CHAPTER EIGHT

Chanda didn’t think she had tears left in her body to cry anymore.

She had cried when Velkan stormed out of the clearing after marking her. She had cried when Mia had walked past her without even glancing her way. She had cried while Sera had rained curses on her for bringing shame to their pack.

She had cried herself to sleep on the floor in the Luna’s chamber after Leia had left her.

Now, she laid on the floor, hugging herself, wishing this was all a nightmare and her life will go back to normal.

‘My Lady!” A young maid opened the door, looked in and rushed when she saw Chanda, laying on the floor. “My Lady. Are you alright? Are you hurt?” She ran her hand over Chanda’s face to see if she was alive.

Chanda only whimpered and stared at her in response.

“Oh, I need to get the Lycan.” The maid turned to the door.

Chanda gripped her arms in fear. “No, no, no. Please. I will get up.” She hurried to her feet, eyes pleading. She looked around the room, sad to see she was still living this night mare. But the last person she wanted to be around now was Velkan.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to scare you. My name is Ara. I’m to be your personal maid. The Lycan’s mother sent me to you.” Ara smiled at her.

Chanda nodded. She let go of Ara’s arm and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Why did she send you?” Chanda asked.

“Well, because I have to prepare you for your wedding night.”

Wedding night? Chanda looked to the maid in shock.

“Surely, you know what happens after one is married, right?” Ara walked back to the door and brought in a basket with bath soap, a sponge, some oils and a white lace robe. “I mean, you should know,” Ara continued, “seeing as you already performed the act to even become the luna.” Ara raised an eyebrow at Chanda. “I will run your bath.” She walked to the bathroom.

Chanda sighed. Everybody probably thought she was a whore, even the servants here. But she can’t defend herself because she doesn’t remember anything from that night or even from the morning when she woke in Velkan’s arms.

“I have lived here all my life. Never thought I would one day serve an omega in the Luna chamber.” Ara said from the bathroom, her voice slightly louder. “I won’t lie though, it was a great plan.”

Chanda didn’t respond.

“Escaping the terrors of being an omega, straight to being the Lycan King’s Luna. Pretty sad that I didn’t think of it myself.” She walked back out. “But then again, I’m not dumb. Making the Lycan King to pick a bride is one thing, forcing him to marry an omega is another.” Ara bent to face Chanda; her eyes filled with disgust. “Whatever made you think your life will be better now, that you will have a fancy life, you better forget it.” She eyed Chanda. “Because with the way The Lycan has been cursing all night, I bet your reign as Luna won’t be long.” Ara said mockingly. “Just remember you would always be like us, a servant and nothing else.”

“Is that how you speak to your crowned Luna?” Velkan walked in, eyes burning.

Both Chanda and Ara turned to the door, shocked.

“My Alpha.” Ara fell to her knees immediately, bowing her head to Velkan.

He walked to Ara, pressed her hard to the floor with his feet on her neck. “You lowly peasant.” He twisted his feet, making Ara scream in pain. “You will respect the title she possesses, or else. Do you understand, omega?”

“Yes, my Alpha.” Ara choked out barely.

“Now beg your Luna for mercy.” He released Ara, dragged her up and made her kneel before Chanda. “Beg”. He ordered.

“I am sorry, My Luna.” Ara said, shaking. “It won’t happen again. Please show mercy.”

Chanda didn’t hear a thing Ara said, she was too caught up with what Velkan was doing. Was he defending her? she wondered.

“Now, get out before I end your existence.” He barked at Ara.

Ara ran out the room, crying.

Chanda was confused and scared at the same time. She didn’t know whether to thank him or stay quiet. She chose to speak. “Thank you.” She whispered.

“You will not speak until spoken to.” Velkan barked at her. “And no reason to thank me, she didn’t lie anyways, you are a lowly omega.” He looked at her with clear anger in his eyes. “But nobody will disrespect the title of The Lycan Luna no matter who or what bears it. At least not to my face or hearing.”

Chanda nodded, feeling stupid for thinking he could be nice to her.

 Velkan walked to the door and slammed it shut, locking it. He walked back to her and lift her face to him. Chanda flinched at his touch, scared he had come to her for the ‘Wedding Night’. He ran his fingers down her neck, tracing the mark he had left on her.

“I-I-I ha-a-ve not bathed yet.” Chanda stammered, hoping he would leave her.

“Why? Are you not ready for your Alpha?” He bent down to her. “I haven’t gotten that reminder I wanted yet. Seeing as you are now my wife, its only right I have an idea of how it feels to sleep with you. Am I right, Luna?” He whispered in her ears.

Chanda was scared of what might happen if she rejected him. “Yes, my Alpha. You can do as you please.” She said with eyes closed. Maybe if she didn’t see him touch her, this would go fast.

Velkan stared at her for a while, then he started laughing. Chanda opened her eyes, confused.  

He pulled her to kneel before him. Chanda didn’t dare make a sound. “As much as I would love to fulfil your wishes, my dear Luna. I have a better idea.” He pulled on her hair to make her look at him. “You are going to tell the truth right now or my face will be the last thing you see on earth. “

‘Tell a truth I don’t know or die’, Chanda thought as she stared up at Velkan. Her head was screaming in pain but she was sure he was capable of worse. Death didn’t seem so bad now, at least then she would not be hurt anymore by anybody.

“Answer me.” He pulled her hair harder.

“I don’t know.” Chanda murmured.

Velkan growled and smacked her across the face, throwing her to the floor.  He dragged her up to her feet and wrapped his hands around her neck.

“You dare to keep lying? I would ask you one last time. Tell me who you are working for.”

 Her body was in pains, her head hurt and she was slowly losing consciousness, but she felt at peace because she wished for death now.  She felt Velkan tighten his hands on her neck and she felt her body going limb.

She was going to die on her wedding night.

Chanda closed her eyes and whispered. “I don’t know.”

She was already falling into the darkness when the hold on her neck loosened, so she barely heard when Velkan whispered. "Mate."