The Cursed Luna Beyond Alpha's Desire

Atasha's Point of View

I awoke from a deep slumber, startled by the piercing cries and anguished screams outside. As I rose, a searing heat enveloped my skin, as though our home was engulfed in an inferno.

Through a small attic window, I glimpsed a scene of fire and smoke. My heart raced in terror as I witnessed our neighbors falling victim to warrior wolves bearing the Crimson Moon marked on their shoulders. They were from our rival pack—they were attacking us!

Gasping for air, I stepped back, my mind racing. It was no longer safe to remain here. We had to escape, lest we face decapitation and a fiery demise.

Normally confined to my hidden sanctuary, under the strict orders of our father, Julian Greene, I rarely ventured outside. Ever since my identical twin sister, Astrid, and I turned seventeen, I was forbidden from mingling with the rest of the pack.

My inability to shift, attributed to the Moon Goddess's curse, was the reason my father believed I needed protection. I understood his motives—my father sought to shield us from humiliation and safeguard us from rival packs.

As I reached the age of nineteen alongside my sister, it became clear that my sole purpose was to safeguard my family as the cursed child.

Though I remained grateful to the Moon Goddess for accepting me despite my inability to shift, the burden of my curse weighed heavily on my heart. I had yet to experience the bliss of love like my sister, whose radiant smile had been unceasing since she found her soulmate.

I often wondered what it would be like to feel that joy and share such happiness. In the end, I admired and promised the Moon Goddess that I would protect my sister at all costs. She possessed extraordinary abilities that I lacked, and witnessing her happiness with her mate brought a sense of contentment to my own life.

Yet, deep down, the fear of never shifting and facing a solitary existence haunted my sleepless evenings.

I rushed downstairs and was about to enter Astrid's room when I heard familiar voices from the living room.

I didn't hesitate and went there only to see my twin sister on her bent knees, her palms clasped together as her tears were falling endlessly. She's begging our father for something I didn't have any idea about.

"Please, Papa. Do not trade me away! I am begging you! I don't want to go with them... I-I d-don't want to leave Alexander! H-He's my mate, for Moon Goddess' sake!" Astrid cried in despair. I almost jumped when I saw how our father slapped her in the face, making her wail even more.

"Stop it, Papa!" I immediately ran and hugged my sister, protecting her from our abusive father. "What the hell are you doing? We're in the middle of a hopeless fight!"

"Who told you to come out of your room, Atasha?!" he yelled with his face so reddened out of anger.

My lips formed a thin line. He doesn't really care even if I end up getting burnt alive in the cage he made for me. What did we do in the past to have such a vicious and heartless father?

"A-Atasha, h-help me! T-The other pack wants to take me! I-I don't want to go with them. I-I'm scared. . . ."

"W-What? What are you talking about?" I caressed her swollen cheeks. She shook her head as her tears couldn't stop from falling. She couldn't even breathe properly. That made me feel the excruciating feeling deep within me. As her twin sister, I can't bear to see her hurting like this.

I turned my gaze on our father. "What's going on that I didn't know? We're being attacked, yet you're hurting my sister again!"

"Do you really want to know what's going on?" He stepped forward and grabbed my arm by force. A small whimper escaped my lips as his grip was too tight as if he was trying to break my bones. "We are all going to die if she doesn't go with the other pack! Their Alpha wants her, and he will give the peace we ever wanted in return. Your useless sister is the only one who can protect us right now, and she's coming with them no matter what!"

"W-What did you say, Papa? No!" I shook my head and took my arm from his grip. "You can't do that! She's about to get married, don't you remember? She has a mate already! Why would the rival pack's Alpha want to take her? You can't send her away! I won't allow it! Alexander is her–"

"Her mate just died! Crimson Moon's Alpha killed him!" He cut me off, dropping such a bomb that I wouldn't ever want Astrid to hear.

"No! No! Alexander isn't dead. H-He couldn't b-be–" Before Astrid could even finish her word, she lost her consciousness.

"Astrid!" I called her, but she had already fallen into my arms.

Hugging my twin sister was the only thing I could do. The fire was slowly burning our small cold house. Tears started to pool down my eyes as I knew that the situation was too difficult for Astrid. She wouldn't be able to handle the pain of losing her mate... same goes for the sufferings of being someone else's slave.

I am sure that she will be a slave of the Alpha once they take her away... I would never allow that to happen!

"Let me take her." Papa was about to carry her, but I shoved his filthy hands away.

Don't you dare touch my sister! I won't allow you to send her away!" I screamed out of anger.

I glared at him. He inhaled heavily and grabbed my hair, making me scream in pain. "You have no right to tell me what to do! You're just my disgraced daughter! Get off her!"

I hugged my twin sister as tight as I could. It was as if it would be the last time that I would be able to get close to her... as if it would be the last time that I would see her. My tears ran down my cheeks as I felt the sting of pain in my heart.

I have to do something.

I need to protect my twin sister, Astrid. She's my everything...

I kissed her forehead and slowly laid her down on the floor.

"Let me do it, Papa." I let out a deep breath and brushed my tears away before I gazed up at him. "Let me replace her."

His forehead creased. He then released my hair.

"What did you say?" He sounded confused.

I stood up and stared at him bravely. Even though his eyes were smoldering, I didn't even flinch.

"I'll do it, Papa. We have the same face. I bet the Alpha wouldn't be able to tell who is who. He doesn't know that Astrid has a twin sister, does he? So, I will go instead of her. " I sobbed. "And please, don't make things more difficult for her... you know how it felt to lose a mate when our mom died in the war. "

His face softened as if I hit the right spot in his heart. I breathed heavily and looked at Astrid again.

"For once, be a father to my sister . . . from now on, you only have one daughter to take care of. "