ELORA'S POV
I hadn't moved from bed since I woke up. The sun had risen and dipped behind the skyline hours ago, yet I still lay there, staring at the ceiling like it held answers to the anger and heaviness pressing on my chest.
I was supposed to be at Queens Fashion Academy today. My first official day working with Lucas. A fresh start. A step back into the world that made me feel alive. But instead of excitement, all I felt was a sick twist in my gut.
Because of her.
Maya.
I hate that she has these effects on me. That after all these years, she can still reach into me and wrap her claws around my confidence, my strength, and my will to move. I hate it even more that she didn't have to say a word to make me feel like this. Just her face-just her presence was enough.
"So you're just gonna lie here and sulk forever, huh?"
I flinched at the sudden intrusion of the voice. Then I realised it was her.
Sierra. My wolf, sharp-tongued, fierce and almost impossible to silence, echoed in my head.
"Get up, Elora, she's not worth this. You're not a coward."
"I'm not being a coward, Sierra."
"Oh really? lying in bed, hiding, letting some high-nosed bitch with over-processed hair and a fake smile make you question yourself. Real brave of you, Elora."
I scoffed softly. "You saw how she looked at me yesterday. Like I was beneath her."
"And since when do you care how she looks at you? You survived heartbreak, betrayal, motherhood, and rejection. And now you're going to let some wannabe Luna ruin your comeback day? That's not like you, Elora."
I sighed and rolled onto my side. "You don't understand."
"I understand better than you do. Maya didn't destroy you, but you let her shake you. Big difference. Now get your ass out of bed."
Before I could argue more, a knock sounded at my door. I adjusted myself and close the mindlink.
"El?"
Selene.
She pushed the door open, one brow raised as she saw me tangled in my blanket.
"Don't tell me you're skipping your first day."
I didn't answer.
She sighed and walked in. "Is this about yesterday?"
"It's about everything. It's about seeing her again. About realizing how much power she still has over me. I thought I was over it. I thought I was stronger."
Selene sat beside me and shook her head.
"Maya should be the one hiding, not you. She has no right to walk into your life and make you feel like this again. You built yourself up from nothing. You were Luna, a wife, and a mother. She stole all that once. She doesn't get to win again. Not after everything she did."
Her words cracked something inside me.
"You really think I can face her again?"
"You already did. Now do it standing tall."
I hugged her tightly. "You and Sierra are the best."
She held me for a beat, then pulled away and smacked my leg.
"Now go shower, you smell like self-pity and yesterday's dreams."
We both laughed off that joke and I was in the bathroom in no time. But my wolf had to be so jealous all of a sudden.
"So she could talk some sense into you but I can't?
"Shut up, Sierra."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The moment I stepped onto Queens Academy grounds, whispers spread around me like smoke.
One said: "Is that her? I heard her step-sister is married to the CEO of Weston's company. He's so hot I daydream about him everyday."
Then the other said: Have you seen their daughter's pictures online? Perfect genes."
My fist clenched beside me.
Before I could turn around and snap, Lucas appeared beside me.
"Take a walk with me."
I exhaled slowly and followed him down a quiet corridor.
"You okay?" He asked
"No,"
He gave a guilty nod. "I'm sorry about yesterday. If I'd known you guys don't get along or who she is to you, I would've never allowed her in."
"It's fine, really. I don't blame you at all. You did what you think was best for your Academy. I don't have the right to tell you who to hire."
Lucas walked beside me in silence for a moment, stealing glances like he was unsure if he should speak.
Finally, he asked, "So.if Maya's your half-sister, why do you guys hate each other so much?"
I paused. My fingers tighten around the strap of my bag. My throat felt dry, but I made myself meet his eyes.
"Three years ago, I found out Maya was my husband's fated mate." I said quietly. "The Moon Goddess saw fit to give my husband, the father of my daughter, a 'new true love'...and it just happened to be my half-sister."
Lucas blinked. "Wait, what?"
I continued. "The moment he realised it, everything changed. He stopped calling, stopped being my mate, he even forgot my birthdays. Then Maya stepped in-she braided my daughter's hair, tucked her in, took over the role as her mother ..that wasn't the painful part though. She fed her lies about me. And before I knew it, my little girl stopped calling me mom, and started calling Maya that instead."
A bitter smile spread on my lips. "I filed for a divorce," I added. "hoping to end it all cleanly. But I never heard back. For a whole three years."
Lucas looked at me like I'd just admitted to surviving a war. "Elora."
"I don't blame my daughter at all, though. She was just a kid. But Lucian? He made his choice. So did Maya. She didn't hesitate when the opportunity came. She silently craved it all-my family, my life, and she took it."
Lucas exhaled slowly, his jaw clenched. "Damn.I had no idea you went through all that. Elora, if you want her fired. I'll do it. Just say the word. Now I even have more reasons to get her out of here."
I was about to respond when a cold familiar voice cut in.
"Fire who?"
We both turned to see Maya standing just a few feet away, her arms crossed over her chest, that smug smile I knew too well playing on her lips.
Then she moved closer to us, dressed like she was heading to a gala instead of An Academy. Her lips curled in a cruel smile.
"You wouldn't dare," she added. "Try firing me, Lucas. And see what Lucian does to your precious Academy."
I opened my mouth to shut her down, but I never got the chance.
Because right behind her, a voice spoke up. Calm, deep and way too familiar.
"Lucian will do what?"
Maya gasped. And so did I.
Maya turned around. "Lucian? What are you doing here?" Maya asked.
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "Hello to you too, little mate."
But his golden eyes weren't on Maya.
They were on..
Me?
