The Missing Luna

Chapter 10: Hope’s POV

TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains descriptions of self-harm ideas which can be triggering for certain readers. Readers' discretion is advised.

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I knew he was plotting something behind my back. I wasn’t stupid, and Caelan didn’t become my Prince Charming during one night. That simply didn’t happen, and I would be a fool if I believed in him. I haven't been the same since what happened with Elisa and Jona. I take all the torture they inflict on me in silence; my mind disconnects, and I don’t realize what they are doing to me.

Caelan tried to send people so I would open up to them, but that is not happening. I will only cost them their death, and I don’t want my consciousness to eat me alive.

I haven’t been able to sleep properly, either. Each time I close my eyes, I can see the look on their faces as Caelan made me choose who to save.

The fact that my other self reminds me how weak I am isn’t helping either.

So, I decided to withstand the pain alone. I haven’t begged, though, and that makes me proud. At least I can see how frustrated he is from not getting what he wants for me.

I remind myself that I won’t ever escape this place, and I am sure my mom and Dad aren’t looking for me either.

Why would they? I am not Luna material; I’m just a weak wolf, and I can’t even consider myself that anymore since Kira has been gone for years.

She doesn’t answer when Caelan comes, so I guess she must have abandoned me too. I wouldn’t blame her either; I am not worthy of having a wolf.

At least that helps. I haven’t felt that pull towards him anymore, and I am glad. That was until today when he tried to act sweet. I knew it was a trick, but my heart reacted and quickened when he got closer.

I wished it was true, that somehow I finally deserved a mate, but that was not the case.

No, I still had to suffer; it was best if it happened to me anyway; that way, he wouldn’t harm other people. He wouldn’t kill someone like Elisa or Jona.

They didn’t deserve to die; I did, but because of what they have done to me, it is impossible. I can’t die; I wish I could, but I can’t.

They mostly leave me on this chair strapped for days, but sometimes, they take me to the showers or my previous cell. I one day found a piece of a broken mirror and cut my throat, only to come back a couple of hours later.

I smashed my head several times, but I came back to life as well. I tried to take my heart out at one point, but it didn’t matter. I couldn’t die.

Will one day the Moon Goddess have mercy on me? I am not asking for anything impossible; I want to die; is it that hard?

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One year later…

Everything is the same. Caelan came; he tried to be nice and would get mad when I didn’t cooperate, which would lead to him hurting me again, but I didn’t give him what he wanted.

My screams.

I don’t have them in me anymore. I have learned that my mind wanders outside my body if I focus enough. It is as if I wasn’t there anymore.

The other me still tried to belittle me, and I would love to say it doesn’t work, but the truth is… it does.

Today, I was strapped to this chair again. I am getting tired of being left here. My body aches once they let me go, but at least Caelan hasn’t come here yet.

I know he will; he always does.

Maybe I should go to sleep; that way, time passed quickly, but I heard how the door opened before I could.

I knew it; he wasn’t going to leave me alone.

As always, I stood silent and waited for him to appear before me, but I was amazed when I saw that it wasn’t him. Instead, there was a short girl before me.

Who is she? And why is she looking at me like that?

“Hi! I’m Louise,” she presented herself. It didn’t matter; I would never speak with someone else.

She looked so… young but old at the same time. Her long, golden, brown, wavy hair complimented her olive skin as if she were sun-kissed.

Goddess, I miss the sun.

She also had hazel green eyes that reminded me of my Dad. His eyes were greener, like the color the grass had when summer began, but still, the color brought back memories I tried to keep locked away.

I noticed she didn’t ask me for my name, and contrary to the other people who had come here, she wasn’t acting scared like they would usually.

I also noticed her scent isn’t the one of a demon, but she is related to Caelan… somehow. They smell similar, but not a lot for them to be siblings. They also don’t look anything alike, so who was she?

I wasn’t going to ask her anything; if she was related to him, it meant she was part of his plan.

“I’m here to help you, Hope,” she said when she noticed I would not speak.

I wasn’t surprised she knew my name; I bet Caelan is trying to make this as authentic as possible, so he must have told her something about me. She is trying to gain my trust, so then she can stab me in the back.

If I ignore her, then maybe she will leave. Caelan will realize this plan failed again and change tactics. It has happened before, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

Louise continued to stare at me. It was making me uncomfortable.

“I know you don’t trust me Hope, but I can assure you, I am on your side,” she finally said, I almost rolled my eyes, but then she would know I was hearing her out and wouldn’t leave.

I had to stay silent, like I have been in a while.

Louise finally dropped her gaze and shook his head.

“Once you are out, I am going to kill him. I can’t believe what he has done to you,” she mumbled, surprising me.

What?

That… it can’t be staged, can it?

“I don’t have much time. I hope I will come back and tell you everything,” she said, then came closer. “Please, try to trust me. I know it is hard, but I beg you to let me in,” she pleaded.

Could I give her that chance? She looked young, but her eyes held a certain maturity that didn’t match her looks.

That means she is intelligent, which also means that she can be tricking me.

I didn’t move a muscle or utter a single word. Eventually, she had to leave, but she didn’t stop promising she would return. I hope she doesn’t; I don’t deserve it.

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Four days later…

Caelan came but got frustrated and left quickly. They haven’t taken me out of this place, so I am sure he ordered them not to let me out.

I’ve realized that he leaves me here for days when he doesn’t get what he wants, It doesn’t matter anyway, no one is waiting for me, I could rot here and no one would bat an eye.

I was falling asleep when I saw a familiar figure. Louise was standing in front of me. She had a cup of water in one hand and a piece of meat in the other.

My stomach growled, demanding the food I hadn’t had in days, but I wouldn’t budge. I had to stay quiet until one of the demons came and offered me food.

“I came bringing gifts, and before you ask, it isn’t poisoned,” she said, taking a small bite from the meat and sipping the water. “See? I’m fine, now open up,” she extended her hand with the water.

I moved my gaze from her to her hand. I was thirsty, but I couldn’t accept it. That was how it all started last time.

I looked up again to meet Louise, who was smiling. It looked like she was waiting for me to oblige, but instead, I shook my head and closed my eyes.

Louise huffed in frustration.

Good, that way, she would leave me alone sooner.

“Look, Hope, it seems that you won’t ever trust me,” here it goes; now she will tell me she isn’t like the others, will help me get out, and Caelan didn’t ask her to do anything. Somehow, she wants to help me out of her good heart. Yeah, right. “And I came here to see what the hell my cousin has been so busy with.”

Cousin? She is Caelan’s cousin? That would explain her scent, but that doesn’t explain what she is doing here.

“And?” I asked.

Fuck. I shouldn’t have said anything. Now, she is going to continue pestering me.

“And what he is doing is illegal. What they are doing is,” she growled. “However, I can’t do anything because the Queen adores him. All I can tell you is that we are trying to get you out of here, and please trust me,” she pleaded again.

Wait… did she say we?

I didn’t ask her anything, of course, so she left, but I couldn't help but wonder, who was she referring to?

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One week later…

Louise comes daily and tries to sneak food and water to me. I don’t accept anything she gives me, of course. I would rather starve than cause her any trouble.

I had tons of questions, but I never asked them. Louise isn’t giving up, though. She doesn’t speak to me either, but before leaving, she reassures me that she will help me get out of here.

Do I believe her?

Don't be stupid.

Yeah, I shouldn't. Why would she help me? It doesn't make sense.

One day, she will give up; I must be patient.

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One month later...

"So, the silent treatment isn't working; I am going to try a different tactic," Louise mumbled.

As always, she came, stared at me, and then waited for me to say anything in return, but as always, I remained silent.

I thought that would make her leave, but Louise insisted on coming here almost every day and trying to get some answers from me. She has been the most resilient so far.

"Hope, I am not here on behalf of Caelan," Yeah, right, they all say that. "But I am here because of one of the princes of Hell," she continued.

One of? How many are there? Are they all going to torture me?

"What Caelan is doing is not allowed here anymore, but the Queen protects his younger son too much," Caelan is the youngest? Does that mean that the rest are worse?

"As I told you, I am his cousin from their mother's side of the family. His brother is the one who will most certainly take the throne, and we want Caelan gone. He is not a good person, and all he is doing is forming a resistance against his brother," She explained.

Does that mean that I could be saved? Can I escape this place? But what if I trust this other brother, and he stabs me in the back? What am I going to do then?

"I am here on behalf of Draven Blackthorn, and he will help you escape, Hope. You are all he needs to banish Caelan once and for all,"