Moon of Misfortunes

3

"Rubio, show her to the room," an Elder commanded. Rubio, solemn and silent, nodded in compliance before gesturing for me to follow him. As we walked down the dimly lit hallway, the weight of my situation pressed down on me like a physical force. The air was heavy with tension, each step echoing with the ominous drumbeat of my impending fate.

We arrived at the designated room, and I hesitated before the thick cedar door, a foreboding barrier between me and the outside world. The scent of aged wood filled the air, mingling with the musty undertones of confinement. A shiver ran down my spine as I observed the multitude of locks adorning the door, each one a stark reminder of my captivity.

Rubio's hand gripped the door handle, and with a creak, the door swung open, revealing the stark interior of my temporary prison.

"Here you are, Adaline," Rubio intoned, his voice heavy with resignation. "Remember, you are not allowed to leave this room without permission. Your meals will be brought to you, and there is a bathroom attached for your use. I suggest you rest. It has been a long day."

His words hung in the air like a dark omen, the weight of his warning settling over me like a suffocating blanket. I nodded silently, unable to find the words to respond.

"And please," Rubio continued, his gaze piercing, "try to be on your best behavior. The consequences of disobedience are severe. The people down in the cells are not to be trifled with."

"Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, as Rubio closed the door behind me with a finality that sent a shiver down my spine.

Alone in the dimly lit room, the sound of locks clicking into place echoed around me, each one a stark reminder of my confinement. I pressed my back against the cold wood of the door, feeling its unforgiving surface against my skin as I sank to the ground.

The events of the past 24 hours played out in my mind like a cruel parody of reality. I should have been celebrating the news of my pregnancy with my mate and pack, not locked away like some common criminal, facing a death sentence.

It is a sacrifice we will have to make, Maiya's words echoed in my mind, a bitter reminder of the harsh reality of my situation.

Tears welled up in my eyes, hot and stinging as they spilled down my cheeks in a torrent of despair. How had my perfect day spiraled into such darkness? A pregnancy announcement, a rejection, and now a death sentence looming over me like a shadow.

"Wonderful," I scoffed bitterly to myself, the bitterness of irony tainting my words. "What a perfect day indeed."

I sank further into despair, the weight of my circumstances pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket. "Why me, Goddess?" I cried out, the words torn from the depths of my anguish. "I have done nothing to deserve this! You know that wasn't me!"

But my cries fell on deaf ears, swallowed by the oppressive silence of my confinement. Alone with my thoughts and my grief, I cried until there were no tears left to shed, until my chest ached with the emptiness of despair.

With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself to my feet, determination stirring within me like a flickering flame in the darkness. "If I am going to cry," I whispered to myself, wiping away the remnants of my tears, "I need to cry standing up."

I took a moment to truly take in the room, allowing my eyes to wander over every detail as if committing them to memory. The space was surprisingly expansive, with stone walls that seemed to bear the weight of centuries of history. Each irregularly shaped rock held its own story, a silent witness to the passage of time. I ran my fingertips over the rough surface, feeling the ancient energy thrumming beneath my touch.

My gaze drifted to the 'living room' area to the right, where a grand wood fireplace dominated the far wall. The dark cherry wood of its frame caught my attention, reminiscent of the door to Nikolai's office. My heart skipped a beat as I approached, drawn to the intricate carvings adorning its surface. Two women, their figures flowing gracefully as if caught in a timeless dance, stared out from the woodwork. The depiction of the Moon Goddesses, I realized with a shiver. Legend had it that one had turned to darkness, seeking to bring ruin upon the werewolf race, while the other remained pure, forced to confront her own sister in a battle for the fate of their kind. Their eyes seemed to follow me, casting judgment upon my every move.

I tore my gaze away from the haunting figures, feeling their silent scrutiny like a weight upon my shoulders. My attention shifted to the two small sofas arranged in an L-shape, their deep crimson upholstery matching the theme of the room. Even the bed, with its thick crimson comforter, adhered to the same color scheme. The mattress, though sizable, felt vast and empty in the face of my solitude.

Turning towards the window, I couldn't help but notice the heavy bars that obscured my view of the outside world. A stark reminder of my imprisonment, though the last vestiges of the setting sun painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, a fleeting moment of beauty amidst the darkness of my reality.

With a heavy sigh, I wandered into the attached bathroom, the stark contrast between the pristine white tiles and the rough stone walls striking. A porcelain tub with ornate gold legs stood as a testament to the opulence of my surroundings, though its elegance felt hollow in the face of my impending doom.

As I looked into the mirror, the reflection staring back at me was a far cry from the confident Luna I once knew. My hair was tangled and unkempt, my cheeks flushed with exertion, and dark circles marred the skin beneath my eyes. Yet, despite the chaos raging within me, a spark of determination flickered in the depths of my gaze.

"We can do this, Adaline," I whispered to my reflection, steeling myself for the challenges that lay ahead.

With a sense of purpose, I prepared for a bath, the warmth of the water soothing the ache in my bones as I allowed myself a moment of respite from the turmoil of my thoughts. Clean and refreshed, I emerged from the bathroom, feeling somewhat more grounded in the face of uncertainty.

Crawling into bed, I pulled the covers tight around me, my hand instinctively finding its way to my stomach. As I rubbed soothing circles over the swell of my abdomen, I couldn't help but wonder at the incongruity of my surroundings. Why had they placed me in such luxurious accommodations, given the severity of my alleged crime?

As sleep began to claim me, a single thought lingered in the recesses of my mind, a question without answer: What game were the High Elders playing, and where did I fit into their intricate web of manipulation and deceit? What was their hidden motive for placing me in this room?