The Luna he Never wanted

ys

ur house chimed 10 pm, coupled with the hooting of an owl outside, I raced to my room, breathless and panicking, and shu

that seems to follow him everywhere. He vents his anger and frustrations on me. Earlier in the evening, I had made dinner for him with trembling hand

all odds that this makeshift fortress could protect me from the coming storm. My heart pounded rhythmically against my chest, as fear and

eaking of our rusty gate. I silently prayed for my stepfather to show some mercy, to have a sudden change of heart, and to end his

, as he screamed at my frail and sick mother, "What's this slop? Leftovers? I work all day and this is what I come home to? I'm pushing myself to my limits every single

ted his anger towards her yet again. She bore the brunt of

nd like a rag doll spurred me into action. I've put up with all the mi

ped out of my fear. With my heart racing, I threw open

ed with hate. He laughed sarcastically, mocking, "Oh, so

my heart beating fast, I found the courage to refuse him, "No, I will not do it. This has to stop now. You cannot con

s heavy steps echoing in the small room, matching the pounding of my heart. I was so

up. He was so strong, making me bend down to his level. My mom was

d without any shame, he told my horrified mom, "

, one strong arm around my waist, the other hand gr

truggle to free myself. The sound of our cries echoed in

m to let me go. Crying out in pain, he yelled angrily, "If t

riorating fast, and she was just a shadow of her former, lively self. Her medicines were very expensive, leaving

burden. Her heart had never fully recovered after my biological father abandoned her while she was pregnant with me. She frequently

y mother never hinted at where he could be. My frustration with him gre

ke some tough choices for the sake of my mom's

enough courage to confront our tormentor,

p in surprise as he

d, her voice weak and sh

give you what you need. I'll give you my body, but you must not harm

my words. A cruel smirk spread on his alcohol-m

. The open doorway seemed like the end of the road. As I tried to process the repercussions, my mother turned to face

eing said, tripping over my words, replyi

yelling, "If she leaves, you're g

of his words, confidently replying, "You do

ing, I asked them

om, he shouted dismissively, "Alpha

and confident, "He might not believe

ost for words, my voice shaki

f my life, just this house. Crystal, you need your real Father now, Alpha Dominic. Run away from thi

mbled with fear, "No, don't go. Don't tell him any

r crying, "Mom, you need to come with

she clutched at her chest in pai