I step outside, my bare feet pressing into the cold stone floor. My breath catches.
The grand hall is alive with movement. Servants rush back and forth, their arms filled with silk, silverware, and flowers. The scent of roses and freshly baked bread lingers in the air, mingling with the ever-present musk of wolves. eyes drifted sharply toward me. Preparations for a wedding are in full swing. White banners with golden embroidery hang from the railings, cascading down like waterfalls. Long tables, draped in pristine cloth, stretch across the courtyard, each set meticulously with delicate china and polished silverware. My stomach twists. Whose wedding is this? I don’t get a chance to dwell on it. Caleb’s firm grip clamps onto my wrist, pulling me forward. "Move," he grunts, dragging me down the steps. I dig my heels in, but he barely notices my resistance. "Whose wedding is this?" I demand, my voice sharper than I intend. He doesn’t answer. I’m forced past a line of omegas decorating the entrance with fresh flowers. Their eyes flick toward me—curious, wary—but they quickly lower their gazes and continue their work. I don’t recognize any of them. non of them is from my pack. Because my pack is gone. A heavy weight presses against my chest, but I push it down. Now is not the time to break. Caleb leads me through the courtyard and into the main hall of the packhouse. The grand doors swing open, revealing a space filled with power and opulence. Golden chandeliers cast a soft glow over polished floors, and at the far end of the room, seated on an intricately carved throne-like chair, is Alderon Kane. Dressed in black, he looks completely at ease. His golden eyes flick toward me, unreadable. But when he speaks, his voice is laced with amusement. "Good. You’re awake." I stiffen, keeping my chin high despite the trembling inside me. "What is this?" His lips curve into something that could almost be mistaken for a smile. "A wedding, little wolf. Try to keep up." I clench my fists. "Whose wedding?" He rises from his seat, slow and deliberate, like a predator toying with its prey. "Mine and yours of course." The floor tilts beneath me. The blood drains from my face. No. No, I must have heard him wrong. My lips part, but no sound comes out. A cruel sort of satisfaction gleams in his eyes as he watches me struggle to process his words. "You look surprised," he muses, stepping down from the dais. Each step toward me feels like a countdown to my doom. "Did you think I brought you here for nothing? you would be dead by now if you weren't my mate." I force myself to breathe, to push down the panic clawing at my throat. " I am not your mate,You murdered my family. You slaughtered my pack. And you think I would marry you?" His smirk doesn’t falter. "Oh, little wolf. I don’t think you have a choice." he walked over to his drawer, and pulled out a picture, raising it for me to see. it was my sister, I haven't seen her since that night, ten years ago. but I would recognize her even with my eyes closed. I lunge at him without thinking. My nails barely graze his skin before I’m yanked back by an unseen force—Caleb. His grip tightens around my arms, locking me in place as I thrash against him. Kane watches me with an infuriating calmness, as if my fury is nothing more than entertainment. "Still fighting," he murmurs. "Good. I’d hate for you to be boring." "You’re a monster!" I spit. He leans in, so close I can feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. "And yet, your sister is still alive, " I glare at him, my breaths coming fast and ragged. "I will never be yours." Kane’s eyes darken, his smirk fading into something more dangerous. I held my breath as he moved toward me, brushing his fingers against the side of my face. "You already are." With a flick of his wrist, Caleb releases me, and I stumble back, barely catching myself before I hit the floor. Kane straightens, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve as if this entire exchange was nothing more than a mild inconvenience. "You have until sundown to prepare. The ceremony will not be delayed." I shake my head, my heart pounding against my ribs. "You can force me into a dress, but I will never be your mate." He chuckles, low and dark. "Oh, little wolf. You have no idea what you already are." Then, without another word, he turns and strides out of the hall, leaving me there—furious, helpless, and trapped. The door swings open moment later, and two women step inside. One is older, her graying hair tied back, while the other—a girl about my age—rushes toward me, her scent faintly familiar. "Lady Rosella!" she calls, using the name my father once did. I lift my gaze, studying her face, but I don’t recognize her. "It’s me, Abigail," she says, hope flickering in her golden-brown eyes. "Abigail?" I whisper, trying to place the name. The wolf inside me stirs, searching through old memories, but nothing comes. "We used to be friends," she presses. "Your father took my mother and me into the pack when our own abandoned us. We owe our lives." I swallow hard. "I thought everyone was dead." Abigail shakes her head. "Not everyone. Your father must have known something was coming—he saved as much of us as he could." She glances at the older woman, who steps forward, giving me a warm look. " then how did you end up here " I asked. "When we returned, after hearing about what happened to your father and the pack," the woman says, her voice rough with age and sorrow, "we were captured by the Mooncrest pack and forced into servitude." My claws press against my palms as rage surges through me. So Alderon Kane hadn’t wiped my people out—he had enslaved them instead. "There are more of us," Abigail says urgently. "Scattered throughout Mooncrest." A sharp breath hitches in my throat. Relief and fury battle inside me. Some of my pack still lives—but at what cost? "And my sister?" I ask, voice barely above a whisper. " have you seen her" Abigail falters, her gaze flicking to the older woman before returning to me. "We haven’t seen her. Just like we hadn’t seen you. We thought… we thought you were both dead." My vision blurs for a moment. Kane hadn’t killed my sister, but he had hidden her from me. My wolf snarls in frustration, clawing at my insides. he was going to use her as a bait. "My lady," Abigail takes my hand, her own trembling. Tears streak down her face. "What have these monsters done to you?" I lower my gaze, unable to meet her eyes. How do I explain the years of captivity? The chains. The darkness. The helplessness. Or the cruel reality that, when I finally escaped, I was dragged back into something even worse? "I have to get out of here," I breathe. "I have to find my sister." Abigail looks stricken. "But how? Alpha Kane has sealed every escape route. No one gets in or out without his command." "You have to help me," I say, desperation creeping into my voice. The two women exchange a long, wary look. "We wish there's a way we can help you,Lady Rosella, we'll give our lives for you," the older woman finally says, voice laced with fear, "But Alpha Kane has your sister. If you run… dear Moon above, what will he do to her?" The truth hits like a silver dagger to the gut. If I run, my sister will pay for it. There is only one path forward. One way to stay close to her. I have to marry him. A shudder wracks through me, disgust curling in my stomach, could the mood goddess be any crueller, mating me to a man who had destroyed my life. Before I can speak, a voice cuts through the air like a whip. "What’s happening here?" Caleb stands in the doorway, his sharp gaze sweeping over us. His presence crackles with dominance, a silent warning. The older woman moves quickly. "My lady needs to be prepared," she says, taking my arm and guiding me toward the bathing chambers. Abigail lingers for half a second, her expression torn, before following. I glance back at Caleb, his piercing stare locked onto me like a wolf scenting blood. I lift my chin and step forward. One way or another, I will find my sister. And then I will destroy Alderon Kane.I glare at my reflection in the full-length mirror, barely able to recognize the woman staring back at me. My bruises are hidden beneath layers of makeup, my skin polished to perfection, but I know the truth. The pain, the torment, the loss—it’s all still there, lurking beneath the surface. No amount of powder or fine silk can erase what has been done to me.The gown is white, elegant, flowing like a river of moonlight around me. But to me, it is nothing more than a funeral shroud. My funeral.The older woman, Esther, tightens the bodice while Abigail watches with teary eyes. "I wish there was something we could do to get you out of here" she whispers, her voice breaking.I meet her gaze through the mirror, my own eyes hollow. "He has my sister," I remind her, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. "I don’t have a choice."Esther’s hands pause for a fraction of a second before resuming their work, but Abigail lowers her head, defeated. I can see it in her trembling hands—she wa
The scent of alcohol lingers in the air. Laughter and music echo through the grand hall, a celebration of a wedding that feels more like a funeral. The Mooncrest Pack dines and drinks as if this is the happiest night of their lives, as if they don’t see the bride sitting stiffly at the head of the table, drowning in her silence. As if they don’t hear the rapid beating of my heart, caged in my chest like a war drum. Alderon Kane sits beside me, his presence as overwhelming as ever. His golden eyes gleam under the soft candlelight, watching me like a predator. Like he’s waiting for something. I clench my fists under the table. My wrist still burns from where he held me earlier, dragging me into this nightmare. The mark he left during the ceremony throbs against my skin—a fresh reminder that I belong to him now. At least, that’s what he thinks. I force my gaze to the hall. It’s grand, draped in silk and gold, filled with warriors and pack members drinking to my suffering. Their voi
The moment Alderon stepped out of the room, I pulled myself together. My hands curled into fists as I forced my breathing to steady. I sat up on the massive bed, my gaze flickering around the room. It was unfamiliarly enormous, a space that exuded both power and restraint.Dark wooden walls stretched high, their rich color absorbing most of the dim lighting. The ceiling arched elegantly, lined with intricate carvings of wolves running through a moonlit forest. A massive stone fireplace dominated one side of the room, its embers still glowing faintly from an earlier fire. A thick black fur rug sprawled across the cold floor beneath my feet, and the bed—goddess, the bed—was large enough to fit three people, draped in dark silken sheets that felt too luxurious against my skin.Everything smelled like him. Pine, earth, and something undeniably dangerous.I had to find my sister.I could feel it in my bones—she was here somewhere, within these walls. But where? My chest tightened at the th
Rose’s POVAlderon walks behind me as we return to the room, his presence pressing against me like a looming shadow. My back aches from where the feral had grabbed me, and my legs tremble beneath me, ready to give way at any moment.But they do.I stumble, but before I hit the ground, strong arms catch me.Alderon.His touch sears into me, burning hotter than my wounds. My breath stutters as I look up—straight into golden eyes that gleam like liquid fire. My wolf stirs, restless, drawn to him despite my every attempt to fight it.For the first time, I really see him .The sharp lines of his face, carved like something out of myth. The scar slashes down from his brow to his cheek, a cruel mark that should make him look less perfect but only adds to the danger he carries.""That looks painful," my wolf murmurs.I want to touch it.The realization shakes me, but before I can pull away, his lips twist into a smirk."You must like this position."His voice drips with amusement, low and dar
I’m still caught in thought, haunted by the look in Alderon’s eyes, when the door creaks open again.A girl steps inside.She’s young—eighteen, maybe—but there’s fear in the way she moves, stiff and careful, like a rabbit sensing the wolf’s breath on its neck. Her hair is pulled back into a tight bun, so tight it looks painful, and her eyes—too big for her face—dart over me before settling on the bruises around my neck.She swallows hard.“My name is Eva, Luna,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.I stare at her, the word Luna curling like poison in my gut. It’s a mockery, a cruel joke, because this pack is not mine. It never will be.She shifts uncomfortably under my silence, then gestures to the bundle of fabric in her arms. “Alderon’s mother sent this for you.” She sets it down on the bed, neatly folded, expensive. “I’ll get the bath ready.”I don’t answer.I want to ask about Abigail and Esther, but a deep, twisting dread coils in my stomach. They were from my pack. Did Al
The scent of blood drowns the air. It’s everywhere—seeping into the dirt, painting the broken bodies strewn across the ground, soaking into Rose’s torn dress. The metallic tang clings to her skin, mixing with the bitter taste of fear that sits heavy on her tongue. Her heart hammers in her chest, but it’s the pounding in her ears that drowns out everything else—the shouts, the screams, the sickening crunch of bones breaking under the force of violence. She’s eight years old. Too young for this, too innocent for this madness. But no one seems to care. Her father kneels before the beast who destroyed their world. Alderon Kane. The Alpha of Mooncrest. The monster who came without warning and left nothing but carnage in his wake. His men have already taken everything—her home, her pack, her people. And now… her father. Her protector. Rose watches as the blade presses against her father’s throat. The cold steel gleams in the moonlight, but it’s the terror in her father’s eyes that freez
ROSE POV The full moon hung low, a cold silver eye watching over Mooncrest, its light slicing through the canopy like a blade. Every step I took was calculated, measured. My heart beat in my chest like a war drum, its rhythm echoing in my ears as I moved through the shadows, careful not to disturb the dead leaves beneath my feet. The forest surrounding Mooncrest Pack had been my cage for ten long years, but tonight—tonight, I was going to escape. I had memorized the layout of Mooncrest Park like the back of my hand—where the guards patrolled, the gaps in their watch, the dead zones where I could slip by unnoticed. My body was a whisper of motion, my breaths shallow as I slithered through the underbrush, the cold air biting my skin. The walls of Mooncrest were miles behind me now, but the chill in my bones told me that I wasn’t out of danger yet. A twig snapped. I froze. My senses went on high alert, my wolf immediately alerting me to the danger. I could feel it, that prese
The darkness is heavy, suffocating. It presses in from all sides, dragging me under, pulling me deeper. I can’t move, can’t breathe. It’s as if the weight of the world is crushing me, pressing down on my chest until I feel like I might shatter. Then, the pain comes. A sharp, searing ache that pulses through every inch of my body. My limbs feel like lead, my head throbbing with every weak beat of my heart. I try to move, to claw my way out of the abyss, but my body refuses to obey. Somewhere in the distance, a voice calls my name. Low. Rough. Familiar. I don’t want it to be familiar. The darkness begins to crack. Light seeps through the fractures, burning at the edges of my vision. The pain sharpens, dragging me further into consciousness. I blink. Once. Twice. The world comes into focus in slow, aching increments. A fire flickers somewhere nearby, casting a dim glow over rough stone walls. The air is thick with the scent of pine, smoke, and something darker. Something that ma
I’m still caught in thought, haunted by the look in Alderon’s eyes, when the door creaks open again.A girl steps inside.She’s young—eighteen, maybe—but there’s fear in the way she moves, stiff and careful, like a rabbit sensing the wolf’s breath on its neck. Her hair is pulled back into a tight bun, so tight it looks painful, and her eyes—too big for her face—dart over me before settling on the bruises around my neck.She swallows hard.“My name is Eva, Luna,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.I stare at her, the word Luna curling like poison in my gut. It’s a mockery, a cruel joke, because this pack is not mine. It never will be.She shifts uncomfortably under my silence, then gestures to the bundle of fabric in her arms. “Alderon’s mother sent this for you.” She sets it down on the bed, neatly folded, expensive. “I’ll get the bath ready.”I don’t answer.I want to ask about Abigail and Esther, but a deep, twisting dread coils in my stomach. They were from my pack. Did Al
Rose’s POVAlderon walks behind me as we return to the room, his presence pressing against me like a looming shadow. My back aches from where the feral had grabbed me, and my legs tremble beneath me, ready to give way at any moment.But they do.I stumble, but before I hit the ground, strong arms catch me.Alderon.His touch sears into me, burning hotter than my wounds. My breath stutters as I look up—straight into golden eyes that gleam like liquid fire. My wolf stirs, restless, drawn to him despite my every attempt to fight it.For the first time, I really see him .The sharp lines of his face, carved like something out of myth. The scar slashes down from his brow to his cheek, a cruel mark that should make him look less perfect but only adds to the danger he carries.""That looks painful," my wolf murmurs.I want to touch it.The realization shakes me, but before I can pull away, his lips twist into a smirk."You must like this position."His voice drips with amusement, low and dar
The moment Alderon stepped out of the room, I pulled myself together. My hands curled into fists as I forced my breathing to steady. I sat up on the massive bed, my gaze flickering around the room. It was unfamiliarly enormous, a space that exuded both power and restraint.Dark wooden walls stretched high, their rich color absorbing most of the dim lighting. The ceiling arched elegantly, lined with intricate carvings of wolves running through a moonlit forest. A massive stone fireplace dominated one side of the room, its embers still glowing faintly from an earlier fire. A thick black fur rug sprawled across the cold floor beneath my feet, and the bed—goddess, the bed—was large enough to fit three people, draped in dark silken sheets that felt too luxurious against my skin.Everything smelled like him. Pine, earth, and something undeniably dangerous.I had to find my sister.I could feel it in my bones—she was here somewhere, within these walls. But where? My chest tightened at the th
The scent of alcohol lingers in the air. Laughter and music echo through the grand hall, a celebration of a wedding that feels more like a funeral. The Mooncrest Pack dines and drinks as if this is the happiest night of their lives, as if they don’t see the bride sitting stiffly at the head of the table, drowning in her silence. As if they don’t hear the rapid beating of my heart, caged in my chest like a war drum. Alderon Kane sits beside me, his presence as overwhelming as ever. His golden eyes gleam under the soft candlelight, watching me like a predator. Like he’s waiting for something. I clench my fists under the table. My wrist still burns from where he held me earlier, dragging me into this nightmare. The mark he left during the ceremony throbs against my skin—a fresh reminder that I belong to him now. At least, that’s what he thinks. I force my gaze to the hall. It’s grand, draped in silk and gold, filled with warriors and pack members drinking to my suffering. Their voi
I glare at my reflection in the full-length mirror, barely able to recognize the woman staring back at me. My bruises are hidden beneath layers of makeup, my skin polished to perfection, but I know the truth. The pain, the torment, the loss—it’s all still there, lurking beneath the surface. No amount of powder or fine silk can erase what has been done to me.The gown is white, elegant, flowing like a river of moonlight around me. But to me, it is nothing more than a funeral shroud. My funeral.The older woman, Esther, tightens the bodice while Abigail watches with teary eyes. "I wish there was something we could do to get you out of here" she whispers, her voice breaking.I meet her gaze through the mirror, my own eyes hollow. "He has my sister," I remind her, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. "I don’t have a choice."Esther’s hands pause for a fraction of a second before resuming their work, but Abigail lowers her head, defeated. I can see it in her trembling hands—she wa
I step outside, my bare feet pressing into the cold stone floor. My breath catches. The grand hall is alive with movement. Servants rush back and forth, their arms filled with silk, silverware, and flowers. The scent of roses and freshly baked bread lingers in the air, mingling with the ever-present musk of wolves. eyes drifted sharply toward me. Preparations for a wedding are in full swing. White banners with golden embroidery hang from the railings, cascading down like waterfalls. Long tables, draped in pristine cloth, stretch across the courtyard, each set meticulously with delicate china and polished silverware. My stomach twists. Whose wedding is this? I don’t get a chance to dwell on it. Caleb’s firm grip clamps onto my wrist, pulling me forward. "Move," he grunts, dragging me down the steps. I dig my heels in, but he barely notices my resistance. "Whose wedding is this?" I demand, my voice sharper than I intend. He doesn’t answer. I’m forced past a line of omegas decor
I step outside, my bare feet pressing into the cold stone floor. My breath catches. The grand hall is alive with movement. Servants rush back and forth, their arms filled with silk, silverware, and flowers. The scent of roses and freshly baked bread lingers in the air, mingling with the ever-present musk of wolves. eyes drifted sharply toward me. Preparations for a wedding are in full swing. White banners with golden embroidery hang from the railings, cascading down like waterfalls. Long tables, draped in pristine cloth, stretch across the courtyard, each set meticulously with delicate china and polished silverware. My stomach twists. Whose wedding is this? I don’t get a chance to dwell on it. Caleb’s firm grip clamps onto my wrist, pulling me forward. "Move," he grunts, dragging me down the steps. I dig my heels in, but he barely notices my resistance. "Whose wedding is this?" I demand, my voice sharper than I intend. He doesn’t answer. I’m forced past a line of omegas decor
The darkness is heavy, suffocating. It presses in from all sides, dragging me under, pulling me deeper. I can’t move, can’t breathe. It’s as if the weight of the world is crushing me, pressing down on my chest until I feel like I might shatter. Then, the pain comes. A sharp, searing ache that pulses through every inch of my body. My limbs feel like lead, my head throbbing with every weak beat of my heart. I try to move, to claw my way out of the abyss, but my body refuses to obey. Somewhere in the distance, a voice calls my name. Low. Rough. Familiar. I don’t want it to be familiar. The darkness begins to crack. Light seeps through the fractures, burning at the edges of my vision. The pain sharpens, dragging me further into consciousness. I blink. Once. Twice. The world comes into focus in slow, aching increments. A fire flickers somewhere nearby, casting a dim glow over rough stone walls. The air is thick with the scent of pine, smoke, and something darker. Something that ma
ROSE POV The full moon hung low, a cold silver eye watching over Mooncrest, its light slicing through the canopy like a blade. Every step I took was calculated, measured. My heart beat in my chest like a war drum, its rhythm echoing in my ears as I moved through the shadows, careful not to disturb the dead leaves beneath my feet. The forest surrounding Mooncrest Pack had been my cage for ten long years, but tonight—tonight, I was going to escape. I had memorized the layout of Mooncrest Park like the back of my hand—where the guards patrolled, the gaps in their watch, the dead zones where I could slip by unnoticed. My body was a whisper of motion, my breaths shallow as I slithered through the underbrush, the cold air biting my skin. The walls of Mooncrest were miles behind me now, but the chill in my bones told me that I wasn’t out of danger yet. A twig snapped. I froze. My senses went on high alert, my wolf immediately alerting me to the danger. I could feel it, that prese