The lost luna

What would you consider a good life?

Would you have lots of money?

A nice house? New car in the driveway? Or maybe you just wanted a quiet life. Where you would be free to do as you pleased. Whenever you wanted?

They all sound good. Don’t they?

The only thing I would want as a good life was to not be here. In this place. At this very moment. Because now I was huddled into the corner of my bedroom. Trying to protect myself from the belt that was currently slashing my back.

The belt was being wielded by my beautiful stepmother. Her petite frame and delicate features hid an evil side that was reserved for me.

I did not know what I had done to her to make her hate me so.

The lashing finished and without a word my stepmother walked out of my room. I didn’t think my legs would support me. So, I stayed where I was for a few minutes more.

I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door. Not waiting for a reply, the girl whose bedroom was next to mine came hurrying in.

“Oh, my goddess, look at your poor back. Can you stand? Come on sweetheart.” She said as she helped me off the ground and led me to my bed. I could hear her tutting to herself as she examined my wounds.

“Sweetheart, this is going to sting like a mother fucker. Here, bite down on this.” And lily shoved a bunched-up blouse in my mouth. Just in time too. Because whatever she was putting on my wounds did sting like a mother.

I whimpered through the treatment. Relaxing only when lily stopped applying the ointment. “What did you do this time? To get her so riled up, it must have been something bad?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t do anything. Not really. I only have to show my face these days and I am getting punished. At least that is what it feels like.”

But I am getting ahead of myself a little.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Catherine Hart. I am the only daughter of Alpha Sebastian Hart. My mother died whilst giving birth to me. It was just my father and me for a few years. I had a wonderful nanny called miss Jinx. I had such a happy life. That was until my father remarried. I got a stepmother called Katrina and lost my Miss Jinx.

Don’t get me wrong. At first it was perfect. I have wonderful memories about us all. We were a happy little family. My dad would be out all day dealing with pack business so Katrina would look after me. We would have such fun. She would chase me around and we would play hide and seek. We would have slumber party’s when my dad worked late, and I honestly loved my life. What five-year-old wouldn’t?

One day, my dad and Katrina sat me down between them on the comfy sofa in the family room. My dad was excited to tell me I was going to be a big sister to a baby boy. I was so excited. I remember jumping up and down on the sofa shouting out my joy as my parents watched on in amusement.

Soon after, Katrina stopped playing with me. She was always tired. Or feeling unwell.

She would stay in her bedroom for hours at a time and would get angry if I disturb her.

So, I stopped disturbing her. Then one day. My dad came rushing up to me and scooped me into his strong arms. Swinging me around; shouting that my new brother, Silas. had been born.

I remember peering over the side of his crib. Excited to see him and Katrina. I lifted my hand and gently stroked the baby’s face. My father stood behind me. Instructing me on the right way to hold the baby.

It was a perfect day. My dad was happy; Katrina was happy. I was happy.

I can honestly say that was a standout memory for one reason. Because my life changed that day. And it's never been the same since.

As a small child these changes went unnoticed. But over time I came to realise that there was a marked difference between my brother and me.

As I was five, nearly six years older than Silas. It was my job to look after him. Unless my father was around. Then Katrina took on the role of doting mom to her two children.

The busier Silas became, the more often he would end up in trouble. Whether it was pushing over a vase or falling and scratching his knees up. Whenever things like these happened, I would be held responsible. Silas could do no wrong in Katrina’s eyes. Her precious son was never told off. Silas would never get punished. But I did.

Oh it started off as a slap on my hand or a smack to the back of my legs. I took the punishment like the Alpha’s daughter I am. With my head held high. I knew my place in this family. As my father’s eldest child, the Alpha title would pass to me. By the age of ten I had already started my training. I wanted to make my family proud. So I studied hard and trained harder.

When I reached twelve years old, my whole world was ripped apart. My father. My beloved father was attacked and killed by rogue wolves. Even though I was nowhere near him when he died, Katrina blamed me. Her anger towards me would spill out of her and the light smacks on my hands and legs became harder slaps across the face.

Within a few short months Katrina was beating me on a regular basis. I took it all from her. I know how much my father dying had devastated her. I wanted to be there for her. To help her; so, Silas, Katrina and I could get back to the happy family we once Were.

Although I was to be the next Alpha of the moon’s shadow pack, I was too young to take up the position. So my fathers Beta, Simon, took over in my stead. I would get updates on the running of the pack. And any issues that were being dealt with. I was incredibly grateful that I had Simon to guide me in pack business.

That was until I was told that the council of elders had gotten together and it had been decided that Silas would be the next Alpha. As my father’s first born son it made more sense than giving the title to a girl.