The Luna's Sweet Revenge

Chapter 7 Once Friend

I could tell he noticed the wound on my arm and purposely aimed to worsen it. However, there was an additional nuance in his expression. The way his disdainful lips twisted indicated an intense aversion to something he saw. It was as if he was on the brink of being physically repulsed. I pondered, had the embodiment of evil suddenly developed a tendency to recoil at the sight of my blood?

I highly doubted that his imminent queasiness stemmed solely from the blood. Just as my father's punishments had taken on a darker tone lately, Andrew's bullying had escalated as well. His eyes emanated stronger disdain and disgust than ever before as they fixated on me.

Andrew and I used to share a friendship, long ago. It felt like an eternity had passed since those days! It was almost unbelievable to me how our once close bond, characterized by weekends spent at his house and shared recreational activities, had deteriorated into a dynamic of hurt and degradation. Due to our mothers' close friendship, our time together had been abundant. Although we still interacted, the joy in our interactions had significantly diminished.

In the eyes of the pack, Andrew and I appeared destined to be mates, given the evident connection we had once shared. We were once inseparable, with our friendship bound by a profound intimacy. However, those days seemed like a distant memory now. Especially in Andrew's mind, where our former friendship had morphed into an escalating enmity over the passing years.

My mother had been highly respected and admired by everyone in our pack, with high hopes that I would follow in her graceful footsteps. However, when the news spread that I was accused of killing her, their initial shock and disbelief swiftly transformed into unbridled hatred. This hostility was exacerbated by my father, our pack Alpha, implementing a new directive that continues to be enforced to this day.

The impact of this revelation seemed to hit Andrew and his mother even harder than anyone else, fueling a passionate hatred toward me. He showed no interest in hearing my pleas of innocence; instead, my assertions only seemed to provoke him, escalating the torment he inflicted upon me.

I vividly remember seeking assistance from fellow shifters within the school and our pack, only to be met with reluctance to intervene. While some appeared to hesitate, they ultimately refrained from taking action. Their inaction felt as complicit as perpetrating the wrongs themselves, yet I found it difficult to lay blame on them. The grip that Thor had established over our pack from that moment onward instilled fear and submission in every member.

Over time, his authority became increasingly oppressive, extending beyond me to govern the entire pack. His rule was absolute, leaving no room for dissent, not even daring to deviate from the lines he had drawn.

I reflected on the time when the Lemuel Pack held Thor in high esteem. Thor, known for his fair leadership, was seen as a guardian and provider for the werewolves who followed him devotedly. They were loyal to the core, and the Lemuel Pack thrived under his rule. However, everything had transformed drastically since the fateful night of my mother's murder.

Nobody dared to speak the truth, not even in hushed whispers to the trees. Thor, my father, had metamorphosed into a dictator—a malevolent ruler who exploited his position as the Alpha of the formidable Lemuel Pack. He had coerced and pressured his subjects relentlessly until their loyalty transitioned into fear.

No member of the pack had the audacity to oppose him; those who had attempted had met gruesome fates. I still shuddered at the thought of the gruesome end of those who had learned the hard way that challenging the Alpha brought dire consequences. Their severed heads had been placed on pikes outside the Lemuel Pack Headquarters, a stark warning for all.

"The full moon is upon us, everyone!" Professor Cain's enthusiastic voice broke through the veil of my contemplations, a commendable feat in itself, considering my tendency to remain absorbed in my thoughts even amidst chaos. "You only have a few days to prepare. Despite the prevailing myths, shifter instincts are profoundly intense and innate. From the initial shift onward, gaining mastery over one's actions during the full moon can be an extensive process. Fortunately, our cities are safeguarded by towering walls, reducing the risk of inadvertent encounters with humans that could expose our existence. Nevertheless, taking necessary precautions remains crucial."

"Yet another concern to add to my ever-growing list," I ruefully reflected to myself. Alice continued her instructions, seemingly oblivious to my reaction. "While this information may be familiar to many, I feel inclined to review it."

"Here we go again," I thought wryly to myself. Alice proceeded, undisturbed by my internal musings. "If you haven't undergone your first shift, it is advisable to seek shelter in the concrete cell blocks at the Sanctuary. There, you will be protected to prevent any harm befalling you or your loved ones. For those who have already experienced a successful shift, the upcoming full moon will present new challenges to navigate with your Mentor. In the absence of a Mentor, if familial support is unavailable, remember that the pack offers assistance through dedicated social workers."

Prof. Cain had imparted this knowledge on numerous occasions, a habitual practice beginning in our Senior year, typically marking the period when most initiate their first transformations. The class appeared disinterested, suggesting familiarity with the subject matter. I had not yet undergone my first shift and was unsure if any of my classmates had, although it was unlikely they would openly share such personal details with me.

"And as you are well aware," Prof. Cain pronounced, her voice vibrant, resonating through the classroom as though bouncing off the walls. "Upon experiencing your first shift, the Moon Goddess will bestow upon you your destined mate. For the girls, you shall bear the elegant symbol of the moon—a silver crescent. As for the boys, you will bear the illustrious symbol of the golden sun. Only the bond between mates reveals these unique markings."

The young shifters now displayed enhanced interest, hopeful for the chance to uncover their soulmates guided by divinity.

"Ladies," Prof. Cain addressed us, exuding palpable enthusiasm. "You cannot anticipate the overwhelming sensation that you will experience upon beholding the radiant sun upon your chosen partner. He will be exclusively yours, the individual who can ignite the flames of passion within you for a lifetime."

The young women exchanged breathy giggles, casting flirtatious glances and playful gestures toward the males nearby. The fervor and anticipation surrounding the possibility were almost tangible, reminiscent of the effervescent delight Prof. Cain had exhibited while discussing the topic.

As a chill raced down my spine, akin to the cold rush of water in my basement abode, an intuitive alertness surged within me. I sensed Andrew's sinister gaze fixed on me once more. It was as if his eyes communicated his malevolent intentions silently, hinting at planned torment within his disturbed mind. Despite the instinctual urge to glance back at him, even for mere confirmation, I resisted. I refused to give the diabolical figure the satisfaction of knowing I was aware of his malicious intent.

"As the timeless tale unfolds, illustrating the love between the symbolic Sun God and Moon Goddess," Prof. Cain proceeded. I found solace in the narrative, a familiar tale ingrained in every shifter since childhood. "The sun's sacrifice of light and life for the moon's existence, their eternal love reincarnating through the ages to reunite in radiant harmony once more..."