Glancing at the glowing screen of her phone she saw the caller ID—Lila. A small, genuine smile graced her lips. Lila was one of the very few people in this world who truly cared about her. In fact, aside from Hyla, she was probably the only person Elara could call family, at least in the way that mattered.
She quickly answered the call.
"Hey, Lila," she greeted, her voice carrying a hint of warmth.
"Where are you, huh?" Lila's voice came through the speaker, bright and energetic as always.
Elara sighed dramatically. "Um… I'm at home. Under room arrest."
A loud scoff echoed through the phone, followed by another familiar voice, Hyla. "Pfft room arrest? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Elara rolled her eyes, even though she couldn't see them. "Ugh, Hyla. My dad locked me in my room, and he put 'sixty sixty!' of his people to guard the door. So yeah, I'm currently a prisoner in my own damn home." She groaned, flopping onto her bed in frustration.
Lila hummed thoughtfully before Hyla's voice suddenly boomed through the phone, making Elara wince. "C'mon, girl! We're going out tonight, and you're coming with us!"
Elara blinked at the sheer audacity in Hyla's tone. "I just told you.... i'm locked in my room!"
"So?" Hyla retorted without missing a beat.
Elara couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her lips. These two… they never changed. Despite everything, they had always stood by her, making life a little more bearable. They were her only source of fun, of reckless adventure, and perhaps most importantly, they were the main reason she desperately wanted to experience sex.
Yes, her friends had an…. active sex life. And they never hesitated to share every single detail with her, much to her envy. Every time they spoke about it, a longing would stir deep within Elara, reminding her of what she lacked, what the Moon Goddess had denied her. A mate to have sex with.
"I can't come. Didn't you hear what I just said?" she repeated.
"Yeah, yeah, we heard you. But why are you under this so-called room arrest, anyway?" Lila asked.
Elara let out a deep sigh. "That's a long story," she admitted. "But let's just say… it's because of Sophia."
Lila immediately clicked her tongue in irritation. "Oh, that bitch."
Hyla groaned dramatically. "Forget about her. You'll tell us everything later. For now, just know that we're waiting for you. So, when you get out, call us!"
Elara sat up, eyes wide. "I said I can't—"
Beep, beep.
The call ended.
She stared at her phone in disbelief before sighing in exasperation. "Ugh… these girls."
But despite her complaints, she found herself smiling. It had been a while since she had gone out, and honestly, she needed the distraction. Spending time with them would at least dull the pain and emptiness she constantly carried.
But then again… how the hell was she supposed to leave?
Her father had practically stationed an army outside her door. Not to mention the fact that her family and their guests were still outside performing the Moon Goddess ritual.
Still… that wouldn't stop her.
Elara swiftly changed into a simple white blouse and a black skirt, the fabric hugging her figure in just the right places. To avoid suspicion, she threw on a long, dark coat that reached her knees. Her golden hair, a striking contrast against her pale skin, was quickly twisted into a neat bun.
She stepped in front of the mirror and took a moment to study her reflection.
She was beautiful. Undeniably beautiful.
Her golden hair shimmered like molten sunlight, cascading down her back whenever she let them loose. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of emerald green, held an ethereal glow, almost otherworldly in their beauty. Her skin was smooth, flawless, a perfect porcelain canvas that reflected the moonlight just right.
She knew she was pretty.
But what was the use of beauty when no one saw it?
To the world, she wasn't a breathtaking beauty. She was a curse.
They didn't look at her and see Elara, the daughter of a high-ranking family.
They saw Elara, the cursed one. The descendant of the Dark Moon Goddess.
Her beauty meant nothing in a world that only saw the darkness within her.
Shaking off her bitter thoughts, she grabbed a small purse and took a deep breath. It was time to go.
Now came the tricky part—escaping.
She carefully approached her bedroom door and pressed her ear against the wood. Muffled voices drifted from the hallway—her father's guards. They were stationed outside, ensuring she didn't set foot beyond this room.
But Elara wasn't about to let them stop her.
Her eyes flickered to the large window on the far side of her room. It was high up, but not impossible to climb out of.
With swift movements, she grabbed the bedsheet from her bed and began tying it into a makeshift rope. Securing one end to the heavy wooden bedpost, she threw the other end out the window. The drop wasn't too steep.. she could make it.
Taking a deep breath, she climbed.
Her fingers gripped the fabric tightly as she lowered herself down. The cold night air nipped at her skin, but she ignored it, focusing solely on making it to the ground without making a sound.
The moment her feet touched the earth, she exhaled in relief.
But she wasn't in the clear yet.
Her family and their guests were still outside, gathered near the temple, deep in their prayers to the Moon Goddess. If she wasn't careful, someone could spot her.
Moving quickly, she stuck to the shadows, slipping past the towering pillars and weaving through the gardens. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears as she avoided the guards stationed at the temple entrance.
Almost there…
Finally, she reached the outer walls of the estate.
One last obstacle.
The walls were high, but not impossible to scale. Using the stone grooves for support, she climbed up, her muscles straining with the effort. The moment she reached the top, she leaped over, landing safely on the other side.
She was free.
Standing on the empty streets, she took a deep breath, letting the crisp night air fill her lungs. A small, victorious smile played on her lips.
Without wasting another second, she pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Lila's number.
"It's done. I'm out," she whispered.
"Good," Lila replied with excitement. "Stay there. We're on our way."
Not even five minutes later, a sleek black car pulled up in front of her.
Reavealing Lila and Hyla
Without wasting time she got in.