Chapter five: Unexpected visit

"How are you enjoying your stay here?"

My heart skipped and dropped to my stomach at the sound of that voice. The Luna. What was she doing here? And Luthan? Oh my! I hope he doesn't arrive now. I gulped and paused my nervous pace. Ever since Luthan left, I had been too nervous to sit or stay still. I know he had promised that he wasn't going to get caught but no one seemed to be prepared for unforseen circumstances. Just exactly like my case. If I had been told that no matter how much I tried to avoid the Alpha and his Luna, that I'd still be caught in their malicious web, wouldn't have agreed. But here I was. In their den, and the Luna had come to find me

"Luna."

"Just Luna?"

"What?"

I looked at her confused. What was I supposed to say or add?

"Don't you have respect?"

"I don't understand, Luna."

I was frightened by the oppressing looks in her eyes. What had I done wrong again this time?

"When I come in there, you will understand."

I thought she was bluffing until I noticed her opening the lock. She had a spare key?

"I can read the shock on your face. Yes, I have a spare key. Just as I can have anything I want and you won't be able to stop that."

I didn't understand what she was saying. What was I going to stop for her? Why was she sounding so menacing and unlocking the cell? I hope she wasn't going to whip me again or give me the usual slaps she always did when she feels I have I offended her. I was in too much pain to withstand another pain.

"You hear me, Amyra. You can't stop me."

Braving myself a little, I asked.

"S-stop you how, Luna?"

"You want to ask me questions?"

I swallowed and quickly shook my head. Instantly regretting why I had let my curiosity get the better part of me. This Luna was scaring me to death. There was always something about her eyes when she got mean.

"I'm sorry, Luna."

She was taking threatening step towards me. I was moving back, my hands twisting each other in panic.

"Respect your Luna."

I knelt and bowed. If that was the respected she needed, I was ready to give her many of it. Thankfully, she hadn't asked of Luthan or maybe she didn't know him enough to wonder where he had left his post and gone to.

"There's something else."

What else again? I prayed to the Moon Goddess for help. I prayed for her to save me out of this wicked Luna's clutches.

"Won't you ask what that is, wench?!"

She sneered.

"W-what is it, Luna?"

"If I have to tell you, then you'll be punished. Raise your head."

Just as I had lifted my head, her hand came in harsh contact with my face. Still on my knees, the hit had a staggering effect that I couldn't hold myself and landed flat on my back. New pain rose and caused my eyes to water. The floor of the cell was rough and I had landed roughly. I couldn't scream. More like I was scared of screaming for fear of annoying her further to hit me.

"Luna, please."

I begged instead. Tears rolling down my cheeks.

"She begs."

She cackled. It was evil and bone chilling.

"Please, I beg of you."

I pleaded further, hoping that would make her stop this constant show of hatred towards me. I don't even know what I'd done to warrant such treatment from her, but I was willing to grovel if that would make her stop tormenting me.

"I hate you."

I froze. The way she's uttered those three words were dispassionate and venomous. But what had I done? How could she hate me for no just cause? My father had taught me that hate is such a strong word and shouldn't be used anyhow.

"What have I done to you, Luna?"

She kicked me in my stomach. I fell again. Adding to the blinding pain on my back, I had scraped my elbow and it was bleeding a little.

"Stop asking me questions!"

She yelled at me. I nodded, eager to please her and stop this torment.

"Get up, you filth!"

My body cried in protest and the trickle I felt on my back, I knew I was bleeding in many places. But I couldn't not respond to her command. I forced myself up, using the wall for support because I was close to it.

"Have you greeted me?!"

What that why she was tormenting me? But I acknowledged her presence already. Every little thing I did or did not do seemed to make her mad at me. She really did hate me.

"Good day, Luna."

I bowed, even though my head was aching. Either that or I receive another hard hit.

"On you knees."

But she just told me to get up. Without a word, tears of self-pity welling, I did as she commanded. She circled me slowly, my heart beat increased, not knowing what she would do next. The scream that left my lips in the following moments was loud enough to pull down the cell I was in. I cried in pure agony. The Luna had used her artificial sharp pointed, black painted talons to scratch my back. I fell to the ground, unable to make a sound. She emitted another evil laugh, then stopped to whisper to me.

"I will make life miserable for you, Amyra. I will make you wish you were never born. And with the Alpha by my side, it is going to be the easiest task I have ever indulged in."

Then she stood and I heard the cell clanging shut. Another wicked cackle and her footsteps walking away. My tears kept falling, I was wishing for this to end. I couldn't take this anymore.

"Amyra?"

Luthan came moments later. I didn't make a move to stand. I just kept crying from my position on the floor. Then I felt him come close to me.

"Luthan, I feel like dying."