A LUNA'S SHADOWS (RE-WRITE IN PROGRESS)

I shifted and trotted back not to the place I called home. But, to the place that had become my prison. Stale air, boisterous wolves, and parents who clutched their pups away from any sudden movement. I did not know if we would ever escape. I kept my father, but at the point where I had taken many more lives. He is my father, and I knew, or at least thought most, would do the same. Pushing through the doors to the only place that buzzed and it was full of rowdy male wolves. They did not eve quieten in my presence, despite that usually being the normal. It seems the latest attack pumped a whole lot of confidence in young power hungry wolves. Young wolves that had no fear, no knowledge of this world. Wolves like I once was, clueless on the raging war. Perfect puppets.

“Sis, here.” Xavier murmured as he passed me plate of food.

“Thanks little bro.” I winked.

“How do you do that?” He said with a hint of frustration.

“Do what?” I asked, confused.

“Make pointless comments or jokes?” He sighed.

“Would you rather me mope around?” I asked, annoyed.

“No, sorry—I, this is hell.” He murmured.

I wrapped my arm around Xaviers shoulders and sighed, knowing that he was stuck watching both dad and I suffer.

“Hands off the Luna…” a wolf growled.

“Or what?” Xavier jumped up.

“Or?” The wolf smirked.

“You won’t live long!” A woman who clung to the large man’s arm said.

“She’s my sister!” Xavier said.

“But she doesn’t belong to you.” He carried on.

“No one is property.” Xavier growled.

“Xav…” I murmured.

“Well, you’re not.” He shrugged.

I studied the omega wolf’s large body. Going through an array of emotions, deciding if he causes a scene. He’s probably questioning if his alpha would mind or maybe he will be noticed and promoted. A large smirk peeling across his face as watched our shoulders drop and my arms slip to my side.

“Just drop it, Xav.” I whispered.

“This isn’t forever.” Xavier growled.

I watched as my twin spun around on his heels and stormed off. Sighing as I wandered the halls, feeling relief that they left me alone as I did so. Which allowed me to bundle my thoughts and compose myself. Just as I reached my door handle, the room in which they forced me to share with Vlad every night. I heard my only ally, apart from Xavier, whisper my name. Mara, a frail omega who had been captured by Vlad and forced to work as a maid. Turning to face her, I jumped when she shoved a small bag into my arms.

“Thankyou, Mara.” I whispered.

She nodded and jogged away.

I pulled myself into the room. My entire body shivering with fear. Oh, how such a tiny box could terrify a wolf? There are always many reasons to fear this type of box. No matter what stage of life you are, this tiny little box will always be frightening. Pushing the bathroom door shut, I tore open the box quietly. Cringing at every sound. I tug at the tap on the corners and let the sticks slide out into my hand. A heavy sigh escapes me. I had to free my brother and father. This could be just one more complication. It wouldn’t be a small one and it wouldn’t be a minor bump in the road. This would be a far larger bump. I shove myself into the small bathroom, locking the door with a simple click.

Minutes tick by, tick, tick, tick. My heart pounds faster than it had ever done before. With a rolling round of nausea in my stomach, I peel the packet off the small terrifying stick and almost faint. Gripping the tiny white basin with my claws, it was the only way to hold myself up. The flood of tears soak my face. This couldn’t be? But of course, this was me and it very much was not a dream. My mind rattled on with a ton of uneasy thoughts. Until I concluded, I had no time to waste. I had to get my family out and while I harboured something precious to Vlad, the consequences would be very mild if I did it now. To me, that’s all this was. A temporary escape. I didn’t intend to have a pup. I’m barely an adult. How could I raise something so dependent?

I race out, meeting eye to eye with a guard on the door to the low level home-made prison. He pulled his arms across his beastly chest and ragged brown shirt. He lets out a low growl as I stand in front of him, planting my feet firmly to the ground.

“Move along.” He growled.

I leapt up and pulled him into the ground just as the earth opened. The hungry growls of the shadowy creatures echoed from below. I could hear nothing but the sound of whispering wind as the earth healed itself, as if nothing happened. I pushed the door open with a syringe I had stolen from the bulky omega guard. Hoping it was what I needed.

“Dad?” I whisper in the darkness.

“Adira?” He rasped.

“I’m here.” I reached through the bars.

“Why are you here?” He questioned.

“To get you out.” I answered.

“Its... too risky.” He panicked.

“Trust me, it will be okay.” I breathed.

I pulled the door open and pulled the needle out.

“What is that?” He stumbled backward.

“The anti-dote.” I breathed.

“How?” He asked, breathlessly.

“I have my ways.” I grinned.

Of Course I didn’t know, and I was relying on a brainless omega male to have it. Under any other circumstances, I wouldn’t have ever chanced it. But time is ticking.

I sighed in relief. Seeing my father perk up and breathe less shaky breaths. I pulled a bunch of heavy supply boxes under a small cracked window. My heart was beating wildly with adrenaline. I tell dad to stay put while I search for Xavier. As if fate was finally on my side, I bump into him only a hall away. I wrapped my fingers into his shirt and yanked him behind me. Dragging him to the dark cell below.

“You’re coming?” Xavier questioned.

“I have to stop them coming for you.” I sighed.

“I can’t leave without my daughter, ‘’ dad huffed.

“This is the last time, I promise.” I mumbled as I hugged them both.

“I swear, Adira, if you don’t crawl out of here soon. Then I will drag you out, Vlad or no Vlad.” Xavier growled.

“Alright Xav. Get out.” I chuckled lightly.

They scrambled out, with only a rough map scribbled on a crumpled piece of paper that would hopefully lead them to the pack, and my brother and father found them. My original pack. I let out a heavy sigh and slid down against the cold concrete wall. It was done. They were free. Slowly, I climbed the stairs. Pushing open the door, I am swung into a wall so hard it crumbled. Groaning in panic as I feel his hands grab my neck. Wheezing as I struggle to breathe in, feeling my heart race as stars dance around in my vision.

“Stop!” I wheeze desperately.

“You never learn.” He muttered.

“I have something better to offer!” I wheezed, and my throat burned.

“And what could be better?” Vlad hissed.

“I took a test.” I said weakly.

I felt no air left, nothing but stars and darkness. Never even feeling the hard ground as I passed out. Slowly, I opened my eyes, breathing in as I pushed myself up. Eyeing the contents of my bedroom and realizing someone was beside me. Vlad sat there, intensely. His golden eyes bouncing over my body and his breath heavy as he stared at the tiny white and pink stick.

Well, he found it.

“When did you plan on telling me?” He growled.

“When I knew my dad and brother were safe.” I murmured.

“That’s not our deal.” He growled.

“We never had a deal on pups.“ I said.

“That’s because there isn’t we, there’s me and them, and then there’s you.” He pinned my arms above my head with just one large hand.

I caught sight of the needle just as he pushed it into my arm. Fighting off the effects as best I could. Eventually they won. The quickly moving liquid seeped through me. My body felt like nothing more than a dead weight. My mind felt hazy and struggled to string anything comprehensive together. All I could hear was his deep, chesty laugh rumble beside me. It was the first laugh I had ever heard Vlad spit out. Deep down, it haunted me, because I knew it didn’t mean the happiness I wanted.

Cool pressure to my forehead woke me. A cool washer rested on my forehead as I sat up in panic. Next to me sat Mara, a tired expression and black bags under her eyes. She pressed the washer on the forehead with a sigh. There was an IV in my left arm and I looked at her in confusion. She only sighed as pulled the washer away and stared at me with sadness

“You didn’t wake, the pregnancy must affect how you handled his drugs. It’s been a week, Luna.” She bowed her head as if in shame.

“A week?” I panicked.

“Yes, Luna.” She said.

Without a word, I stumbled out of the room.