“This nightmare is only just beginning.”

I stared at the reflection in the mirror and marveled at how different I looked from how I normally was. Today was the day I got married to my mate and became the Luna of the Blood Moon pack, one of the biggest and most feared packs in the region. It came as a surprise to everyone when two weeks ago, my wolf Ida and the wolf of our Alpha, Rex connected and bonded. Our wolfs confirmed that we were mates. I, a lowly maid working in the house of a rich member of the pack was the mate of one of the most feared alphas in the world. “And soon to be his wife!” my wolf Ida crooned. I smiled at my reflection.

The whole change was a lot to get used to and I knew I had to become the Luna my pack deserved but I was determined to do my very best and to give my all for the pack and for Derek. A knock sounded at the door and someone called out, “Are you ready Luna Genevieve? It’s almost time.” “Coming!” I responded.

I looked at the simple flowing, shimmering silver dress I wore and ran my hands over the soft silk. It was by far the best dress I ever owned. I checked that the mascara and lip gloss I had swiped looked okay, it was the only make up I could afford but it worked. At least I had color in my face. My hair was arranged in a simple pin up hairstyle with loose coiled strands framing the sides of my face. I may not have seen myself as a knockout beauty but I looked good. It would have to do. With a deep breath, I walked to the door and opened it.

I felt confident as I walked down the stairs, ready to take on this new stage of my life that came with massive responsibilities. I was ready to do anything for my mate. For Derek. As I reached the closed door of the hall where I was to be married, I took another breath and pushed the doors open.

Being a maid meant I had to pick up on things that my master didn’t necessarily have to say, so I was really good at reading the atmosphere of a place, the body language of people and the words they didn’t say. That was how I knew something was wrong –that and the music which wasn’t playing.

I ignored the bad feeling and kept on walking confidently to the front of the hall, walking past every member of the pack who was present to witness the wedding ceremony. At the front of the hall, my steps faltered and my smile fell. On the ground, my father and my mother were on their knees, bound with silver ropes and bleeding from cuts I could not see because their whole body was caked in blood –both dried and fresh.

My eyes drifted from them to Derek who was sitting on the plush chair meant for the alpha of the pack. “Wh…what is going on?” I asked tentatively. Derek stands and walks towards me. “Do you really not know?” I shake my head. “Yesterday, the bodies of Mr. Campbell and his wife was found in a pool of blood and silver daggers plunged into each of their chests. The investigation revealed that they were killed by your parents because of a dispute about unpaid wages.” I gasped.

Mr. Campbell was a rich and prominent member of the pack. My parents and I worked for them, my father was their driver, my mother was their cook and I was a maid there.

“That can’t be true! My parents would never!” I cry out. Derek frowns at me and says, “Their fingerprints were found on the weapon and the sedative used to subdue the couple was found in your mother’s room.” I gasp again while my mother whimpers beside me. “S…sir Pl…please, we did n…not do this.” A guard pulls my mother by her hair and slaps her hard across the face. She collapses and my father catches her while I run towards them. I hear Ida growl. “Stop please! Don’t hit her!” I cry. I look at Derek hoping he will help but he does nothing. The crowd gathered behind me murmurs but no one does anything, they look away and don’t meet my eyes.

“This is a sentencing trial Genevieve. The time for them to defend themselves is over, they have already been found guilty.” My blood runs cold at Derek’s words and Ida growls even louder. I kneel before Derek and plead for my parents’ lives. “Give me a week to investigate again. I am sure new evidence in their favor can be found. Please just a week.” Tears stream down my eyes as I take in Derek’s angry expression. “Are you saying I did not investigate properly and framed your parents?” I shake my head but he continues, “I told you Genevieve, the time for pleas is over. This is a sentencing. According to the law of the Blood Moon pack, whoever kills another without the reason of self-defense shall also lose his life. I hereby sentence these sinners to death, effective immediately!”

I scream and rush towards my parents but I am suddenly held back by Derek’s strong arms. I struggle uselessly against his hold and watch helplessly as a guard steps forward and plunges a silver dagger to the hilt into the heart of my father. I watch as he screams in agony and shakes with pain while my mother screams, clinging to his hand. Moments later, he is dead. My mother looks at me with tears streaming down her face and mouths something to me. Te amo, mi amor. Thirty minutes later, she joins my father in the afterlife.

I stare at their dead bodies as Derek finally releases me. It isn’t over, this nightmare is only just beginning.