The Luna They Buried Too Soon Chapter 04

The Luna They Buried Too Soon Chapter 04

“You’re right. I can’t play the piano anymore.” My voice shook, barely above a whisper.

No one knew how broken I’d been when I found out my hands were ruined. I’d come so close to killing

myself.

But then I remembered what the headmistress of the pack orphanage used to say.

“In this pack, we all die sooner or later. But if you can go back home to rest in peace when you’re gone, that’s

a happy ending.”

“Maybe in the next life, you’ll be born into a family that loves you.”

I’d believed her. Just once, I’d wanted a family that loved me.

I’d washed countless dishes just to save up for a plane ticket back to Duskhowl Pack. Once I got there, I painted portraits in the park to make money.

I’d found the perfect graveyard, one where cherry blossoms fell. I was only five hundred dollars short.

“I’m so sorry, Arabella… I-I forgot, I swear!” Serena’s voice came, all fake regret.

“Cut it out, Serena. Why are you apologizing? It’s her own fault she can’t play anymore.” Atticus snapped, coming to her defense.

Good thing my heart was already shattered into a million pieces. I could take any ugly words they threw at

“Stay here and behave these next few days. I’ll come find you when I need you.” Atticus said, his voice cold.

“And don’t even think about running. You wouldn’t want that orphanage to get torn down, would you?”

My heart skipped a beat when I heard “orphanage.” Atticus still knew exactly how to hit me where it hurt and

kept me stuck with no way out.

“I know.”

I’d figured out why they’d brought me back last night. Serena was drowning in drama. Plagiarism rumors and

the mistress scandal were exploding everywhere.

I’d thought they wanted me to clear her name. Turns out, I was wrong.

For the next few days, Atticus was out early and back late. Fine by me, honestly. I was left alone.

I’d been visiting dozens of graveyards every day, but my money was still tight. I had to pick the best one I

could afford.

When Atticus and the others weren’t home, Violet refused to make me dinner. Not that I cared. I was barely

hanging on as it was. A rice ball lasted me all day.

Then came the day I was about to head out to sign the papers with the real estate agent. I’d found my graveyard, filled out all the forms. Just needed to pay the rest.

“Arabella, I’m so sorry.”

I stared at him, confused. Atticus was standing there, looking all guilty, and behind him were cops.

“Arabella Quinn, you’re under arrest for plagiarism. We have solid evidence.”

Those words hit me like a bolt of lightning. My vision went blurry, and I couldn’t get a single word out.

“I… I didn’t…”

“Arabella, I can’t believe you’d do this.” Atticus cut me off, his voice full of betrayal. “Even if you feel wronged by Serena, you can’t plagiarize someone else’s song and give it to her to play! You ruined her!”

Cassian strode in through the door, sneering.

I tried to say I didn’t do it and tried to scream it, but before I could open my mouth someone grabbed me and

slammed me against the wall.

The shock was too much. I coughed up blood, and everything went black.

When I woke up, I was in the pack’s jail. The bed was cold and hard, and I stared at the ceiling, numb.

My whole body ached so badly I could barely breathe. The doctor had said I didn’t have much time left. It

could be any day now.

That’s when it hit me.

They’d never wanted me to clear Serena’s name. They’d wanted me to take the fall for her.

After all, the so-called “genius violinist” Serena Blackwood couldn’t have a single stain on her record.

I let out a hysterical, bitter laugh.

I took off the rags I was wearing, bit my finger until it bled, and wrote on the fabric. The blood soaked

through, smudging the words, but I kept going.

By the time I finished, the sun was coming up. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the floor. I dragged myself over, my fingers brushing the edge of the light.

Everything spun. The orphanage headmistress once told me that I was a descendant of the Moon Goddess and that I’d always be protected by her.

Guess not. I’d never see the sun rise again. I’d die like this. Ugly, broken, and forgotten.

Suddenly, my eyes flew open.