The Bullied Luna

Two

THE INVITE.

A few more push-ups and her routine would be done. Elena could feel a line of sweat dripping from her back as she went about her daily secret workout in the mottled and damp smelling attic she called a home. The uneven floor boards caused her to slip every now and then and the smell was very disturbing on sunny days, but at least she didn't have to worry about anybody coming down here. Cherilyn for the life of hers wouldn't risk her heels traversing this dump.

A small broken cot sat snug on one side of the room and a tiny dresser with broken legs and drawers that fell apart if you used too much force rested on the cot.

All the clothes she owned which consisted of hand-me-downs and dumpster diving fit perfectly in there. It was mostly oversized festive t-shirts,sweat pants she had to tie very tight to fit her and socks filled with holes.

"At least looks don't matter in my type of situation" she often said that to herself.

The main house door opened and footsteps were heard from her room. She hurriedly finished her set and removed her hair from the knot it was in. She didn't want anyone finding out she had been secretly training.

She ran down the stairs just in time to see Carolynn looking at her with suspicions.

"What were you doing to work up a sweat?"

She didn't answer and kept mute knowing that although she asked her a question, if it didn't concern Alpha Scott or Cherilyn, Carolynn couldn't care less.

"And gosh you look so filthy," stepping back Carolynn grimaced and held her nose with one hand whilst flinging a sopping wet bathing suit with towels with the other hand. "Make sure those are washed and dried before dinner is over"

Elena collected the dirty clothes from Carolynn and ran towards the laundry room. She couldn't care less about her appearance for she barely had enough to eat anyway no matter how much she tried to be presentable, the family always found a way to put her down by her short appearance,looks, height or just from her very existence.

"Yes Luna Carolynn"

She left the room just as the door opened for the cook to come in to cook dinner. She greeted Luna Carolynn and beelined straight into the kitchen to start preparing their dinner. The family did not want Elena to prepare the dinner for Carolyn and always talked about how she was a bad cook and truly Elena was not really a good one but she was a decent cook compared to what Sherilyn always said. She started her third washing of the day knowing after this, it'll be only the cook's apron and oven mitts she'll have to wash last.

She had had a long day of cleaning and was used to it. She started her day very early in the morning at 4 a.m trimming and weeding the garden in front of the house, which always looked best and to its perfection with her as the gardener.

Then she started preparing breakfast for Alpha Scott who always wakes up early to go and see his mistress. She found out about this one time she was doing laundry and found a lip stain on his collar and Luna Carolynn never wore that color.

When the washer was started, Elena went directly to the dining room and took her place three steps behind Cherilyn's chair in case Cherilyn or anybody needed her. She was never invited to join the table,the only reason she'd ever be near the table was to help someone fetch or pass something.

Of course this self absorbed family forgot she was there most of the time and she was left a few moments of inner peace.

Tonight was different though,the family was more eager than usual in their expression and Elena was a bit curious why.

"Daddy I can't believe it!"

Cherilyn sat with a smile on her face matching the Alpha's smile.

"Winter Moon is the most powerful pack in the area! And to be chances to meet Alpha Lucien Amoux? Oh what shall I wear?!"

They had all but forgotten dinner at this point. Her curiosity sated,Elena tried to drone out of the conversation.

"The winter solstice ball happened at the perfect timing"

At the mention of this Elena was brought to a start. The winter solstice ball was a good event for finding your true mates but what was unappealing was the fact she'll have to accompany Sherilyn. She thought she'll have the house to herself as a form of reprieve for a few days.

Cherilyn would be on her nerves and who best to receive all this angst and emotions than poor Elena? She wished she would have carried out her escape earlier on to be rid of this airbag.

For Cherilyn it was like Christmas came early whilst Elena felt like she was plunged in hell to come.

"Well the invitation finally got here this afternoon and I'm all the better for it. It's an exclusive event" Alpha Scott was feeling proud. His pack Bright Moon was not as strong but it was an honor to be picked for the event.

Elena kept her head down and didn't look directly at their faces. Alpha Scott was known to be a very happy and very expressive man but deep down that happy exterior Elena knew that there was a wicked ,selfish and cruel man who would get revenge over the pettiest reasons. Rumor has it he was the reason for the banishment of her birth father. She hated him. Even more than she detested Cherilyn and Carolynn.

In his early fifties and due to their wolf's genes, he looked very good for his age. He wasn't muscular which was a bit odd because their metabolism and conditioning made it easier for males to carry heavy muscle power if proper nutrition and workouts was achieved. He wasn't tall compared to other Alphas that visited Bright Moon but his "kind" smile always made other people at ease.

Elena wished she could use her claws to rip the smug smile off his face but she was weaker than him and the best she thought she could do was to get away from him.

"When do we leave?" Downing her fifth glass of champagne Cherilyn was getting tipsy already. Alcohol most of the time didn't affect them. Their metabolism burned it out of their bloodstream before it started showing any telltale signs, but if consumed frequently and willed so, they could get drunk.

"Two days from now, on Tuesday," as they were far from Winter Moon they had to make sure they left early to get there early and plan any "fateful" encounter. "The ball is on Saturday…"

"OMG!!" Cherilyn cut the Alpha short. "What am I going to wear?! I have two days to get an outfit. Daddy I'm going to need your card"

"Sure make sure you get something stunning cause we want Alpha Lucien to want you"

"We would also want to get the guest rooms close to the Alpha's private quarters," Carolynn chipped in at this point with Cherilyn agreeing.

"I asked d for us to be put in a lodge close to the river" Alpha Scott stated.

"But dad? That's far from his private area!"

"Yes but every morning Alpha Lucien goes running and always passes the river directly in front of our house"

"Ooh that's much better, it'll create a chance for private meetings" Cherilyn flipped her hair with delight and delusions.

"Elena?!," Cherilyn turned mildly surprised Elena was behind her all this time. "Tomorrow you'll start packing all my clothes. I want to have selections and options everyday"

Here it is, the beginning of her hell.

"If Alpha Lucien is looking for his fated match, then we'll make sure it's you"

"Of course! Who else would qualify?" Cherilyn agreed with her stepmother with ease.

Elena swallowed with annoyance at the impending menace she'll soon deal with.

Cherilyn was an indecisive dresser. Even with good choices Elena didn't want to get involved with the spoiled brat's tantrums.

But a sick sadistic side of her wished Alpha Lucien all the annoyances and distaste Cherilyn would bring him.

Heck it was his fault she had to endure the next few days.

But then again he might actually like Cherilyn. She was pretty and had a body to die for and she knew the lust in werewolves was stronger compared to humans so he might actually like her.

If he liked spoiled, annoying, stuck up brats then Cherilyn would be his dream come true and Cherilyn would do everything in her power to sink her claws on him. Just like her stepmother.