Vampire Luna

AMANDA POV

One mistake and I’d end up in a hospital bed again.

I eased the window open, slipping into the dark house like a shadow. My heart hammered against my ribs. It was five in the evening, and the air was deathly still. I just needed to reach my mat on the floor. I just needed to pretend I’d been here all day.

I took one step. Then two.

"Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?"

The voice sliced through the silence like a blade. I froze.

Aunty Rebecca sat in the shadows, her fingers wrapped around the wooden rod. The same rod that had already mapped my back in scars.

"The dishes are piled high. The laundry is a mountain," she hissed, stepping into the light. "And you sneak out?"

I swallowed, my throat feeling like it was full of sand. I hadn't had water in hours. "I’m sorry."

She stepped closer, sniffing the air like a predator. Her eyes narrowed. "What happened to your voice? And your scent... it’s different." She grabbed my chin, forcing my head up. "Your eyes. They’ve changed color. Where did you go, Amanda? Who did this to you?"

I backed away until my heels hit the cold kitchen cabinets. "I didn't meet anyone. It’s my birthday. I just went to my mother’s grave to leave flowers."

The mention of my mother made her expression shift from rage to a strange, sharp hunger. "Your mother’s grave? Tell me, birthday girl, what exactly do you know about her death? Who have you been talking to?" She raised the rod. "Speak, before I mark you again."

"Stop."

Uncle Michael walked in, his heavy footsteps echoing. Behind him stood his daughter, Miracle. At eighteen, she looked like a princess in silk, while I stood there in rags.

To my surprise, Michael stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. "Happy birthday, my love. You know I care for you."

"Thank you, sir," I whispered, bowing my head. It was the only kind word I’d heard all year, even if it felt hollow.

He pulled back, his brow furrowing. "But Rebecca is right. You look... different. Your voice is deeper. What happened at that grave?"

"That's what I'm saying!" Rebecca snapped. "She’s hiding something."

Michael looked at Rebecca, a silent, heavy look passing between them. Did she find out? his eyes seemed to ask.

"Find out what?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Nothing for you to worry about," Michael said, his smile returning, though it didn't reach his eyes. "But we have a big day ahead. The Devil Alpha is coming to the pack. His last bride died mysteriously, and everyone is terrified. I need Miracle to look her best so she isn't chosen."

Miracle scoffed, crossing her arms. "If I look too pretty, he’ll take me! I don't want to die. Send Amanda instead!" She pointed at me like I was a piece of trash.

Michael patted Miracle’s head. "The Alpha only wants girls with wolves, honey. Amanda is nineteen and still hasn't shifted. You are the one who must be ready."

Miracle smirked at me, her eyes dancing with malice. "Fine. If I have to be the pretty one, you have to be the slave. There’s a pile of my laundry upstairs. Scrub them until your fingers bleed. And pay extra attention to my panties—I left a 'birthday surprise' of red stains on them just for you."

She let out a cruel, jagged laugh.

"And the floor," Rebecca added. "Scrub every tile on your knees, then pull weeds in the fields until the sun goes down."

Michael put a hand on my shoulder. "Rebecca, be gentle. She’s my daughter too." He kissed the top of my head. "Don't worry, angel. I have a special surprise for you later."

"Now, let’s eat," Rebecca said.

They sat at the table while I rushed to the stove. The scent of savory pasta filled the room, making my stomach ache with hunger. The rule was simple: if Rebecca cooked, I starved. I moved like a ghost, carrying the heavy pot and glass cups to the table, my hands shaking from weakness.

A glass slipped.

It shattered against the tile with a sound like a gunshot.

"Useless!" Rebecca screamed, jumping up. "See, Michael? She’s a clumsy brat! Let me teach her a lesson!"

Michael sighed. "No, Rebecca. Everyone makes mistakes. Clean it up, darling."

I hurried to find the broom, but Rebecca’s foot blocked my path. "No broom," she whispered. "You broke it with your hands. You clean it with your hands. Get down."

I dropped to my knees on the ice-cold floor. I began picking up the jagged shards. A sharp edge sliced deep into my palm. Hot pain flared, and bright red blood began to drip, staining the white tiles. I didn't stop. I couldn't. They sat above me, chewing their food while I bled at their feet.

Suddenly, Miracle tipped her water glass. Cold liquid drenched my head, soaking into my hair and running down my neck.

"You’re too slow," she giggled.

I wiped the water from my stinging eyes. "You’re making my work harder," I whispered.

Miracle leaned down, her face inches from mine. "Your bad attitude is what killed your mother, Amanda. You’re a curse."

She raised her hand to slap me, but something inside me snapped. I reached up and caught her wrist, squeezing until the bone creaked. "Don't you dare touch me."

"Enough!" Michael’s voice boomed. He kicked his chair back. "I have been patient for too long! I love you, Amanda, but you do not touch my daughter!"

He didn't use the rod. He used his heavy work boot.

THUD. The kick caught me square in the ribs. I flew backward, slamming into the cabinets. I tried to gasp for air, but my lungs felt crushed.

THUD. Another kick to the stomach.

"Useless!" THUD. "Trash!" THUD. "Wolfless freak!"

He kicked me with enough force to kill. I curled into a ball, coughing as the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. A dark puddle spread across the floor, mixing with the spilled water and glass. My vision blurred. One of my ribs was definitely broken.

Suddenly, a knock thundered at the door.

The scent hit me instantly. It was familiar—terrifyingly familiar.

I tried to scramble up to reach the door, but Michael’s hand shoved me back down. He loomed over me, raising his boot one last time, his face twisted in a mask of rage.

"I’m not done with your birthday gift yet," he hissed. "I’m going to break every bone in your body."