Betrayed by the Moon

Amara's POV

I was already on my knees cleaning the blood-stained stone floor of the Lycan Pack's great hall before the sun had even risen. The strong soap left my fingertips sore and hurt. As though the pack wanted to constantly remind me of my position, the wolves' strong, overpowering scent permeated the air around me.

"Slave, hurry up!" yelled Greta, a member of the pack's elite. She spoke in a deep, icy tone. "Are you going to be on this floor all day?"

Knowing that answering would gain me more than just words, I chose not to do so. What happened when I dared to resist them was evidenced by the scars on my arms and back.

I looked at the floor instead. Dirty, hollow-eyed, and sporting knotted black hair, my reflection in the pool of soapy water looked back at me. The girl in that reflection was someone I detested. Weak. Sad.

"Do you see that, Greta?" As they went by, one of the other women of the elite said. I could hear them, but their voices grew quieter. "On her wrist." That mark.

I went cold. My left wrist's crescent-shaped scar was the topic of their conversation. I never gave it any thought, even though it had been there for as long as I could remember.

A second person said back, "It means something." "However, what could it"

"Nothing'!" Greta interrupted them with a snap. She scowled down at me as though my very existence was a criminal. In any case, she is a dirty slave. Amara, get back to work!

"Yes, Greta," I said quietly, looking down. I tightened my wrist, concealing the imprint under my dress's frayed sleeve. I didn't have time to think about it, whatever it meant. My only concern was surviving.

Later that night, pack members crowded into the main hall. The Moonlight Ceremony, a celebration of the Lycans' power and unity, took place tonight. I had to serve even though I was not permitted to take part because I was a slave.

I swerved through the crowd, dodging sneers and stinging elbows, while holding a tray of beverages. Excitement filled the air, and I felt unnoticeable.

Then I looked up, which was a mistake.

I saw him at that point. Darius.

Like a king among wolves, he towered above everyone in the middle of the hall. He was hard to miss with his wide shoulders and sharp golden eyes. The Alpha. Strong and invincible. I instantly averted my gaze to blend in with the background as my heart thumped in my chest.

However, my tray slipped as I turned. Wine spilled at his feet as a cup fell to the ground.

The audience became quiet.

I went cold. With all eyes on me, the atmosphere felt oppressive.

"You there," he said in a deep, powerful voice. "Come on over."

As I stepped out into the open, my legs shook. I avoided looking into his eyes and kept my head down.

"I apologize, Alpha," I said. "It happened by accident."

"Observe me," he commanded.

I had no desire to. I was unable to. However, the draw was too great. I experienced it-a sudden surge of warmth, an odd tingle that traveled throughout my body-when my eyes finally locked with his.

My friend.

I kept hearing the word. It was so heavy that my knees almost gave out. This cannot be taking place. Not to me.

His face grew stern. "No."

I felt sick to my stomach.

"This is a mistake," Darius stated in a chilly, disinterested tone. "I could never have you as a mate-you are a weak, pitiful slave."

Murmurs broke out among the gathering.

Someone started to say, "Alpha," but he silenced them with a raised hand.

He declared, "I, Darius of the Lycan Pack, deny you as my mate." His words sliced right through me like knives.

My eyes ached with tears, but I fought the need to cry. Not in this place. Not in public. Their whispers and laughing chased me out of the hall as I turned and fled.

I sat with my knees pressed to my chest in the shadowy corner of the servant's quarters. My soul, not just my emotions, ached from the rejection.

"What made the Moon Goddess so ruthless?" I said to myself in a whisper. She paired me with someone who detested me, but why? Someone who thought I was just a dirty slave?

The moonlight coming through the small window seemed to give a subtle glow to the crescent mark on my wrist. Wishing I could remove it, I rubbed it.

I hastily cleaned my face as I heard footsteps echoing down the hallway. With a creak, the door opened, and two elderly people entered, their features obscured by darkness.

One of them questioned, "Is she the one?"

"Yes," said the other. "It is confirmed by the crescent mark."

"What are you looking for?" My voice trembled as I asked.

With icy eyes, the first elder took a step forward. Slave, you don't belong in this pack. You'll be sent away tomorrow. Alpha Viktor has already purchased you at a high cost.

My blood froze. Alpha Viktor had a reputation for being cruel, particularly to women. I wouldn't make it if they sent me to him.

I shook my head, saying, "No." "This is not possible!"

The older hissed, "You're not in a position to argue." "Thank goodness we didn't kill you."

My thoughts were racing as I paced the tiny space. I was unable to allow them to send me to Viktor. I needed to get out.

However, there was strict security at the servant's quarters. There was no way out.

As the hours went by, I could hear footsteps coming. Two pack warriors barged in as the door crashed open.

One of them grabbed my arm and said, "Time to go."

"No!" I struggled against their hold and yelled. "Give me a break!"

Despite my cries, they pulled me into the packhouse's dim hallways.

We went outside, and the chilly night air assaulted my face. The wheels of a carriage creaked menacingly in the quiet as it waited close to the gates.

I was filled with panic. Desperate to escape, I thrashed more violently. "Darius!" Even though I knew he wouldn't arrive, I still yelled his name.

With a smash of the door, the warriors pushed me into the carriage. With tears running down my cheeks, I put my hands against the little window as the wheels started to revolve.

I had no idea what was waiting for me when I left the only house I had ever known.

Amara's POV

My wrists hurt from the tight chains digging into my flesh as the carriage shook on the uneven route. I tried not to cry as I looked at the floor. I couldn't stop the pain in my chest, but crying was pointless.

The warrior seated across from me said, "Move," and pushed my leg with his boot.

I averted my gaze and bit my lip. In the Lycan Pack, they had treated me like trash, but now? This was awful. I was now cargo, something to be exchanged, not merely a slave.

The door swung open as the carriage came to a stop. I stumbled as my feet scraped the gravel walkway as two soldiers pulled me out. A tall fortress with icy stone walls stood in front of me. Viktor's domain.

One of the guards snarled, "Welcome to your new home."

At home. It sounded like a cruel joke.

They pushed me forward, causing me to stumble and drop to my knees. I didn't scream even though my palms scraped the floor. Weakness would just exacerbate the situation.

As he pulled me back to my feet, the guard laughed and remarked, "You'll get used to it." Or perhaps you won't. Doesn't concern us.

They guided me past Viktor's wolves, who watched me like I was prey, as they brought me through the gates. My breathing became shallow as my heart raced. I knew it wouldn't be good, but I didn't know what was in store for me here.

I looked back at the gates as we arrived at the main hall. Thoughts of getting away were constantly on my mind, but the guards on either side of me and the shackles around my wrists made me realize how helpless I was.

I had been sold like an object by the Lycan Pack. They had deceived me.

After pushing me into a chilly, dark room, the guards slammed the door. Like a burdensome weight, the quiet weighed heavily on me. Even though my throat was dry and my wrists hurt, I didn't want to give up.

It was minutes, perhaps hours before the door opened once more. A man entered, his presence reverberating across the space. Viktor Alpha.

He had sharp grey eyes that seemed to see right through me, and he was tall and wide. He grinned slowly and icily.

"So you're the one they call Amara," he replied in a calm, low voice.

I didn't answer.

He watched me, taking a step closer and cocking his head. "The crescent mark," he said, looking down at my wrist. "Give it to me."

Holding my wrist to my chest, I paused.

I recoiled at the power of his order as he barked, "Now."

I slowly reached out and showed the mark. He reached out, his fingers grazing the scar as his gaze darkened.

"Interesting," he remarked. "Are you aware of what this signifies?"

I gave a headshake. "No."

His grasp tightened around my wrist as he scowled. "Girl, don't tell me lies. If it wasn't significant, the Lycan Pack wouldn't have sent you my way. Be honest with me.

"I'm not sure!" I sobbed. "I've had it all my life, but nobody ever explained its meaning to me."

He relaxed his hold and took a step back, his face serious. Intriguing, he whispered. "Very intriguing."

"What are you looking for from me?" My voice trembled as I asked.

He grinned once more, and I felt a chill this time. "Amara, that mark holds the secret to something precious. And you're staying right here till I figure out what it is. Never even consider fleeing.

Sitting in his rooms back in the Lycan Pack, Darius looked at the fire crackling in the hearth. His chest felt constricted, and his head was thumping.

He had turned her down. Amara. He should have been relieved that she was gone. Rather, he was just a little restless.

By now, the mating link ought to have waned, but it hadn't. It appeared to be getting stronger, if anything.

When he closed his eyes, pictures of Amara's face covered in tears, her terrified eyes, and her cries for assistance came to him.

Shaking his head, Darius leaped to his feet. He whispered to himself, "No." "This isn't true. She is no longer there. I'm not in charge of her.

However, the images persisted. Her terror was palpable to him, just as his own. There was a problem.

A voice cried out from the door, "Alpha?"

"What?" he snarled.

He sent one of his men inside and bowed his head. The elders wanted to let you know that the deal with Viktor is complete. We are no longer worried about the girl.

Darius's jaw tightened as he clenched his fists. "All right. Allow Viktor to handle her.

The warrior paused. "With all due respect, Alpha, Viktor is not a kind person. Are you certain?

"I said it was finished!" Darius's voice boomed throughout the room as he snapped.

With a nod, the warrior departed, shutting the door behind him.

Raising his aggravation, Darius combed through his hair. The mate link would not let him sleep, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it. He also felt in his heart that Amara was in danger.

My thoughts were racing as I sat in the corner of the room that Viktor had tossed me into. Why was the mark valuable, according to him? What on earth might it mean?

I was unable to remain here. Before he found it out, or before he thought I was useless, I had to leave.

The window was small enough for me to fit through if I could break the glass, but the door was locked. As I looked around the room for something sharp, my heart was racing.

At last, I discovered a stray metal fragment on the bed frame. With trembling hands, I took it in my hands and walked toward the window.

I froze, waiting for footsteps as the glass broke with a soft crack. When there was none, I ascended and slipped through the gap to the chilly grass outside.

I hurried across the yard, my bare feet stinging from the bitter night air. I knew I had to keep walking, but I had no idea where I was heading.

"Hey! Put an end to her!

My heart plummeted when I heard a yell behind me.

With each breath, my lungs burned as I forced myself to go faster. However, it was insufficient.

I was grabbed by rough hands and pulled to the ground. I kicked and clawed while I shouted, but they were too powerful.

Above me, Viktor emerged, his face icy and angry. "You truly believed you could get away?"

"Please," I pleaded. "Give me a break. I will never return. Let me go, please!

His face was inches from mine as he leaned down. His voice was low and threatening as he replied, "Amara, you'll wish you never tried this." "I'll see to that."

Amara's POV

My wrists were raw from the iron cuffs as I was pulled back into the chilly chamber. Cold rage flooded Viktor's piercing grey eyes as he stood in the doorway.

With a voice as keen as a sword, he said, "Let's try this again." "What is meant by the crescent mark?"

I shook but boldly said, "I told you." "I'm not sure."

A ruthless smirk twisted Viktor's lip. "Falsehoods."

I prepared myself for what was about to happen as he approached me with calm, methodical steps. Days of abuse had left my body hurting, but I resisted showing signs of weakness.

He walked around me like a predator and asked, "Amara, do you think you can defy me?" "Your pitiful existence is pointless. You will regret not telling me what I want to know.

I forced myself to look into his eyes and swallowed hard. "I do not know at all. I won't offer you answers I don't have, but feel free to do as you please.

His hand swung out and seized my chin firmly. He hissed, "You're brave for a slave." "But you won't be saved by bravery."

I refused to show him my fear as I looked into his icy eyes. Something flickered inside me, something fresh. Though it was tiny and hardly perceptible, it gave me courage.

Viktor shoved me out of his grasp, and I staggered back. He remarked, "Let's see how long your defiance lasts." "Guards, watch out she doesn't settle in."

I clutched my injured wrist as I collapsed against the wall and the door banged shut. My spirit blazed with resolve, but my body felt weak.

A few hours later, Viktor came back with a twisted expression of amusement and frustration.

He paced in front of me and said, "You're stubborn." "But when you realize how truly alone you are, I wonder if you'll still be so bold."

With my heart thumping in my chest, I balled my fists.

"Your partner turned you down," he added in a derisive tone. Darius didn't even defend you in battle. He didn't think twice about letting you leave. Amara, what does that say about you?

I thought I had buried the wounds, but his comments reopened them. I clenched my throat, but I kept my tears to myself.

I said, "You're wrong," in a shaky but powerful voice.

"Wrong?" Viktor gave a hard, irritating laugh. "Darius made it obvious that you were useless. He has never cared for you and never will.

With my fingernails sinking into my hands, I growled, "Stop."

Viktor's grin grew as he took a step closer. "Come on, Amara. You are meaningless. You will never be anything.

Something broke inside of me. I felt a rush of energy that was unadulterated and uncontrollable. A harsh, guttural growl from my throat as my eyesight became blurry.

Viktor's eyes widened in surprise as he froze.

For the first time, his voice was unsure as he asked, "Amara?"

I sprang at him, my wolf emerging as my strength increased. Before the guards charged in and threw me to the ground, my claws reached out and slashed at his arm.

"Have her restrained!" Viktor gripped his bleeding arm and yelled.

The power of my wolf surged through me as I thrashed against the guards. However, it was insufficient. I was out of breath as my wolf fled and the iron chains dug into my flesh.

Viktor towered above me, his rage hardly subdued. He replied in a lethal tone, "So, the little slave has a wolf." "Interesting. Very intriguing.

Darius, his eyes flaming with rage, rushed into the elders' chamber far away in the Lycan Pack.

"You sold Viktor her?" His voice echoed through the room as he growled.

The elders looked at each other uneasily. One of them said, "Alpha, it was for the pack's benefit." Viktor proposed

"What he offered doesn't matter to me!" With a yell, Darius struck the table with his fist. "You couldn't have made that choice without my consent."

"Amara was a liability," stated one elder. "She was a slave, not deserving of"

"Enough!" Darius growled and spread his claws. "You have no say in who is deserving or not."

The elders were intimidated by his rage, and the chamber became quiet.

Guilt gnawing at him, Darius paced the room. The visions, the connection, and the enduring pull of Amara were all too much for him to shake.

He whispered, more to himself than to anybody else, "She's in danger."

With caution, one of the elders said, "Alpha?"

Darius turned to face him, his face gloomy. "I'm pursuing her."

"But Alpha"

"Silence," said Darius. "I made this choice. If she's been harmed by Viktor... The menace was evident even as his voice faded off.

His determination unwavering, he bounded out of the room. Whether she was accepted or not, Amara was his mate. He also refused to allow Viktor to ruin her.

I lay on the chilly cell floor back in Viktor's stronghold, my body hurting and my head spinning. A subtle reminder of the wolf inside of me, the power I had felt before was still there.

However, there was another issue.

I gripped my gut as an odd feeling crept over me. It was warmth instead of pain.

Unbidden, memories of Darius came flooding back to me. Something within me was sparked by his touch, his aroma, and his presence.

As understanding set in, my heart fell. No. It isn't possible.

With shaking hands, I sat up. The symptoms, which included nausea, heightened perceptions, and weird cravings that I had previously rejected, were minor but present.

I uttered the barely audible words, "I'm pregnant."

My eyes welled up with tears of wonder and anxiety. A kid. The kid of Darius.

I put a palm to my stomach as a fierce resolve began to grow within me. My infant would never fall into Viktor's grasp.

I had to get away. For the life that is developing inside of me, not simply for myself.

With a creak, the door opened, and Viktor entered, his eyes calculating and keen.

With a skeptical tone, he remarked, "You've been quiet." "What do you have to hide?"

"Nothing," I hurriedly said, trying to hide my panic.

His eyes narrowed as he took a step closer. "You don't have my faith."

I swallowed forcefully, trying to think of a strategy.

"You'll speak at some point," Viktor smirked. "And I'll have everything I need when you do."

I clenched my hands as he walked away, my resolve growing stronger.

I would battle for my child. I would go away.

I could hear low, growling noises outside my window, which weren't from Viktor's pack, as the guards locked the door behind him. There was someone out there. But were they adversaries or friends?