The Cursed Luna

Chapter 3: Confrontation.

Elara.

.

.

“I can't believe she lied to us all this while.”

“I know right? Such a sorry excuse for a Luna.”

“Pitiful bitch.”

I groaned, grabbing my forehead as voices flooded into my ears. My eyes fluttered open, my blurry vision trying to adjust to the light. Then I realized my hands and feet were tied.

“W-what the hell is going on?” I whispered, now recognizing where I was. “Who brought me here?” My voice grew louder. Wolves surrounded me as I lay on the floor, each casting me mocking glares and disdainful glances. No one offered me an explanation, which only got me more agitated.

The f**k had gone wrong? My memory was hazy for a few seconds until the last thing I remembered flooded into my head.

Right.

Damon was having s*x with my sister.

But why was I the one tied up here and not him and her?

“Silence!!” An authoritative voice boomed across the trial hall, cutting into my reminiscence. Everyone went silently still, their attention instantly focused on the elders seated behind the judge's table.

Two male wolves walked over to me, grabbed my arms and feet, and dropped me painfully on the trial table. I looked around, and froze. Every single wolf in my pack was there, and the thought of being humiliated like this had my blood icing over.

Damon and Amara stood beside the elders, his hand wrapped around her waist protectively. Amara kept her head up, smiling and shooting me a provocative glance every now and then.

“Luna Elara Storm. Can you tell the council why you're here?” Elder Silas, one of the chief judges, spoke up. His long red robe flowed graciously on the marbled floor, and his graying hair neatly slicked back. His facial features didn't betray his age, but no one could tell he was over a 100 years old.

“No, my elder. I have no idea why I was brought before the council.” I said quietly, even as my wolf barked at him.

Amara scoffed. “You really want to deny what you've been hiding?” She growled, only restrained by Damon's firm grip.

“I don't know what you're talking about, Amara. You're the one who slept with my mate.” I said quietly, as murmurs began to fill the room. Amara gasped, wanting to charge at me, but once again, Damon restrained her. His face was a cold mask, and my heart ached.

“Luna Elara-” Elder Kyle spoke, only to be cut off by Amara.

“Stop calling her that! She is not to be addressed as a Luna anymore!” She yelled, almost foaming at the mouth.

“I am still Luna, whether you sleep around or not.” I retorted.

“You little-”

“Stop!” An even deeper voice cut through our exchange, and I looked up to find Jaxon standing at the far end of the hall. “This is no way to treat a wolf, let alone a Luna.” He gestured to one of the guards. “Untie her.”

They hesitated a bit, but Jaxon let out a low growl, and they scurried over, cutting off the ropes on my wrists and ankles. Jaxon helped me to stand, his face filled with concern and cold anger. “Are you okay?” He asked, his dark eyes searching mine. The murmurs had begun again, and I realized Jaxon was holding me by the waist.

I nodded stiffly, and pulled myself away from his arm, turning towards the large mahogany table behind which the elders sat. The elders cast weird glances between Jaxon and I, before whispering among themselves.

Jaxon had always been there for me, especially when I was nothing more than a random female in the pack. He had saved me once when I almost drowned in the pack's lake, and since then, he always had my back.

I sometimes felt like he was doing too much for me.

“Luna Elara, it has come to our notice that you have kept a very terrible secret from the pack. Care to share?” Elder Kyle questioned, his face neutral.

I furrowed my brows, rubbing my wrists. “I'm not hiding anything from the pack.”

“Useless bitch.” Amara muttered, and I lost it.

No one saw me move.

One moment I was standing beside Jaxon, and the next, my claws were wrapped around Amara's throat. I was able to dislodge her from Damon's grip, who was also shocked.

She gasped, obviously surprised at my speed. Fear and panic flashed for a split second in her eyes, before her usual mask of crassness returned. “Let go of me you witch.” She muttered, growling.

I only tightened my grip. “You’re the witch here, Amara. Years and years of torment from you. The one time I get to shine in the spotlight, and you decide to take it away from me? Just how much do you hate me Amara!?”

“Elara…calm down..” Jaxon whispered behind me, but I paid him no heed.

My eyes were wide and glowing with rage, and my fangs were on full display. “Every single time I tried to put it together and ignore your antics. But you decide it's not enough. How much do you want to spite me huh?”

I was losing control, and as terrifying as it was, I felt alive.

“Move away.” Damon's voice cut through mine, his alpha waves making everyone fall to their knees. Amara whimpered in my grip, and I let go of her, falling to my knees as well.

“You'll regret this Damon.” I whispered. “You'll regret hurting me.”

“I have no use for a barren mate. I feel nothing towards you. So no, I won't regret anything.” He spat coldly, gripping Amara and carrying her into his arms.

Gasps, mumbles, whispers filled the hall again. I widened my eyes in disbelief. He had just openly rejected me, but the debilitating pain my heart was going through wasn't my problem. “Damon…I thought we decided to keep that to ourselves…” I whispered, as my heart, already broken, was crushed to powder.

“We? There is no we. I need someone who can give me an heir. And Amara here, is pregnant with my child.” He retorted, calmly placing his hand around her waist.

Oh.

That's what this was about. Children.

“Abomination! A barren Luna is completely unacceptable! Elara, how long have you known you were barren?”

“This is unheard of. Elara, why would you keep your predicament a secret?”

“She is devoid of shame. A reproach, I tell you.”

“Damon's decision is justified. An Alpha needs an heir.”

The elders continued to talk over one another, but their voices were tuned out in my head. Only one thought flowed seamlessly. Why would Damon do this? I thought…we had agreed to wait. I thought. ..it wasn't about children.

“Elara Storm, you are hereby stripped of your title as Luna.” Elder Silas said, banging the gavel.

An uproar followed, as my stomach churned in disbelief and pain.

Jaxon grabbed my shoulders and shook, bringing me back to reality. “El, what does he mean by barren?” His eyes were filled with disbelief. I looked away from them, unable to bear the emotions in them. “My elders, maybe you're being a bit too hasty in your decision. We can't just-”

Suddenly, I was thrown into the air by a pair of strong arms, and into the center of the crowd. I heard Jaxon yell something indecipherable, as his voice was drowned out by the other wolves gathering and yelling profanities at me.

This was it.

Taken out by my own pack.

A befitting death, I guess.

My own pack members began tossing things at me, from stones, to sticks, to even food. The chaos had become unstoppable, and I raised my hand to protect my face and torso as they began their relentless assault. Memories of the last two years flooded my vision, and I began to sob uncontrollably. My wolf whined and howled in my chest, agonized by the betrayal of the pack.

I should have stayed back home.

Just then, she stilled, her attention being forcefully drawn to a presence outside the hall. A scent, musky, velvety and filled with pine, seeped into my nose, distracting me from the pain I felt all over my body. It was relaxing, soothing, and all I wanted to do was run towards the source and wrap myself in it for eternity.

“And what are you doing here?” I heard Damon ask menacingly. The crowd's assault paused, and I was grateful to whoever it was that distracted them.

Jaxon was by my side in seconds, pulling me away and immediately calling for a healer. He looked like he had a lot more to say, but he only patted my cheek and ran towards the entrance of the hall, probably to find the source of the distraction.

It appeared in my line of sight a few seconds later, and my jaw dropped.

Gray eyes that seemed to be depthless, jet black curly hair that gave me this impulsive urge to run my hands through, chiseled facial features, and a tiny scar that ran along his jaw all the way to his neck. This wolf was…..damn.

I had never seen a male so gorgeous.

My heart f*****g stopped as he scanned the room with his eyes, and landed them on me.

Me?