and bright and beautiful. I close my eyes and pray to the Moon Goddess like I always do. It was then that I started to feel my skin burn like it was about to burst.

My eighteenth birthday! I realize with a start. I’m shifting!

I feel my bones bend and twist and snap into odd angles. The edges of my body start to blur and the intensity of the heat inside of my body almost makes me pass out, but I hold on. It’s coming. My wolf is coming. I can…

It stops.

Everything stops.

For a moment I thought I had imagined it all but I didn’t. It was there… only I feel as though it was taken away even before it was given. Tears fell down my face because I knew my wolf was not coming.

I was empty and alone.

Like always.