Luna of the Cursed Alpha King (Helga and Siegren) novel Chapter 2

AS HELGA DESCENDED the grand staircase, murmurs echoed through the hall. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of Ezra, carrying an unconscious woman in his strong arms. But it wasn’t just any woman that captivated her attention. It was her striking red hair that immediately drew her gaze. And when those emerald eyes fluttered open, a shiver raced down Helga’s spine, freezing her in her tracks. The resemblance between them was uncanny, mirroring each other in an eerie way. Helga’s heart quickened with fear, for she knew the ancient prophecy had foretold that a she-wolf with red hair and emerald eyes would bring immeasurable wealth and power to the Incarnadine pack.

“E-Ezra,” Helga stammered as she continued her hesitant steps toward him. She tried to ignore the growing buzz of conversation among the guests, their whispers filling the hall. “Who is she?”

Ezra met her gaze, his eyes devoid of emotion, before shifting his attention to the woman in his arms. Slowly, he placed her gently on her feet now that she was conscious.

“Are you alright? How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice tender and sweet. It was a voice Helga had always cherished, a voice reserved only for her. Hearing it directed at someone else sent a pang of jealousy coursing through her veins. It was unbearable, to say the least.

“Y-yes, I-I apologize for fainting like that. I’m fine now,” the woman replied, her voice tinted with embarrassment as she straightened her white dress. A rosy flush colored her cheeks.

“Ezra, who is she?” Helga repeated her question, though she already had her suspicions. Ezra sighed, understanding that she had a right to know.

“Her name is Miranda. She’s the daughter of a beta from the silver pack. She’s my mate, the real destined in the prophecy,” the words spilled from his lips, causing Helga to audibly gasp. Her eyes widened, her hand clutching at the side of her dress. The murmurs in the hall grew louder, with whispers floating through the air, questioning the authenticity of the claim. After all, the Incarnadine pack’s prophecy was known far and wide. And surely, there could only be one who would fulfill it.

“W-what do you mean she’s the real destined in the prophecy?” Her face turned pale as she stared at the woman before her, her mind racing with disbelief. “What about me?”

“She’s my fated mate, Helga. You both have red hair and green eyes, but only one of you can fulfill the prophecy, and it’s clear that it would be Miranda.” His words hung in the air, a heavy truth that Helga struggled to comprehend.

As she watched the two of them, they exchanged a glance filled with an affection that seemed to stretch far beyond their years. It was as if they had shared a lifetime of memories, and it made Helga feel like an outsider in her own story. She had been by Ezra’s side since they were ten years old, their love blossoming at their coming-of-age when they both failed to find their mates. Now, at twenty-two, they were engaged, their connection seemingly unbreakable. But at this moment, Helga couldn’t help but feel like the odd one out.

She clutched the fabric of her dress, a lump forming in her throat, but she forced herself to push her emotions down.

“Then what happens now? You wouldn’t break your promise, would you?” Her voice was small, filled with a tinge of fear. She was scared that everything she had done to become the perfect Luna for Ezra in the future would be in vain. Scared that she would lose everything she held dear now that someone else, someone who could potentially hold the key to the prophecy, had arrived.

“I can’t reject her,” he admitted, letting out a deep sigh. “This engagement needs to be called off. Miranda will be the future Luna of our pack.”

Helga’s heart sank, but she masked her pain with a brave face. She had always known the power of destiny, but witnessing it firsthand was something else entirely. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. Luna Viola had strictly taught her that a true Luna shouldn’t cry so easily. No, she would never show any vulnerability to others; she always presented herself as strong. In the pack, she was known for her resilience and that’s what made everyone believe she would make a great Luna someday.

“Very well,” she stated, her voice trembling slightly as she struggled to maintain her composure. She knew her place, after all. She’s just an orphan, protesting would be futile. What could she even possibly do? It was dumb of her to believe that Ezra would reject his mate for her, especially since his mate also has red hair and green eyes like what the prophecy foretold. “If you want to end this engagement, then I won’t stand in your way.”

Since that fateful night, everything had changed. The once adored Helga became the target of ridicule and abuse, and it cut deep. She had experienced far worse when she was passed from pack to pack, but the emotional pain inflicted by those she considered family hurt far more than any physical wound. Yet, despite the agony, she chose to stay. She believed it was better than being exiled.

“Good afternoon, Alpha and Luna,” Helga greeted as she ran into them while on her way to the backyard to do the laundry. The couple stopped and regarded her, their eyes devoid of sympathy, which pierced her heart. She had treated them as her own parents, and now she was nothing more than an outsider to them. It felt unjust. They were the ones who claimed her as the key to the prophecy, yet they treated her as if she had deceived them.

“The servant’s uniform suits you well,” Luna Viola commented, causing Helga to purse her lips in frustration. It had been weeks since she had been reduced to the role of a maid, stripped of her status as the future Luna. It was humiliating, but everyone in the pack seemed to believe it was fitting for an orphan like her. As much as she didn’t want to accept it, it became clear that the pack had only adored her because they thought she would bring power and wealth. Now that it was evident she wouldn’t, they revealed their true colors and their disdain for an orphan like her. No one was on her side, not even Ezra or her best friend, Lorena.

“You’re so kind, Miranda. I’m really glad you’re my mate and the future Luna. You don’t know how grateful I am to meet you before I married a fake.” he said, pulling away from the kiss and locking eyes with Helga, who was seething. He smirked and caressed Miranda’s back while his eyes were on Helga. “You can leave now.”

Helga was about to leave but Ezra spoke again.

“Also.” he said, “You ought to address me properly, a lowly servant like you can’t call me by name anymore.”

“Yes, young master.” Helga simply bowed and left the study obediently. As soon as the door closed, she looked up at the high ceiling of the corridor, fighting the urge to scream at the top of her lungs. Instead, she clenched her fists, doing her best to conceal her anger and pain.

“Hey, fake,” a maid called out, and Helga turned her head to see a couple of maids approaching her. “Why are you lingering around the future Alpha’s study? Don’t you have any shame? Do you honestly think a fake like you can still be the future Luna of this pack?”

The maids burst into giggles, but Helga remained stoic until a sharp slap landed on her cheek, making her jump in surprise. She instinctively touched her stinging cheek and glanced at the maid, who wore a wide, satisfied smile.

“Cat got your tongue?” the maid taunted. Helga let out a sigh, running her fingers through her hair. She closed her eyes, attempting to calm her rage. But it was proving difficult, especially with her feisty wolf, Stella, urging her to fight back. And so, she did. She raised her hand and slapped the maid in return, leaving the others gasping in disbelief.

“W-what do you think you’re doing?” one of them stammered, unable to comprehend how Helga could ever raise a hand against someone.

“Are you blind? I slapped her back. Do you want a slap too?” Helga raised an eyebrow, and the maids couldn’t help but fall silent. They found it peculiar. Helga was no longer the future Luna, just a maid like them, an orphan with an unknown background. But for some inexplicable reason, she still possessed an air of power that made them think twice about crossing her again.