2.BEGINNING OF THE END

~HEAVEN~

“Get up, you worthless slave!” I gasped as I felt the cold water hit my face, and sprung up from my bed. I looked up at the chief guard, clenching my fist in anger.

“What is the meaning of this? I finished my shift thirty minutes ago.” I said through gritted teeth and the next thing I knew, his fist came crashing on my face, sending me to the ground.

I spat out the blood in my mouth and wiped my broken lips before glaring up at him.

“You finish only when I say so!” He thundered as he threw a brown box at my feet. “A package arrived for the King. Take it to him.” He ordered.

“My station is at the East Wing of the Palace. Why not give this to those stationed in the West?” I asked, trying my best to stay calm.

I knew he was just trying to get a reaction from me, something to use as a valid excuse to have me punished but I'm already used to his tricks, and I won't be playing that game anymore.

It's been ten years since my home got invaded and I got sold off to the slave traders. They ended up shipping me off to the Palace in the Lunar Knights Pack to work as a maid.

I thought I only had to endure this until I turned eighteen, but the Moon Goddess turned her back on me that night. I neither had my first shift nor got my wolf, and so I was condemned to live my entire life as a wolfless Omega. The only consolation were my powers, and that is what has kept me alive for ten years.

I have also been secretly training myself in the act of medicine all these while, keeping my Pack's tradition alive. I knew it would be impossible for me to escape, given that I was weak, but I wasn't going to give up. Not now, not ever, until I get my revenge on the wolves that invaded my home.

“Are you trying to disobey my orders, slave?” The chef guard asked in a disdainful manner.

I let out a sigh as I picked up the package and rose to my feet. I glared at him, wishing I could just rip his head off his neck. Maybe one day, I will do just that.

“I'll be on my way.” I responded as I walked past him, not giving him another chance to taunt me.

I walked to the West Wing of the Palace and paused at the base of the staircase. I wasn't familiar with this area and I had no idea where the King's quarters were, but it was already late into the night and no one was around for me to ask for directions, and so I just trusted my gut and let my legs lead.

As I made my way higher, I began hearing faint sounds coming from the left hallway. At first, I wanted to ignore it and be on my way but then I decided to check it out, and as I drew closer to the hallway, I noticed one of the doors was slightly ajar.

“Don't do this. Please.” I heard a faint whisper of a feminine voice, followed by a shrill cry and then a thud, as though something or someone fell on the ground.

I poked my head in a little and a gasp escaped my lips which I quickly covered to avoid being heard. I stared in horror as I watched the life drain from her body as she laid in a pool of her own blood. That was no ordinary female but the Lycan Queen!

I didn't understand what was happening but I knew one thing for sure... I had to get out of there!

The killer was yet to notice me as he wiped his bloody dagger on her gown, and so I carefully retracted my steps but suddenly bumped into a flower vase, sending it crashing on the ground, and gaining the attention of the man in the room.

“Who is there?!” His deep voice thundered and I immediately threw the package to the side and took to my heels.

I heard heavy footsteps from behind and I knew he was chasing after me. I had no idea where I was running to, but I kept going until my foot got caught on a loose floorboard and I tumbled to the ground.

I felt a strong grip on my leg that instant as I was pulled backwards with force, and I kicked with all my might, hitting his jaw, and rolling away immediately.

I scrambled to my feet, my heart thudding violently against my chest as I threw open the next door I encountered and ended up at the balcony. I turned around and the man was already at the door, trapping me out. He had a mask on his face so I had no idea who he was or why he had done what he did.

“Who are you?” I asked as he took slow and steady strides towards me. “You don't have to do this. I don't even know who you are. I won't be able to tell on you even if I wanted to.” I said, hoping he would let me go but he charged at me instead, grazing my arm with his blade.

I kicked his hand hard and managed to throw off the dagger and then I tried to go around but he yanked my hair and threw me hard against the edge of the balcony as though I weighed nothing. He kicked my stomach several times, not giving me a chance to recover. I grabbed his foot the next time he attempted to hit me but he was much more stronger, and was able to free himself before gripping my throat as he raised me mid air.

I struggled to get his hand off my neck as his grip tightened each second, choking the air out of my lungs. I clawed and scratched on his hand but he didn't even flinch. His other hand went behind him and he brought out another dagger and attempted to stab me but I held the blade as tightly as I could, not minding the cut it gave me in the process.

“Don't. You won't get away with this.” I forced the words out of my mouth and he let out a scoff as he tightened his grip around my neck.

“I already have.” Came his cold response, and he forcefully pushed the blade in.

I slowly turned to the side, staring at the silver dagger that had been plunged deep into my chest. My gaze caught sight of a fire tattoo on his arm and my eyes widened in shock.

It was him!

However, I didn't get much time to think about it as he suddenly yanked out the blade and threw my weak body over the balcony. I managed to take off his mask in that exact moment but I only got a glimpse of his eyes before falling off.

I stared at the full Moon as I laid on the hard ground, pain surging from every part of my body. I could feel life slowly leaving me, but I didn't want to give up even then.

This can't be the end, not after I had finally figured out the Pack that had invaded my home, I finally knew where the enemy resides, I couldn't die just like that. What about my parents? My Pack members who lost their lives that night? I had promised to avenge them, and yet I suffered the same fate, lying in a pool of my own blood as I stared at the glowing Moon which seemed brighter at that moment.

I clung onto the last shred of life, reaching out in a final plea to the Moon Goddess.

“Just this once,” I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. “Help me.”

And then, everything went dark.