Moonlite Desires

Chapter 2

Cassandra's role within the pack was complex due to her status as the Luna, but her constant whining and irritating behavior made it challenging for others to show her respect. She was of average height, with a slender and tense frame that exuded a continuous sense of dissatisfaction. Despite her sharp features and piercing eyes, which could have commanded respect in different circumstances, they only contributed to her reputation as a perpetual complainer.

Cassandra tended to nitpick and criticize those around her, especially Rose. Her voice, often shrill and grating, consistently carried an air of unending dissatisfaction. She would lament, "Why is everything always such a mess?" even when the house was spotless, and ask, "Why can't anyone do anything right around here?"

Her complaints extended beyond the household. During pack meetings, she was known for her frequent interruptions and condescending remarks. She would whine, "Honestly, if you all just listened to me, things would be so much better," oblivious to the eye rolls and sighs that followed her words.

Cassandra's upbringing had been harsh, marked by constant pressure to meet her parents' lofty expectations. As the eldest daughter of the Alpha family of the disbanded Cedar-Ridge pack, she was expected to embody strength and leadership. Her parents' strict and often cold demeanor left little room for warmth or affection, shaping Cassandra into a woman who equated harshness with strength.

Her childhood consisted of rigorous training sessions and relentless discipline, with her parents instilling in her the belief that vulnerability was synonymous with weakness. These formative years molded Cassandra into a person who suppressed her emotions, viewing them as dangerous liabilities.

When she became Luna, Cassandra carried these beliefs with her, imposing the same harsh standards on her family, especially Rose. She saw her daughter's sensitive nature as a glaring weakness, fearing they would make Rose unfit to lead the pack in the future.

From the moment Rose was born, Cassandra felt a deep sense of disappointment. She had envisioned raising a daughter who mirrored her strength and resilience, a child who would follow in her footsteps and uphold the pack's traditions with an iron will. Instead, she was given Rose, a gentle and empathetic soul whose very nature seemed to defy everything Cassandra valued.

Rose's close relationship with Alexander only deepened Cassandra's resentment. She watched with envy as Alexander showered Rose with the love and affection, she had never known from him. To Cassandra, this bond was a threat to her authority and a rejection of her values. She saw it as a direct challenge to her role as Luna and as a mother.

Cassandra's jealousy of Rose consumed her. She envied the easy, natural bond that Rose shared with Alexander, a bond that highlighted Cassandra's emotional shortcomings. In her eyes, Rose's closeness to her father was a sign of defiance, a refusal to embrace the harsh lessons Cassandra tried to impart.

This jealousy distorted Cassandra's perception of Rose, causing her to see her daughter not as a person, but as a rival for Alexander's affection and respect. She convinced herself that if Rose were more like her – strong, disciplined, and unyielding – then perhaps Alexander would see Cassandra as the rightful Luna and a capable mother.

In her twisted logic, Cassandra believed that by being tough on Rose, she could mold her into a stronger person. She thought that constant criticism and harsh discipline would strip away Rose's perceived weaknesses and transform her into a leader. But instead of fostering strength, Cassandra's actions only served to deepen the divide between them.

Cassandra's treatment of Rose stemmed from her desire to toughen her up and her unresolved pain and insecurities. Her childhood hurt continued to impact her relationship with Rose, manifesting in harsh words and cruel remarks as a result of her unhealed emotional wounds. Each time Cassandra lashed out at Rose, it seemed like she was trying to purge her feelings of inadequacy and failure. She projected her fears and disappointments onto her daughter, hoping to make Rose strong and redeem herself, but instead, it drove Rose further away. Rose became a reminder of everything Cassandra felt she had failed to achieve, feeding into her bitterness and driving her to push Rose harder, hoping her efforts would be justified.