Never Let My Luna Cry

Aliyah's Point of View

Being the daughter of the former Alpha of our pack, all I wished was to be wanted and loved; to live a normal life, and do normal things women around my age could do. But those were only wishful thoughts and unanswered prayers.

For most of my life, I lived differently compared to others; treated differently because I was the reason my mother died and a constant reminder to the former Alpha that he lost his Luna because of a child he didn't wish to have.

I was deprived of so many things: from comfortable clothes to delicious food and even education. My father was reluctant to let me go to school. With my awful physical appearance-skin and bones, obviously unhealthy and maltreated-he resorted to keeping me at home so I wouldn't taint our family name.

So here I was, living in a house that felt like my cage for eighteen years, serving my father and older brother even if they treated me as their slaves without the slightest remorse. I had always reminded myself that it was fine.

They were still my family, after all.

"Good job, Aliyah," I said to myself after finishing the laundry.

I used my arm to wipe the beads of sweat that formed on my forehead, and then I rushed into the kitchen and started preparing the ingredients for their dinner. Yes, their dinner, as I only got to eat when there were leftovers. That added to the reasons why I was skinny and had to live with a weak body despite my wolf being awakened when I turned seventeen.

"After this, you can take a rest." I blinked several times while peeling the potatoes.

My eyelids were both heavy after hours of working in the house. I wished I could rest for a bit, but I knew that at any moment, my father and my brother, who became the newly appointed Alpha of the Silver Moon pack, Shawn, would arrive from the proclamation ceremony.

I was carefully cooking dinner when I heard the main door swing open. My heart pounded instantly when I heard Shawn calling my name from the foyer.

"Aliyah! You are, wench! Where the hell are you?"

"Yes, I...I'm coming, Shawn!" I said, my voice quivering as I rushed in his direction.

"What did you call me? Didn't I tell you to start calling me Alpha?!" I almost jumped when he shouted at me with his eyes burning with rage and disgust.

"I...I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't-" He slapped my cheeks, so hard that my tears streamed down my face instantly.

"How imbecile of you to call me by my name! I am the new Alpha, but you have no respect!" He growled.

I clasped my hands together, crying and begging him to let me go as the pain in my scalp became unbearable. I could feel the strands of my hair pulling out with his tight grip on them.

"Alpha, p...please, let me go..." I whimpered in between my sobs.

"You are an eyesore!" He growled louder.

Shawn was never a calm werewolf. He never kept his anger at bay whenever he got pissed off at me. Judging the anger evident in his eyes, I knew where this was going.

I burst into tears when he hit my stomach hard enough for me to fall on the cold floor. I coughed blood and yelled in pain.

"That's what you get for disrespecting the Alpha. You're not worthy to be part of my pack, disgusting mutt!" He kicked my back with all his force.

"Please, stop!" I cried as I shielded myself from his attacks.

I didn't know what I had done in the past to deserve this maltreatment. All I ever wanted was to be loved by my own family.

Why did the Moon Goddess have to ignore my plea?

Pain and deep hatred. Those were the only emotions that filled my chest. I couldn't understand why fate had to mock me in this way...

"Get up, wench! Serve me my dinner!" he commanded.

Despite my bones almost cracking because of the strong kicks he'd given me, I still forced myself to stand to my feet. Even though the pain and exhaustion were both unbearable at this point, I had no choice but to obey him.

"Faster!" he shouted, which made my entire body tremble.

I rushed into the kitchen, panicking and scared that my brother would kill me if I didn't move fast. My hands were shaking as I prepared the soup in a bowl. Since he went home earlier than I expected, this was the only food available that I could serve.

I swallowed so hard. My stomach was in pain due to both the punch I got and starvation. I licked my chapped lip as I fought the urge to taste the soup. I walked to the dining table where I saw him sitting on his seat.

"Here it is, Alpha..." My lips trembled in fear.

He tasted the soup. Seconds later, his face turned grim and he slammed his hands on the top of the table, which startled me.

"Do you call this a fucking soup?! Are you planning to kill me with this garbage?!"

He stood up, slapped the back of my head, and then pulled my hair.

"Shawn... please, it hurts!" Tears streamed down my face as I tried to remove his hand from my hair.

"I don't give a damn, wench! You deserve to be punished! Come with me!"

I screamed in despair when Shawn dragged me upstairs. A pang of anxiety went through me when we headed to the attic, where I usually sleep. He threw me on the cold floor and started beating me.

"Stop it, Shawn, please...I beg you!" I pleaded, crying.

"You have no right to order me around. You're just a useless mutt!" He growled. "You can't even cook nice food. You're a disgrace!"

"I...I apologize, Shawn! Stop it, please, you're killing me..." I shielded myself using both arms.

I could feel my body getting so numb with every blow of his feet. All I did was cry and beg, even though I knew he would never listen.

"Oh, no!" He laughed out loud and offered me a wide grin. "We're having fun here, Aliyah!"

Shawn became unruly and destroyed everything solid that his hands touched. I sat up, whimpering in pain, and wanted to stop him. However, my body was so weak that I couldn't even stand up.

I panicked when he grabbed the most cherished thing I had; my pot of white Daisy, which I'd been taking care of since I turned fifteen.

It was the only precious thing that brought me comfort and warmth; the only thing that kept me sane all this time.

"Don't touch it!" I screamed angrily.

His eyes smoldered as he gazed at me. The next thing that happened was he threw my pot on the floor, causing a loud cracking sound. I cried, even more, when he ruthlessly stomped on my white daisy.

"No! Please, stop!" I crawled and extended my hand, trying to shield my hand, but it ended up getting stomped by his foot too.

"Serves you right!" He grabbed my jaw and glared at me. "Listen carefully, wench. The next time this happens, I'm going to kill you!"

After saying those words of threat, he left me. I groaned both in pain and anger. I scooped the petals of my white daisy and looked at it as I cried.

That night, I decided to run away.

In my wolf form, I ran as far as I could, bringing nothing except my desperation to get away from my abusive family. The snow was falling heavily. My coat couldn't take the aggressive cold wind.

My body got weaker as I quickened my pace. However, I didn't stop to rest as I wanted to go farther from my pack.

I felt my four legs getting numb. My breathing was ragged. My entire body was soaking wet and trembling because of the snow.

But what's worse was the emptiness I felt in my heart.

I heard a rustling sound behind the bushes as I ran. Despite my vision turning blurry, I mustered the courage to walk past it and ignored what I heard as my goal was to escape.

I was on the verge of collapsing. For a brief moment, I thought that I'd meet my death.

However, three big wolves appeared out of nowhere.

There I found myself cornered, and all I felt was the loud beating of my heart.

Aliyah's Point of View

I only wished to escape, but fate mocked me and didn't play fair once again.

Fear engulfed my whole system, and I tensed immediately at the sight of three big wolves cornering me. I stepped back, too scared that they would attack me at any moment.

I had suffered enough attacks from my abusive family, and over the years I'd learned that the arrival of anyone else would only cause me danger.

They snarled at me, and I was alarmed by it. I could have sworn that my heart raced faster and it started to hurt my limbs. The anxiety in my chest had doubled.

Were they warriors of the Silver Moon pack?

Or were they from a different pack?

"It is a rogue!" One of them growled. "It dared to cross our border!"

"State your name, rogue! Why the hell did you trespass on our land? Speak before we kill you!"

No way!

I looked around, and I realized that I had unwittingly crossed the borders just to escape my family. I caught my breath, thinking that my life was in complete danger now that these wolves from the neighboring pack had caught me.

How could my situation get worse? I was certain that they would not spare my life after committing a mistake. I trespassed on their land, and even if I ran away from them, they would chase me to death!

My entire body was so exhausted that I couldn't run anymore. Even if my inner wolf had told me to run for my life, all I ever did was tear up and wail in front of them.

Was this how I'd face death? Wouldn't it be unsatisfying for the Moon Goddess to let me die all alone? Because I much preferred that than to die in the hands of the neighboring pack.

I looked at the three big wolves again. Two of them were gritting their teeth, seemingly prepared to tear my body apart. Their growls sent shivers down my spine.

They walked towards me and snarled as they circled me. I whimpered and tried to get away from them, but to no avail. It was as if I was facing a hopeless battle and only awaiting my pitiful death.

"What a thin rogue we got here!"

"It's the first time I've seen such a disgusting wolf."

I know... I always feel disgusted with myself.

My eyes glanced at the other wolf. It was strange that it didn't make any movement and only chose to watch us. It was calm and staring intently at me. I gulped down.

Admittedly, it was different from the other two; its body was large. Its aura was too powerful and dominant, its coat jet-black, and its eyes... Its pair of crimson red eyes were pinned on my face as if it was trying to read my mind.

I looked away as I couldn't take his intense gaze.

The next thing I knew, my legs had collapsed, which made me fall to the ground. I cried from the excruciating pain my body felt. With tears continuously streaming down my face, I had prepared myself to face my death.

'No one loves me. My family rejected and hated me for simply breathing the same air they breathe. My life isn't worth living, I must die...' I said in my mind, and that thought, out of any, hurt me to the core.

To my surprise, the large wolf shifted back to its human form. I sucked in a breath when he walked towards me, while the other two wolves stepped back, giving the large one enough space to walk to me.

"You've crossed the borders. You shouldn't wander into our territory," he said in his deep tone of voice.

His voice... It was soothing. Despite my weak body, I tried to look up and saw a naked man staring down at me.

My eyes widened for a moment. I'd never seen a God-like face in my whole life. His entire physique exuded the utmost power and strength.

I gasped both in awe and fear, thinking that a gorgeous man like him was the same person who would bring me death. Tears pooled in my eyes and I whimpered.

I heard the other two growl louder. They didn't let their guard down, not even for a bit. They were eager to punish me; to tear my flesh until I was breathless.

However, the man raised his hand, motioning for them to either calm down or stop.

"Fret not, lady. We are not going to hurt you," he assured me.

His words stunned me for a bit.

Why?

'Isn't he supposed to kill me now?' I asked myself.

Wasn't this the will of the Moon Goddess?

My confused eyes landed on the two other wolves, and I could sense the confusion in their eyes too. I glanced back at the man when he squatted in front of me.

His gaze... There was something about his gaze that puzzled me. It was strange, and I couldn't tell why.

He was about to touch my head, but I dodged it immediately. The last time I was touched, my body was beaten so hard afterward that all I could do was crawl. But then, that instant move made me feel as if something inside me had just cracked, and I howled in pain.

It was unbearable. I sobbed in agony, hot tears streaming down my face as I recalled all the sufferings I had endured in my life.

I honestly felt that death would be the best escape in this cruel world.

'Just kill me. I don't want to live anymore...' I thought, hoping that my plea would reach him.

"We have to kill the rogue, Alpha! We have no idea what that mutt is capable of," The other wolf urged him.

"May I remind you that you are not in the position to decide, Klaus. Let alone boss the Alpha around," the man responded firmly.

His words made the other two wolves silent.

I swallowed hard, trying to process what he just said.

Alpha? Oh, no!

"My name is Reid, and I am the Alpha of the Jewel pack." He introduced himself while staring intently at me. "You can relax now. I can guarantee your safety. Mark my words."

Tears formed in my eyes as I looked at him. Even though his words sounded soothing, my body couldn't stop trembling in the utmost fear and anxiety.

He was the Alpha of the famous Jewel pack. The enemy of the Silver Moon pack, which had been undefeated for almost a century.

I heard from my father that they were rabid shifters who killed countless rogues and humans. Despite my willingness to die in his hands, I couldn't help but fear him.

After all, I was facing an Alpha.

"Just kill me, please. I... I don't want to live anymore, A-Alpha..." I stuttered, my lips quivering.

His eyes darkened further. "Believe me, it is not what you want."

After all the maltreatment and sadness I had endured, who wouldn't want death?

I shook my head, disagreeing with what he said. He didn't know where I was coming from. My life was a complete mistake. I should not have been born!

"I apologize, but death isn't always the answer. You have to live..."

Reid's Point of View

It was my obligation as the Alpha of my own pack to keep my pack mates safe from all forms of harm. Several packs, including rogues, had tried to overrun our territory. They couldn't carry out their plan because, although we had a tiny pack, they couldn't match our might and power.

I went with my beta, Klaus, and his sub, Sage, to patrol near the borders of our territory to make sure no one would cause trouble.

"There's an intruder, Alpha!" Klaus declared. He pointed to the forest's borders, where a wolf's shadow could be seen rushing into ours.

"Looks like we're going to have some fun." Sage laughed devilishly, clicked his tongue, and shifted to his wolf form.

My entire body was filled with rage. Intruders were something I despised the most. They were nothing more than annoyances who merely wanted to die as quickly as possible.

"Let's track it. I'll rip its neck with my own teeth," I said and growled.

Klaus and I also shifted to our wolves. We hurried in the intruder's direction, and as soon as it got close to us, we cornered it right away.

However, my anger vanished when a hypnotizing scent lingered in my nostrils.

That scent...

As the intruder attracted my attention, I halted in place. My inner wolf began to react in an uncontrollable manner, and all at the same, the small organ in my chest began to beat aggressively. I could no longer think rationally.

That wolf... She's my mate!

All my life, I thought I would never find my mate. After attending countless mating seasons, and trying to find her within and outside the borders, I remained mateless. However, things are different now.

She stood here in front of me. The Moon Goddess knew how much I wanted to hug her, but I could tell from the look in her eyes that she was scared of us, so I held back my excitement. Klaus and Sage threatened her. They were on the edge of attacking her, but I interfered.

"Show your human form," I commanded. "It will be easier for me to help you if you shift back."

Her eyes, which were the color of frost, spoke a lot of emotions. When I saw the fear and sadness in it, I felt like my heart was being torn out.

I took a deep breath. I regretted letting my men threaten her. I was so shocked that I had finally found her that I couldn't keep things under control.

I commanded my men to step back. "Turn around and don't even dare to take a peek."

Klaus and Sage had no idea what was happening. I know. They were surprised by how I was acting because they knew how ruthless I could get when it came to intruders. But they still did what I told them. They moved away from us by a few steps. My mate calmed down a little, and a few seconds later she changed into her human form.

When I finally saw her body, I couldn't breathe. I blinked several times. Seeing her precious face filled with bruises, and a skinny body that seemed to suffer from starvation made the rage boil in me.

What happened to her?

Who did this to my mate?

I could feel my throat and jaw clenching in anger. My hands formed a fist, and I pressed my lips together for a thin line.

'Don't worry, mate. From now on, I will protect you. No one will be able to hurt you...' I said in my mind.

Tears streamed down her face. Her eyes were filled with sorrow as her gaze met mine.

"It hurts..." she mumbled before her body collapsed.

I got scared right away and picked her up in my arms. I checked her heartbeat and saw that it wasn't strong enough. That made me worry even more.

"You have to live..." I uttered as I caressed her cold cheek.

I didn't waste much time and quickly sprinted while carrying my mate. She needed to be checked by a pack doctor immediately.

"Alpha, wait! What are you doing?" Klaus asked.

They both followed me, confused as to what was happening.

"Get Charlotte to come into my house now, Klaus!" I commanded him.

When we arrived home, I sprinted to the guest room and laid my mate in the bed and covered her with a thick duvet. Her skin was so cold, making her entire body shake badly.

"Where the hell are Charlotte and Klaus, Sage?" I shouted in frustration.

"Calm down, Alpha. Klaus already picked her up."

"No, I can't fucking calm down! Get Charlotte quickly!" I growled at him.

Minutes passed until Klaus and Charlotte finally arrived.

Charlotte, the pack doctor, immediately aided my mate. She asked for some clothes, warm water, and a towel, all of which I provided in order to help her.

"Get out of here. I can manage," she said while dressing up my mate.

"But-"

"You heard me, Reid. Get out of here. I'm getting her dressed!" She scoffed at me.

I cleared my throat and looked away. "Fine! I'll go, but please save her."

She only nodded at me. I was hesitant to leave the room, but I had no choice. The pack doctor knew what she was doing after all.

"Why are you trying to help her?" Klaus asked me while we waited in the living room.

I palmed my face. I had no strength to discuss everything with them at this point. I was damn worried that something might have happened to her at any moment.

Damn it! I just found her. I couldn't afford to lose her...

It was almost an hour later when Charlotte finally went out of the room. I got up and walked towards her.

"How is she?" I asked as I swallowed hard.

Charlotte let out a long sigh and crossed her arms against her chest.

"Where did you find her?"

I sneered at her. "I asked you first, Charlotte."

"She's doing alright now, Reid. But you see, she's so thin and far from healthy. She seemed to be deprived of food and rest. That's why her immune system is weak, which made her collapse. Her heart and lungs aren't functioning well because of the cold, and if you hadn't found her, she would have died tonight. I suspect she's from our neighboring pack and she might have been enslaved all her life."

I stared at her, bewildered, my face paling.

"Damn it!" I shouted through my gritted teeth.

I walked towards the wall and slammed and punched it as I needed to release this heavy anger inside of me. I couldn't control my rage. The pain I felt knowing my mate wasn't treated fairly was beyond uncontrollable.

How could they do this to my mate? How could they?

I inhaled sharply and turned to Charlotte once again.

"Can I see her?"

She nodded. "Of course."

I swallowed hard and walked into the room. My mate was sleeping peacefully. I sat on the edge of the bed and silently stared at her. Her angelic face made me calm down. All I could feel was the sheer determination to help and protect her, and ensure that no one would dare hurt her again.

"I wonder who did this to you..." I uttered.

Whoever it was, I would make them pay for what they did.

I would never let it slide.

I'd make them realize that they messed with me the moment they hurt my mate.