Cursed Luna And The Prince Of Aeustria Book 1

LYRAEA.

Lightning struck, the lit candles were blown out, and the room darkened. An earth-shattering thud erupted in the quiet hall. Children of the alphas, betas, gammas, and healers hid behind their parents in fear.

I, on the other hand, held my husband's hand more tightly; he also seemed terrified, but he refused to show his fear. After the loud thud, it was followed by a pin-drop silence, bringing an eerie feeling into the hearts of all the people who were present in the hall.

Alpha Rhain stood up boldly as he said, "You don't need to be scared; there's no cause for alarm because I believe it's just a thunderstorm. We, the Emberfell pack, are always ready to protect what is ours, so we do not need to be frightened. Continue being merry and enjoy the night."

I clutched his shirt, showing my fear. I refused to be fooled into thinking that it was just a mere storm. I could still see the fear that lingered on their faces, but yet they continued chattering, laughing, and talking heartily. I was uneasy, I was close to my husband, and I wanted to be protected because I was not fully convinced.

The door burst open, disrupting the hearty conversation that was going on. The hall quieted down; everyone stood still; they were all on guard to see who emerged in its presence.

A shadow was cast, the face was unrevealed, and I was watching intensely to see who it was, but I couldn't figure out the face. It was someone wearing a well-adorned silk dress, embroidered with all kinds of gems, but yet I couldn't decipher the face because she was a bit distant.

The hall was dimly lit, giving off that eerie feeling of danger lurking in its midst. The person walked further. I watched closely; that was how I was able to see its face.

Everyone gasped in horror when they saw her face. Everyone, including me, bowed in honor of the great witch Xylaraea, the witch that everyone feared. What could she be doing here?

"Great people of Emberfell, I want to tell you that the problems you have been facing in this land are not just a coincidence," she said with so much authority. She had a staff in hand as she hit the staff three times, illuminating the entire hall with brightened candles.

The people whispered in hushed tones, creating a gentle chatter among the people who were present. "Quiet," she ordered, and immediately the hall quieted down. I noticed how my husband, Rhain, looked terrified, but there was still a look of admiration as he stared at the witch.

"I know you have been facing challenges, which are lack of water, lack of food, and being unable to defeat the enemy. You have lost many abled men while trying to fight your enemies; it is all because of the curse that has befallen the land," she said again.

"So what could be the solution?" The voice of my husband resonates through the crowd; he is the only one who has managed to talk confidently. The hushed tones that had erupted when she made that statement quieted down when they heard the confident question from my husband.

"That is a good question, Alpha Rhain. Your pack is at stake; it is now vulnerable to other packs, and you won't be able to achieve your goals unless you do something that will cost you a lot."

"And what could that be? Because at this moment, I am ready to do anything to save my pack."

A smile sprawled on her lips. "So even your Luna?" She asked.

He looked down at me. I was hoping he'd say no, even though we were mates, but our relationship has been a bit rough the past few days.

He clenched his fist as he looked up and said, "Yes."

I was frozen in place. She smiled. "That's the only thing I have come to tell you; the only reason behind all your predicaments is your wife, mate, or Luna of your pack. The only way peace can be restored is if you send her away, or else you shall experience worse than you are experiencing right now," she said as she turned to leave.

I saw my mother; she was saddened; tears rippled down her cheeks as she crawled to the great witch, Xylaraea; she held her dress tightly.

"Please have mercy on my daughter," she begged profusely.

She turned to look at the people who were present there and said, "Mercy is not from me; it's from the alpha; his pack is at stake; it is left for him to send her away or let her continue leaving in the pack so that a far worse calamity can befall the pack."

Rhain was silent throughout the process. I was expecting him to say something to defend me, but he was silent. He broke the silence with a single question: "Isn't there a lesser punishment?" He asked.

She heaved a deep breath. "Yes, there is a lesser punishment, but I believe I know you will prefer sending her away than the punishment I am about to say."

"Which is?"

"She will be degraded far less than an omega; she'll be seen as cursed wherever she goes; no one is allowed to touch her or use any of her equipment or accessories because that person would be executed to death."

Immediately, there was an uproar. "The decision is yours, Alpha Rhain." With that, she vanished, leaving no trace of her behind.

I tossed myself on the bed, unable to sleep; I didn't know the decision of the alpha, but with the love we once shared, I hoped he would temper mercy with justice.

The illuminating light of the morning rays woke me up. I stretched my hand as I paved my way to the hall. I was expecting to be served by an array of savants, but no one came, served me, or prepared my food. I know they can't be serious about believing what the witch said; it might be all a myth.

Ramona came, and she stood a bit distant. "Alpha Rhain requires your presence," she said disdainfully.

I was hurt. I went to the dining hall, where Alpha Rhain, my mother-in-law, who's Ross, and other pack elders were present.

Immediately they saw me, and they went silent. The first of Rhain was tightly clenched; he didn't bother to look me in the eye as he broke the earth-shattering news: "I, Alpha Rhain, command you, my Luna Lyraea, to be less than an omega; you will now be living in the old pack house meant for omegas alone, without any help or assistance from anyone; you will not associate with anyone till the cursed is sealed."

LYRAEA.

My world crumbled apart and my heart shattered. I felt my feet weakened when those words were uttered; I was barely able to say a word when two hefty men arrived; without touching me, they managed to get a hold of me with the aid of chains. I was expecting my husband to say something or to do something, yet he was silent. His hands were knitted into a tight fist, adding to his creased brows. It was evident that he didn't like what he was doing, but I know he was torn between saving his pack or his Luna.

"Please wait." I urged the hefty men who were dragging me to stop dragging me, and they did. "Before I leave, I want to tell Rhain that you are making the wrong decision." With that said, I was taken to the old pack house, meant for omegas.

Minutes went by, followed by hours, and then my uncalled and lonely days followed suit. resulting in traumatizing weeks of pain and horror. I am now cuddled in the old, cranky pack house. I curled my feet while allowing another set of tears to make their way down my cheeks.

I have been lonely in here, with no maids, water, or good food. I believe the omegas are living better than me. I just wish Rhain could at least come to see me, or at least my parents. I am now living in misery and loneliness.

Another week has collapsed; there is still no sign of a living soul, yet I can't escape because I'm too weak to do that.

I was stunned when I heard a knock on the door. I decided to check the door. I was shocked when I saw Mae; her eyes sparkled with so much happiness as she hugged me.

"I miss you so much, sister," she said happily.

"H... how could you touch me? I thought they had instructed the entire pack not to touch me, or he or she would be executed."

"Yes, my mom has to plead with the alpha to let me stay with you because mom has been in torture just from the thought of you being here; she hardly eats knowing that you are not eating well."

When my sister said that, my feet betrayed me as I gently allowed myself to fall to the ground. I was thinking about my mother, and I felt my heart beat faster at the thought of what she might be going through emotionally.

But at least, I was happy that Mae was here. While we were together, I felt safe again, and I was no longer lonely like I used to. I recalled the way I always had the thought of ending it all by committing suicide, but the thought of Rhain changing his mind made me stop whenever I was about to take my life.

Another week went by. Mae prepared a hot soup; she brought it to me. I smiled because it was well garnished, and it felt like ages since I had eaten something this delicious. I devoured the content in the bowl as Mae just watched in awe.

"Mmm, how did you manage to get the ingredients for this soup?" I inquired while licking my mouth.

She moves closer to me as she whispers, "Mum has been coming to give us some ingredients." She smiled.

I was overwhelmed knowing my mother still cared; we chatted heartily again; I felt free again; and I laughed so hard while clutching my tummy as we continued talking. A knock alerted us to the presence of someone; we went to see who it was. We opened the door, and there Rhain was. I was baffled as to why he was there.

"Wh_"

He raised his hand, stopping me from continuing my sentence: "I am here to tell you that the omegas are coming to clean you up and give you decent clothes and a meal. You and your sister can be working for the Alphas pack house with the Omegas." He said it, his deep, husky voice etched with authority. I could see his eyes; no warmth or tenderness lingered when he saw me for the first time after weeks. While looking at him right now, I am certain that he is slowly losing the love he once had for me.

He left. I was still standing by the door. I held on to the doorframe. It hurts—it hurts. Why can't he look at me with a little bit of warmth? What is happening?

We both got ready as we left with my sister for the Omegas pack house. We worked tirelessly with the Omegas. Some of them talked with us with no ounce of respect, spatting and saying all manner of words that managed to degrade me even lower than an omega. I clenched my fist, always trying to hold back my anger whenever they uttered words without a sense of reasoning.

We were told by Martha, who was in charge of the cooking, to take the food trays and serve the food to the alphas. It was a great insult to my name as the daughter of great beta Jariel. I hate to admit it, but it hurts so much. Knowing fully well, I can no longer be seen as the once respected Luna of the pack.

We took the plates and tray with my sister to the Alphas Packhouse. I was so exhausted, yet I still managed to take the food to the pack house. On reaching there, I was told by Martha that I'd be serving Alpha Rhain in his chamber. I nodded. I wanted to see him, at least. I don't know why I care this much, even though he has managed to hurt me.

On reaching there, I adjusted my dress a little, trying to be a bit appealing. I knock gently.

"Get in."

I walked in, my heart racing and my smile sprawling, but my heart shattered when I saw his hands wrapped around a young lady. I let the tray of food fall freely to the ground, causing a shrieking noise in the chamber. Both Rhain and the lady turned to look at me. I was very hurt the very moment I set my eyes on Mynth; she was my lastborn sister. They had locked lips and were embracing each other.

"Rhain...." A gentle voice of mine echoed.

"Why did you have to do that, Lyraea? Can't you at least get the chance to serve us? Yes, I had wanted to tell you, but since you have managed to see it for yourself, I want to tell you that Mynth, from now on, will take over your position in the next few weeks after the official party is held."

I felt my world crumbling down. I ran out of the hall. My heart ached so badly that I wished to rip it out of my chest. I never knew that it'd be this painful. I tried to shed a tear to ease the burning pain, but I couldn't.

"Lyraea, Lyraea!" My sister called, but I was unbothered by her presence. I continued running, and she also followed me to the dark alleys and forest. We reached the dark and creepy forest. I had to pause to take a deep breath. "You have to let him be." She said.

"No, this can't be happening, no." I shook my head, not accepting the reality.

"Get a hold of yourself_"

My sister was about to continue her sentence, but not until she heard a loud growl, followed by a piercing howl of pain. We followed the source of the growl, and my sister insisted on going back, but my curious mind urged me to go further. On reaching the source of the loud growl, I almost ran back in horror.