Refuse to Be Your Luna’s Shadow Chapter 02

Refuse to Be Your Luna’s Shadow Chapter 02

I went into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and scrubbed my skin frantically, trying to wash away the rogues’ stench and the phantom feel of their claws and fangs.

When I caught my reflection in the mirror, bruises had blossomed across my body, dark marks in every size and shape, like someone had drawn a map of my humiliation across my skin.

They were right. I was a stain on Nightshade’s honor. I didn’t deserve to be an Alpha’s daughter.

After the shower, I pulled a battered backpack from under my bed. I had carried it when I first arrived at this pack house seven years ago. If I was going to disappear, I wanted to do it properly, without leaving any trace.

I didn’t have many possessions of my own. The expensive clothes and the delicate jewelry in the room belonged to Pearl. Mom and Dad never allowed me to throw anything of hers away. It was as if I were just a guest in a room built for their real daughter, temporarily borrowing her life.

I hated pink. It reminded me of the frilly dresses my adoptive father used to force me into before he locked the door and… I cut off the thought, nausea rising.

Seven years ago, when my birth parents finally found me, I was ecstatic, believing I had escaped hell.

However, a new nightmare awaited me. When they learned of my past, there was no pity in their eyes, only disgust.

I was a damaged Omega who had suffered years of abuse—too skinny, trained to flinch, shoulders lopsided, unfit to be an Alpha’s daughter.

But for the sake of their image, my parents brought me home anyway, then sent Pearl, whom they raised as their own, back to her poor birth parents.

To earn even a crumb of their affection, I erased myself.

I learned etiquette. The original street girl was gone, replaced by a clumsy girl forcing herself to imitate every elegant move Pearl made.

I even joined the Crescent Sisterhood, the elite club run by Alpha daughters from every major pack and led by Pearl, enduring their daily bullying.

All of this was just to become Pearl’s perfect replica, so that I could one day fit into the space she left behind.

But what did my pandering and pleading bring me?

My parents’ resentment. “We know you have always been jealous of Pearl,” they told me. “You should remember your place.”

My brother’s hatred. “You ruined our family,” he shouted. “Why did you come back?”

And now my future mate’s definitive rejection. “You are not worthy to be my Luna.”

For seven years, I had been living as Pearl’s replacement, her echo. Today, I decided, would be my last day in her shadow.

I slung the backpack over my shoulder and went downstairs. The living room was full of laughter. They were planning Pearl’s grand “welcome home” celebration.

Pearl cried into my mother’s arms, her voice trembling in utter joy.
“Mom, Dad, I am finally home!”

Bryce’s eyes were red as he stroked her hair, more gentle with her than I had ever seen him. “Don’t worry, my dear sister, I am here. No one in this pack will ever hurt you again.”

Cassian stood beside them, watching Pearl with an intensely possessive look. “Pearl, I swear Frostmark will treasure you as the most precious pearl.”

What a perfect family.

I found it a bad time to sneak away now, which would only disrupt the atmosphere and invite more mockery. So I turned and headed back up the stairs instead.

“Freya.” Cassian’s voice stopped me on the first landing. He was staring at the backpack on my shoulder, his brows drawn together.
“Where are you going with that?”

Bryce’s face twisted with contempt. “What do you have in there? Planning to steal something from our house?”