THE TRUEBORN QUEEN

he

The identical game was played not too long ago, as I recall. The teens mix among themselves at the fringes of the crowd,

m with pride in their eyes. They turn toward him, rejoicing in their hero. The Tr

f the pack celebrates. With my pale complexion and shadows under my eyes, I appear like a corpse wearing a stark white dress as I stand in the grand house's courtyard. I am alone and afraid that eve

making jokes about with his friends. He does nothing to stop his mistress, Lavinia, from stroking his arm and chest. It's not unfamiliar to fe

e sense of betrayal was almost unbearable. Gideon looks up, undoubtedly looking for me, so I quickly control

ays with a smile. "Are you drinking, Luna?"

ello, Sammy Quinton! You

s nice to see you again,

ves, content to live their lives, prowled in the shadows at the fringe of the celebration. Perhaps a few of them

wistful that I almost wince. I hear the warning in my

Luna Ophelia?" he as

ne, thank you," I blurt out. With a playful tone,

unting her. "You were always mor

ack maturity. Not sufficient. N

ow about I give you a delicious apple c

self unwinding at his amiable demeanor. I want to dri

ilo cups as we make our wa

s, holding out t

so pleasant. I appreciate the drink. Thank you." I know I should end thi

ne. Enjoy your fantastic evening."

am

reath, I hoped he wasn't going to ask me to beg Gideon for a f

you again, Luna. "He stamm

?" Worried,

e again. He murmurs, "Ha

too,

g up another man. I am no longer able to see him. I slip back to the h

the bed and gingerly bend

sitate on the shoe straps. He sounds like he's furious. "You have the w

d meet his molten gold eyes. "G

he floor, sending my head bouncing hard on the wood, and I can't contain my yell of pain. For what seems like an hour but is prob

u fucking slut." He repeatedly crashes into me, causing me t

n addition to the existing bruises, the pain is unbearable, to the point where I can feel my head becoming fainter and fainter. With a yell of

Gideon!" He slaps me acr

lish, awkward Luna from Black Fur. "You are a source of shame! You're a slut; everyone

ntil it finally reaches

d. He dressed me entirely in it. On the bedside table are two painkillers and a glass of water. Gideon has vanished; he most likely left to sleep with one of his lovers

the shower, turn on the water, and let it pound down my injured back and over my head. I can't smell

. My back is mostly just bruised, with the exception of one lengthy scratch tha

ed linens when there's a tap on the door. I yell to wh

clean up after the celebr

N