Reborn Luna and Her Cursed Lycan

Prologue

My father's hand shook as he handed me the old parchment. "This," he croaked, his voice filled with an odd sense of importance. "This is what you will leave behind, Dionne."

I creased my forehead. What is the inheritance left behind? The ancient writing seemed to be floating in front of me, resembling an old, dusty agreement. "What is that?" I inquired hesitantly as I carefully unfolded the fragile paper.

A slight grin briefly appeared on Dad's face, the first one I had witnessed in weeks. "It's your inherent right, darling. Evidence of what's meant to happen in your future."

Future? My existence was filled with working as a waitress and eating ramen noodles, not receiving predictions and inheriting entitlements. "Dad, what are you saying?"

His hand squeezed mine tightly, catching me off guard. "This is an agreement, Dionne. It ties you to the Alpha."

Even in our tiny village, located on the outskirts of the Fae's land, rumors of the mysterious ruler, Alpha Kai made their way to us. He embodied power, a mystical and enigmatic being.

"Why does the Alpha have any interest in me?" I laughed as the absurdity hit me.

Father moved nearer, lowering his voice to speak in a secretive tone. "Since you're unique, Dionne, the Mark is yours."

What is the mark? I was confused. Looking at my hands, I tried to find a secret symbol, but all I saw were the familiar rough hands that had been holding spatulas for a long time.

"It's barely noticeable," Dad added, his voice filled with wonder, "But it exists. The Alpha is able to detect it."

The strangeness of the situation caused dizziness in my head. My father, a hater of all things magical, was now talking about destiny and mysterious symbols.

"Father, do you feel alright?" I put my hand on his forehead, anticipating a temperature.

Fire flashed in his eyes as he pushed my hand aside. "Hear me, Dionne. This agreement... it ensures your upcoming riches, influence and all your desires fulfilled."

I felt a sudden lurch in my stomach. He understood my desire for a change, something other than the diner and the routine of money exchanging hands. But agreeing to a deal with the Alpha? Everything seemed too surreal, too perfect to be real.

"What about love though?" I exclaimed abruptly. "Father, you consistently mentioned that love prevails over everything."

He let out a bitter laugh from his mouth, "Sweetheart, we cannot afford the luxury of love. This agreement is your passport to freedom. An opportunity to the life you are worthy of."

I felt a deep pain in my heart. Father, always practical, never comprehended my desire for romance. Is there more to life than just working at a diner? The proposition was very appealing.

However, a persistent doubt lingered in my thoughts. What was the reason for his silence on this matter earlier? Why at this moment, when he appeared so... desperate?

"Dad," I questioned, my voice tense, "Why are you unexpectedly bringing this up now?"

His jaw was tightly clenched as he looked away from me. "The Alpha's beta is coming tomorrow. You must ready yourself."

I gasped, unable to breathe. What? Is living in luxury worth it? Or maybe something more sinister, was there something he was withholding from me?

The parchment seemed weighty as I held it, representing a future that was unclear to me. Could it be love or fate, riches or deception? As the night descended, and long shadows stretched over the worn diner floor, I had a feeling that my life was on the brink of a big change.

But nothing at all could have prepared me for what was coming.

Chapter 1

"I, Alpha of Crystal River pack, reject you, Dionne Warwick, as my mate."

The announcement lingered in the lavish hall, causing my heart's moon to shatter.

My breath caught, the smile I had been carefully practicing all day disappearing.

The room hummed with whispers, gasps, and a shared moment of shock.

However, all that registered with me was the reverberation of his words, a chilly, definitive rejection.

Alpha Kai was standing across the room, illuminated by moonlight coming through a large arched window.

He was tall and commanding, exuding a sense of primal strength, like a wild wolf.

My father stuttered, his voice breaking, as he said, "B-but Alpha. The agreement..."

A subtle rumble came from Alpha Kai, causing a chill to run down my back.

"The agreement," he stated, his tone smooth and intimidating, "ensured your daughter's position next to me, not as my partner. There is a difference, Elder Warwick."

My father, typically calm and collected, appeared to diminish under Alpha Kai's stare. "But... your beta... he mentioned..."

"My beta is too enthusiastic," Alpha Kai interrupted, briefly glancing towards me with his eyes. A brief glimmer of something... irritation? Was I an inconvenience to him?

Anger, which had been brewing for a long time, finally erupted.

I was not merely an unidentified girl brought in under a contract. "Sorry, Alpha," I interrupted, my voice tense yet steady. "Do you not think I should have a say in this matter?"

Everyone's gaze shifted towards me. I straightened my posture, suppressing the shake in my hands. "The agreement requires a partnership. There is no element of a coerced connection."

Tension rippled through the room. The Alpha's counselors, imposing figures in their robes adorned with wolf designs, shared concerned looks.

Alpha Kai kept his gaze fixed on me. "What do you suggest, Miss Warwick?" he asked in a lazy tone, with a hint of amusement in his voice.

I said, giving my voice more power, "a chance that is fair. Allow the bond to develop organically. Allow me to demonstrate my worth."

He observed me intensely for an extended, excruciating period of time. The tension in the room was so thick that it felt like it was harder to breathe than the incense burning in the corner.

"Okay," he finally admitted with a slight smirk on his lips.

"You will get an opportunity. However, Miss Warwick, I must caution you that the Crystal River Pack does not accept any sign of weakness."

A feeling of relief swept through me, briefly overshadowing the pain of being rejected. "Thank you, Alpha," I said, nodding my head respectfully.

"Don't thank me just yet," he growled in a low voice. "This is just the beginning."

I wasn't sure about the start of anything. However, it was clear that my time working at the diner was now a long-gone recollection.

*

After the meeting, I left to clear my head and to take a walk around. The pack surroundings are full of life, pups ran around playing while their parents screamed for them to come back.

Thinking about my now turned life, I realised I am in the midst of a wolf pack, a woman among strong shapeshifters, connected to a hesitant Alpha by an agreement, and a hint of rebelliousness.

While the whisper of chatter picked up again, I couldn't stop thinking about whether I desired the denial or the unknown fate ahead of me.

Next to me, a gentle voice softly murmured, "Luna." I looked at a woman with silver hair tied up in a tight bun, her eyes showing worry. "I'm Luna Selene, the Alpha's former mate, and offered a reassuring smile."

"Dionne," I quickly amended, uncertain if I would ever feel at ease with being called Luna and besides I wasn't Luna yet. "Nice to meet you."

"It's not nice at all," she said, her voice filled with bitterness. "This pack harbors resentments. And they are ruthless towards those who do not conform."

I felt a surge of fear after hearing what she said. Was the doubt visible in my eyes to her? Was she aware that this was a battle I couldn't conquer?

"I will have to show them they are mistaken," I stated with surprising composure.

Luna's eyes grew larger, a spark of admiration taking the place of the concern.

"I love the attitude, Dionne," she remarked, her tone more gentle, "But, keep in mind that the moon governs this pack. And my dear, the moon is always changing."

The mysterious words she spoke lingered even as she walked further away.

"Greetings, Luna Dionne," another woman said cheerfully, her voice oozing with sugary delight.

I turned slightly to stare at her, her eyes glinting with a spark I can't get a grasp of.

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance," I stated, attempting to convey a sense of fitting in that I didn't completely experience.

"Don't fret, Luna," Kathryn, the girl who had just joined me during the walk, clasped my hand with a little too much pressure. "I will assist you in finding your way through the group."

I couldn't ignore the subtle hint of something different in her eyes, despite her warm and wide smile. Is there some sort of contempt?

I noticed Alpha Kai from the distance, watching me with a touch of curiosity in his golden eyes.

"Having a tough day?" Kathryn questioned, and I could tell she noticed the Alpha Kai staring at me intently.

"I suppose you could say that," I sighed, lowering myself onto a bench that was close by.

Sitting next to me, Kathryn handed me a bottle of water.

"The Alpha isn't suitable for everyone." She said softly.

"That's why I have to try." I replied. "This is why I'm here. And it's for a purpose."

Kathryn gently placed her hand on mine for reassurance. "You," she exclaimed, her voice becoming more powerful, "you should have something better than this rough, moody Alpha."

I felt my heart skip a beat. Did she imply...? We were already by the river side now, far away from the prying eyes of the villagers.

"You see," she added, speaking in a secretive tone, "There are additional packs out there. Packs containing Alphas who prioritize kindness and admire intelligence."

I was consumed by doubt. Was Alpha Kai simply an arrogant individual wearing a wolf skin?

"I suppose you're right," I muttered, feeling completely confused.

Kathryn embraced me by putting an arm around me, drawing me near. "I'll take you to explore the world outside Crystal River," she whispered in an enticing tone. "Allow me to demonstrate a life where you are more than just the 'contract girl'."

A treacherous side of me desired to break free, to take a different route as we got to the river side. But, I couldn't overlook the subtle hint of something not quite right in Kathryn's words.

I started feeling a little bit of lingering doubt as the air got more chill, her eyes beaming expectantly.

"I, um, I thank you Kathryn, but..."

Suddenly, as I was about to complete my sentence, I felt a sharp and intense pain in my back, causing me to lose my breath.

I inhaled sharply, pivoting to face Kathryn, with my eyes wide in astonishment and betrayal.

Her once warm smile had now turned into a twisted expression of manic delight. "Do you think no you could convince him, young Luna?" she sneered, her voice filled with bitterness. "You used to be just a waitress, and that's all you'll ever amount to."

"Nobody," she whispered angrily, her voice filled with a cold certainty, "crosses Kathryn, and escapes unscathed."

She pushed me down, her body mounting over mine as she plunged the knife deeper into me.

The world came at me rapidly in a swirling haze, while my scream faded into a faint sound in the distance.

My eyes blurred further, causing tears to spring down as I thought of the what ifs. The final image I caught was her observing my unfortunate end

Dionne

A sharp agony shot through my lower back, startling me from my sleep.

I woke up with my eyes blinking, feeling confused, in a completely unfamiliar setting.

The luxurious silks and shiny floors of the Alpha's chambers were no longer present; neither were the serene sight of the pack nor the bubbling kids running around.

Rather, I discovered myself lying on a straw bed, feeling the coarse material pressing against my exposed skin. My ears were bombarded by a mix of noises-the regular clanging of metal on metal, deep shouts, and the constant buzzing of flies.

I felt panic gripping my throat when I sat up, causing more pain to spread through my body.

"Are you finally awake, princess?" A sarcastic voice pierced through the noise.

I gazed upwards and saw a massive she-Omega, her facial features marked by years of struggle, her hair dishevelled.

Her name tag, ironically cruel, displayed 'Mercy.'

"Who... who are you?" My voice was raspy, just a faint murmur.

Mercy let out a humourless snort. "Welcome to the real world, rookie. In this place, we don't receive elaborate titles, only rough hands and sore backs."

She threw a coarse garment in my direction, the material reeking of perspiration and a hint of soil.

"Omega, put on your clothes. We do not squander sunlight on idle individuals."

Struggling to hold back tears of annoyance, I clumsily handled the tunic, feeling the rough fabric against my usual silks. I Became aware of the gravity of my situation when I put it on my head.

I was no longer Dionne, the mate who was hesitant to be with the Alpha. This youthful, slender form emitted the undeniable fragrance of an Omega.

It appeared like I was born again into a completely different life than the one I had known before.

I staggered out of the packed dormitory, the scent of sweat and old food hanging heavy in the air.

People of various ages, wearing expressions of exhaustion, moved quickly around me.

The last thing I could recall was taking a walk as I strolled round the park. The goddess gave me another chance to live.

Some quietly murmured, giving me curious looks. I stood out as a newcomer among the overwhelming sadness.

Mercy pushed a weighty basket into my arms, its heaviness almost causing me to fall. "Come," she yelled, guiding me out of the simple structure and into the bright sunlight. We reached a huge expanse of land, with endless rows of crops extending into the distance. The scent of wet soil filled the air as hundreds of Omegas worked tirelessly under the scorching sun.

Mercy sneered as she indicated the two elderly Omegas bent over an especially overgrown area.

Elara, a woman with weathered features and a warm smile despite the wrinkles on her face, handed me a tiny, damaged cup. "Water," she croaked, her voice hoarse from years of use. "Child, finish your drink. "You will need it."

I nodded with thanks, gulping down the refreshing water all at once. After placing the mug on the table, Beatrice, hunched over from old age, examined me carefully.

"Another new one, huh?" She croaked, her voice reminiscent of dried leaves skittering in the breeze. "It seems as if you've never worked a single day in your entire existence."

"No." I confessed.

Beatrice let out a snort. "Get ready to learn, young one. Hard work doesn't differentiate based on elaborate aspirations."

The hours that followed were a haze of tiredness. As I bent and straightened, weeding and planting, my unfamiliar body protested loudly. Every action felt like a struggle, my muscles throbbing with a fierceness I had never experienced before.

The other Omegas appeared to take pleasure in my difficulties.

As I struggled with my tools, sweat covered my face, blinding me, while I was surrounded by mocking laughter.

Someone shouted that the princess appears to have much to grasp about work. Another person suggested that perhaps she should just continue pretending to be someone else by dressing up in costumes.

My eyes filled with tears, burning and warm.

The insults triggered a rush of bad memories-the gossip and contempt from the female members of the Crystal River pack.

Elara, with her weathered face showing worry, rested a rough hand on my shoulder.

"Don't pay attention to them, young one," she croaked. "They direct their bitterness towards anyone who is new. You will understand, just like everyone else."

Her words held a harsh truth, a grim acceptance that sent shivers down my spine. Was this endless toil all that Omegas could expect out of life?

When the unrelenting sun vanished below the horizon and stretched out long shadows across the field, a profound feeling of hopelessness came over me as the overseer at last signalling for the day's labour to come to a close. I felt pain in my body like never before, each step triggering protests from every muscle.

"Take it easy, little one," Elara said, her voice surprisingly powerful despite spending the day bent over removing weeds. "The initial day is always the most challenging. You will become accustomed to it."

"I'm not sure if I am able to," I croaked, lowering myself onto a hard wooden bench close to the bedrooms.

"You must," Beatrice stated, her voice unexpectedly mild this time. "There is no alternative."

I shut my eyes, feeling the urge to cry once more. In Crystal River, I had hoped for approval and possibly affection.

My only aspiration now was to make it through each day, enduring the gruelling sunrise. The noisy return of Omegas filled the atmosphere-exhausted conversations, coughs, and the clinking of dishes. A feeling of nausea washed over me as the thin soup they served for dinner churned in my stomach.

"Here," Mercy pushed a metal bowl containing the same unappetising slope towards me. "Eat some food. You will need your energy for the upcoming day."

I gazed at the bowl, the aroma failing to alleviate my queasiness. Is it possible for someone to live off of this?

"Are you going to have a meal or not?" Mercy's voice sliced through my mind, tinged with a perilous tone.

"I... I'm not feeling well," I muttered, pushing the bowl aside.

Mercy's eyes showed a hint of danger, but a calming voice broke the tension before she could react.

"Leave her alone, Mercy," a tall and strong individual appeared from the group, exuding a presence of silent authority. "She is a newcomer. She needs time to adapt."

"Alpha," Mercy stuttered nervously, her previous confidence now replaced by a submissive fear.

Kai gave a short nod, looking straight at me. "Eventually, you will grow accustomed to it," he stated, his tone unexpectedly soft. "The food, the job... it all starts to feel like a daily pattern."

His words seemed empty, doing little to ease me. "I never imagined..." I tried to hold back a sob, feeling overwhelmed by frustration. I never imagined life could be so difficult.

My back straightened as he took a step closer. Did he recognise me? Does he know I am his Dionne? His next words affirm that he doesn't know.

Kai knelt in front of me, his luminous eyes showing a hint of sympathy. "Life is tough for everybody," he said, his voice a deep growl. "But Omegas," he stated, a shadow of darkness passing over his face, "you face the most challenges."

He rose suddenly, his eyes staying on me a bit longer than needed before he turned and departed.

This is going to be difficult. What am I supposed to do? I can't recall how I was killed, nor do I remember who did it.

But if one thing I am sure of, it is that someone killed me.

The remainder of the night was hazy. I stirred the gruel, its flavour leaving a metallic aftertaste in my mouth.

I was finally overcome by fatigue, falling into fitful slumber haunted by dreams of never-ending fields and taunting laughter...

I woke up suddenly, feeling a crushing heaviness on me. Confused, I attempted to yell, but a gloved hand covered my mouth, silencing me.

I felt a sudden rush of panic, but then I recognised a familiar smell-the fragrance of pine trees and fresh mountain air, a scent that I was very familiar with.

"Alpha Kai?" I murmured softly, my words muffled by his hand.

With a gradual movement, he withdrew his hand, his eyes shining brightly in the moonlight that seeped through a tiny opening in the wall. However, he was not paying attention to me. He was taking in my scent.

I caught my breath as his strong hands started to move over my body, following along my arms and my stomach, a gradual, intentional touch that made me shiver despite the fear I felt.

"You have a unique scent," he whispered, his voice a deep rumble that echoed within me. "Nonetheless, it is still you."

His hand stayed on my cheek, his thumb softly moving over my mouth.

"What are you up to?" I murmured, feeling a strange combination of fear and another sensation coursing through me.

He chose not to respond, only kept examining my face intensely, causing my heart to race.

After that, he softly said, "I own you. Omega."

Dionne

My body jerked up as I struggled to breathe. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, like a drum solo in the quiet dormitory. My skin glistened with sweat as the dream clung to me like a moist covering.

"Take it easy, small one," Elara's raspy voice came from next to me. "It's only a bad dream, nothing more."

I attempted to control my breath, Kai's touch and possessive words creating intense sensations in my body.

"Was it yet another one of those dreams about being in a field?" Elara carried on speaking, her tone filled with worry.

I whispered, refusing to share the dream as it was too personal. "It was... not the same."

Elara had a crease in her brow. "How do they differ?" she inquired softly.

I muttered, getting out of bed, unable to describe it. My muscles were still sore from yesterday's work, but there was a curious feeling of haste beneath the tiredness.

"Where are you headed?" Elara shouted as I walked towards the communal wash basin.

"I need some water," I casually stated, looking away and not making eye contact with her.

While splashing cool water on my face, I let out a gasp. The reflection in the cracked water bucket appeared to be altered.

My eyes, typically warm brown, now contained a golden fleck that was new. A gentle blue glow flickered underneath the unblemished skin of my right hand. I followed it with a shaky finger, feeling a surge of energy travel up my arm.

"What is this object?"

Whispering, a mixture of fear and a peculiar sense of anticipation coiled inside me.

"Hello, omega." A harsh voice broke the silence. Martha, one of the girls who had harassed me the most the day before at work, was the one. "Are you still dressing up in the mornings?"

Prior to my response, she pushed me unexpectedly hard. However, a peculiar occurrence took place. Instead of my usual stumbling back, I remained rooted in place.

Martha, unfortunately, didn't have the same luck. The push she attempted was met with an unseen barrier, causing her to be pushed back with a startled scream. She fell in a pile on the dusty ground, staring in fear.

The room was filled with a collective gasp as the other Omegas looked at me with a combination of admiration, and terror.

"What have you been up to?" Beatrice, typically composed, hesitated, her voice breaking.

I glanced at my hands, then turned my attention back to Martha as she quickly stood up, dusting off her clothing. "I... I'm not sure," I stuttered, feeling a blend of bewilderment and an unusual feeling of authority enveloping me.

A deep growl came from within me, a sound that even surprised myself. The rest of the Omegas drew back in fear, their eyes filled with wide terror.

"What did I just hear?" Elara murmured, her words barely heard above the thumping in my ears.

"I have no idea!" I echoed, the growl increasing once more, an automatic reaction to the fear coming from the nearby Omegas.

The bathroom space suddenly seemed cramped, filled with tension in the air. Fear gripped me, a basic instinct to flee.

"I need to leave this place," I exclaimed, pushing through the shocked Omegas and quickly exiting the building.

As I raced through the field, the sound of voices and shouts echoed behind me, my feet hitting the solid ground. I was unsure of where I was, only aware of my desire for a peaceful place, any place, to be in.

As I moved further into the woods that bordered the field, the shouts slowly disappeared in the distance.

The trees surrounded me, their branches creating a refreshing, green pathway.

I made my way clumsily through the thick vegetation, feeling a sharp pain in my chest, and a throbbing in my head as various noises surrounded me - the rustling of foliage, the birds singing, and a deep, low hum resonating from the ground.

I slumped against the trunk of a massive oak tree, hugging myself tightly, attempting to block out the intense surge of sensations.

"What is going on with me?" I yelled, tears flowing down my cheeks. "What is happening? Why can't I remember more than my name, and the last place I was?"

The surroundings appeared fuzzy, with unfamiliar voices echoing in my mind, yet oddly recognizable.

"Are you lost, young one?"

The deep and resonating voice appeared to be coming from all directions simultaneously.

I glanced up, momentarily forgetting fear when I heard the sound. But, there was simply the never-ending green cover of leaves blocking the sunlight.

"Who are you?" I murmured, barely audible.

"A part of you," the voice reverberated. "A part that slipped your mind."

"You sound like a fairy," I murmured, barely audible. "You're neither human nor wolf..."

A soft chuckle echoed among the trees, causing chills to run down my back.

"Are you a human being? Little one, stop hastily categorizing yourself. You are more than what is visible."

"Need anything else?" Fear gripped my throat. "What more could I be?"

"A descendant. Heir from a lineage mentioned solely in old legends. A lineage connecting humans and Fae."

I was overwhelmed with thoughts.

" They're just mere tales," I dismissed.

The laughter resurfaced, now tinged with humor. "Child stories contain more truth than you realize. And the dormant power of that truth resides within you."

"Power lying dormant?" My voice quavered as I repeated the words.

"The strength possessed by a human who has been influenced by Fae beings. A force that has been aroused, a flame sparked by your... meeting."

The sound faded away, creating a disturbing quietness that lingered. Meeting? What meeting? I tried to quickly come up with a reason, my thoughts moving rapidly.

Out of the blue, I realized.

The fantasy. Kai and his possessive nature, and his declaration: "You belong to me, Omega."

"The Alpha?" I took a breath, feeling a sudden surge of fear as the realization hit me. "Did he... stir something in me?"

The silence of the voice lingered, though a feeling of affirmation filled the room.

"Why though?" I pushed, my voice breaking. "What is the reason for this timing?"

"When the moment has arrived," the voice responded at last, its words filled with significance. "It is now the moment for the offspring to ascend. The time has come for equilibrium to be reinstated."

I gasped, my breath arrested in my throat. "Can you check the balance? What balance are you referring to restore? What was going on?"

Prior to being able to ask my questions, a loud howl filled the air, causing fear and making the trees shake.

"They have arrived," said the voice loudly, urgency replacing the earlier amusement.

"Who?" I stuttered, feeling my palm become clammy as sweat trickled down my forehead.

The response arrived as a chilling growl, now nearer, echoing from the depths of the forest. I heard a familiar sound that filled me with fear - the deep growl of a werewolf.

"Go, small one," the voice urged, filled with desperation, "They are in search of your strength. You are unprepared!"

However, before I could take action, a huge figure appeared from the trees, its eyes shining with an eerie red light.

It was a werewolf that I had never seen before, with tangled black fur and a size larger than any wolf I had come across.

Panic overwhelmed me as my scream disappeared in the vast forest.

With predatory hunger burning in its eyes, the creature lunged towards me as the voice echoed for the final time.

"Keep in mind, Dionne. You are more than just Omega. You are the connection!"