1. The Betrayed Luna

"Isn't she lovely?"

Mom looked at me in awe, and I immediately felt shy. I was wearing a long white dress, off the shoulders. Earlier, Mom had said I looked like a moon goddess.

Then Mom turned me around and showed me off to my two step-siblings, Benson and Tracy. They both smiled as we exchanged glances.

"Beautiful," Benson complimented, giving two thumbs up.

Tracy quickly slipped her arm through mine. "Come on, don't keep Jeremy waiting."

I felt so lucky to have a mother and two step-siblings who cared so much about me. They had been there for me through the hard times and the happy times of the past few years.

Dad married Mom four years ago, and my life has been magical ever since. The loneliness I used to feel was gone, with Benson and Tracy always there to support me. Especially now that Jeremy had chosen me to be his Luna. And now, the moment I had been waiting for had finally arrived.

"You go ahead, Mom will catch up with you at the ceremony," Mom said. She stroked my cheek. "I know you're nervous, but you have to be confident. You're going to be a great Luna, Deli."

"Yes, Mom," I nodded.

I left the house and got into the car with Benson and Tracy. My heart was pounding as the car drove down the road.

I am Delilah Ramones, and at the age of 19, I am about to be betrothed to Jeremy Davenport and become his Luna. Jeremy had just been appointed Alpha, from a family of considerable influence in the city.

Our marriage had long been arranged.

Since childhood, Jeremy and I had always shared a strong bond. Our childhood friendship grew, and by the time we were teenagers, I knew he was the one for me.

"Deli? Are you okay?" Tracy's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I forced a weak smile. "Just a little nervous, that's all."

"You've been friends with Jeremy for a long time. Relax," Benson chimed in.

"Anyone would be nervous about becoming a Luna or Alpha, Benson," Tracy grumbled, "it's not that easy to stay calm."

Tracy, who was sitting next to me, opened her purse and pulled out a small tin of mints, which she handed to me. "You have to keep your breath fresh. Don't be like Benson," she teased.

"Oh, jeez! Please!" Benson groaned from the driver's seat.

I took one of the mints Tracy offered and tasted the grape mixed with the mint melt in my mouth.

"Tastes good, doesn't it?" Tracy asked, eyeing me closely. "Have another one; I know they're delicious."

"I know." I nodded and took another mint. "Thank you so much."

Soft music played in the car, making me feel relaxed. I started to feel sleepy.

...

My head was still throbbing, but I could hear people arguing nearby. When I moved my hands, I noticed that they were bound. What on earth had happened?

The arguing grew louder—it was Tracy and Benson, locked in a fierce disagreement.

"No, I won't let you push her over the cliff like that! Do you think it's that easy to make Delilah disappear?" Tracy spat angrily.

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"I've already told you! It's better to sell Delilah to the mob! She'll never get away from them!"

"I don't want to take the risk of keeping her hidden. It will take time to sell her, Tracy. Throwing her off the cliff is faster!"

They wanted to kill me? Benson? Tracy? Why?

Fear washed over me, mixed with confusion and overwhelming betrayal.

Even though my head was pounding, I began to loosen the ropes that bound my hands, finally freeing them. One more move and I'd be able to escape.

Benson's hurried footsteps came closer and I quickly closed my eyes, pretending to still be unconscious. The car door opened and I felt Benson's hands lift me out of the car.

My body began to shake and I was terrified. What was I going to do? Attack Benson? With what? I had nothing to defend myself with.

I heard Tracy's footsteps following Benson.

"That's not right, Benson!" Tracy warned.

"We don't have time."

"What are we going to tell the others? Do you think they'll believe us?"

Benson sighed. "We'll say Delilah ran away. That she refused to be Luna. We can convince everyone, especially the pack elders. Trust me."

"I don't want to do that, Benson. I don't want to be Delilah's killer," Tracy's voice trembled. "If she really dies, we'll be murderers."

"Do you want to be Luna or not? There’s no turning back now—it’s time!"

I held my breath, my head spinning. But if I stayed still and didn't fight back, I'd really end up dead. I didn't want to die like this, at the hands of my stepsiblings!

A cold wind blew, sending goose bumps up my arms. I opened my eyes a little and took in my surroundings. It was dark. I had no idea where we were.

But the smell of leaves and sharp wood told me that we were deep in a forest somewhere.

I had to fight. I had to survive!

In one swift motion, I freed my hands and grabbed Benson by the throat. He was surprised, shocked that I was awake and fighting back. Somehow I found the strength to scratch his face and scream in anger.

Our struggle echoed through the forest, followed by Tracy's scream.

Benson kicked me hard in the stomach, sending my body tumbling toward the edge of a cliff. My head throbbed and the pain exploded in my stomach. I had no strength left to move - my body was too weak.

"Please, why are you doing this?" I sobbed. "Why?"

Benson just stood there, panting, not saying a word. I turned to Tracy, hoping for mercy.

"I won't say anything. Please, spare my life," I pleaded.

Tracy walked up to me, her eyes cold and sharp. "I can't let you take what was my dream, Deli."

"Tracy, please..."

“Besides, Jeremy didn’t want you to be his Luna anyway. We’re doing this because he asked for it, and in return, I get to be his Luna.”

“What?” I couldn’t believe what Tracy was admitting.

Jeremy did this to me? But why?

"Goodbye, Deli. Rest in peace."

Tracy kicked me hard in the stomach again and my body flew into the open air, gravity pulling me down into the darkness of the cliff.

"Nooo!! Nooo!!" I screamed.