A TWISTED FATE FOR THE CURSED LUNA

~ELENA~

I paced around my vast living room anxiously, as my eyes drifted from my phone to the wall clock that hung on the wall.

It was exactly 2:45 am and my husband, Derek, was yet to arrive home. His phone switched off, making it impossible to know his whereabouts.

I'd lost count of how many times I've called his best friend Sabastine and asked about his whereabouts and he gave me the same response of "I haven't seen him Elena," but I dialed his number again.

The call rang out, but it diverted to voicemail. I hissed and flung my phone onto the couch frustration boiling over.

I buried my fingers in my hair, desperate lost. This wasn't like Derek.if something had come up, he would have told me. Always had. His secretary wasn't answering either and that only made my nerves worse.

Should I inform the police? The thought surfaced and without hesitation i reached for my phone to dial 911 silently cursing myself for not doing it sooner, but just as my hands hovered over the screen an incoming call lit up the display.

An unknown number.

I stared at the screen sconfused about if I should take the call or not.

What if Derek has been kidnapped? What if this was a ransom call? I felt a lump stuck in my throat at the thought.

Whatever it is. Whatever it costs, I'll pay it, I told myself and answered.

"Hello," a female voice mixed with anxiety and hurry said. "Am I speaking with Mrs. Elena burrows?"

"Yes. Who's is this? Why are you calling me?" My voice trembled barely above a whisper.

"I'm a nurse from Amanda special hospital, Ma'am. Your husband was involved in a serious accident. We need your presence at the hospital, immediately"

For a moment everything stopped. I froze, then blinked back tears and found my voice. "I... I'll be there," I stuttered and hung up.

I grabbed my car keys that was on the table, slid my feet into my slippers, without caring if I the were on right. My dog suki barked behind me as I rushed out, but I ignored her. I jumped into the car and sped off into the night.

"Oh moon goddess, please save my husband," I muttered as I kept on accelerating at a rapid speed. It was late, so there weren't many cars on the highway.

My phone rang again and I tucked it out of my back pocket with one hand on the staring, barely focusing on the road. Same number.

"Hello," I answered breathlessly.

"Mrs Elena..." the voice said hesitantly.

"Yes? what is it!" I shouted, dead settling in.

"Ma. I'm sorry but your husband... Has been confirmed dead,"

My breath hitched. My palms went cold on the wheels

"What!" I gasped, tears clouding my vision.

No response.

I was still trying to process what I had just heard when I noticed a binding light and loud honking.

I shielded my eyes, then dropped my hand just in time to see a jeep charging towards me. I didn't even have time to swerve before-everything went blank.

"Elena"

"Elena"

"Is she dead?"

The echoes of my name made me regain consciousness and I opened my eyes.

It was too dark to make out anything but a familiar scent drifted into my nose. I tried to stand, but something held me down. My head throbbed like it had been slit open.

I was in a car crash. The memory slammed back into me. I heard rustling of leaves, lights coming from behind and hoped flickered in my mind. "Please... Help," I barely stated.

"There you are," a voice said and my eyes enlarged. The voice.

Derek.There he was. Standing outside the shattered window of my car-Alive.

"What the hell?...I whispered.

He snickered "Hello, wife."

"You are supposed to be dead?" I muttered coughing up blood.

Derek just smiled Infront of me. "You thought I died in an accident? Looks like you're the one that ended up in one-and you won't be getting out alive.

Laughter rang out behind him. A voice I hadn't heard in a longtime. Jacob.

My step brother.

He stepped into view, grinning with that cruel glint in his eyes. "Surprise, Surprise... almighty Elena."

I struggled to move inside the car but I couldn't move. Fear surged through me as I shifted me gazes in-between them.

Jacob leaned in through the broken glasses car and grabbed my neck.

"You are too stubborn, Elena. Very stubborn. You should have just handed over the inheritance when I asked. Then I wouldn't have bribed Derek to marry you." Jacob said gruffly.

Each drop of his statement felt like adding salt to a wound. It felt like I was stung by bees. I gasped for breath as he tightened his grip, my vision flickering.

Then-another voice.

"You don't have to stain your hands with her dirty blood, son." Monica, my stepmother's voice sounded out of the blue, and she pulled Jacob away.

I followed in a fit of coughing, my body screamed in pain. Blood gushed out of my wounds.

My eyes trailed from Derek to Jacob and then to Monica, as I felt a hot trial of fresh tears run down to my chin partaking in my mystery.

I couldn't bring myself to believe that I didn't mean anything to Derek, my childhood crush turned lover, who I loved and cared for with everything in me.

And also the fact that our marriage of 1 year was nothing but a complete facade planned by my step-family, who I thought I had escaped and finally settled in for a happy life, made my heart bleed.

Why?

All because I didn't agree to give up my assets which I inherited from my late grandfather (Mac Odell's).

My name is Elena Mac-Odell, and I'm a werewolf. I've hidden that truth for years because of my late mother, Mirabel. A werewolf who left her pack for reasons she didn't tell me before her that, settled with the humans's and got married to one.

I've lived as a human in New Orleans, protected by a scent blocker my mother gave me. Derek never knew of my identity neither did Charlotte-my best friend.

"Come here Charlotte," Derek called out. " Come say goodbye to your best friend so she doesn't get angry at you in the afterlife,"

I blinked in disbelief as Charlotte stepped into light...and wrapped her hands around Derek's shoulder. The same shoulder I used to cling to every night. The same shoulder I'd thought was my safe place.

Just the sight of Charlotte with Derek made me want to puke. My mind lingered back. Was it her voice? The one that had said "Is she dead?" Earlier? My heart shattered-it was Charlotte's voice.

I was literally running out of breath and losing my vision at each passing second, but the people that surrounded me cared less as they found solitude in seeing me wince in excruciating pain.

Charlotte looked at me but didn't utter a word. Her silence said enough. They all want me gone.

"Ha ha, I never knew you could look this pathetic," Jacob sneered. "You should have known better than to steal my birthright,"

"You mean the one grandpa gave to me?" I spat weakly.

Jacob's face darkened. "Your mother was a slut. She seduced my father even as a maid... You should never have existed. I despise you Elena and I wish you nothing order then death."

"And like your studied mother. You will die the same way," Monica added coldly and my heart constricted.

The killed my mother. All this while I'd believed it was an accident.

"Let's finished the job," Jacob snapped.

"Good bye bestfriend," For the first time Charlotte whispered and the all moved away from the car." Then I heard it. " Light it up."

The car began to roll, pushed deeper into the woods. I fought to escape out of the driver's seat, but to no avail. I felt as if I was tied up to something invincible.

I was literally seeing my own death as the car kept rolling.

After seconds of trying to break free from whatever was withholding me captive in the car. I finally submitted to my unfortunate fate, with clenched hands and closed eyes.

I prayed to the moon goddess to grant this poor orphan a second chance before darkness surrounded me like a fog.

~Elena~

8 months later.

A beep accompanied by another beep made me regain consciousness. My eyes fluttered open, heavy and reluctant.

I took notice of several huge machines in the room as my eyes landed on the IV lines embedded in my left hand. Confusion flooded me.

Where am I? I thought internally.

I tried to lift my body from the bed, but a sharp pain shot through skull. I groaned clutching my head with both hands as dizziness washed over me.

What's happening? Why all this pain? I asked no one in particular. I forced my body up from the bed despite the pain.

My eyes darted round the room. Sterile white walls, medical equipments... A hospital.

Just then the door clicked open immediately, and a tall figure stepped inside.

The throbbing in my head subsided as I turned my gaze towards the door-and froze.

He was beautiful.

He had curly hair which cascaded down almost reaching his shoulder. A perfectly molded face with very sharp jawline and full pink lips which parted as he spoke. The man in front of me looked like a Greek-god.

"You're awake Mira," he muttered, and walked towards the bed, snapping me out of the trance.

"You're really awake?" he repeated smiling. He got closer to the bed and shook me gently like I'd risen from the dead

His warm gray eyes shimmered with relief and something deeper...affection, maybe. I didn't know this man.

And to think he just called me Mira made my brain throb as I tried to remember something that could help me now.

The door clicked open again and a short white man with white hair and a white coat entered.

Just by the man's outfit, I figured out he was a doctor.

"Hello miss Mira," he greeted when he reached our side, putting on a broad cheerful smile.

"We have waited a long time for you to wake up. Thank goodness you finally did. Now Mr Ralph here can finally rest."

Mr Ralph? I looked towards the man with gray eyes who I now know his name.

He smiled softly, taking my hand in his like it was something delicate and priceless.

"Doctor, is she alright?" He asked, his concern obvious.

The doctor moved closer, examining me carefully.

"I'm doctor Lemuel," he said. I's like to ask you a few questions and I need honest answers. "Are you in pain?"

I shook my head.

"Please answer me verbally," he prompted gently, checking my pulse.

"No." I croaked out of my dry throat.

"Do you remember anything at all?" the asked.

I thought back. Nothing surfaced. "No."

"What about before the accident?"

The word accident hit me like a brick. "An accident?" I exchanged glances between the two men.

Silence settled heavily in the room as both men waited for my reply.

"I... don't remember anything," my voice came out low.

Dr Lemuel sighed.

Ralph squeezed my hand again. His touch was steady and comforting.

"Very well then," the doctor said. "you're stable now. You're free to go home, Miss Mira."

I gave him a small uncertain smile.

"Please come with Mr Ralph," the doctor gestured to Mr Gray eyes and they both walked out of the room. Moments later Mr Gray eyes returned.

"Okay Mira," he said softly. "Let's take you home."

***

The drive was quiet and smooth. Eventually we pulled up to a massive brown gate. It opened automatically, revealing a sprawling estate with a mansion at its center.

We alighted from the black Limousine car, and a line of servants greeted us.

"You're welcome, Alpha," they chorused bowing their heads respectfully.

Threw women rushed to my side. "Welcome back, my lady," they said, helping me gently.

My lady?

Panic stirred inside me again. Who were these people? Where was I?

They guided me through a beautifully furnished living room, up a glass staircase and into a large elegant bedroom. Then they left me alone.

I walked round the room still trying to process where I was before my eyes caught a portrait on the wall.

A woman's face stared back at me. She didn't look familiar.

I turned to the mirror. My reflection didn't match the face in the portrait either-I wasn't the woman. My confusion heightened.

"I see you're confused about the picture, right?" A voice said behind me and I shuddered and then spun around. It was Ralph-Mr gray eyes.

"That's you," he said gently. " I kept your portrait here all this year's, hoping, believing, you'd come back. And here you are."

He stepped closer,cupping my cheeks in his warm hands.

"All thanks to the moon goddess," he whispered. " For letting me find you again and for letting me save you that day in the woods."

"You...You saved me?" I echoed. Everything he said felt surreal.

"Yes. Eight months ago.Youve been in coma, ever since. " Your face was badly burnt because of the fire which resulted to a facial transplant being done on your face after you were resuscitated."

My stomach dropped. I pulled away from him. Trembling.

"What did you just say? Eight months?" My voice rose, a wave of cold sweat washing over me.

He nodded slowly. "By the time I reached you, half your face was gone. There was no other option. I did what I had to do."

His tone was calm but his words chilled me. I looked into his gray eyes, trying to find a lie-but their wasn't.

"I'll let you rest," he said at last. "This is a lot to take in." Then he turned and left before I could stop him and ask him more questions.

I collapsed o to the bed, burying my face in my hands. But the door opened again.

Ralph stepped back in. His expression unreadable.

"I forgot to tell you something," he said and my brows furrowed.

I looked up. Wary. A word didn't come out of me.

"We're leaving Los Angeles tomorrow," he announced. "We're returning to my pack in New Orleans...for our mating ceremony."

"What?" I shot up from the bed. "You can't be serious!"

"I'm very serious my love," he replied calmly. " These eight months felt like forever. I've waited long enough. I want you as my Luna, Mira.

He moved towards me, but I raised my hands to stop him, what he said yet to register. He halted.

"I'll let you rest for the journey," he said softly then turned and walked out again.

~Elena~

A lot of rustling of feet made me wake up from my restless sleep and I looked around to see three female servants already in the room.

"You're awake my Lady," one of them said as soon as she noticed my eyes open.

"It's time to get ready for your flight with the Alpha, my Lady," another added with a tray of food on her hands. She dropped it on the table and came to my side.

I groaned softly, dragging myself up from the bed. My gaze drifted to the clock in the nightstand 7:56 a.m. I had barely gotten any sleep. It must have been around 6 a.m when I finally dozed off after tossing and turning all night, haunted by everything Mr. Gray eyes had said.

Now, daylight poured in, but an uneasy feeling clung to me. I couldn't shake the dread settling in my chest about this trip but I had no choice. I needed to remember, anything, everything. Even the smallest memory might be important and beneficial to me.I thought and without any further thinking I let the maids prepare me peacefully.

***

Hours later, gray eyes and i landed at New Orleans and alighted off the plane. The flight had been awfully silent. None of us talked to the other.

As we stepped out of the plane and headed towards the airport exit, a sudden frenzy erupted. Reporters swarmed us out of nowhere, their flashing cameras and shouting voices overwhelming me.

I instinctively crouched down, covering my face with my hands. What's going on? I thought, panicked. But then gray eyes grabbed my hand, shielding me with his jackets as his bodyguards pushed us forward through the chaos.

"First young master of the Burrows family. How does it feel to be back?"

"When will you takeover your father's company?"

"Do you plan to make this lady with you your future wife?"

"Are you finally returning for good. Mr Ralph?"

These questions came fast and loud. But he didn't respond to any of them. Instead, he just led me to a black sleek limousine. I slid into the back seat still shaken and he got in from the other side.

I sat there stiff and trembling, like a lost child as I looked out through the window. Reporters pressed against the windows as the car roared to life and sped away.

"Are you okay? Mira" gray eyes asked gently, placing a reassuring hand on my trembling arm.

"Yeah...sure... I'm fine," I said quietly to him.

Lies.

"Who are you?" I blurted out after I was done arranging my breathing. My gaze serious on him.

He just smiled and gave my hand a soft tap. "I'm your mate." He said casually.

My heart tightened.

"Mate?" I repeated, uncertain.

He nodded. "Yeah."

I was left tongue tied unable to ask any other thing.

Silence filled the space between us, but my thoughts were racing. Something didn't feel right.

We eventually arrived at a place and the gate opened up, giving us access to a magnificent castle that had 2 mansions that surrounded it.

It was already dark but the place was so brightly lit you could mistake it was still mid-day. As the car stopped, I noticed a crowd gathered in a beautifully decorated garden area. My nerves flared again at the sight.

"Shall we?" gray eyes said as the door opened. I hadn't even realized he'd gotten out already because of how the surroundings piqued my interest.

He held out his hand and I took it. Together, we walked the garden path through the crowd, all eyes in us, hot and unblinking.

Ahead of us, four people stood-two ladies and two men, authority radiating off them. One of them a young lady rushed over and threw her hands around gray eyes, kissing his cheek.

"Welcome home, brother," she said happily, then turned to me with a strained smile. "It's nice to see you again." I threw her a soft smile which was never returned.

"It's good to see you back, bro," a younger man amongst the two men in front of me added. "Didn't think you'd ever return to the pack."

I looked at him with keen interest. There was something familiar about his face but I couldn't quite place it.

"Good to see you too, Drake," gray eyes replied coldly then turned to the older man. "Hello uncle Raymond."

The man patted him warmly on the back.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your mating ceremony with Derek," gray eyes told the second woman,whose eyes hadn't left me since we arrived.

"It's fine, Ralph. You had your reasons," she said, adjusting her gown and forcing a smile.

But her stare unsettled me, just like the look from the younger man. Something about the two of them gave me a bad feeling.

"We've waited so long for this day," Drake said excitedly. "Now you can finally mark her as your Luna,"

A chill ran down my spine when his words dropped.

I looked at gray eyes. He was watching me. Ignoring the guy speaking.

Then a deep voice rose above the murmurs. "Now we shall begin the mating ceremony as our Regent Alpha king has returned to the Icy moon pack!"

Cheers erupted.

"The moment has come. Our Alpha King Ralph will now mark his Luna." The announcer announced and my heart tightened.

Is he really going to mark me now? I wondered as he stepped closer reaching for my neck. His fangs began to elongate, his bright gray eyes gleaming under the moonlight.

I shut my eyes awaiting the pain that will follow but it didn't come instead a voice cut through the night loud and hoarse.

"Stop right there. She is cursed and can't be marked by my son."

Gasps and murmurs erupted immediately.

My eyes flashed open at once. Ralph's hand on my neck turned cold. Slowly, he pulled away as I stood frozen, stunned by the sudden interruption and terrified by what it meant.