Chapter 1

Athena's POV

I'm Athena Hunter, an Omega from the Crimson Pack, and today marks the darkest day of my existence. From the moment I entered this world, misery has been my constant companion.

The identity of my biological father remains a mystery to me as he died before my birth. Shortly after i was born, my mother remarried a man indifferent to my existence. Today, he intends to pay a debt by sacrificing me to a cruel Alpha King.

"Please, Father, save me from this cruel fate," I pleaded through tearful sobs. His gaze met mine, filled with utter disdain.

"Pray to the moon goddess that the Alpha King takes a liking to you, or else we'll all be waiting for our demise at his hands," he said with anger etched on his face.

My heart plummeted into my stomach, knowing his words were blunt and true. Glancing at my mother, our eyes met briefly, but she averted her gaze.

Hurriedly, I approached her in my kneeling posture, gripping onto one of her legs. "Mother, please, talk to Father. I don't want to be given to the alpha king," I cried, desperately hoping she'd hear my plea and intervene just this once.

"Listen to your father! He's only looking out for us all," she replied coldly, shaking my hand off her leg, causing me to tumble backward to the ground.

Her indifference towards me had been consistent since she married my stepfather. He was her sole concern.

I felt like nothing more than a burden from her past. How could she treat me like this? Standing there passively, she will allow my stepfather trade me off to the cruelest king alive, treating me as if I were a mere slave?

"Let us go!" my stepfather commanded, heading toward the door. "We don't want to provoke the Alpha King." He expected me to follow, but I remained rooted in place.

My feet refused to budge, as if glued to the ground. "Moon goddess, please, let him reconsider," I frightfully prayed within me.

His furious glare bore into me as he advanced. Every muscle tensed, anticipating the storm of his anger.

As he approached, I instinctively shielded my face and body with my hands, cowering on the floor, bracing for a beating that never arrived. Slowly looking up, I found him towering over me, eyes filled with rage.

"Get up!" he growled. I hastily rose to my feet, nearly staggering. He clutched my hand and forcefully pulled me along.

His grip on my hand was painfully tight.

"Father, please! I'm in pain!" I screamed, attempting to free my hand from his tight grip but all that did was worsen my agony.

What should I do now? I had to think quickly, act swiftly.

"Calm down, Athena. Go with him. The Alpha King can't be that bad," my wolf whispered.

She didnt understand the gravity of the situation. She failed to comprehend the horrors I'd heard about that king—his brutality reached unthinkable levels. Rumors spoke of him yanking a baby from its mother's womb with his claws. His cruelty knew no bounds.

I trembled at the thought as my father dragged me toward the door and out of our house. Once outside, he shoved me into the back of the vehicle and headed towards the driver's seat. It was my chance. Every instinct screamed, "Run!"

Rushing to the opposite end of the back seat, I opened the door and ran. My stepfather spotted me, cursing furiously as he chased, "You coward! Just wait until I catch you!" I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me, heading straight for the bushes.

Suddenly, his hand seized me, sending shivers down my spine. I was absolutely terriffied of what he would do to me. He gripped my throat, lifting me off the ground, choking the life out of me.

I fought, striking his hand and pleading for him to let me go. He threw me to the ground, the agony of the impact searing through my body. I tried to rise but weakness overcame me.

"Next time, you'll reconsider before defying me, that is if there is a next time " he hoisted me up, draping my limp form over his shoulder. My hands hung wearily behind him, and I groaned from pain.

"Thud!" echoed the sound of me being tossed onto the unforgiving seat of his car, accompanied by searing pain that radiated through my entire body. My wolf whimpered, sensing my distress.

After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the palace. He parked outside, exited the car, and approached the back seat, his gaze filled with menace as he stared at me.

"Come down!" he ordered sharply. The earlier pains had vanished, thanks to my swift healing ability which surpassed that of most wolves. Cautiously, I got down from the vehicle, fearing the consequences of any delay.

At the gate, two imposing figures blocked our path. Both muscular, one short and the other tall, they clearly formed part of the security detail for the ruthless Alpha king.

"What brings you here?" the shorter one asked with a harsh tone.

"I'm Robert Hunter, here to meet the Alpha king," my father replied, showing no sign of intimidation.

The men exchanged knowing glances before opening the door, proof that they were aware of my father's arrival tonight.

We were led into a grand hall. Though magnificent, I couldn't muster any interest. If anything, I wished for this night to end so I could go back home.

"Moon goddess, I beg for one thing: let the Alpha king reject me as a slave for the debt," I silently prayed.

"This place is stunning; I wouldn't mind living here forever," my wolf, Elsa, sounded enthusiastic. I didnt blame her—if only she understood the condition of things, her excitement wouldn't persist.

"Wait here; the king will join you soon," the man who escorted us announced. My father nodded in acknowledgment, and the man turned around and left.

Minutes later, robust, measured footsteps approached from behind. Fear gripped me; I hesitated to turn. It had to be the Alpha king.

Only my father could see him as had his face to him.

"I see you've come to settle your debt as agreed, Robert. Now, where is my money?" The Alpha king's icy voice sent shivers down my spine.