Hazal.
“I thought I would die, Luna. I was so scared,” I sobbed, tears streaming down my face as I collapsed into her arms, unable to hold back my emotions.
Luna Ruby held me tightly, sensing I was on the verge of breaking. Her embrace felt so motherly and warm, reminding me of my own mother when she was alive.
“It’s okay, Hazal. You’re safe now,” she said in a soothing voice.
“I can’t move,” I whispered, my body trembling with pain. Every muscle ached, and the bruises from Anna’s assault throbbed with each breath.
Her eyes softened as she gazed at me, and then she began muttering words in a language I couldn’t understand. I’d heard rumours about her being a powerful half-witch or werewolf-some called her a hybrid-but I never believed them. However, seeing her hands glow with a warm, healing light that sent comforting warmth through my body, I couldn’t help but believe those rumours had some truth.
Slowly, the pain began to fade, and the bruises on my skin disappeared, leaving no trace of the torment I had endured.
“Thank you, Luna,” I whispered, feeling a new strength surge through me. “Thank you for saving me, even though I’m a lowly omega who isn’t worth your time.”
She cupped my face in her hands, her expression fierce. “Never say that again, Hazal. Never look down on yourself. I had once been demoted to an omega, but I didn’t let that stop me from becoming a Luna again or from being kind to myself.”
She was demoted to an omega?? Impossible.
Luna Ruby chuckled at my confusion, pulling me to my feet and steadying me as I regained my balance.
“We have a party to attend,” she said with a reassuring smile, leading me to the door, her grip firm yet gentle.
I paused, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. “But Anna took my dress, Luna. I have nothing to wear.” I sighed in annoyance, and she smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “That isn’t a problem for me, Hazal.” She grinned, and I narrowed my eyes at her.
“Close your eyes,” she commanded softly, and I obeyed, closing my eyes tightly. I felt a rush of energy envelop me, a magical sensation that tingled across my skin.
Opening my eyes, I gasped in astonishment. My transformation was like something out of a fairy tale. My body was covered in a yellow gown that shimmered with an ethereal glow, cascading in delicate layers. The bodice, adorned with intricate embroidery, sparkled with tiny gemstones that caught the light. It fit perfectly, hugging my form and making me feel like a princess-like Cinderella stepping out of the ashes.
Luna Ruby’s eyes twinkled with pride as she took in my appearance. “Now, you look like the Luna you are meant to be, Hazal.”
Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time they were tears of gratitude and joy. “Thank you, Luna Ruby. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“You don’t have to repay me, Hazal. Just remember your worth and never let anyone make you feel less than you are,” she said, pulling me into a warm hug.
“Now, let’s go show everyone what a lowly omega can achieve.” She grinned, pulling me out the door. As we walked down the basement corridor, a question gnawed at the back of my mind.
“Luna,” I called hesitantly, and she hummed softly as we walked. “I know you think I might be your son’s mate, but what if I’m not? What if he’s already found someone else?” I blurted out. She stopped and turned to face me, a small smile on her face that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Hazal, it doesn’t matter whether you’re Adrian’s mate or not. What matters is that you find someone who loves you for who you are. It could be my son or someone else; what truly matters is your happiness and self-worth.” She answered, and I nodded, taking a deep breath.
She was right; what mattered was finding a mate who loved me and my happiness. Still, I couldn’t deny that a part of me was sad at the thought of not being Adrian’s mate. I really, really liked him.
“Thank you, Luna. I’ll remember that,” I mumbled as she gently led me out of the dark basement and into the bright sunshine, back to the pack grounds where everyone was gathered for the mating ball.
As we approached, the crowd turned to look at us, and a collective gasp rippled through the assembly. I felt super nervous at their stare and how their eyes widened in amazement at my transformation.
Conversations halted, and whispers filled the air.
“Who is that?” I heard someone murmur.
“She looks like a queen,” another voice added as the crowd parted, creating a clear path for Luna Ruby, and me to walk through.
Luna Ruby must have felt my nervousness and how my heart reacted as she gently squeezed my hand, her smile reassuring. “Hold your head high, Hazal. You deserve this.”
I smiled at her as we walked together, but I suddenly stopped when I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I clutched my heart and hissed at the intensity of it.
“Are you okay, Hazal?” Luna Ruby asked, concerned. It felt like I couldn’t breathe, and my wolf was howling in pain.
Then I heard a commotion ahead. My eyes scanned the crowd, and I saw people gasping and moving aside, revealing Adrian lying on the floor, convulsing, with Anna standing over him, a syringe in her hand and a triumphant smirk on her face.
The pain in my heart increased as I ran to him, my gown billowing around me. Inside my head, my wolf was howling the word “mate” over and over again, a desperate cry that echoed my own fear and anguish.
When I reached Adrian, he was coughing up blood, his face pale and twisted in pain. Tears filled my eyes as I lifted him up, cradling his head in my lap.
“Adrian, please, stay with me,” I whispered, and he looked up at me, a sad smile playing on his lips.
“Mate,” he choked out in a weak voice but filled with conviction. I smiled sadly, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead.
“Shh, don’t talk, Adrian. Save your strength.”
“What have you done to my son?” Luna Ruby’s scream pierced the air, filled with rage and desperation as she glared at Anna, who stood there smirking, her eyes glinting with malicious glee.
“Anna,” Alpha Daiman roared, rushing to stand beside his mate. His eyes took in the scene with a mixture of horror and fury. “What madness is this? Stop this now, or be ready to face the consequences.” His voice was a low, dangerous rumble.
Anna smirked, her eyes flashing with twisted satisfaction. “Hello, Father. It’s time for me to reclaim everything Mother lost.” Daiman’s face hardened, with a mix of pain and anger in his eyes.
“Don’t let their lies and hatred take over your once pure, innocent soul. You can still undo your wrongs, and as your father, I will forgive you.” He pleaded, but Anna rolled her eyes, her expression mocking.
“Stop being an idiot, Father. You can’t stop me. Beta James was right; you never loved me or my mom, and you don’t care about us. But don’t worry; today I will fulfil her promises and take my revenge. That woman by your side, whom you call a mate, and all her children will die.” Anna sneered.
Luna Ruby stepped forward, gently touching Daiman’s arm. “Let me handle this. I won’t hurt her too much,” she said softly, gazing lovingly at her mate.
As she spoke, a magical book appeared from the sky, its pages glowing with an ethereal light. The crowd gasped, their eyes wide with awe and fear.
Anna’s eyes widened in panic as she saw the book. “What are you doing? That won’t stop your son from dying. I had injected him with a large portion of silver that can kill even the wildest beast,” she screamed, trying to strike again, but her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony.
“By the ancient powers, I bind you, Anna. Your darkness shall no longer harm the innocent.” Luna Ruby chanted calmly, her words weaving a powerful spell, and Anna screamed in rage and fear, her body trembling as the spell took hold.
“No! What are you doing to me? No matter what you try, Adrian will die! There’s nothing you can do to save him!”
“Yes, I can’t save him, but the love of his mate can. You underestimate the power of love and light, Anna. Your reign of terror ends now.” Ruby replied as the spell continued to work its magic. Anna’s screams grew weaker, her body becoming still, and everyone watched in stunned silence as the darkness that had consumed her began to dissipate, leaving her powerless and defeated.
After subduing Anna, Luna Ruby turned her attention back to Adrian and hurriedly rushed towards us with her mate behind her.
“Mom, I didn’t take her drink. I thought I could change her or at least try to understand her like a brother, but it was impossible. She is broken beyond repair,” Adrian mumbled weakly, tears rolling down his cheeks.
His mother gave him a sad smile and placed her hands on him, the golden light of her healing magic enveloping him.
“Stay with us, Adrian. You are stronger than this,” I begged, holding his hands tightly, tears streaming down my face. “Please, Adrian. Don’t leave me.”
His father kneeled beside us, his eyes filled with pain and regret. “I’m so sorry, my son,” he whispered, his voice breaking. As his wife’s magic continued to flow, slowly, I could see the colour returning to Adrian’s cheeks. His breathing steadied, and the pain in his eyes began to fade. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with a love that made me shiver and my heart skip a beat.
“Hazal,” he whispered, his voice stronger now. “Thank you.”
I smiled through my tears, my heart swelling with joy and relief. “I love you, Adrian.”