Cinderella Luna

Mabel

I was used to the cold, but it seemed this winter was even worse than usual. I pulled up the old, torn blanket and bent my knees close to my chest so my whole body was covered. It was too small to cover my legs if I stretched them out. This was the life I had been used to. Sleeping in the cold basement, with the cracked window letting all the winter air in, and the blanket I’ve had since I was 7 years old. I was used to the cuts and bruises on my body that ached with the cold as well. This was normal. What wasn’t normal was having Skye down here in the basement laughing at me.

Skye was in the room. Her brown hair was curled nicely, and her dark brown eyes were squinting as she laughed at me. Her light brown skin was covered in an oversized purple parka, and I knew she was warm. Warmer than I’ll ever be. Her clothes were always so lovely. She always looked nice. As the daughter of the Alpha, she was given everything she could ever want and more. Skye was beautiful and looked like the Moon Goddess was crafted after her. If you looked at me and her, you would never guess that we were twins.

Yup, that means that I am the Alpha’s daughter as well. Except, it’s like the entire pack forgot that. When Skye and I were born, Skye was born first. It was apparently perfect. My mother held her in her arms, said she was named Skye, and that she was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Then my mom said, “Wait till we meet your sister Mabel.” Then suddenly she was back in labor with me, except I was far from perfect. I caused complications because I started causing her to hemorrhage.

According to my father, I was the reason my mother died. If I didn’t exist, she never would have died right then and there. If it were just Skye, she’d be fine. But I had to come along. Because of that, my father, brother Calvin, and Skye have hated me. I became the pack slave ever since I could walk. I was in charge of cooking, cleaning, and essentially being the one to ensure Skye had everything.

My father gave the pack permission to treat me however they wanted, and many of them eagerly listened, which is why I had so many cuts and bruises from different pack members, but mostly Skye and my father. Calvin would sometimes participate to please my father, but I could tell he at least had a little bit of remorse.

Skye, on the other hand, made it her life’s mission to make mine as miserable as possible. This time, it made her come down to my room for the first time, and seeing it made her burst out laughing. Her laugh, ringing in my ears, stung my ears until she finally said, “Wow, Mabel, I knew you lived in a dump, but seeing it up close is something else. I came up here to laugh about you thinking you’d ever have a mate, but this is just too much.”

She cackled again. Earlier today, she heard me talking to Kelly, who is the only pack member who has never physically hurt me. I was telling her that mine and Skye’s 18th birthday was in a month, and I was wondering if I would have a mate. As soon as Skye heard this, she ran up to me and slapped me. She didn’t say anything except calling me a Mutt, and then she left, only to come back to my room.

I wasn’t sure how long she was going to stay laughing, but soon she stopped and said as fakely as possible, “Oh, little Mabel. Do you really think you’d ever have a mate? I mean, even if you did, what makes you think they won’t reject you right on the spot? You’re practically a rogue. Why would anyone want to be with you? It would be social suicide for anyone. Trust me, you’re not worth that.”

Skye walked up to me and yanked my blanket off as she spat, “Freeze, you dumb bitch,”

I tried to reach out for it, but it was of no use. I spent the coldest winter of my life, without anything but my thin leggings and torn sweater. I thought I would actually freeze to death, but I woke up the next morning.

“Mabel, WAKE UP WE’RE HUNGRY!!” The sound of Skye’s voice quickly woke me up. I jumped up and started to run upstairs. The higher-ranked wolves were already at the kitchen table.

My father was at the head of the table, and he eyed me as he asked, “What makes you think you can sleep in while we sit here starving!?”

I bow at him as I respond, “I’m sorry, Alpha, it won’t happen again. It was not my intention.”

As soon as I look up, he slaps me, and I can hear Skye and her friends laughing. I don’t say anything because if I do, it’ll just get worse. Instead, I silently go into the kitchen and start making a ton of eggs and bacon. I finish them as quickly as I can and begin to take out the plates. As soon as I've served everyone, I ask, “Is there anything else I can get you?”

No one says anything, so I nod and start to make my way to the corner of the kitchen where I stand. Before I can make it there, I see Skye’s foot a little too late, as she sticks it out to trip me. I land straight on my face, and Skye and her friends are now in fits of laughter. I feel my nose tingle like I’m going to cry, but I tell myself not to let them see me cry.

Instead, I stand up and go to the corner. I have to stay there every time they’re eating, to refill their drinks, and make sure they don’t need anything. I usually have to try to refill their supplies before they run out, because if I don’t, my father starts yelling.

This time, though, there was hardly any eating or drinking, as my father started to make an announcement. “So, family, I wanted to announce that we recently got an invitation to our sister pack's ball. As you know, Alpha Ryker’s mate recently died, so he is now on the lookout for a new Luna. Because Calvin is going to be pack Alpha soon, I want Skye to attend the ball to become Ryker’s Alpha.”

Skye’s eyes lit up as she said, “Ryker Lowell! Like the hot Alpha that came to Calvin’s birthday last year?”

My father nodded, “Yes, um, that’s him, I believe. However, the best news is that I have already spoken to his father, and he said he would make sure to put in a good word for you. Not only would this marriage be perfect because of you getting to be Luna, but it would bring both of our packs together.”

Skye let out a squeal, “Eeek! I can’t wait. When is the ball?”

“Tomorrow.” My father answered.

Skye dropped her fork, and it clattered on the plate. “I only have a day to prepare! Oh my god. I need to start shopping for dresses like now! Come on, girls!” She stood up, and her friend followed her as they rushed out of the kitchen. I didn’t dare ask if I was invited. I didn’t even think Alpha Ryker knew I existed. My father kept me hidden from the world for the most part. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if I could go. I had never been to a ball before. I had never even danced with someone else before. I wonder what that would be like.

Ryker

I knew the ball was important. Finding a Luna was important. I couldn’t help but just feel overwhelmed. I had already been the Alpha of my pack for the past year, but my dad still felt like he had to give input on everything I did. The ball was even his idea. He just kept telling me about which girls to pay attention to because there were certain people he thought it would be better to have on our good side. I just wanted to find a Luna based on connection, not politics.

I wanted someone sincere and strong-headed. Someone who could be a good protector of the back, and carry out her Luna duties with dignity and power, without taking her position for granted. I knew there were so many she-wolves that wanted to be my Luna, only for the title. The idea of that was disgusting to me.

My Beta, Jared, was excited for everything, though. He was telling me that he was kind of hoping that, with all the unmated she-wolves, maybe he would find his mate. It was possible, and I hoped he did. Having a mate was an indescribably wonderful experience. When I lost Rose, I didn’t know what to do. I had loved her with all that I had. I had wanted to protect her for the rest of my life, but one day, she was in the woods, and a clan of vampires passed by; there were just too many of them. I wasn’t there with her that day because she said she wanted to go alone, and I agreed. I shouldn’t have, though. I should have known that anything could happen.

I felt it the second the vampire ripped into her neck. I felt the pain in my chest that knocked me to the floor, and made me scream out loud so viciously that after a few minutes, I threw up. Even Jared couldn’t calm me down. Nothing could. The pack doctor said they couldn’t believe I lived, because losing a mate like that usually killed the other mate, but I guess the Alpha blood kept me alive.

I didn’t want to love anyone after Rose. I don’t think I’m even capable of that, but the pack needs a Luna. So even if I don’t love them the way I do Rose, I will at least care for them and make sure that I never let them into the woods alone. I’ll make sure that no matter what, I’ll protect them with everything that I can.

There was a little more preparation for the ball, but Jared said he would take care of it, so I left him to talk with my father. As soon as he saw me, he smiled, “Ah, Ryker, I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to tell you about another young lady who will be here tomorrow.”

I sighed, “Who is it?”

He ignored my sighs and said, “Skye Willow is the daughter of Alpha Rick. His son, Calvin, is going to take over Alpha next week. Their family is very good to us, as you know, so I think it would be important to try and highly consider Skye.”

I wanted to gag. I remembered Skye. She was certainly pretty, but she was also conceited and stuck-up. She was gawking over me the entire time I was at her brother’s 18th birthday party last year. She didn’t know anything about me, but she just kept trying to flirt with me. I had already been mated to Rose, but it seemed like Skye had no respect. I could never imagine making her my Luna.

“I’ll talk to her dad, but I can’t make any promises.” I would talk to her, just say hi, but that would be it. I wouldn’t give her more of my time. Unless Skye happened to change her attitude and was an entirely different person, there was no way I would make her my Luna.