The Greedy Luna and her Thirst for Power

The Punishment

Everyone was walking on egg shells while my papa was away. Thankfully my mother was busy most of the time, so it was relatively calm in the house. I hadn't seen Silas in a few days and I was getting worried. After seeing my mother strike him I was terrified for what had happened to him.

I waited until night when I could hear nothing in the house to sneak out to find him. I tiptoed to his room. The door was locked.... from the outside. I pulled a bobby pin from my hair and picked the lock. Eliza had taught me how after my mother had locked me in my own room before and she'd picked the lock to feed me.

My papa didn't know about that. He didn't know a lot of the bad things my mother had done.

When the door opened I slipped into the room quietly and shut the door behind me.

"Silas?" I whispered into the dark.

He sat up, pulling the covers down from where he had hid, fearing I was my mother no doubt. "Grace," he said with relief. I went to his bedside and before I could stop myself I hugged him tightly. He hugged me back after a second of shock.

"Are... are you ok?" I whispered to him.

He was quiet as we held onto each other.

"Not really, but I'm glad to see you," he finally answered. He scooted in his bed and pulled me up to sit beside him. I touched his face. He had bruises on the side of his face and his lip was healing from being busted.

"I was worried I'd never see you again. I was scared after mother hit you," I told him. "I know how hard she hits."

Silas looked into my eyes with his brows furrowed, "She's hit you before?" I could hear the concern in his voice.

I looked away from him, taking my hand off his face. He took my silence as yes.

"I haven't been able to sleep," he whispered. "I slept so well when you stayed that first night. I'm very thankful for that."

"I did too. It's been lonely here," I admitted to him. "Mother doesn't let me play with other kids much."

"Well....I think I'm going to be here for a while," he told me. "One of the guards told me I'm going to be trained to protect you."

I tilted my head in confusion. Why would I need him to protect me? That sounded absurd.

He shrugged, "or something like that."

"Maybe that means we can play sometimes," I said excitedly.

"Maybe," he said softly. "Have you seen my aunt?"

"No..." I said sadly. "Mother told Eliza she wouldn't be returning to her post. I'm not sure what that means."

"Oh," he said with sadness.

"I'm sure she's alright," I told him quickly, placing my hand on his comfortingly. I yawned.

"Stay for a little?" he asked hopefully.

"Ok," I agreed laying down next to him. We shared the pillow once again. It had been a long time since I'd had a friend who didn't just work in the packhouse. Even though Silas Said he would have a job to protect me, I liked to pretend he still wanted to be my friend.

"You're a good friend Grace," he whispered, taking my hand in his. It was as if he read my mind. "I hope I can be a good friend to you one day and return the favor."

"You already have Silas," I told him honestly. He gave my hand a squeeze and I squeezed him back.

I didn't realize I'd fallen into a deep sleep until someone ripped me out of the bed roughly. I cried out in pain, tears springing to my eyes as I saw my mother had me by the arm. Silas sat up in alarm but did not move when he saw my mother. I couldn't help the tears that fell down my cheeks. She was digging her nails into my skin.

"Grace! What are you thinking being in his bed?!" she shrieked. "Look at you?! Your hair is a tangled mess!" My hair, usually wound in a tight bun to hold my curls, was cascading down my back. "What am I going to do with such a disobedient daughter?! You need to start acting like the future Luna of this pack!" She dragged me out of Silas' room as I cried from the way she pulled on me.

Eliza must have heard mother yelling and my crying because she came rushing down the hall.

"Gracie!" she exclaimed worriedly. "Luna, you must be busy, let me take the princess!"

I sniffled, taking in hiccuping breaths.

"I am never too busy to teach my daughter a lesson!" my mother snapped. "Go ensure Silas gets cleaned up and has breakfast. The alpha comes home today so I want him to look his best."

"Yes my Luna," Eliza replied, concern still etched on her face.

I whimpered as my mother dragged me away from my person. My safe place. Eliza mouthed, 'I'm sorry,' as mother pulled me away.

She pushed me into my room and shut the door, "Do you have any idea what people will think of you should they catch you in a boy's bed?" she hissed at me. She went to my closet and picked out a beautiful dress along with a pair of my heels. I was being trained on how to properly walk in the heels and get used to them.

I despised them.

"Clean yourself up and get dressed. I'm going to have you practice proper posture for as long as it takes today as punishment. You must wear your heels and hold your position until I say so. If I find you in that boy's room again, so help me I will slap some sense into you!" she spat at me.

A few minutes later she was tightening my dress and pinning my hair back up into a tight, uncomfortable bun. She dragged me into the dining hall where Eliza was serving Silas breakfast. They both froze when they saw me. She shoved me into the chair across from him. Concern was deep in his eyes as he watched me. His hand tightened into a fist when he saw the tears silently falling down my cheeks.

My mother descended upon him, snatching his face up in her hand, "When the alpha sees you, with your bruises, you will tell him it's from sparring," she hissed. "Understand?"

Silas remained silent, giving her a cold glare. I could tell by my mother's face she wanted to hit him but that would mean more injuries to explain. Instead she roughly shoved his face away.

"You will begin being my daughter's shadow starting today," she told him. "You will remain with her wherever she goes, only to protect her. You will not speak to her nor touch her. Do you understand?" she commanded him. He nodded, his glare still set in place. "Good," she said. "Report immediately to my study when you're done eating. You will show Silas what kind of proper etiquette you learn here so he understands you are not like the other girls in this pack."

Then she stormed away.

I could feel him staring at me so I looked up. I was surprised by the concern and worry his beautiful eyes held.

"Are you ok?" he asked sweetly.

I nodded, smiling slightly at him. I liked feeling like he cared about me. After breakfast, Eliza cleaned up my tears and took both of us by the hand, bringing us to her where she knelt down.

"You both have to listen to everything the Luna says ok? When the alpha gets home, he will fix this ok?" she told us earnestly. "Silas, have faith that this is not your fate. The alpha will reunite you with your Aunt and Uncle and get you out of here." Then she turned to me, "And Gracie, I will make sure your Papa knows how she's been treating you when he's not around, ok?"

We both nodded obediently even though my heart sank when she told Silas she'd get him out of here. I selfishly wanted him to stay.