Stilla's POV
I sat on the back porch, watching the sky as the first snowflakes began to fall. I felt someone standing next to me—I smiled at her.
"It was around this time of year, wasn't it?" said my sister, Julia.
"Yes… time has passed so quickly, as if nothing ever happened," I answered.
"Yes, it passed… but your wounds haven't," she said softly.
"And what about your wounds?" I asked.
"You know there's no comparison between your pain and mine. You suffered so much… and it was because of me," she said with pain in her voice.
"Please stop saying that. It wasn't because of you—it was because of them."
We were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. We both turned to find the Alpha of the pack. I lowered my head, not meeting his eyes. Being an Alpha meant absolute authority.
"Alpha… hello," I greeted him.
"Hello. I need to take Julia," he replied.
"Of course. I was going to bed anyway. Goodnight," I said, heading toward the pack house, where every member had their own room.
Julia had insisted I live with her in the Alpha's house, since she was the Luna of this pack. But I refused. Honestly, I didn't want to be near the Alpha, even if he had been kind to me. I was still afraid of anyone with an Alpha title. Julia was my older sister—and he was her mate—so I had to respect her feelings. We had suffered a lot… or rather, I had suffered more.
I entered my room and lay on the bed. We had lost our parents when we were still young—only two years apart, Julia and I. After they died, we were taken to a merciless pack.
We were treated as servants, not members. My small and weak build made me an easy target. They used to beat me for the smallest mistakes—or even for no reason at all.
Julia was stronger than me, which is why they chose her to join them. But she got hurt every time she tried to protect me. Years passed like that. When she turned sixteen—the age of transformation—she shifted for the first time. Her wolf urged her to escape. One day, we made a plan and tried to run. But only Julia made it out.
I got caught—because I chose to let her go and sacrifice myself.
They locked me in a basement devoid of life. I was tortured in every possible way by that Alpha. He always looked down on me. One day, he tried to take what was most precious to me… but for some unknown reason, he didn't. If he had… I would've ended my life without hesitation.
I held on. I knew Julia would come, no matter how long it took.
And she did. She had met her mate—Alpha Jaxon, I assumed—and with his help, she saved me. She took me far away, and I joined his pack after my own transformation at sixteen. I trained a bit, though my weak body never cooperated. I kept my distance from Alpha Jaxon. He may be Julia's mate, but he was still an Alpha.
I got up to shower before bed, but as I passed by the mirror to dress, I saw my body… still covered in scars that hadn't healed—even after five years.
"They'll fade one day… or our mate will help us overcome them," said Glady, my wolf.
"I don't think we have a mate. And even if we did, he'd reject us the moment he sees these scars," I replied bitterly.
I got dressed and lay in bed. Just before sleep claimed me, I heard one of the pack members through the mind-link.
"There's an intruder in the territory—alert the Alpha immediately!"
I stood up, heading outside, but Alpha Jaxon's voice echoed in my mind, commanding me to stay with my sister—the Luna. I ran toward her house and found her waiting for me.
"Why did you tell the Alpha to keep me with you?" I asked.
"You're my responsibility, whether you like it or not. You're still my sister. When I heard about the intruder… I was scared it might be him," she replied, worried.
"It's okay. I'm here now. Don't worry."
I sat beside her. Minutes later, the Alpha contacted Julia to let her know it had been a misunderstanding—no intruders, just important guests connected to the royal family. He asked her to come receive a royal decree.
We headed out immediately. As we arrived, there were about five people, one of them standing in the center. He had a serious expression and an intimidating aura. When Julia stood next to her mate, the man handed Alpha Jaxon a sealed envelope bearing the royal emblem.
"I am Hunter, Beta of the Moonlight Royal Pack. I've come personally, on behalf of the Alpha King, to invite your pack to the Lunar Eclipse Ball the day after tomorrow. We hope for your attendance and apologize for the disturbance," he said calmly.
Alpha Jaxon accepted the envelope, acknowledging the message. Hunter and the others left shortly after.
"Isn't that strange? We've never been invited personally by a Beta before," Julia said.
"Perhaps the Alpha King truly wants us there. We've skipped it for years—maybe he noticed," replied Jaxon.
"Yes, then we must attend."
Everyone dispersed. I returned to my room. Just the name Alpha King sent shivers through me. The royal family ruled over several packs, each with its own Alpha. Above them all was the Alpha King. Some packs, like the one that once held me captive, operated independently from the royal family.
I had heard that the Alpha King could control witches—drawing power from them in return for their aid. His power was said to be limitless. Their kingdom was vast, making them the ruling force.
The next morning, I woke up and went downstairs, where the long dining table was set for everyone. I grabbed my plate and took a few pieces, sitting in the first empty seat I found.
Jake sat beside me—I smiled at him softly, and he returned it.
Jake was the Beta of this pack. He always helped me, especially when others tried to intimidate me when I first arrived. He was calm, kind, and I was thankful for him.
"So, are you ready for tomorrow's ball?" he asked.
"It's not like I'm going," I replied coldly.
"You are going," said Julia from behind, sitting beside me with her plate. The Alpha wasn't with her—I felt slightly relieved.
"Why would I go?"
"Because, simply put—you'll be our young lady at the ball."
"I don't want to."
"Please, Stilla… come out of your shell. Let me help you forget… even just a little of your pain."
"Stop it. Stop blaming yourself. We both know it wasn't your fault. Stop pitying me. Please, sister."
I stood and walked outside. I ran into the woods, feeling someone behind me. I slowed—of course, it was Jake.
He stopped beside me as I did.
"You know you were wrong," he said.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one who needs the apology. The Luna went home in tears. You should see her before the Alpha does—he won't like it."
I rushed to Julia's house. The door was unlocked—Jake must've told her I was coming. I found her sitting, her eyes still red from crying. I sat beside her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it," I said.
"I know… don't apologize. But I really love you. You're my little sister. You're the last family I have left. You were the reason I survived back then."
"I'm sorry," I whispered, hugging her. She hugged me back.
"I'm sorry too. So… you'll come with me, right?"
"Okay," I agreed, giving in just to avoid hurting her
.
She smiled, then pulled me into her room and started going through dresses—trying to choose the perfect one for me.