Caged Human Luna — He Stole My Freedom To Hide His Curse Chapter 02

Caged Human Luna — He Stole My Freedom To Hide His Curse Chapter 02 Run, Human Luna
Elaine. I stormed back to the pack house, water still dripping from my hair and my swimsuit sticking to my skin under my clothes. The tablet burned in my bag like a live coal. Ethan’s voice on that video kept echoing in my head—calling me fragile, saying Valery matched his strength. I needed answers. Now. The front door banged open as I shoved through it. Voices came from Ethan’s office down the hall. I crept closer, pressing myself against the wall beside the half-open door. “How much longer, Ethan?” Valery’s voice is sharp and demanding, stripped entirely of her submissive Omega tone. “I match your strength. I have a wolf. Your human doesn’t. Why can’t you just make me your Luna? Elaine can’t even run the borders without guards.” I held my breath, nails digging into the wooden wall. “It’s complicated, Valery,” Ethan growled. It was the same low, warning tone he had used on me earlier. “You think it’s just about rank? Look at the bigger picture.” “The picture where you sleep with me but play husband to a fragile little pet?” she snapped. “The pack whispers, Ethan. They wonder why the Alpha’s mate is a weak human who can’t even shift.” “Let them whisper,” Ethan shot back, his voice turning cold, arrogant. “Since we are banned from leaving the borders, I might as well enjoy the only human I can lay my hands on. She’s a rarity here. Having a human Luna who answers to me, who depends on me for her literal survival, makes me look like the most powerful Alpha this pack has ever seen. It proves my dominance. You don’t throw away a trophy like that.” I froze, pressing myself against the wall, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs. Valery’s voice rose. “So I’m just your side piece because she makes you look strong? After everything I do for you?” “Enough,” Ethan snapped. “You knew what this was.” “Fine,” Valery hissed. “Keep your trophy. But don’t expect me to wait forever.” Footsteps stormed toward the door. I jerked back too late. Valery burst out and slammed right into me. Her eyes went wide, then narrowed fast. She grabbed my arm hard, nails biting in. “Run for your life if you know what’s good for you,” she hissed, voice low and mean. “You heard too much. Get out while you still can.” She shoved past me and disappeared down the hall. My arm throbbed where she grabbed it. I stood there frozen, heart slamming. Run? Where? The borders were closed. Everyone said the Moon Goddess cursed us. Inside, I could hear Ethan shuffling papers, completely oblivious to the fact that my entire world had just shattered. I didn’t confront him. What would be the point? He would just lie, wrap his fingers around my chin, and tell me I was imagining things. Instead, I turned around and walked silently back to my room. I wanted to scream. My mind raced the whole way to my room. I couldn’t just sit here anymore. Leaving was suicide. The law was absolute: the Moon Goddess had cursed our territory, and anyone who crossed the borders would face her wrath and the immediate execution by the pack guards. Because I was Luna, the restriction was doubly tight. But why was he really keeping me here? Was the curse even real, or was it just another layer of the cage he built around me? I needed answers. And I knew exactly when to get them: the Day of the Trade. Once every three months, the pack required supplies from the outside world. It was a sacred, highly classified event. No one was allowed to witness it. Only the Alpha and his two most trusted Betas were permitted to ride out to the border river to meet the human traders. — Two days later, I slipped out before dawn. The pack house was quiet. I wore dark clothes and kept low, sticking to the tree line. My legs burned from running, but I stayed far enough behind to not get caught. I knew the forest better as I was the one obsessed enough with supernatural beings like wolves and strayed into their territory. Ethan, Beta Marcus, and Beta Kane moved ahead, carrying empty packs for the supplies. They reached the border clearing as the sun started climbing. Tall fences and warning signs marked the line. I hid behind thick bushes, breathing hard, watching. Ethan pulled Valery out from behind a supply shed—she must have snuck ahead. He grabbed her fast, kissing her roughly. They didn’t waste time. He pushed her against the shed wall, hiking up her skirt. Valery moaned loud, wrapping her legs around him. My stomach turned, but I kept watching. That wasn’t the worst part. Marcus and Kane dropped their packs and walked straight to the border line. No hesitation. They crossed it. Just stepped over like it was nothing. No lightning. They disappeared into the outside world for a few minutes, then came back laughing, arms loaded with boxes—food, medicine, clothes. Normal stuff. My mouth went dry. They could leave? Anytime? Ethan finished with Valery quickly, zipping up while she straightened her clothes. He clapped the betas on the back, said something I couldn’t hear. They all looked relaxed. I crouched lower, branches digging into my knees. How? Everyone grew up hearing the stories—the Moon Goddess cursed the pack. Crossing meant death or worse. But the betas just walked across like it was a regular road. Ethan didn’t cross. He stayed on our side, watching them. Why would he trade the chance to cross the borders for sex with Valery? Unless… he was the only one who couldn’t leave. My heart pounded so hard I thought they might hear it. If the betas could go out, that meant the curse was fake. Or at least not for everyone. And if Ethan was trapped here too, what did that mean for me? Was I stuck because of him? Because I was his human Luna? I backed away slowly, careful not to snap any twigs. My mind spun with questions. I needed proof. I needed to try the border myself. But first I had to get back without getting caught. Leaves rustled behind me. I froze. Footsteps coming my way. I turned and ran.