Chapter 5 Assist with Elaina's Luna Training

Lya's POV:

The kitchen was bathed in the soft morning light as I sliced the vegetables with precision. My shoulders ached from scrubbing floors yesterday, but I'd learned long ago that pain was just another constant in my life.

Mom stormed into the kitchen, her eyes narrowing as she inspected my work. "Damian is coming for dinner tonight," she announced, her voice sharp enough to cut. "You'll help prepare the meal but stay out of sight. Understand?"

"Yes," I whispered, keeping my eyes down.

She grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at her. "If you embarrass this family again, you'll wish I'd just chained you in the basement."

She pulled out the familiar bottle of bitter herbs. The murky liquid made my stomach clench in anticipation.

"Drink this."

"No!" Kate's voice echoed in my head. "It's poison, Lya. It suppresses me—suppresses us."

But Mom's iron grip left no room for refusal. The liquid burned down my throat, immediately dulling my senses and weakening Kate's presence to a faint whisper. The kitchen colors faded from vibrant to muted, sounds becoming distant as though underwater.

I spent the next several hours preparing food according to Mom's precise instructions. Damian apparently preferred his steaks rare, his potatoes crispy, and his vegetables seasoned just so. My hands moved mechanically, following years of practiced motions while my mind drifted to my sanctuary at Crystal Falls.

Elaina swept into the kitchen, her golden hair perfectly styled, wearing a new blue dress that matched her eyes. The scent of expensive perfume announced her presence before she spoke.

"How do I look?" She twirled, the fabric catching light. "Luna Isabella sent this dress specially for tonight. She says blue is Damian's favorite color."

Without waiting for an answer, she leaned over my cutting board. "What's this supposed to be?"

"Vegetables for the—"

She casually grabbed the salt, dumping it over everything I'd prepared. "Oops," she smirked. "Better start over. Damian deserves perfection."

As she sauntered out, Noah passed by the doorway. Our eyes met briefly, his filled with something resembling pity, but he quickly looked away and followed Elaina down the hall. The silence in the kitchen felt heavier after they left.

I sighed and began chopping fresh vegetables, trying to ignore the ache in my chest. "One day this will end," I whispered to myself.

"One day," Kate murmured, her voice barely audible through the herb-induced fog, "we'll leave this place."

By late afternoon, savory aromas filled our home as I completed the final preparations. Through the kitchen window, I watched the Sterling family arrive—Alpha Richard's commanding presence, Luna Isabella's elegant grace, and Damian walking between them, tall and proud. Even from a distance, his presence commanded attention—broad-shouldered, with golden-brown hair catching the evening light.

Despite the herbs dulling my senses, something about him made my skin prickle with awareness. A strange flutter moved through my chest when he turned his head slightly toward the kitchen, almost as if sensing my gaze.

Mom burst into the kitchen before I could analyze the feeling. "Serve the appetizers but don't let them see you," she hissed, adjusting her own perfectly styled hair. "Stay invisible or you'll regret it."

I nodded, loading the carefully arranged platters onto a serving tray. As I slipped into the dining room, keeping to the shadows and moving quickly, I could hear their conversation clearly. The discussion centered around Elaina's Luna training—an unprecedented honor for someone who hadn't yet confirmed her mate bond.

"She'll make an exceptional Luna," Luna Isabella said warmly as I placed appetizers on the table, my eyes fixed on the floor. "She has the perfect temperament."

"I'll personally assist with her training," Mom preened, her voice dripping with pride. "It's such an honor, truly."

"I couldn't ask for a better future mate," Damian's deep voice carried clear authority, though something in his tone sounded rehearsed.

I escaped back to the kitchen, my heart pounding uncomfortably.

While they feasted on prime steaks and fine wine in the dining room, I huddled in the kitchen corner with a plate of cold leftovers. The contrast wasn't lost on me—their laughter and conversation flowing freely while I sat alone in silence.

"Someday," Kate promised, her voice strengthening momentarily, "you'll sit at the head of your own table. You'll be respected and valued."

I couldn't imagine such a future, but Kate's certainty warmed something inside me. Curiosity drew me to peek through the serving window at the dining room again. Laughter and warmth radiated from the gathering—everything I'd been denied my entire life.

Then Damian's head suddenly turned toward the kitchen. For one heart-stopping moment, I could have sworn he looked directly at me, his amber eyes narrowing in confusion. I ducked away quickly, my pulse racing.

"Take in the coffee and dessert," Mom ordered, appearing at my side. "Keep your head down, serve quickly, and leave. Don't draw attention."

My hands trembled as I carried the heavy tray into the dining room, keeping my eyes fixed on the floor. The conversation quieted as I entered, making me acutely aware of every sound—the clink of cups, my own breathing, the soft rustle of fabric as guests shifted in their seats.

As I passed Damian, something electric shot through me. I stumbled, nearly dropping everything. His head snapped up, our eyes meeting for one breathless moment. Something unexpected flashed across his face—confusion, recognition, then disgust replacing both so quickly I might have imagined the first emotions.

He turned away sharply, but the damage was done. Mom's face drained of color, and Elaina's eyes narrowed dangerously.

I barely made it through serving dessert before escaping back to the kitchen, my heart hammering against my ribs. I knew there would be consequences.

After the guests departed with formal goodbyes and promises of future gatherings, Mom stormed into the kitchen, Elaina right behind her.

"You deliberately drew his attention!" Mom's voice thundered, her face contorted with rage.

"I didn't—"

"Liar!" Elaina joined in, her perfect features twisted with fury. "You've always been jealous of what Damian and I have!"

Mom's lips curled into a cruel smile. "As punishment, you'll assist with Elaina's Luna training—as her practice subject."

"Oh, that's perfect!" Elaina clapped with delight, eyes gleaming. "I'll need someone to practice issuing commands to, and punishing disobedience."

Dad paused in the doorway. Our eyes met briefly before he silently turned and walked away.

Later that night in my tiny bedroom, I curled into a ball on my threadbare mattress. As the herbs began wearing off, Kate's presence grew stronger in my mind.

"Did you feel that?" she asked. "When your eyes met his?"

"It was nothing," I insisted, hugging my pillow tighter. "He hates me, and I hate his arrogance."

I pulled my hidden medical textbook from beneath the floorboard, tracing the diagrams of the human heart. Someday I'd escape to Blood Stone City and become a doctor—far from Moon Shadow Valley and everyone in this pack.

As sleep claimed me, I heard a wolf howling in the distance. Something about the sound resonated deep inside me, like a call I was meant to answer.

That night, I dreamed of Crystal Falls. A figure approached through the mist—Damian. But as he drew near, his face morphed into Elaina's, her smile cruel and victorious.

I woke with a gasp. Moonlight streamed through my window, casting a perfect crescent shape on the floor beside my bed.