Prologue

PROLOGUE

TWENTY YEARS AGO

DECEMBER 25

FIORELLA

“Dad! You are cheating,” I yelled, glaring playfully at my dad who had just slipped a card out of his pocket.

“That’s my win-win card,” Dad said, smiling.

He threw the card on top of the other cards.

“Game over. I won,” he screamed, laughing loudly.

“You didn’t win fairly, you cheated!” I groaned, throwing the cards on the floor.

“I won’t play cards with you anymore.”

“Ella, sometimes, you don’t always have to play fair. Who says we aren’t allowed to be cunning sometimes to get our victory? Life always doesn’t offer us opportunities to win fairly. If you are always fair, you won’t get anything…”

“You and your negative advice all the time,” Mum’s calm voice resonated.

“She is only 6 and you keep trying to turn her into a serpent? Ella, make sure not to listen to your dad. Be truthful and play fairly, okay?” Mum countered, taking my hand and leading me away from Dad.

“Life isn’t always fair,” Dad mumbled.

Not paying any attention to Dad, I let Mum lead me to the creaking dining table at a corner of the room.

“What are we having for dinner?” I asked, staring expectantly at my mum.

“It’s a surprise…”

BANG!!

Something loud suddenly thuds the door, drowning her voice.

“Who is there!” I tried to scream. But mum covered my mouth.

“Shhhh….” she whispered, her hands suddenly shaky, her breath becoming erratic and sweat trickling down her face.

“They…are…here,” she stammered, glancing at dad.

“We have to hide her,” Mum mumbled, grabbing hold of my hand.

Little me had no idea of what was going on. All I knew was that I really wanted to have the celebratory dinner. Today was a day of joy after all. It's 25th December, the Moon Goddess’s ascension day and a day of celebration for all packs.

“Can we have the cake now?” I asked. A question I never knew would haunt my life.

“Sure. This time, you’ll get a full cake for yourself,” Dad said.

“You know the hole I dug in the backyard before?” he asked and I nodded

“Take the cake. Go hide in there. Your mum and I will join you soon when we get our own cake.” he smiled lovingly at me. A smile I never knew I wouldn't see again.

Smiling happily, I picked up the cake. The banging on the door was now so intense that the cake nearly fell off my hands.

Just a foot towards the backdoor, Dad called me back.

“Whatever happens tonight, just Remember, life isn’t fair. You must be cunning to get what you want…”

“Don’t listen to him.”

“Fiorella Domenico,” my parents called out simultaneously.

“Never forget about us. And make sure you escape tonight unscathed. Now, go enjoy your cake,” Both said, waving me off.

That night, I lost my family. It marked the beginning of my misery.