Atasha’s Point of View

After our lunch, everyone left except the Alpha and Elijah as both of them talked about the test that I was about to face. Joaquin assisted me to go back to my room and wait for Elijah.

I pressed my burning face with both hands as I walked through the hallway going back to my room. Part of me was humiliated on what I had done earlier— speaking up and standing to something that God knows what. I was trapped in the world of two devils . . . and I think I was losing my sanity.

Why Atasha? Why did I do that? But the good thing was that I switched with my sister. I can’t put her in this terrible dilemma. She didn’t deserve any of this. I clung to my bracelet and hoped against hope that she was okay with my father. When I arrived at my room, Joaquin didn't say anything and simply walked away. I let out a sigh. Nobody could help but wonder what was going through everyone's heads right now.

I suddenly realized that I seemed to have accepted to be Elijah’s Luna. No, that’s wrong— contracted Luna was the right way to describe my function in this role play. I lay down on my bed and could not erase the face of Elijah in my mind as I kept on seeing him even as I closed my eyes.

As I was about to sleep, I heard footsteps coming from the outside of my room. The door opened, and I saw Elijah, but his face seemed to look odd. I stood up and was about to ask him what would happen next, but he pinned me down on my bed. The way his eyes slowly drifted down to my body. My whole system trembled with embarrassment. What was he thinking? This was not the right time to do such a thing knowing that we were in a terrible situation with his father. Was he getting desperate?

I realized that probably this was his father's will to test if I can bear pups? My head was aching as I was trying to comprehend what could possibly go wrong.

“Worrying doesn't change the outcome for both of us,” he said with a slight grin on his face.

Based on his words, he can read what was going on in my mind right now. He slowly bent forward to the skirt of my dress and kissed my right leg, gradually going to my thighs. I felt the tip of his tongue lick my inner thighs, and my legs were being gently stroked by his hands. Each kiss he made sent shivers all over to my spine.

He got up as I tried to draw force and kick him away. Elijah’s both hands held my shoulders, and it was a strong push that I shouted in pain as my back hit the wooden headboard. His hands then traveled through my hair all the way to the back of my neck.

“I’m craving for you. I want a taste,” he whispered in my ear.

Those words linger in my whole body as it heated up and boiled me like cold water from the clay plot during winter. It stung me inside that it made my breath rapid and short. His hands then touched my belly and went up to my breast. He fondled it gently, then gradually he became aggressive and began undressing me by removing the buttons of my dress, then my bra. As I tried to push him away, he became more and more assertive, so I just let him at this point as he became more delicate. Also, I was slowly liking what I was feeling in my body. I felt a sense of unexplained delight.

I felt his big chest pressed against mine as he was already on top of me. His hands gently snaked through my back, and I felt every inch of his fingers caressing my skin. His body seemed to have crushed mine, but my body signaled that I wanted him too badly. This was wrong but felt so right at the same time.

I was fluttering as I could feel his breath from his mouth and nostrils. I couldn’t help but look at his lips. In a split second, he kissed me torridly. This kiss that I had shared with him right now felt different compared to the kiss we had at the banquet. It stung me that I was craving for more. . .

He got up a bit while he was on my torso. I could see his blue eyes, looking lustfully at my bottoms dripping wet. Probably he noticed it more as he stroked his fingers to my slit. He removed it as my hips lifted up, then his soft lips kissed me down there, and I could feel his mouth was all over it; it was tender and hot. The switch of kiss and licking made my head burst, each time, he aggressively swirled to my slit, then through my clitoris, making me lift my hips and shove it more to his face. Elijah’s face was all over my flesh. As everything felt ecstatic, he stopped as I was catching my breath.

“So, you want more?” he whispered, and he removed his shirt. I gasped as I looked at his body. He grabbed my hand and put it on his chest, down to his abs. My hand went to his crotch as my heart throbbed faster inside my chest. I felt how hard he was.

“Remove it,” he asked, pertaining to the jet-black boxer he was wearing. It’s quite a big bulge as I saw it.

I was shaking so badly out of nervousness. I hadn't seen one before, but part of me wanted to see what was inside that piece of cloth. As my hands were inch by inch going to his boxer, he grabbed my hands and tied them using his shirt. Both of my hands raised, and I got pinned down to my bed.

“So is this how badly you wanted it?” He smirked.

I was rudely awakened from a vivid dream by a loud knock at the door. I got up from bed, catching my breath as I looked around the four corners of this room.

That was just a . . . dream?

“What the—” I ran my fingers through my hair and gently slapped my cheeks.

What the hell was going through my head? That was such a bizarre dream!

“Atasha!” I heard Elijah’s irritated voice from the outside.

“C-Coming!” I yelled back, my voice becoming so hoarse that I had to clear my throat many times. “What the hell, Atasha . . .” I slapped my cheek again.

I stood up and walked towards the door to open it. I then saw Elijah’s irritable expression. His brows were wrinkled and lips formed into a thin line.

“What were you doing?” he asked me, annoyed, as he entered the room and sat on the couch.

“I f-fell asleep,” I answered. When I looked him in the eyes, I was immediately tormented by the dream I'd just experienced minutes ago. I blinked twice and tried to direct my gaze away from his direction.

This is very humiliating, Atasha!

“Your face is burning red. Did something happen?” he asked curiously.

“N-No, I really—” I caressed my nape and slowly glanced at him and then looked away. “...just fell asleep.”

I was taken aback when I heard him chuckle. My heart pounded violently against the inside of my chest. In fact, I couldn't figure out why my entire body appeared to erupt in response whenever he was around. This was like a sensation that I had never experienced before.

Could it be that I was restless for these past few days, that's why I was being hunted with weird dreams?

“Sit down here, Atasha.” He patted the available space beside him on the couch. “By the way, on what you did earlier, thanks . . .”

Did he say thanks? This was strange to hear from him. It was nice to know that there was still a good little side to him. He may have thought that I was able to save his sorry face earlier.

He snapped his fingers in front of me and stated, “We'll start creating a plan for us to make sure you pass that test.”

I swallowed hard and gazed back at him again. He was looking at me as if I was a child that needed to be carried to school. Well, he was correct. I could not have a decent education, knowing my background that I’m a cursed child.

He looked so determined that he even came up with a plan for this situation. I wonder what it will be.

It was difficult to get the vivid memory of that bizarre dream out of my head, but I managed to do it with a sigh and a deep breath.

“I want a taste of you,” I whispered and Elijah looked at me with his eyebrows furrowed. "Oh, I said . . . It should be a great plan. Otherwise, I'm dead!" I shouted with panic as I sat beside him and carefully stared at his face, hoping that he didn't hear what I said to him earlier. It was very humiliating!

"You don't need to worry; we're on the same boat,” he said and then I saw the despair in his eyes.

Atasha's POV

The next day, I noticed that my eyelids were a little too heavy. I couldn't get a good night's sleep because I was worried about the test that I had to take before being accepted as Elijah's soon-to-be Luna. Most importantly, I couldn't stop thinking about my loved ones, especially my twin sister Astrid. It had been days since I had last seen them, and my chest was clenching in pain from the agony of fear.

Elijah and I went to their manor's study, which was quite spacious. If this had been a typical day in my life, I would have wandered around the bookshelves, looking for good books to binge read. But this wasn't just an ordinary day as this situation I had was starting to get more serious. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop myself from being consumed by my dread. I know I would be unable to function properly if I didn't have even the most basic knowledge of my family's whereabouts.

I looked at Elijah, who appeared very preoccupied as he collected a few books. I leaned my back on one of the bookshelves and observed his every move carefully.

"Elijah?" I called him.

"Hmm?" He read the front page of the book he was holding before he glanced at me. "What is it?"

"Do you have any news about the Silver Moon Pack after the battle that happened days ago?"

I wasn't sure whether I was dreaming or hallucinating, but I saw a ghost of pity straight through his eyes, and I was not sure why.

"There has already been an end to the conflict between our packs. In the event that you're worried about your family, I'm sorry to say that I have no information or knowledge of their whereabouts."

My emotions of sadness and rage began to whirl within my chest. I couldn't help but be disappointed that he didn't care enough to look into what had happened to my family, especially given that he was attempting to take advantage of me. But what rights do I have to feel this way? After all, I didn't have the right to request that he find them. Then, I glanced down with a sigh of despair and quietly hoped that my family was in a secure location. I hope Astrid remembers how much I love her, no matter where she is.

His lips twisted up in an attempt to grin. His head was cocked to the side as he moved towards the study table, gesturing for me to follow him. The fact that he dropped so many books from his hands made me feel completely overwhelmed.

"So, in order to get started, you'll need to be a serious bibliophile," he said in his authoritative voice. He handed me a sizable gold-colored book. "That book will teach you all you need to know about becoming a Luna. You will better understand your fundamental obligations as my wife if you read it. You also need to study social etiquette and, of course, leadership concepts which is the essential thing you must learn."

I examined each page of the book and saw right away that I was going to have a problematic period of learning. "Do I have to read all these books that are sitting in front of me? We have only five days to prepare. Do you think I can do this?"

He couldn't keep a smile off his face. As I stood there watching him giggle like a kid, my mouth remained open. He'd never laughed like that before, and it was my first time seeing him do so. But no— this wasn't the right time to fancy his happy version, Atasha! Was this an amusing circumstance for him?

"Really?" I came off annoyed this time. I felt insulted, and he probably thought that I was too stupid to learn all of this in five days. As expected from the soon-to-be Alpha, he didn't know that our packs were too poor to be in school, and I could not finish my studies because my father kept me at home for years.

"You're so miserable." He then shook his head, still wearing that boyish smirk on his lips. "You have nothing to worry about, and I already have someone who could help you study."

My forehead creased as I looked at him. What did he mean by that?

"You'll have a tutor so things would be easy for you, slave," he added.

I was about to ask him who would be my tutor when the door banged open that stole our attention. When I saw the familiar face of a lovely lady in a white long-sleeved top and an apricot-colored pant, my eyes widened a little. Because she had her hair pinned back, it accentuated the form of her little yet captivating face.

"Oops, did I interrupt something here?" She walked gracefully and stood next to Elijah with an alluring smile.

I knew who she was. I've seen her face before. I tried to remember where I first saw her. “Right! That's why you look familiar to me. You're the beautiful lady that I collided with from the banquet!" I then realized that I was becoming too excited that I sounded so informal in front of her. "I-I apologize if I was too talkative."

She smiled at me. "You look very interesting. That answers my question why Elijah's investing so much time with you." She then glanced at the werewolf beside her. "So, did you inform her already?”

Elijah nodded, his gaze still fixed on me. "Atasha, I would like you to meet Veronica. She will be your tutor for the next 5 days and will help you digest these books quickly and effectively."

“R-Really?” I asked in awe, then looked at the lady named Veronica.

She raised one brow and crossed her arms against her chest. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Atasha. As your tutor, I would like to inform you that I will be strict and that I expect you to grasp each learning as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you'd end up losing your head because if you don't succeed, the Alpha will decapitate you in an instant."

Her remarks were almost as though they were cutting me to the core. The surge of excitement that had rushed through my veins had gone away. By this point, the only emotion I could muster was terror. I was terrified that I would fail since failing would mean that my existence would be lost forever. The truth was, it wasn't easy for me to fake these emotions in my head, realizing that too many lies would be hard for me to distinguish what is real and not in the very end.

Atasha’s Point of View

I thought studying was fun, like what Astrid had told me before. But being stuck in this study room with my tutor felt so suffocating, tiring, and discouraging all at the same time. I had been reading the first philosophical book she assigned to me for two hours, and Veronica gave me a test right after that.

Sitting on my chair uncomfortably with my fingers interlocked on my lap, I felt her dismayed stare at me upon checking my test paper. From the books that I have read, one that struck me the most was about their moral beliefs, about having harmony within packs, but if someone criticized the standards of their own way of living, they were treated as a threat and should be vanished in the face of this world, as they believed the only right way was to follow the great Montreal bloodline.

The Montreal family had the only power to rule all packs to ensure peace and advance the living standards among wolves. No one had the right to question the Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack as the werewolves believe he was the leader among leaders. As I flipped through pages and read their books, I was able to see the world through their lens. If living in harmony with other packs was their primary goal, why do they engage in wars? Especially with my pack? Every werewolf living in our small community was not even a threat to their union.

Everything that they were teaching was about protecting the lives of each of everyone by preparing for them to war. But if their primary goal was peace, why do they need to engage in war in the first place? In order to achieve harmony for the packs, to terrorize another is the answer? These questions kept swirling through my mind as I flipped through pages.

Montreal's bloodline was vital to keep the werewolves from achieving peace and order. Also, they believed that it would be a threat to every pack if Montreal's bloodline interacted with the cursed blood of a werewolf whose pack came from the dawn.

It was believed that the Kolgrims clan of Witches, and Wizards advised the great Montreal that the threat of the Crimson Pack would be from that group. My headaches worsened as I kept on reading. It was impossible for me to grasp everything!

I missed the days when I could just sleep the whole day If I wanted to.

Alpha Gregory can kill me now . . .

Well, about my test. I tried my hardest to answer the questions that were meant to measure my academic abilities. I simply felt like it was impossible to answer it for fifteen minutes, even if I tried. After all, who would assign a fifteen-minute time limit for a student to answer the test?

"All of your answers here are incorrect!" Veronica burst out of frustration as she scratched her head. She looked at me as if I was an impossible case to resolve. Shaking her head, she said, "I guess this plan will never work out, huh?" She then threw the test paper on the table, which made me gasp. "I know for sure that this plan will fail. Do you know why? That's because you're very stupid."

Her words caused a sharp stinging anguish to throb within my chest. I then realized how cruel Veronica was. I thought she was a very fine lady, a kind and friendly shewolf, but I guess I only felt that way because of her demeanor. Looks can be deceiving indeed. The first time I saw her, she reminded me of a beautiful piece of pearl plucked from the depths of the ocean. Actually, I remembered my sister when I first saw her. Beautiful and elegant. However it all changed now; Veronica's true colors had been revealed. She was very strict, and she hated it so much if I didn't understand all those things she was teaching me. Every time I got the answers incorrect, I got hit by a stick in my hand.

But again, we were only studying for two hours. She should not have expected an outcome ideally from someone who never experienced attending school.

“I’m . . .” My mouth was left open. I wanted to say something, to defend myself against her rage, but I felt so little as she narrowed her eyes and looked at me with such disapproval. I ended up biting my lips and then looked down at my fingers.

"I will report to Elijah about this, keep on reading," Veronica said, and the next thing I knew, she walked away and left me alone in the study room.

I sighed, acknowledging my failure. Was it really necessary for her to be so cruel? Sure, I was aware of my own shortcomings, but I had the impression that we weren't doing things correctly. Was there another way aside from answering reading and answering tests? Is there anybody else out there that wants to be a Luna who has gone through the same thing I am? I feel sorry for them.

Minutes passed, and the door opened once again. It was no other than Elijah. Seeing his wrinkled brows, I knew I would face a difficult conversation with him. He took a few steps towards me. He leaned forward and glared at me, his hands resting on the table in front of him.

"Atasha, do you think you can do this?" he asked coldly.

"I did my best answering the test paper. I know I have a lot of incorrect answers, but I can just memorize the right answers, and I believe I'll be good, is that correct?" I said, hoping that he would go easy on me. Probably, I'm giving a false hope as he looked at me, worried that I can't push it through.

"Yes . . . of course. But if you were dumb, to begin with, then I doubt you can memorize it all," Veronica stated as she entered the study room once again.

I inhaled heavily. My eyes glanced in Veronica's direction, who crossed her arms against her chest. I know Veronica was right, but I am not simply giving up. I stared back at Elijah, who was still looking at me impatiently.

"Okay, can you promise me one thing?" I fisted my hand, still looking at Elijah. "Once I pass all these tests, you will find my family and make sure they are alive and safe." My eyes locked through him, waiting for him to answer.

"You are not in the position to negotiate and give commands. After all, you are nothing more than just a mere slave.” Veronica made a scoff.

"Alright, it's a deal then." Elijah stood up and smirked at me.

I managed to force a grin onto my face as I realized I had the strength to endure this ordeal. He would track down my family as soon as I passed the test, which meant I had to do all I could to succeed in this crisis, no matter how difficult the situation seemed.

For Astrid, for my father, for the Silver Moon Pack.

Veronica shook her head in disbelief. "You know what? You guys are both dumb."

Joaquin then entered the room and looked at Elijah. “I left the liquor in your secret chamber. Also, I see that you're able to master the dream telepathy. Even in my dreams, you can now hunt me—”

While Joaquin tried to say something more, Elijah looked at me with an odd face; he quickly went in Quin's direction and aggressively covered his mouth and uttered, "Shh! Be quiet, don't mention dream telepathy, Quin! Also, We're in the middle of a study session; Veronica will be mad at us!"

Joaquin then apologized, and he went out of the room with Elijah as Veronica shouted to both of them to get out.

“Hey, Atasha.” She grabbed my hand towards her. “I want to let you know that if you can't pass this exam, you will not be able to go to the second test. So it means this plan of you and Elijah is bound to fail, so don’t even try.”

I understand the consequences clearly as Veronica tried to tell me that I should just give this up. I also knew that these ‘exams’ from the Alpha were the only way for him to give a chance to his son. Even Alpha Gregory was ruthless, but when it comes to Elijah, I'm confident he will not punish him. The way I see his eyes looked at Elijah at the dining table, asking him how he was doing, listening carefully to Elijah's answers, and reminding him how he deeply cares for him. It was a scene that I usually see from my father every night at our dining table with Astrid. So when Elijah protested to his father about his arranged marriage, it reminded me of Astrid.

It was also unfair for Elijah to be with someone he didn't love. However, has he already found his mate?

If the Montreal bloodline is sacred, I completely see why his father responded in such a violent manner. This was done solely for Elijah's benefit. Marrying Margaux was the only answer to this mess.

"I'll do my best and move forward," I said with conviction.

Veronica's eyes widened, and she bit her thumb while looking at the pile of books. "Why do you even try so hard? We all know the outcome of this," she said.

I showed her my bracelet. “It's for my family's sake.”

Her face gloomed after that response. "Do you think family matters? and how about your own life?" Veronica then looked back to the pile of books.

The silence occupied the room as I tried to gather my thoughts to answer her question, a strong wind blew against the open windows, and it seemed to me that silence was the ideal answer at the time. I adore Astrid from the bottom of my heart, and I desire to be someone as wonderful as she was one day.

I remembered the days when we were together, whenever someone from our pack mistaken me as Astrid, I'm flattered as to what I also wanted to be like her. Though our similarities are only by looks somehow, the sense of pride from me that she was considered as one of the great werewomen in our pack made me feel motivated to be like her someday.

Veronica stood up, turned back, and left a sigh. But before she left the room, I gathered my thoughts and courage to voice out my thoughts. “Unlike you, I was not born to have the riches. I have nothing in this world but only them. My sister Astrid, is the person I looked up to. If they were gone, my whole life would be meaningless.”

I felt the hand of Veronica from the top of my head. As the wind kept blowing from the window, the pages of the books flipped.

"Okay, then let's see what happens next. Get some rest.” She removed her hand from my head and walked out to my room.

While I continued reading and studying, a familiar werewolf entered the room. If my eyes serve me right, this is Zach. How was he able to enter here? His finger was lifted to his lips, as if to indicate that I should be silent.

“Come with me,” he said as if it was a command rather than a statement.

As I hesitated to come with him, he then reminded me of the words he said to me at the banquet.

“I am the last card who will save you,” he uttered.

With that, I slowly nodded and stood up to come with him. While we walked past the hallway, I found it odd that he was not saying anything at all.

I gasped when he suddenly held my hand and pulled me. He pushed my back against the wall, and his musky scent invaded my nostrils while his body was pressing against mine. My mind imagined things that I should have not.

I then remembered my bizarre dream. I shook my head to throw away those ideas. Because of that dream, I couldn’t help but to picture it right now with Zach. While we were holding this position for a minute, I heard the guards footsteps walking past us, it felt like we were not allowed to be seen together at this time, especially in this place.

"Atasha, I want to show you something," he whispered through my ear. I looked away as he was trying to glance at me.

What is he trying to do now?