Chapter Five

I was at the point of giving up. I hurt all over, both emotionally and physically. Mentally too, I was drained. Ever since the Alpha chased me out of his chamber, the Luna had extremely been on my case. Sending me from one place to the other. Making sure I was involved in a lot of strenuous activities even those that were meant for men alone, she commanded me to do it.

It was noon already, the sun was beaming brilliantly and I was yet to have breakfast. While others had been taking breaks and eating, I was made to continue working. I cried from the sheer unfairness of it all until my eyes were puffy, my voice was cracked and the tears had stopped coming.

“The Luna wants to see you.”

My heart beat increased and I sighed and willed myself to remain calm. I left the farm and began walking towards the manor. My steps were slow and dragged but who could blame me? Working for hours under a scorching sun without food, just water was bound to do that to anyone.

“Yes Luna.”

I bowed my head when I got to the big living room where she sat drinking a glass of what seemed to be wine.

She gave me a condescending once-over and smirked evilly.

“On your knees.”

I obeyed instantly.

Then she ignored me, taking an intentionally long sip of her drink. She was always looking for new ways to humiliate me. I did not know what I had ever done to her. This had been her treatment to my mother until she died. Was that what she planned to do to me? To make me suffer till I died? Sometimes I wanted to run, but I was scared to do it. If I was caught running, my punishment would be made worse and life would be made unbearable. But if I succeeded, I become a rogue or meet with one, and rogues, from what I’d heard were the meanest kind of werewolves.

So I stayed. I stayed and received the humiliation and underwent the suffering without complaints.

“So you’re my son’s mate.”

She turned spiteful eyes to glare at me.

Fear overwhelmed me. How did she know?

“You fancy yourself the future Luna of Moon Rock pack, the most powerful pack in all regions?”

My mouth remained close. I was at loss for words.

“Answer me!”

She roared in rage.

“N-no Luna. N-no”

I shifted away from her still kneeling before her. Her temper scared me.

“You command slave. You as my son’s mate will never happen. I will make life terrible for you, Tasyra. You will regret the day you were born.”

“I’m s-sorry Luna.”

I was too weak to cry but I could feel them coming. Her threats were terrifying, and her eyes made me know she was going to do as she had threatened.

“Your mother should be sorry for giving birth to you. Now, I do not want to hear this anywhere. Not even from the lips of any worker in the pack. If I do, I’ll have your head on a platter.”

“Ye-yes L-luna.”

“Now get out.”

I left and was walking back to the farm. My heart was heavy. There was no one to pour them out to. No one to listen. I thought of my mother.

Mama, I’m going through a lot. I miss you so much.

“Well well well..”

I raised my head to see Zaryn coming towards me. Each step she took was haughty and intimidating.

I sighed, not another one. I could not deal with another evil person.

“So you want to steal the Alpha from me.”

She raised one of her brows. Her expression was angry.

“No”

“But as his mate, is that not what you would want to do, naturally speaking?”

“I’m not stealing the Alpha.”

“So you think because you’re his mate, that makes you better? That gives you an upper hand?”

“I never said that Zaryn.”

“You will not call me by my name. I will not have a common slave who was born in captivity and would possibly die as one disrespect me that much.”

“I’m sorry, Miss.”

I corrected respectfully. I did not want issues with her.

“Hm.” 

She scrunched her face in disgust.

“Please can I go now?”

That farm where I was alone with my thought was better for me than standing here talking to her. She was looking for trouble but I was not ready for it. Only I was pained by the betrayal of the Alpha. Even if he didn't want me, did he have to tell everyone and have me threatened and insulted? For an Alpha, that was low of him.

“Did you both accept the bond?”

Did the Alpha omit that part when he was telling them? I exhaled a quiet, melancholic sigh. “No.”

“Who rejected the bond?”

“Does it matter?”

I asked in frustration. Why was she trying to make me remember?

“How dare you?” She admonished. “How dare you talk back at me?”

“I was not talking back at you.” 

This was exactly what I’d been trying to avoid. This undue confrontation. She had come looking for trouble, she was trying to start a fight with me and I did not want it. It would just put me in more trouble. The Luna's threat still rang in my head. The Alpha had not just betrayed the bond, but they’ve also planned to make me suffer for it as though it was my fault the Moon Goddess had fated us together.

“Oh I see what is happening here. You’re the Alpha’s mate and you want to flaunt it before me. To make me feel jealous, is that it?”

I said nothing. There was no use, she was just got to keep believing what she wanted to.

“You might be his mate slave, but I’m the one he’s getting married to. I’m going to be his Luna.”

Then she took a menacing step forward and forced my chin up to look into her face.

“Read my lips Tasyra because I’m going to say this just once; I will make you suffer. I will make you regret being mated to the man I want to marry.”