Taboo Luna

Today was a very special day in the Sacred Moon Pack. Every girl without a mate fantasized about the day they'd find their true love. But that wasn't what made the day a special one.

Alpha Ryder MacBrown, lost his Luna four years ago and asked the moon goddess for a request.

A new mate.

Fortunately, his wish was granted. The moon goddess promised to give him a mate tonight and now, he planned to hold a contest for all the young and beautiful unmated females. It was the night of the full moon and picking a mate has been a tradition for generations

Here's where I come in. I've had a crush on Alpha Ryder since I was fifteen, and whenever his handsome face pops up on TV and billboards, I imagine us together, making the most precious babies.

"Dream on", my wolf mocked me and I burst into loud laughter making Claudine, our housekeeper turn from the burner where she was making lunch to give me a weird glance.

"Claudine, do you think I have a chance of winning this competition?"

She chuckled and washed some jumbo-sized carrots in cold water before setting them in front of her on the counter.

"Vanny, with that gorgeous face of yours, I honestly hope you do, but you're an omega and with so many other girls with higher ranks, I highly doubt that you will". She took a deep breath and continued. "But then again, you never know if you never try, right?"

I smiled, knowing that I didn't have a choice at all.

"Right".

Claudine was like a mother to me and the only one I could talk to at home. I lived with my foster parents, Damon and Rosemary aka Devil and She-Devil.

I gave them that name because they were so cruel towards me and treated me like a dog when I first arrived at their pack, which made me extremely miserable.

"I don't think I should go".

"Why not?" Claudine raised her eyebrows.

I sighed, playing with a strand of hair around my ear, avoiding her gaze.

"I'm worried that Rosemary would get upset with me. She bought no dress for me but bought lovely dresses for her daughters."

"Her daughters' beauty combined can never match yours, darling", Claudine said confidently, putting her hands on her hips. "You will go for that contest!"

"What about a dress? I don't have one".

"Well, we'll find something". Claudine laughed, turning off the stove. We went into the room which I shared with her and she rummaged through her closet while I sat down on a stool beside her bed, wondering what she was up to. She was twice my age and size, so her clothes wouldn't fit me.

Claudine brought out a bag containing clothes of various sizes. She handed it to me and I looked inside. A smile crept onto my lips when I opened it to see a beautiful white dress. Perfect for the celebration.

"This is beautiful!" I cried. "Where did you get this?"

"I suppose it belongs to Annabelle. She threw it into the garbage and I picked it up and redecorated it to this wonderful masterpiece".

I slipped it on and looked at myself in the mirror.

"It looks so good on me!", I squealed, taking a few selfies on Claudine's phone.

I'm glad you like it", Claudine grinned, sitting on the stool. "Now stop stalling and take it off! And make sure you wear that gorgeous hair of yours down. I don't want my favourite girl to look like a boy!"

We laughed and talked about random stuff and stopped when a shrill voice yelled my name from upstairs.

I groaned and Claudine smiled sadly. Rosemary, my foster mother, had two daughters, Anabelle and Mirabelle. Mirabelle acted like I didn't exist, but Anabelle made sure I suffered every day.

Not only did she humiliate me in school and at home, but she also made me do all her chores. Rosemary always scolded me whenever Anabelle complained about me and her husband, Damon, made advances at me and wanted to sleep with me on several occasions.

"I'll see you later", I said to Claudine and hurried upstairs to attend to Anabelle.

On my way to where she stood, I knocked a bottle of perfume down and the scent hit me in the nostrils. It smelled of roses and my heart skipped a beat.

Anabelle snarled at me and I felt my blood rush to my cheeks.

"What have you done, you klutz!"

She hit me across the shoulder and I fell backwards. Pain ran through my cheek and left my lips burning. Tears formed in my eyes and Anabelle hit me again and again until she was satisfied.

Mirabelle, her younger sister, smirked and turned away, texting with her phone.

I stayed there, sobbing and wiping my tears with the back of my palm.

"Why can't you do anything right? Stupid bitch! You're so useless like your wretched parents who sold you off".

I lowered my head and took the insults Anabelle hurled at me. I didn't blame her. I blamed my parents for taking the easy way out.

After I cleaned the mess I made, I stood like a lamb, waiting for Anabelle's next instruction.

"My mum just called. She wants you to get your things ready. You'll be going to Grandma Pat's house to assist her over the weekend. She'd be home in an hour, so go get dressed".

My heart sank at this news. This meant that I wouldn't attend Alpha Ryder's mate selection contest. Grandma Pat lived in Santa Maria which was a three-hour drive from East Los Angeles where we lived.

I knew they were doing this on purpose to make sure I wouldn't participate in the contest. As if Anabelle could read my thoughts, she glared at me.

"Alpha Ryder doesn't need any stupid omega ruining his contest. Get out of here!"

Mirabelle burst into laughter and without another word, Anabelle pushed me out and slammed the door shut.

I sighed and began to walk downstairs and ran into Claudine's arms. She hugged me tightly and smelled of turmeric and cinnamon.

"Stop crying", she consoled me." It's not your fault Anabelle's getting fat and ugly".

I sniffed and tried to control my tears. I hated being bullied by Anabelle because I didn't deserve any of it.

"I can't believe this is happening", I cried. "When is this going to stop?"

Claudine heaved a sigh and I pulled away and threw some of my clothes in a big trash bag.

"I guess I should stop dreaming. They're never going to come true".

"You will go for that contest, whether those demons upstairs like it or not".

I gazed at Claudine as if she'd grown two horns. "Haven't you been listening? I have to take care of"-

"They planned this, and I won't let them take away the only opportunity you have to finally become free", Claudine said with fiery anger in her eyes, giving me a newfound determination.