SERENITY

“Ouch!” I accidentally hit my head on the alarm clock next to my bed, which made me wake up with a groan and open my eyes slowly.

The loud sound startled me awake so abruptly that I quickly approached the troublesome device, switching it off forcefully as if it were the cause of my troubles.

“Ugh!” I really want to throw it down, but I'm too afraid because I know I'll get in trouble afterwards.

I glanced around the room with my tired eyes, and noticed that the window was slightly ajar, revealing the early morning light.

Everyone was still in bed because it was too early in the morning, except for me.

I let out a loud hiss as I lowered my head, feeling the weight of my heart. I felt a surge of both rage and sorrow engulfing me, causing my eyes to sting and making it difficult to hold back my tears.

Although I had only been in bed for a short time, it felt like mere moments as my eyes grew heavy and struggled to shut. I felt extremely sleepy, and all I wanted was to rest on the bed and fall asleep again.

I sat upright on the bed, propped against the wall, as I yawned and rubbed my eyes over and over again.

I lacked the strength to shift my body from the bed. The residence was quiet, as though uninhabited, but that was not true; everyone was just asleep.

While everyone else was peacefully sleeping, I had no choice but to wake up early and take care of the household tasks, even though I was always the last one to go to sleep at night.

I let out another yawn, feeling exhausted, and stretched my body with a grimace of discomfort. The stinging sensation of the whip marks on my arms and back, which were still in the process of healing, caused me pain

I quickly looked at the clock, and clenched my teeth. More than a minute had already passed, and I didn't want to stay in bed any longer once the alarm went off.

If I did, they would punish me severely for being lazy and not following the rules.

The idea of getting beaten once more following all the abuse I endured yesterday caused me to quickly get out of bed. Tears welled up in my eyes as a throbbing headache gripped my head.

I also experienced aching in my legs, accompanied by intense spasms that persisted relentlessly. It served as a harsh reminder of the poor state of my health.

My entire being yearns for relaxation, yet I am unable to provide it. I was tired and my legs felt very tired too, and the bed was just looking at me in a teasing way, like a scary trap ready to harm me.

I could sense my tired eyes struggling to shut as I resisted the urge to keep them open. I felt incredibly sleepy and worn out, with a sore back and twitching legs.

I simply desire to recline on my bed, yet I possess greater wisdom. I am aware of the suffering I will subject myself to if I choose to lie down and sleep after the alarm has sounded.

When I last attempted it, I ended up with a permanent scar on my back caused by the cut from my stepmother's wolf's claw.

And up until now, I am still wondering about how I ended up in this situation.

I am Serenity Nocturne and I happen to be the daughter of Lucius Nocturne, who holds the title of Alpha King. He is widely known as one of the strongest Alphas and is both respected and feared by other packs.

According to historical accounts, he was undefeated in battles and successfully fought against the Pack that murdered his parents during his childhood. He matured and swiftly acquired an unimaginable amount of power during the war.

The origin of his enigmatic abilities remained a mystery, granting him the agility of a gust and the strength of invisible might.

People were terrified of his wolf creature, which was known as the most feared and merciless. It would effortlessly and ruthlessly consume its foes.

As the sole offspring of his Luna, I expected to receive everlasting fear and admiration from everyone. However, that was not the case. Instead, I found myself enslaved, despised and rejected by all, forbidden from acknowledging the Alpha as my father or including his last name in my own.

I was rejected by everyone, even my father, and they also took away my royal status. I was treated as inferior to the lowest rank, like a slave.

My father, Alpha Lucius, has even publicly rejected me in front of everyone in our pack and has constantly warned me about being kicked out of the group.

He had been tormenting me and turning my life into a nightmare, a living hell. This happened because I accomplished something that had never been done before.

A terrible and horrifying deed.

I caused the death of his mate, the Luna. I caused the death of my own mother, but it was because she put my life in serious danger. Everything occurred three years in the past, during my fifteenth year of life.

I struggle to find words to describe the peculiar and overpowering force that has mysteriously consumed me.

On that evening, within the confines of her chamber, I tragically took my mother's life using only my hands, slashing her chest with my sharp nails and consuming her heart, which I suddenly desired like a bloodsucking cretin.

The only thing I remember is being overtaken by a fierce and unfamiliar beast spirit that emerged from within me.

It seized control of my thoughts, physical being, and inner self, just as it nearly ended my life. The peculiar creature was the one that rescued me from the brink of death.

I couldn't control myself and ended up killing my own mother before I could stop myself from going insane.

Everyone believed deep down that I was responsible for the death of the pack's Luna.

And that’s why they tortured me relentlessly, using wolfsbane to weaken my wolf and stripping me of my royal status, reducing me to a mere slave.

Nobody bothered to pay attention to my perspective. They never bothered to inquire about the reason behind my actions.

If I hadn't defended myself, I might have lost my life when my mother turned into a savage monster and assaulted me.

I made every effort to evade and flee the room in order to avoid harming her, but it proved to be futile. She was agile, menacing, and resolute in her mission to terminate my existence.

I was left with no option but to retaliate, and I would not have triumphed if it weren't for that exceptional power.

I don't know what that strange force was that suddenly possessed me, and I have no clue how it emerged from within me.

I sensed the unexpected existence of a peculiar being within me and could unmistakably discern that it was not my wolf, since I had not yet reached the age of sixteen.

Due to the extraordinary power of the creature, I violently assaulted my mother.

I suspected that my mother was under the influence of a demon. It was clear to me that she was not acting rationally, but unfortunately, I was unable to intervene or find a solution at that time.

This was because everyone was gathered at the royal palace to celebrate the birthday of the Beta's daughter.

I had to either defend myself and cause her death, or I lost my life.

I can still clearly recall the beginning of it all. Out of the blue, my mom whisked me away to her room amidst the ongoing birthday party, and I presumed she had something important to tell me.

I had no idea that she was already under the influence of a demonic enchantment and was not in her sane state of mind.

“Mom, what’s wrong? Why did you bring me to your room?” I inquired, but received no response.

Then, suddenly, I observed her eyes transform into a deep, hazy shade and her canine teeth elongate into pointed, razor-sharp fangs.

I was filled with fear and attempted to flee out the door as she suddenly leaped at me, sinking her sharp claws deeply into my back.

“Mom… no! Please! Help!” I shouted loudly for help when the pain overwhelmed me.

I tried desperately to escape, but my efforts were in vain. She pinned me down, her eyes filled with terror, her snarl sending chills down my spine, and her body exuding a demonic scent.

“Mom! Mom! What’s wrong with you? What’s happening? Mom, please!” I found it difficult to catch my breath as I trembled with intense terror.

However, she carelessly leaned over and bit into my neck, greedily drinking my blood while her sharp claws on her right hand lightly traced my chest as if she were seeking my heart.

I was overwhelmed by intense agony, causing me to struggle for air. Once again, my capacity to howl and plead for assistance diminished as my energy depleted from my entire being, resembling a faint trail of vapor.

My mother was indeed on the verge of harming me that evening, and not a single person came to my aid.

In the room, my voice went unnoticed and unheard as my screams were drowned out by the overpowering noise of drums and the festive materials used to celebrate the party on the hall.

She forcefully pulled her mouth away from my neck and emitted horrifying guttural noises.

“You! You must perish! You have to allow the demons to reign supreme!”

Those were the words I heard my mother unintentionally say, as if someone else were speaking through her.

“M-Mom…”

SERENITY

My mom grabbed my dress and ripped the top, exposing my heart, which was the most effective way to defeat a werewolf.

“Mom, please! Stop this!” None of my appeals were heard, as she had completely gone insane.

“You need to die!”

At that moment, an unexpected surge of strength arose from deep within me, allowing me to effortlessly move her away from my stomach, where she was seated.

I swiftly rose to my feet and realized that my body was rapidly heating up; I also had the sensation that I was on the verge of exhaling flames.

I felt a strong disturbance within me, as if it was attempting to escape its boundaries.

I think it worked, because all of a sudden, I went crazy and got taken over by this weird creature, which made me really powerful.

As I gazed at my mother in that instant, her face became unrecognizable to me.

Instead, I perceived a malevolent presence, accompanied by a strong, unsettling odor that ignited a surge of anger within me.

I had an overwhelming urge to take her life and couldn't hold back any longer before confronting her.

Despite her attempts to resist, I was able to overpower her using my newfound power and inflict severe wounds on various areas of her body.

I violently removed her eyes and dislocated the joints in her hands and legs. In the end, I tore the heart out of her chest and consumed it like a monster.

At that moment, the partner of our pack’s Beta forcefully pushed the door open and entered the room.

She witnessed me taking the life of my mother and let out a scream, “Luna!”

A crowd quickly entered and apprehended me while I was in the middle of doing something.

‘Why didn't anyone come when I was so close to dying in her care?’

Despite the numerous injuries on my body, they refused to believe that my mother had assaulted me first. Instead, they unanimously concluded that she had acted in self-defense.

The abilities of that peculiar creature that abruptly possessed me disappeared and never returned. When this occurred, I was fifteen years old, and ever since then, my life has been filled with unhappiness.

I was labeled as a demon, and on numerous occasions, they called upon several sorcerers to examine me.

These sorcerers would provide me with a potion to consume, which only caused intense agony as it scorched my internal organs.

Certain individuals would compel me to immerse myself in a receptacle filled with a poisonous plant called wolfsbane.

This act would cause severe harm to my human form, necessitating a whole month for recovery.

However, despite subjecting me to such torment, they would fail to uncover anything within me except for my wretched lupine nature.

It had been three years since the incident occurred, and nobody trusted me when I claimed that my mother had transformed into a demon and was determined to harm me.

Instead, my suffering intensified as punishment for falsely accusing the deceased Luna.

And this year, my life turned into a complete nightmare when my father decided to be with another woman, to be his wife and the new Luna of our pack.

Ophelia Grimwood, a woman who became my stepmother and a wicked embodiment who detested my presence.

All she desired was to witness my suffering and sorrow, and I couldn't identify the reason for her resentment towards me.

Ever since my father brought her to the majestic pack residence, I have experienced the most dreadful period of my life.

A few months ago, our Beta members tragically perished in a war, and as a result, our father decided to take in their daughter. I'm a year older than her, but that's irrelevant since she also treats me as if I'm her servant.

I follow all her commands without any hesitation, as even a slight disrespect would result in my father inflicting a severe wound on my body.

…..

“Serenity!” Suddenly, my stepmother interrupted with her voice, startling me and causing me to quickly jump off the bed, where I had unknowingly sat for a while.

I was overcome with fear, causing my mind to go blank as I stumbled out of the room with a blurry sight and tears streaming down my face.

I didn't require a fortune teller to predict that she would scold me once more for staying in my room for too long.

Even the way she spoke confirmed it.

I was deeply consumed by my sorrow, to the point where I failed to notice the duration of my presence after the alarm had sounded.

"Serenity!” she shouted once more, but I had to discreetly make my way to the kitchen before responding, to ensure she wouldn't discover that I had been in my bedroom after the alarm went off.

As soon as I entered the living room, I was confronted by the devil, who appeared to be patiently anticipating my arrival.

I felt a chill run through my entire body when I saw her standing confidently before me, wearing the most intimidating expression I had ever witnessed.

I could see the anger and bitterness in her shining brown eyes as she gave me a scornful look, clenching her jaw tightly.

Filled with fear, I instinctively bowed my head, unsure of how to react or respond.

However, there was no doubt that she would defeat me once more, and as usual, my father would not take any action.

“Did you just ignored me when l called you?” The way she spoke clearly showed her intense dislike for me, even when I'm not around.

"I apologize, I..." Slap! I struggled to speak as her sudden strike seared my face, causing a painful sensation akin to being pricked by countless needles.

“Lazy! Did you just switch off the alarm and go back to sleep when it went off?” She clenched her jaw and didn't hesitate to kick me in the stomach without waiting for a response, causing me to fall forcefully onto my rear end.

“No, I... uh...” I was unable to communicate effectively due to the intense discomfort in my abdomen.

I let out a cry and held onto my stomach with one hand, while using the other to soothe my backside. Tears welled up in my eyes and flowed down my face without restraint.

“Please… Luna… I kindly request your mercy just this one time.” I pleaded with a trembling voice as I glanced back at her, only to witness her advancing once more.

I felt an intense, unbearable pain that caused my whole body to tremble. I struggled to catch my breath, whimpering and silently begging for relief.

My eyes pleaded for help, while my lips quivered uncontrollably. The pain was so overwhelming that I couldn't even speak.

“Wow, are you that tired, Serenity? Then, if you're exhausted with life, consider ending it!” She snarled and struck my head with her boot; I sensed my life slipping away.

I felt as if I were about to perish, my head ringing loudly like a bell. I closed my eyes tightly and started sobbing uncontrollably as the agony overwhelmed me.

At that moment, I could hear the sound of her footsteps approaching me once more, causing me to cry even more intensely.

I realized that my tears were in vain, as there was no hope of anyone coming to save me. Instead, they would unite to punish me for disturbing their sleep with my weeping.

She crouched in front of me, glancing at my face with resentment, before uttering words that caused my heart to sink into my abdomen.

“I'm still curious about how you managed to avoid being killed by your mother who was possessed by a demon. Do you recall the information she shared with you regarding the demons?” She inquired, and I observed the self-satisfied grin on her mouth.

‘How… how come she knew about it?’

I felt a sense of bewilderment swirling within me, and my body felt weighed down. I could only gaze, my mouth agape, yet no words escaped.

‘What is the meaning behind her words?’

“O-Ophelia, do you happen to be a… d-demon?” I spoke with a trembling voice, stuttering because I was scared. I breathed heavily while looking at her, feeling confused and deep in thought about what she had just said.

On that particular day, my mother, who was under the influence of evil spirits, informed me that I needed to perish in order for the demons to gain control.

‘How on earth did Ophelia find out that she told me something like this?’

For a brief moment, Ophelia glanced at my face, then chuckled softly as she stood up.

“Demon? Whom did I hear you refer to as a demon? Is that my Luna? Are you accusing my mate of being a demon, just like you accused my demised mate, in order to find a reason to harm her?”

Out of nowhere, my dad's voice boomed as he rushed down the stairs, causing me to quickly stand up from the ground while my body became tense with fear.

‘When did he arrive?’

A look of fury contorted his face, accentuating the marks on his visage that bestowed upon him an air of menace. He looked at me with intense hatred and disgust, his eyes shining in a dark shade of green.

“I...I...did not...I was just recently inquiring...” Fear gripped me as I stuttered, my lips quivering under the weight of his intimidating gaze.

“Oh, Alpha. This freak, she used to call me that because I shouted at her to start doing her household tasks.” Ophelia complained, tears welling up in her eyes, about how unbelievable it was that she woke up to discover that she was still sleeping even though the alarm had already gone off.

‘What the hell? I can't believe how incredible this woman is!’

My father became furious and rushed towards me like a predator, without caring if I was telling the truth.

He moved closer, his massive frame casting a terrifying shadow that loomed above me, enveloping my world in a mix of dread and sorrow. I closed my eyes tightly, expecting his attack.

Pak! As I anticipated, a scorching slap struck my face, causing searing agony to surge through it like a blazing inferno.

I let out a loud cry and instinctively grabbed my face as blood clumps began to gush from my mouth.

I trembled and whimpered, feeling a heart-wrenching pain that left me numb.

However, he appeared unsatisfied, and I witnessed him assaulting me once more.

Pak!

SERENITY

“Remember this! I will make you suffer until you beg for death, you wicked killer! I despise the air that you inhale with us. The silhouette you cast and the surface you walk upon! I strongly dislike the fact that I am unable to harm you physically due to your royal lineage. Or end your life so that I will never have to see you again!”

With a thunderous roar, my father yelled at me, his voice filled with sorrow, anger, and intense animosity. Fortunately, Ophelia managed to grab him.

“Alpha, you must avoid putting unnecessary pressure on yourself by physically harming her. The previous wizards I brought along have taken in all of her evil abilities. Someone from the group of sorcerers might visit today to see how she's doing," Ophelia muttered with a smile directed at my father.

I felt a surge of fear in my heart upon hearing her words. I can no longer endure the torment inflicted by her sorcerers, who seem to only engage in torture while pretending to rid me of demons.

“Go up there! Start doing your household tasks, you messy swine! You are responsible for my daughter never being late to school!" My father scoffed at me with a repulsive gaze that sent shivers down my spine.

The pain was intense, particularly because he no longer viewed me as his daughter.

‘I am your real daughter, dad.’ He recently referred to the beta's daughter as his own daughter.

After which, they both strolled off, with his embrace encircling Ophelia’s midsection as she rested against his shoulder. She looked back briefly and gave me a teasing smile, making me feel sick as I tried to hold back tears.

…..

“Hmm… Mom and Dad, I'm going to be tardy for school today because of that unhelpful girl, Serenity. I'm not sure why she’s…”

As I entered the dining room, I noticed Vivien, the Beta's daughter, complaining, but she stopped talking when she saw me.

The trio sat together at the table, and the scene evoked memories. It reminded me of how I used to sit with my mother and my father, who was once a great dad.

‘It was supposed to be us, sitting there together, eating and happily chatting.’

Everything had transformed rapidly. Currently, I fulfill the role of a maid, attending to their needs rather than joining them at the dining table. The daughter of the Beta has replaced me.

“Here are the dishes you ordered...” I softly spoke while bowing and handed it to them, silently hoping for the tranquility and stillness to persist until I departed.

I have asked the Moon Goddess for protection from harm, and it appeared that my prayer was granted when I distributed the dishes and prepared to depart.

“Serenity!” My father's chilling and terrifying voice echoed my name, causing me to stand still, overwhelmed with the urge to burst into tears.

I really want to be able to disregard him and leave. I really despise having to face Vivien and endure all the insults and physical abuse.

Still, I had no choice, so gradually, I twirled and approached them.

“Have a taste of this food first. I no longer have faith in you," my father commanded, and I fought back my tears while my face turned crimson.

I had completely forgotten that things have always been like this. They always considered me a suspect, even though the true culprit, Ophelia, is sitting right next to them.

Despite having assigned personal security to monitor me closely while I prepare meals, he still found ways to embarrass me and shatter my emotions.

I sampled a bit of Dad's meal, followed by a taste of Vivien's dish. But when I reached Ophelia, she shot me a cold, piercing look that made my hands tremble.

Trembling intensely, I grabbed the spoon and plunged it into her meal, scooping up a spoonful as well.

But as I was about to bring it to my mouth, she swiftly struck my hand with the back of her palm, causing the stew in the spoon to scatter across my face and directly into my eyes.

“Ahh! M-My… e-eyes!” I let out a loud cry of pain as the fiery sensation overwhelmed me, causing me to lose my footing and collapse onto the floor.

“Help!” I closed my eyes immediately while I fumbled and let out a loud scream, desperately calling for assistance. I pleaded for some water to cleanse my face, but all I heard was laughter.

“Poor thing! Could you believe that she actually wants to take advantage of the situation to satisfy her hunger with the food I have?” Ophelia chuckled, and they continued to laugh as I felt a burning sensation in my eyes, causing tears to flow uncontrollably.

“Help me, please. I-I'm losing my… v-vision! I need assistance with water, please!”

I shouted and trembled, desperately attempting to remove them using my hand, but nobody shows concern.

The only thing I could hear afterwards was the tinkling noise of their silverware and dishes, indicating that they had already begun eating without any concern for my presence.

I tried my best to open my eyes, hoping I could handle everything and make it to the kitchen sink, but it was useless.

I only assisted the ones clinging to my eyelashes to enter my eyes, resulting in excruciating agony that violently shook my entire body. “Ahh!”

Once more, my eyes closed on their own accord, and this time I was unable to reopen them; darkness enveloped my world.

“H-Help me, p-please.” As I searched, cleaned my eyes, and cried out for assistance, my eyes felt more of the painful sensation.

I felt an intense burning sensation behind my eyes, as if they were being engulfed in flames. I couldn't even open them.

“Could someone please assist me? Can someone please bring me water so I can rinse my eyes? It's extremely painful! Please!"

As I let out loud sobs, the sound echoed through the walls. I struggled to navigate my way to the bathroom, relying on my senses.

However, my mind was foggy, intensifying the unbearable agony my eyes were experiencing.

“Shut up, will you? You have to be quiet while we finish our meal. It wouldn't be fair to ask any of us to interrupt our eating to fetch water for you!” Vivien shouted without any regard for the excruciating agony I was experiencing.

“She brought it upon herself, I felt the urge to hit her in the face, but she attempted to appear clever by using the spoon as a defense! She should not have helped herself to a spoonful from my plate!” Ophelia complained while they continued to eat while I was losing my vision.

My dress was wet from the tears streaming down my face, and I was covered in sweat as I crawled on the floor, panting and sobbing in intense pain.

“I hope she becomes visually impaired from this point forward! Perhaps that is the retribution bestowed by the Moon Goddess for taking the life of my mate!”

I was taken aback when my dad contributed, and it made me flinch.

His voice's icy chill stabbed my heart, causing intense pain. The agony of hearing my father's words was overwhelming, causing me to let out a loud cry.

The intense dislike was genuine and it would never diminish as I anticipated; I understood the depth of my father's affection for my mother, treating her with utmost care like a precious jewel.

I anticipated his disdain for me after her death, but not to such a degree. I am still his daughter, the fruit of their bond.

I believed that his anger would diminish as the year came to an end, but I was unaware that it would actually intensify every time he encountered me.

“I believe she has understood her mistake; we should instruct the guards to give her a bath.” Ophelia let out a snort, and her words echoed in my ear like a bell, jangling and pounding my mind with their meaning.

I could hear her perfectly, but I couldn't bring myself to accept that my ears didn't trick me just now.

“Yes, that's a great suggestion for someone like her who practices witchcraft!” Vivien let out a frustrated sigh, and I could hear my father summon the guards.

"Undress her and assist with her bath in the bathroom," my father commanded, and I was shocked, shaking my head as I sobbed, more warm tears streaming down my face.

‘No, please. No!’

I felt my lips trembling, and I longed to be able to open my eyes and escape; running seemed like the ideal choice, but being visually impaired prevented me from doing so.

The idea of these guards witnessing my unclothed form gave me a shiver.

"D-Dad, please reconsider your command. Please? D-Don’t listen to Ophelia's words! She’s not…” I got scared and my voice broke.

I couldn't find the courage to tell him once more about Ophelia's true identity.

That moment, I realized that my father was serious when he promised to make my life a living nightmare, as his biological child.

I made a foolish mistake believing that being my father would lessen the torment. And now, I will find myself exposed before these ordinary sentinels, whom I had previously commanded.

The royal lineage within me sent shivers down my spine, leaving me utterly shaken. I just wished it wouldn't occur.

‘How can I face these men once they witness my nudity?’

“Can't you hear anything?! Please follow my instructions precisely!” My father roared, pounding his fist on the table, and my jaw dropped as I struggled to breathe.

The intense discomfort in my eyes cannot be compared to the distress my heart experiences.

“D-Dad, please don't do this to me!” I cried, holding onto myself tightly, as I couldn't determine my location within the room.

“The audacity, huh? Even though you've disowned her years ago, she still continues to refer to you as daddy. That is not right!” Vivien complained, and I sensed a pang in my heart from her words, then my father chimed in.

“I know. And that is the reason she should receive any possible penalty on this world. Such a stubborn and cold-hearted person! I don’t have a daughter like her!” He let out a contemptuous snort, devoid of any sympathy or care in his tone.

“Please…” I attempted to plead once more, but before I could utter a word, the sound of loud footsteps echoed, and suddenly, four powerful hands seized hold of my limbs, forcing me into silence.

“No!”