The cursed Moon.

As soon as she stepped outside the oversized gates of her imagined prison Moon felt her whole body relax. Her thoughts, however, were still relentlessly spinning.

She slipped out of her flats, discarding them gently in the flowered grass. She loved the feel of the earth under her naked feet; it made her feel apart of something bigger than herself, bigger than the village. She felt the earth's life pulsate beneath her with each step she took, almost as if it had a heart that beated with her own.

Her mind was still on the man she was to marry, his fire red hair matched his temper, she had seen it before. He was cruel to those around him, she had no experience in calming such tempers. She had no real interactions with any man before. The women of the village may have hated her for what she was, but the men hated her for wanting her despite that. They believed they were under a spell each time the looked at her, that her looks were trickery. They would not engage with her at all.

The only men she had known were the men in her books. They were heroes, and lovers, poets, and dreamers. But this would not be the fairy tale ending she had always dreamed of. Max wasn't coming to save her, to sweep her off her feet. He was coming to claim her as his, to own her like property. Moon found herself thinking she would rather not belong to someone; she wanted to belong with someone.

Moon kept walking through the grass, running her hands over the tops of the blades as she went. She was heading in the direction of her favorite spot; it was on a large rise in the meadow, and from it, she could sit and look down on the village. She would watch the people go about their day without feeling the ugliness of their thoughts towards her. She pretend she belonged, that she was one of them.

The hilltop stirred something in her, she felt powerful up here. It was a reminder that the world around her was full of adventure, of magic, and wonder. The possibilities were as endless as the sky, each one a cloud that rolled by.

Moon had settled into the grass, sprouts of wildflowers poking through, their aromas calming her. She then lay on her back, shuffling to get comfortable. Her hair tumbling around her as she stared up at the heavens.

She had nearly drifted off in the afternoon sun when she heard it, startling her from her peace. Movement in the surrounding grass, circling her. Whatever was out there, she knew there was more than one.

Moon stood tall, and she became aware that if there was a time to be brave, it was now, this moment right before her.

“I know you are there, show yourselves!” She tried to keep her voice flat, if she showed fear, she knew it would be the death of her.

Moon heard another shuffle as a man rose from the lengthy shoots of meadow grass. Except this man was like no other she had seen before, he was utterly entrancing.

His black hair fell wildly around his face, his tanned skin taut with muscle. His eyes the color of freshly sprouted lavender. Just as Mena had described, he was strangely breathtaking.

"Your hearing is superb for a human.” The stranger's voice was pleasant, friendly, part of his trap Moon assumed.

“Shifter…” Moon whispered to herself, the realization of what he was a terrifying one.

“She is proving to be observant too.” She swung her head to where the second voice was coming from. Another shifter had appeared from the thick grass, now taking steps towards her. This shifter, on the other hand, seemed more menacing.

“What, what is it want?” She managed to stutter out.

“We are here for leverage.” The first of the shifter's answer was vague, and Moon found him harder to read than the villager's. She knew she would have to work to get inside his mind.

“We are looking for a woman, one who is said to be the huntresses sister, and, as of recently betrothed, to be wed to a tyrant leader. This woman is you, is it not??” The second shifter eyed her, and he wasn't as coy or as hard to read as his companion.

His intentions were obvious, he was here to take her away. He wanted to deliver her to his alpha. If that happened, she was as good as dead. Moon spun and began to sprint away from the beasts, her breathing panicked, her heart racing. An eternity at Max's mercy would be better than this, at least she had a chance at survival in his clutches, with the beasts she had none.

Moon ran in the opposite direction, away from the men. With them closing in behind her, she felt herself moving quickly into the unknown. Her bare feet moved from the softness of grass, into thick muds, and onto the snapping of twigs beneath them.

The warm expansive meadow was soon replaced by the shade of an extensive forest. She had no bearings here, the thicker she went in, the more lost she became. Even so, she kept moving, she had to.

Trees surround her in every direction, closing in on her, scratching at her skin. She panted heavily, looking in every direction for safety, a way out, she found neither.

“Stop taunting her Grey, she is already frightened. What are we waiting for? Let's just grab her before anyone notices she's missing.” Moon recognized the voice as the first of the shifters. She felt helpless, she would never outrun them, they had lead her to believe she had a chance of that, there was none.

She quickly shook that thought out of her head. “Be brave, be brave.” She whispered to herself as she pushed forward.

Just as she had almost convinced herself she would make it, she would survive, her foot was caught on an exposed root, tripping her. Moon tried to correct her balance, but it was no use. She crashed down, her head landing with a hard thud, warm blood trickled down to the ground beneth her, a sign she was well and truly done for.

As she laid there dazed, she saw the shifters approach, but only as shadows and blurs. She looked up at them with pleading eyes, the tops of the trees spinning around her, before slipping into nothingness.

•••

Moon woke, her head pounding, her mouth dry. She took in her surroundings, and it was quickly apparent she had woken to a nightmare.

She sat up straight on what one may consider a bed. The smell of damp air and blood filled her. Moon was in a cell, that much was obvious. The thick bars rusted, the space small, the walls cold and stone.

The village had always felt like a prison to her, but this was a literal one, one she could not escape. Moon began to panic once she remembered the shifters, if they had bought her here she wouldn't live long. She had heard the stories, she had been taught to fear them since she was a child. That fear ran deep, it was a hopeless situation.

“Sleeping beauty wakes.” The voice that spoke was as slimy as the walls that held her. Moon sought out the source, when she found it she shuddered inside. It was a shifter, but like her, he was captive.

Feeling his aura, hearing his sick thoughts, she became glad for that. He was dirty, stale blood soaked his clothes, his face hollow and wild. He wasn't at all alluring like the first shifter she had encountered, he was truly a frightening creature.

Moon instinctively put her head down, not wanting to make eye contact. She wouldn't engage, it was a tactic she used when the villagers teased her. It had gotten her this far in life without serious harm.

“You're afraid aren't you? You should be, if you are down here with the likes of me, then things will not end well for you. A delicate flower such as yourself, you will be broken easily. Perhaps you will be banished to the forbidden lands with me, that would be a treat.”

The wild shifter seemed amused by her dire predicament, but at the mention of flowers Moon allowed her mind to wander back to the meadow. She thought of the flowers there, how they bent in a storm, but never broke. Moon would follow their example, she would not be broken.

The silent hours dragged and with no windows, Moon couldn't tell if it was night or day. She didn't even know where she had been taken, or in which direction home was. It was hopeless, but she wouldn't plead, nor would she grovel. She wouldn't let them know she was afraid, she would be courageous.

She had drifted into sleep without realizing, the sound of footsteps approaching waking her. Moon turned onto her side, facing the wall. In her mind, if she stayed quiet, she wouldn't be bothered.

The footsteps came closer, and with each one her heart rate increased. She was terrified, Moon refused to show it.

“Here she is, the wolf slayer's sister and my new favorite inmate.” It was the second shifter from the meadow, the one called Grey. As he spoke, she heard the jangle of keys.

Moon smelt liquor before he even entered her cell, he was inebriated, his inhibitions gone. A dangerous thing for a shifter she guessed. Even with her stomach churning, the fear rising to her throat, she remained still.

He reached for her in two strides and caught her roughly by the jaw, forcing her to face him. His violet eyes leering, the same way Max's would, tracing her body, lingering on her face.

“The way I see it, I found you, I bought you here, you are mine. The Alpha has his plans for you, but we can have some fun first, can't we?” She shook herself from his grasp, it was fight or flight, and right now, her only option was to fight.

“Take your hands off me!” her voice was defiant, strong. Moon refused to be a victim any longer, she had been a target for cruelty long enough. In these lands it held the possibility she may lose her life.

Grey chuckled, it was a menacing laugh. Her words had not deterred him at all, infact they seemed to excite him.

“I like the feisty ones, and you are just too beautiful to resist.” Grey was toying with her, she knew it, knew she was running out of options.

She slapped him hard across the face, as she leaped from the bed. This infuriated the beast inside. A growl rippled through his chest.

“You filthy human, I always get what I want. I am the gamma, do you understand what that means? I have power here!” His voice was loud, belligerent, his anger filled the room. It seeped inside her, tightning in her chest.

She tried to back away, to put space between them, but there was nowhere to go, she was trapped.

He reached out his large hands and gripped onto her dress, he teared at it as she tried to hold it to her frame.

Grey shoved Moon hard onto the bed, his hands trying to grab more white cloth as she kicked her legs wildly. Moon would not give up, she wouldn't let him take this from her.

"Don't touch me you animal!" She screamed out.

In the corner of her eye she saw the wild shifter, he watched her attack intently, a smile on his face. He wouldn't call for help, he was enjoying it just as much as Grey.

Moon could only save herself, and that is what she would do. She felt a power surge through her, a power she had never felt before. She knew it was her bodies survival instincts coming to the surface, and she wanted to live.

She pulled her legs close to her chest and kicked them together with all her might. Grey flew, her legs tossing him across the room, his body slamming into the bars. She stood, ready to fight, ready for his next onslaught, but instead she heard more footsteps.

"Grey, what is all the commotion, did a prisoner escape?" This voice was new to Moon, but at the same time familiar, as if from a memory, a dream.

She felt fear creep inside her once more, but it was not her own, it was Grey who was afraid. Whom ever was approaching frightened him much more then she expected.

With a few more steps the man was at her cell, his face instantly turned to rage when he took in the scene before him.

Moons shredded clothes, the scratches and bruising that now covered most her body, he read the fear in her eyes. He wasn't mad with Moon, he was mad at Grey.

"You poor girl, are you hurt?" He asked her gently, as he took the thin blanket from her bed, wrapping it around her.

Moon studied him, he had a kind face, he felt safe, his aura warm. His thoughts were that of concern, concern for her. Moon trusted this shifter, and she herself couldn't understand why.

"I think so, thank you." She exhaled as she spoke, relief washing over her. This shifter, he would protect her. She couldn't explain it, but she cared for him deeply in that instant.

"What in the gods names were you thinking Grey? She thinks us beast's and you make it look as though we are. She is not yours, this behaviour is forbidden, not to mention despicable!" His tone changed quickly as he addressed her attacker.

"Please Atlas, I beg of you, do not tell the Alpha, I am full of mead, call it a drunken mistake." Grey was grovelling, pleading, all the things Moon had vowed she wouldn't do. She no longer found herself afraid, he was a coward, she felt it.

"I am not going to tell the Alpha." The kind shifter replied, Moon heard a sigh of relief escape from Grey.

"But you will." He continued. Grey's eyes widened in fear, his body trembled. It was unsettling for Moon to see how much terror the Alpha inspired in his own men, even if it was deserved.

Before Grey could utter another word he was shoved out of the door of her cell. Her saviour looked back at her one last time and smiled, a smile that bought her comfort. Another wave of warmth washed over her. Moon couldnt shake the feeling they had known each other for a lifetime, as he continued to escort Grey from her view.

Moon sat on the bed, stunned. She had expected the shifters to be beasts, to be brutish and unkind. What Grey had attempted to do, it hadn't surprised her. The real shock came from her rescue, the shifter, Atlas, came to her aide, he protected her. He was appalled, angry even, with her attacker. His actions were not condoned.

Shifters were suppose to be evil, cruel, it was what she had always been told. This shifter however, he had felt warm, kind, safe. Something she had never felt come from her fellow villagers. There wasn't an ounce of bad in him, only good. He must be the exception, not the rule. Moon then recalled the intense fear Grey had felt, the Alpha clearly didn't condone his actions either.

With her clothes shredded, her body sore, her head still aching, Moon curled into a ball and tried to sleep once more. She tossed and turned, worried that she maybe attacked again, worried the Alpha may come. A short time later her rest was interrupted by the approach of someone new, this time she sat, ready to defend herself.

Moons heart raced uncontrollably, until she heard humming, it was sweet, melodic, calming, and soon a female shifter appeared in-front of her cell. She was clutching a large bag in her hands, a soft smile on her face.

Moon had thought some male shifters to be breathtaking, but this creature that stood before her was dazzling. The most beautiful female she had yet to lay eyes on.

Her hair was a brilliant midnight black. Even in the dim light of the prison it shined, it fell straight all the way down her back.

Her cheekbones were high, dimples on either side of her face. Her eyes violet and wide. She was every bit as lovely as Mena. She felt as beautiful as she looked, good, wholesome, and pure.

"Oh you poor creature, look at what he has done to you!" She exclaimed as she rushed to Moon's side. She seemed genuinely distressed for Moon. Moon could only stare at her in awe.

"You don't have to be afraid of me sweet one, I won't hurt you. Atlas sent me to care for you, he was ever so concerned about you after he left. Grey had no right to do what he has done, no one has that right." She spoke as she pulled a flask of water from her bag, passing it to Moon.

Moon took the water and gulped it, she hadn't noticed how thirsty she had been till now. The female shifter studied her with curiosity, she was just as in awe of Moon as she was of her.

"Do you have a name?" She asked softly.

"Moon" she replied shyly. This woman didn't feel disgust towards her like the many woman before her, infact she felt wonder, like Moon was something magical to her.

"Moon, a beautiful name, for a beautiful girl. My name is Reign, do you mind if I treat your wounds? You've been scratched pretty deep in some places, we wouldn't want you to become septic now would we?" She reached into the bag once again pulling out bandages.

The conversation flowed between them as Reign tended to Moon. They spoke of books, they shared many of their favourites, of poetry and art. For the first time in her life Moon felt the bonds of what could be friendship building.

"There all done." Reign said as she wrapped the last of the bandages around Moons leg.

"Thank you, I feel much better." Moon replied, and she did, she felt light, sleepy, warm, even in her dark damp cell.

"I have some more clothing here for you, they were mine but they are yours now." Reign handed Moon a lengthy powder blue skirt, with intricate Rose's sewn into the hem, a white buttoned blouse and a new pair of flats.

Reign then rose from the bed and turned her back to Moon, blocking the wild shifters view, giving her privacy to change.

Once dressed Moon cleared her throat, indicating that she was decent and Reign returned to her side.

"I have to leave you soon, I am not thrilled about it in the slightest. Leaving you here, in this place, you don't belong here sweet one, you are no threat. I will speak with Atlas, see if we can change your circumstances. I can't make promises but the Alpha has a soft spot for his Beta, he can be pretty persuasive when he wants to." Reign radiated compassion as she spoke, Moon wanted to be near her always.

"Get some sleep if you can, it's late, or early morning, not that you can tell down here. I will return with the sun, hopefully by then we can get you out of this awful cell." she lightly stroked Moons hair before leaving her alone.

Moon curled up, her new clothes comfortable, soft, warm, just like Reign. Sleep would come easy now, her heart full with hope. Hope that she had made a friend, hope that tomorrow would be a better day. Hope that the Alpha would show her mercy.