Chapter 2

**Chapter Two**  

The cold floor felt like home—cold, unwelcoming, and suffocating. I had spent the night curled up in the living room, staring at the ceiling, trying to silence the thoughts that screamed at me. My mate had rejected me. Again. Like I was nothing more than trash beneath his feet. 

I had no time to dwell on the pain. Morning had arrived, and with it, my stepmother's shrill voice pierced through the silence. 

"Serena!" Vivian's voice rang from the dining area. "Get in here and make breakfast for your sisters!" 

I clenched my fists and pulled myself off the floor. My entire body ached, but I ignored it. I had done this every day for years; cooking, cleaning, obeying. But today, something snapped, almost.

I marched into the kitchen, finding my stepmother seated comfortably while my stepsisters, Laura and Elena, scrolled through their phones like they had no care in the world. My jaw tightened. 

"They can make their own breakfast," I muttered under my breath, but Vivian heard me. 

Her head snapped up. "What did you just say?" 

I turned to face her fully, my heart pounding, my anger almost outweighed my fear but I failed terribly, it was as if they had total control over my entire emotions and I hated it. “I said I'll make breakfast as always.” I swallowed the lump that formed my chest and tried so hard not to yell, not to tell them to make their own damn breakfast. All they know how to do is spread their silly legs and fuck my mates like the sluts they are!” 

SLAP!

Pain exploded across my face as my head whipped to the side. I gasped, feeling the sting spread through my cheek. My knees wobbled, and I barely managed to steady myself. 

"Don't you dare look away whenever I talk to you! How dare you raise your voice at me Serena!" Vivian shrieked, grabbing my arm and dragging me forward. "Your father will hear about this. Let's see how bold you are when you're locked in that basement again!" 

Panic gripped me and instantly regretted not yelling and expressing myself because this woman would always be a psychopath.

 "No—please! It won’t happen again! I didn't do anything wrong Mother " I dropped to my knees, clutching the hem of her dress. "Punish me however you want, just don’t tell him!" I begged desperately as my father's punishment would be worse than that of a viper.

Vivian smirked, savoring the fear in my eyes. She thrived on my suffering. 

"Well, if you want me to keep my mouth shut," she said, tilting her head, "it’ll cost you. You'll have to pay for their groceries and cosmetics, you know how your sisters have been lately with their skin and you seem to have a glow which is so unlikely for an Omega like you.

My stomach twisted. That was a huge chunk of my savings if I dared spend it on Elena and Sloane. Money I had been collecting for years to finally escape this nightmare. But I had no choice, I had to give her or I'll be doomed by my father.

Without hesitation, I nodded. "Fine but give me a little time please, I need to get a loan." Tears burned my eyes as I regretted trying to cross my boundaries in the first place. I was a nobody and nothing would change that.

She grinned in satisfaction. "Now, go make breakfast." 

Swallowing my pride, I did as I was told, forcing myself to move as if nothing had happened. But as soon as I was done, I grabbed my things and fled the house, heading straight for the only place where I could make more money. The club. 

---

The moment I stepped into Lunar Lust, my boss, Vince, leaned against the bar and smirked at me. "Serena Vales," he drawled, purposely using my real name. 

I tensed and glared at him,"I told you not to call me that," I snapped. 

Vince chuckled. "Relax, sweetheart. It's just the two of us." 

I rolled my eyes and walked past him. He was the only one who understood my fucked up life and why I had to do all this. "I don't have time for this, Vince. Who’s on the VIP list tonight?" 

Vince’s smirk widened. "Ah, now that’s the interesting part. We have a very special guest tonight. Syndicate Fangs’ Alpha himself." 

I froze mid-step. Slowly, I turned to face him. "Damien Hawthorne?" 

Vince nodded, clearly enjoying the look of shock on my face. "The one and only. And guess what? You're the one entertaining him tonight." 

My stomach dropped. 

I had heard of Damien Hawthorne—the ruthless, powerful, and untouchable Alpha who ruled the mafia world. A man whose name alone sent chills down people’s spines. A man whose presence could silence a room. 

I should have refused. I should have walked away. But when Vince mentioned the payment of $50,000 for one night I knew I couldn't say no. That was nearly quadruple what I had saved in years. 

So, despite every warning bell ringing in my head, I took the job. 

When the time came, my nerves were on edge. The private room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of whiskey and cigars. Laughter echoed from inside, deep and masculine, and my wolf stirred uneasily.  

“Go,” Vince whispered, giving me a gentle push.  

I stepped into the room, the heels of my stilettos clicking against the polished floor. The men at the table turned to look at me, their eyes hungry as they whispered amongst themselves.  

“Damn,” one of them muttered. “She’s perfect.”  

“She’s hiding her face,” another said, his tone laced with intrigue. “What do you think, Damien? Should we make her take off the mask?”  

My heart raced as my gaze locked onto the man at the head of the table. Damien Hawthorne. His presence was magnetic, his golden eyes piercing as they studied me. He was breathtakingly beautiful, dangerous and commanding, with an aura of raw power that made my knees weak.  

“Take off the mask,” one of the men said again, his tone more demanding this time.  

I froze, my hand instinctively reaching for the mask. I didn't have a problem with taking off the mask but what the hell was this delicious smell making my life go blank with raw need. I was beginning to get fuzzy and dizzy, the scent was calling me in and I don't know where the hell it came from.

“Damien, use your Alpha command,” another urged, leaning forward eagerly.  

But Damien remained silent, his gaze unwavering. His eyes darkened as they met mine, and a low growl rumbled from his chest.  

“Back off!,” he said finally, his voice like a low thunderclap.  

The others fell silent, their eyes widening in surprise.  

“Damien—”  

“I said, leave her,” he repeated, his tone sharp and final.  

My wolf, Lucy, stirred wildly inside me, her voice screaming in my head. Mate! 

The word echoed through me, and I felt the bond pull as if an invisible string had tied me to him. My breath caught in my throat as Damien rose from his chair and stalked toward me, his eyes glowing with an intensity that made my heart race.  

“Get out of here,” he said quietly, his voice low and dangerous.  

“What?” I whispered, barely able to process his words.  

“Get fuck out,” he repeated, his gaze boring into mine. “Now!”  

I didn’t need to be told twice. Spinning on my heel, I fled the room, his growl still reverberating in my ears.  

As I ran into the night, tears streaming down my face, one thought consumed me.  

I couldn’t go back. Not to the club. Not to him.  

But deep down, I knew I couldn’t run from him forever, He was my mate. Another asshole given to me by the Moon Goddess! I hate my life!