LUNA CRIMSON

Chapter 1

SERAFINA'S POV

"No! No! No!" The scream tore through the hall, desperate and raw, as the lady in the gold shimmering ball gown watched the man in armor. His face, obscured by the shadow of his helmet, was unreadable as he stepped forward with cold precision, his silver sword raised high. Without hesitation, he drove it into the older woman standing in front of her, the one who looked like a future version of herself.

Blood splattered, and the older woman collapsed, her white ball gown quickly staining red as her body hit the ground, lifeless. The lady in the gold gown went silent, her voice strangled by the shock gripping her. She could barely process what she was seeing. Her eyes blurred with tears as they fixed on the two still bodies before her-her parents, lying motionless on the cold floor.

"Mother... Father..." Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with disbelief. She sank to her knees, her strength giving out, her hands hovering above the bodies but unable to touch them. The reality of the moment seemed to close in on her, suffocating, inescapable.

The man in armor turned toward her, his heavy steps echoing in the now-quiet room. He moved slowly, deliberately, as if there was no rush to finish what he had started. She didn't move, couldn't. Frozen in place, she barely registered when his gloved hand grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back with a sudden, violent tug. Pain shot through her scalp, but she was too numb to react.

"It's your turn," he said, his voice calm, almost indifferent. The words cut through her...

***********

My eyes snapped open,and a sharp headache hit me. I felt dizzy and numb from a weird kind of pain,my scalp was aching and I couldn't remember how or why.

My memory was foggy. I glanced at the clock on my bedroom wall, eight o'clock, it read. "Oh no!" I exclaimed getting on my feet and running into my bathroom ,my headache suddenly vanished, I had a quick shower and stepped out, slipping into one of my simple work dresses,I wore my flats and styled my hair in a ponytail.

As soon as I was done, I grabbed my bag and books rushing out of my tiny apartment. I even forgot to make my morning coffee, but it was not a problem, facing Mrs Gladys would be the real problem if I arrived at the school late.

I flagged down a taxi and soon I was on my way. I slide out my phone checking the time, thirty minutes past eight.

Finally, I arrived at the school and immediately paid the cab driver, running like I was being chased.

"Good morning Miss Athena."

"Morning."I waved, too focused to check on who had mentioned my name. I arrived at my class and my heart sank.

Mrs Gladys, the school's principal and an elder in The pack's council, was seated amongst my children, obviously teaching them.

"Good morning ma'am." I said with shaky breaths. Miss Gladys turned to me, a sinister smirk playing on her face.

I stepped forward, "I can explain..." Her sideways nod had me shutting my mouth.

"Alright children, your Teacher is here now, I will leave you to her. Be good kids." She addressed the children.

"Yes principal Gladys." The kids chorused. I held my breath as she approached me, an inch away from colliding with me. "Be in my office after school's dismissal." I nodded, my throat dry with tension.

I watched her leave and released a sigh of relief.

"Hey, kids!" I said sitting on the chair Mrs Gladys once sat. "So sorry for coming late again, but not to worry, that's never happening again," I said and the children giggled, they knew I was cracking a big lie. Silly children, I snorted.

HOURS LATER

I calculated my steps as I made my way to Mrs Gladys's office. I knew she was going to reprimand me, so I mentally prepared myself for her outburst.

I pushed the brown oak door open as I walked in, a bright smile on my face like everything was fine.

"Ma'am," I called, stepping fully into her office.

"Thank the Goddess you are not late again. Sit." She commanded, I hurriedly sat on the chair, rubbing my hands against each other.

"Miss Athena." She began.

"Ma'am, I am so sorry. I was working late last night and I somehow missed my alarm. I know I failed you and I am sorry, please don't fire me, the kids love me, and I know it's not an excuse, but I don't want to leave them behind because of my behavior, please forgive me." I rushed out the words, cutting her off, which was disrespectful and I knew how angry she would get.

"Serafina." She called calmy this time, her tone losing its usual strict touch.

"Ma'am," I replied slowly.

Mrs. Gladys smiled and drew something out from under her desk, then she placed it on the table. "Here, open it." She said, pushing a small pink box toward me.

I carefully took it unsure of what was inside, "Ma'am, are you sure I should?"

"Go ahead." She urged. Trusting that she would not harm me, I opened the box and to my shock, there was a necklace in it. I took it out and admired its beauty.

It was a gold pendant necklace, the pendant was carved out as SA, those were my initials. "Ma'am..." I called, speechless.

"Happy birthday." Mrs Gladys said and my heart sank. Is it my birthday? I had forgotten, how could I not have remembered my birthday?

"It's my birthday? It's my birthday!"

"Flora called to inform me, I am not supposed to tell you, but she's throwing a surprise party for you at the Orphanage." Mrs Gladys informed me, leaving me completely speechless.

Grandma Flora is throwing a party for me, tears burned my eyes but I fought back the urge, I couldn't cry, not now at least.

But then I realized, "Teacher's don't work on their birthdays Mrs Gladys, you made that a rule right?" She nodded, smirking, "Let's just say, that is your punishment for always arriving at my school late."

I smiled and then it suddenly hit me. "Ma'am,are you coming to the orphanage?"

Mrs Gladys expression changed to that of a sad one. "Oh I am sorry Serafina. I will be somewhere else tonight." She Informed.

"Really?"

"Yes. There's an alliance party being thrown at the pack house, I will be going there. Don't worry if I leave early I might just meet up with your party."

I forced a smile my mind wondering to what Mrs Gladys said. A party at the pack house means she will get to talk to Alpha Robert about the orphanage being demolished.

" I know what you are thinking Serafina. Listen, if this is about your Grandmother's orphanage, I have tried my best. These days Luna Camila has made it difficult to get in touch with Alpha Robert. I have done my best, there's nothing more I can do now."

"But,if you could just make an attempt tonight... or bring me with you. I will be as quick as possible,and then I will return to my party. Please Mrs Gladys."

Mrs Gladys shook her head. "That will not be possible Serafina. Go to your birthday party and have fun. We will deal with the issue once all these is done."

I nodded, biting my lips as I thought of the plans I had in mind.I need to speak with Alpha Robert, he's my last hope in saving the orphanage.

"I hope you understand Sera."

I faked a smile "Thank you, Mrs Gladys, I am grateful for your help." I stood up and hurried out, tears gathering in my eyes, but I fought them back. Crying wouldn't solve anything.

I sat by the cafeteria close to the school, watching everyone leave. I had a mission and I couldn't back down now. The orphanage, Grandma Flora, and the children, their happiness meant a lot to me and I wasn't going to let them face the slightest discomfort, I could always celebrate my birthday next year,but if anything happens to the orphanage, there will be no getting it back.

Finally, Mrs. Gladys's car drove out of the premises, I waited a minute more before heading back to the school.

Carlos, the security guard, was starting to close up."Hey Carlos, I forgot my bag, I won't take long."

"Alright Miss Sera, but you can't take too long in there, it's time to lock up," he replied.

"Thank you, Carlos, I owe you one," I said as I raced inside. Heading straight to Mrs Gladys's office, the door was locked.

I took out my hairpin and picked the locks, almost taking forever. A sigh of relief escaped my throat as the door clicked open. I immediately strolled towards her desk and began my search, the invitation letter had to be here somewhere.

There were odds she could have taken it home, but I clung to my hope that just maybe she would have left it behind.

My mission was to find the invitation letter, and I was determined to leave no stone unturned.

.

Rummaging through the neat piles of papers and files, my fingers tracing the edges of each document with precision. But there was nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual school correspondence and reports.

Just as I was about to give up, my gaze fell upon the carpet. It was a subtle hint, a slight wrinkle in the otherwise smooth surface. I knelt, my heart beating with anticipation, and gently lifted the edge of the carpet. And there it was, a cream-coloured envelope with the pack house's logo embossed on it. I felt a surge of triumph as I pulled out the invitation letter, my eyes scanning the contents with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.

Thank you, Goddess.

"Miss Serafina! What's taking so long?" I heard Carlos's voice calling out from the hallway. I gasped, my heart skipping a beat. "Oh no, I forgot about him." I hastily fixed the carpet, making sure no evidence of my snooping remained, and hurried out of Mrs. Gladys' office.

I rushed back to my own classroom, my mind racing with thoughts of the incriminating letter in my possession. I slipped the letter into my bag, my hands shaking slightly as I zipped it shut. The door swung open as if on cue, and Carlos walked in, his face etched with concern. "Are you okay, Miss Sera?" he asked, his brow furrowed.

I forced a bright smile on my face, trying to appear nonchalant. "I am, thank you, Carlos. I thought I lost my lucky pen, but I found it." I patted my bag, feeling the letter's presence, and began heading towards the door.

"Thank you for your patience, Carlos." I said, waving goodbye as I walked away, trying to appear calm and composed.

I have to get ready and be at the pack house within two hours. Goddess be my guide.