I AM THE LUNA - Season 1 Episode 51

ZAIA.

| stare at my reflection in the mirror. Maybe | did take it a step too far. My hair is pulled back in a sleek bun, and my eyes are smoky with a nude lipstick.

I’m wearing a navy dress, it’s plain, with a slight shimmer to it, and it reaches the floor with a string strap halter neck that leaves my side boobs and back on display. It has a slit down my thigh.

I’m wearing the necklace | had designed, consisting of three chains and the triangle symbol sitting right above my breasts. They had delivered on time, and it is as | had requested. Showing the symbol within perfectly.

It’s the only piece of jewellery | will be wearing. A statement alongside the henna that covers my arms.

The pattern is partially floral but there are at least six of the blood born symbols drawn onto both arms. Along my back, | have the symbol drawn down the centre of my back with added gold and blue glitter to emphasise the symbol.

My left leg, which can be seen through the slit, also has henna applied. Like my back, it simply consists of the symbol.

No one will miss it and | wonder who will react … who knows of the Blood Born? We will have other allied pack alphas and important figures there.

| smooth my dress down just as there’s a knock on the door and Mom enters. “Ah Zaia, you need to hur…” She trails off as her eyes fall onand her face drains of colour as she grips the door handle for support.

“That is a reaction | was hoping for, from sof those in attendance tonight, Mother… not you.” | say, frowning.

Does she recognise it or know something about it? | up, she always dismissed it saying it was just a birthmark, but now her reaction says otherwise. It’s something I did want to ask her but never found the right moment, or it simply slipped my mind.

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“Change. Now.” Mom says sharply as she enters the room and shuts the door. She grabs my arm and begins scrubbing at the henna.

“Mom, it’s a henna stain, meaning it won’t coff,” | say quietly, observing her. Her heart is thumping, and she stares up attight-lipped.

“What is it? What do you know?” | ask her intently. She looks down, her hands shaking as she stares at my now- red arm. The rubbing did nothing but flare the skin.

“All I know is, hide this- this ridiculous- ridiculous whatever this is that you are trying to prove! Unless you have a death wish!” She says, her voice shaking. There’s so much hatred and resentment in her voice that it shocks me.

| grip her elbows, “Mom. Mom, please tell me. I’m sorry that I’m hurting you, but everything that is happening is because of this. Someone knows | am Blood Born. We need to know everything and if there is something that your know, then please tell us.” “Us? Who else- goddess! Your father… he knows?” she whispers, her face turning even more ashen. She’s worryingnow…

“Mom…” “Zaia, please stop this.” She’s frantic now as she grabs my make-up wipes and begins scrubbing at my arms.

The henna won’t coff…

“Mom!” There’s a knock on the door. “Zaia! Is everything alright?” Dad’s voice comes. “Cin, Dad,” | say, despite Mom shaking her head vigorously.

“What’s going on…” He says instantly, looking at my necklace, his brow furrowing but his attention goes to Mom, who is visibly shaking. Pull yourself together Melanie. What is wrong with you?” He knows a little of my plan and although he didn’t really react in a positive or negative. manner, he simply said security will be finest.

its “How can you do this?” Mom shouts, spinning around and glaring accusingly at him. He raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “And what did | do exactly?” “Mom, please, Dad had nothing to do with this,” I say firmly. “What do you know?” Dad asks her sharply, far firmer than | was. She looks between us, before her eyes well with tears, and she seems to give up.

“They… I… | only managed to protect her. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, | tried to stop them. If they know she’s one too! They’ll take her too!” She whispers before she falls to the ground and breaks into tears.

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Concern floods Dad’s face as he kneels before her, gripping her shoulders. “Melanie, who?” Dad asks sharply.

“I don’t know! | … please. I’m so sorry!” Her words aren’t making sense and Dad looks atand I instantly move forward, kneeling beside her and placing a hand on her back.

“Mom, you tried to stop who? What happened?” | ask, as she rubs her eyes fruitlessly, as more tears fall, her makeup now a mess.

She’s crying now, shaking extremely as she now clutches mine and Dad’s wrists. “When you… Hugh, he didn’t die in that car crash… he… was…” Dad’s face pales, and he swallows as he stares at her. Whatever she is saying, he understands. “You said tothat…” His voice is ice cold as he trails off and | can feel his aura around him. Her heart is pounding violently, and | wonder what on earth is going on.

“I didn’t know how to tell you. They toldthat if | told anyone, they would kill us all!” She says, “I had to, for her!” Dad is still as he stares at her. “No. You should have told me! | could have done the right thing!” He suddenly roars as he Lands up, his eyes blazing.

“Could you have?! You could have died!” Dad scoffs as he backs away from Mom. What is going on? “You really are a horrible mother,” he whispers resentfully.

“Dad!” | exclaim. “Not now, Zaia! This so-called mother willingly let someone take her son and toldhe was dead!” He roars, making my eyes widen as | stare at Mom, who is a sobbing mess. 3 “You don’t understand, Hugh! They were blackmailing me. They said he’ll live as long as | behaved!” She sobs. (2 My own mind is spinning as | sit there, frozen. The weight of the situation has hit me, and I’m torn… | understand both Mom and Dad’s points of view… but the thing is… Dad is right in this situation. And the fact that | have a brother…

It’s too much to take in. Mom did what Sebastian did, and that only hurts a person more…

“Mom… Dad is right in this matter. Even if they blackmailedand Dad, you should have told Dad his son is out there.” My heart clenches in dread, and | look up at Dad.

He’s composing himself, but he’s breaking inside. | stand up and go over to him. Right now, he needsmore. | hug him tightly Why are things so painful? “You wouldn’t understand. Like you cared! | didn’t think you’d do anything. You had already gone to your precious mistress!” Mom whispers brokenly.

My heart pounds as | look at her, not wanting to upset her more, but the truth is the truth. “If one of my children was taken, | would still do everything in my power to get them back,” | whisper. She looks up atbrokenly.

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“Don’t you think | know? Zaia… If they knew you were a blood born too, they would have cfor you. | had no one. Nothing… Your Dad didn’t care for you back then. If | spoke, | would have lost you too.” She breaks into sobs, and | realise she was pushed into a corner…

Like Sebastian…

| close my eyes understanding her dilemma, she chose to save one child instead of risk both.., how does a mother choose? 1 My heart breaks for her but | know despite Dad’s anger he knows there’s truth in her words. My own mind is a mess and I’m about to speak when Dad does.

“Enough,” Dad says coldly. “Stand up and tell us everything you know, Melanie. Who were they? We need answers.” | walk over to her and help her up. Her head is hanging as | lead her to my bed and make her sit down, crouching before her.

“Is knowing… worth it?” She whispers. I’m about to answer, but there’s more to her question. Why do | feel as if that question has a double meaning? “Yes-” “No.” | cut Dad off, “No… | don’t think she can tell us without a price to pay…” Mum’s eyes flicker as she stares at me, shocked.

“How did…” “Because I’ve learned to be careful…” | say, glancing up at Dad. “Dad we can’t risk Mom’s life, but Mom, tell me, is there anything about the Blood Born that you can tell us without consequences?” She looks down at her hands.

“There’s three…the trifecta needed to purge the world of our kind who have forgotten their creator… Each one represents one of the three… Repercussion, Retribution and Redemption. Each one serves a purpose. Your brother held the Blood Born symbol on his wrist… When they intercepted that car on the way back from the hospital… They saw his mark and didn’t realise there might be two together.” “And how do you know all that?” Dad asks. His voice is trembling with anger, and | know it’s because of my brother.

“In our family, we knew that a blood born will be born into our family…” She says quietly. I’m stunned. How could she keep this from us? Before | can speak, Dad beatsto it. “For someone who seems to know so much, why did you not prepare us or even warn me? When | saw Zaia for the first time, | asked about that birthmark, and you toldit was just a birthmark.” He snarls.

“I didn’t believe in any of it! Until we cback from the hospital, and he was taken! And then | couldn’t mention it to you!” She shouts.

“And that is the issue in itself. Everyone is losing faith in our birthright. Even when presented with those answers.

Goddess, no wonder she wants to punish us.” | say quietly as | stand up slowly and cross my arms.

“I’m sorry…” Mom whispers. “It’s too late for a sorry, Mom. We need to do what’s right, we need to fix everything and above all, we need to find my brother.” I look at Dad. “Cancel the ceremony. This doesn’t belong to me.” “You were first born, Zaia…” Mom says quickly. “And even if you weren’t, you are the child I trust, you will be the Alpha of this pack. End of discussion.” Dad says before he turns, not sparing Mom another glance as he leaves the room, the sound of the slamming door echoes around the now silent room…