CHAPTER 2: AWAKENING

The eyes of Luna Grey (formerly known as Alice Wonder) eyes fluttered open as they adjusted to the bright, sterile light of the hospital room. She was confused by the sharp contrast between the life she had lived and the one she was living now. She tried to move, but A scalding pain surged through her head and chest making her let out a groan out of her lips as it went through her head and chest. She felt a weight on her chest, both physically and emotionally, as her irregular heartbeat was palpated by the beeping of the equipment.

A man watched over her, with worried-looking eyes. "Luna...Luna, can you hear me?" with his deep voice calling her name once more. His presence was commanding, exuding both power and sincere concern. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his sharp features were softened by the lines of stress that ran across his forehead. Luna tried to concentrate, but her vision became blurry and she had trouble making the connections.

The man gave her hand a gentle squeeze and whispered, "Luna, it is me, Elias Blackwood." His touch was warm, anchoring her to this new reality. Her memories were still blurry, so it was hard for her to tell the difference between her life as Alice and her new one as Luna, even though the name made her feel something inside her. She searched his eyes for answers, but all she saw was a deep concern.

"Elias?" she asked, hardly making herself heard above a whisper. There was something strangely reassuring about the name as if it were a long-lost memory trying to surface. She studied his face, trying to understand what they had in common, but all she could manage was a weak nod.

Elias told her in a firm yet kind manner, "You are safe now." “The worst is over, but you need to rest. Don’t push yourself.” Though Luna was comforted by his words, her mind was constantly working to piece together the pieces of her memories. Who was Elias to Luna? And why did she feel a connection with him in a way that was beyond explanation?

Elias?” Her voice was barely heard as she whispered. Even though the name was unfamiliar to her, it had a significance that she could not fully comprehend. In an attempt to make sense of the feelings whirling inside of her, she managed a feeble nod. Who was this man to her? And why did she feel an unexplainable connection with him?

Elias sensed her confusion and leaned in to meet her keen gaze. "I understand you are disoriented, but everything will become clear to you shortly. Just trust me, Luna.”

Trust. Luna heard the term again “Trust” was an expensive luxury that had destroyed everything for her. She had put her trust in Henry Wonder, her father, who had planned both her own and her mother's deaths. And now, in this new life, she was being asked to trust someone she hardly knew once more. Although her instincts told her to proceed with caution, there was a secret part of her that wanted to have faith in Elias.

Elias gave her reassurance, “You are safe now.” Softly tightening his grip as though to ground her in the present. “Safe from what? Why do I feel as though I have gone through something even worse? What is going on in my body?

“I... I need to know.” Luna's voice grew rough as she stumbled. “Where am I? What happened to me?”

Elias hesitated, his expression darkening slightly. “You were attacked,” he began, choosing his words carefully. "You made it through the brutality." The doctors were concerned that you wouldn't survive because you had been unconscious for days. Luna, yet, you're stronger than you look. You fought through it.”

An attack? As Luna struggled to make sense of this information and what she already knew, her mind raced. Her wounds from being betrayed had not yet healed, and she still carried the sorrow of remembering her death as Alice. But now that she was Luna Grey, this existence had its secrets and dangers.

Elias continued, “The pack has been on high alert since it happened. Whoever did this was trying to send a message, but they did not succeed. I won’t let them.” There was a steely resolve in his voice that made Luna believe he meant every word.

Luna’s heart pounded as Elias spoke of the pack. The word held weight, suggesting she was now part of a werewolf society, bound by rules and hierarchies she had yet to understand. The idea both frightened and intrigued her. Could this new life give her the power and resources to seek the revenge she had craved as Alice?

The creak of the door opened and the entrance of a woman stepped inside, interrupting her thoughts. She had a commanding presence in the room due to her height and attractive appearance. Her sharp eyes immediately locked onto Luna, assessing her condition. “You’re awake,” the woman said, her voice cool and detached.

Elias straightened at the woman’s presence, acknowledging her with a nod. “Luna, this is Marissa, my second-in-command. She’s been overseeing the pack’s security since the attack.”

Marissa’s gaze softened slightly as she approached Luna’s bedside. “It’s good to see you awake, Luna. We’ve been worried.” Despite what Marissa said, Luna sensed that she was more worried about the consequences of her recovery than she was about Luna. An implicit expectation that Luna was expected to fulfill created a tense atmosphere.

Luna managed a small nod, her mind still reeling. "Thank you." She said, with her dry throat. The pains in her chest reminded her daily of how vulnerable she was in this new life.

Before returning his attention to Luna, Elias glanced at Marissa. With a stern voice, he said, "You need to rest and regain your strength." Once you're feeling better, we'll discuss more. For now, just focus on healing.”

Luna found herself alone with her thoughts as the two of them left the room. She was Luna Grey now, a survivor of a horrible attack, not Alice Wonder, the betrayal heiress. But what kind of life had she stepped into? And what role did she have to play in this pack Elias spoke of?

The questions swirled In her mind, but one thing was certain: this new life was her second chance. The Lucky System had promised her revenge, and she would see it through. But first, she needed to understand this world she had been thrust into, and Elias Blackwood, the powerful man who seemed to hold the key to her survival.