The Luna Who was Spoiled Chapter 02

The Luna Who was Spoiled Chapter 02

He was my first love. He used to scold me for my recklessness, only to follow close behind me in silence, a shadow keeping me safe.

After every fight, he’d come to my bedside in the dark of night and kiss away my tears. Now, he just stood there, a stranger.

I ignored him and craned my neck to look inside.

Caleb’s jaw tightened. He let out a cold laugh and called over his shoulder, “Finn! I thought you’d handled this. Did she follow you?”

A bitter wind cut through my thin shirt. I was shivering when Finn appeared in the doorway.

His hair was messy, his shirt unbuttoned halfway. A fresh bite mark stood out on the side of his neck, a clear mark of possession. His gaze flicked past Caleb and finally landed on me, a flash of annoyance deep in his eyes.

I stepped back involuntarily.

Suddenly, a thick woolen blanket was draped over my shoulders. I looked up to see Caleb had turned away, his profile stern. Finn stepped closer, his expression softening.

“Zoe? What happened? You’re hurt.”

I bit my lip, the words tumbling out in a rush. “Finn, I… I won’t venture out for moonflowers anymore. I won’t grumble about the furs. I won’t chatter and keep you awake when you’re exhausted. You’re all I have left. Please… don’t leave me too.”

I was too desperate to notice Caleb’s stiffened posture. Finn listened, but his eyes were fixed on the dried blood on my knees. Out of old habit, I reached for his hand. “You promised you’d stay with me forever! You can’t break your promise! I…”

He pulled his hand away. “It’s cold outside. Come in. We need to talk.”

Evelyn’s hut was warm and tidy. The wooden walls were worn smooth, and a healthy stack of dry firewood stood by the fireplace. I thought of my own drafty home, the leaking roof Finn had been meaning to fix for weeks, and the dwindling pile of firewood. I’d been too afraid to bring it up, terrified he’d leave too.

From the back room, I heard quiet whispers.

“Going soft, Finn?” Caleb’s voice was laced with mockery.

“If you’re having second thoughts, you know where the door is.”

I held my breath, straining to listen.

Finn’s reply was cold as ice. “I’m not. I just don’t want her going to the Alpha and causing more trouble for Evelyn. Don’t worry, she’s easy to pacify.”

The words struck me like a physical blow. My mind went blank.

Caleb let out a dark chuckle. Footsteps faded away.

Finn knelt in front of me and gently wiped the mud from my knees with a damp cloth. “Zoe.” he said softly, his tone gentle yet firm. “I’m Evelyn’s mate now. You’re the Alpha’s daughter. Any unmated male in the pack would be honored to have you.” A bitter smile tugged at his lips. “Remember when you threatened to kick all three of us out and find new mates?”

Those words hadn’t been true. I’d been angry.

Tears welled up in my eyes. “No…”

Finn reached out and brushed the tears away with his thumb, then ruffled my hair like he used to. He stood to get some ointment.

A loud crash made me jump. A heavy iron pot was thrown at me. Evelyn’s pup glared at me, his small face contorted with rage. “Bad woman! Hurt Mama! Go away!”

I lifted my arm to shield myself, but the movement sent a few drops of scalding hot water splashing onto the boy’s bare legs. He froze for a moment, then let out a shrill scream.

The door slammed open. Liam stood there, his green eyes blazing with fury. He took in the scene with a glance and let out a harsh, ugly laugh. “You hate Evelyn so much that you take it out on the little one? You’re something else, Zoe. Really.”

Before I could react, his hand closed around my throat, squeezing hard. Liam had always been the one who resented me the most of the three. Because of my complaints, Evelyn had almost been exiled by my father. To secure her place in the pack, Liam had volunteered for a near-suicidal border patrol mission. The look of hatred in his eyes that day had stayed with me.

“I was such a fool. My biggest regret is ever having put you on a pedestal.”

I couldn’t breathe. Spots danced in front of my eyes, and everything went black.