Chapter 1

Sophia's POV

"Father please," I begged with tears streaming down my face. "I need to see a doctor. If I don't, I'll get worse. I might die…"

"Tell me, Sophia. If you get worse and die, does it affect me? Does it affect my pack?" The current Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack asked, focused on his paperwork.

With a white cloth in my mouth, I coughed heartily. "I'll do anything you want, Father. But please don't let me die." I said, giving him the condition I knew he couldn't refuse.

"Anything?" He asked, looking at me who was lying on the floor, through the corner of his eyes.

"Yes. I'll do whatever you ask of me. As long as you permit me to get medical attention." I affirmed, sounding determined although I knew my stepfather's demands could be a bit crazy.

"Hmm," he smirked and placed a phone call to someone with a dirty smile that gave me goosebumps. What has he planned for me?

Two minutes later, a man walked in with a brown file and white nylon popularly used by pharmacists. The man left, and my stepfather turned to me, creeping me out.

"Here's the drug you'd use before getting medical attention and I'll give it to you once you accept my terms and conditions," he said, playing with the nylon.

"What do you want?" I wheezed, getting weaker with every passing minute.

"If you, Sophia, will come to serve at the Alpha's gathering tonight without any mistakes, then I'll make sure the best doctor in our pack attends to you," he answered, walking up to me with the nylon and a piece of paper in his hands. 

Acting as a waitress was the least of the things I had done to survive after my biological parents died but coming from my step-father, I knew there was something more to it. "And if I make a mistake?” I asked, trembling as he approached me with malicious intent.

He scoffed then smiled, raising his hands and cupping my pale cheeks with it. "ONE SINGLE SLIP UP FROM YOU AND TRUST ME, YOU'D DIE FROM THIS ILLNESS! I'LL MAKE SURE NO DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL ATTENDS TO YOU AND YOU DIE A MISERABLE DEATH!"

Those were his last words to me as he forcefully inked my thumb and pressed it on the document. He threw the nylon bag at me and then walked out, with his shoulders high, and a confident smile on his lips. 

"What was written in that document? Why did he force me to thumbprint? Was it a binding document?" I muttered to myself but I pushed those thoughts aside and grabbed a glass of water, swallowing the pill he gave me.

A few moments later, I felt better. I stood up and walked away, heading to my room. From the late Alpha and Luna's daughter to a mere maid who begs for the little necessities of life, I had to prepare if I wanted to see a doctor and live.

The Alpha gathering started earlier than stated and something told me this all had to do with my stepfather and that document. I got dressed and carried my weak self down to the grand hall.

Making sure to steer clear of any trouble, I dressed in the basic uniform, packed my hair, and wore flat shoes to be safe.

"Sophia," the head of the workers called and I walked up to her with my head low, wishing tonight, she'd stay far away from me. "You have been assigned to serve the VIP area." She said coldly and my eyes widened in shock. 

The VIP area? The Alpha of packs in close relation to mine was seated there! The ones who supported my mother in getting with that Alpha Victor after my father died! The same ones who didn't speak up when my mother died and left him to make my life a living nightmare!

"Sophia!” the woman called out, bringing me out of my angry and painful memory. "Go now! The event is about to start."

With a neutral smile and nod, I carried myself to the VIP area, cooling my angry blood. "We're doing this to get cured," I reminded myself. 

After cooling down in the corner and resting, the event began and I served and attended till I was out of breath and aching legs.

As the night progressed, the VIP area buzzed with animated conversations and laughter. The powerful Alphas and their entourages were enjoying the festivities while I moved discreetly, offering drinks and appetizers. 

I kept my eyes downcast, trying my best to avoid any unnecessary attention and calls. My heart pounded with each step I took, fearing that even the slightest mistake could lead to dire consequences. I couldn't shake the feeling that my stepfather was watching my every move, relishing the power he had over me.

Just as I was about to walk back to my corner, I felt dizzy and lightheaded. My eyes rolled and black started growing from the corner of my eyes. Luckily, someone guided me out of the way and helped me to my corner. "Are you okay?" 

"Just a little dizzy," I answered and looked up to be the Beta's son.

"Careful, Sophia. Alpha Victor keeps watching you like a hawk. I think he made a bet or something. Please, no slip-ups. I can't lose you like I lost Aunty," he said, giving me a tight squeeze before he left. 

I grabbed a glass of water and chugged it down my throat. A bet? At least we know he's up to something now….but what is it?

Just when I was about to sit down to catch my breath, I saw a few of my mother's trusted allies sitting across from me. I tried to hide and not get noticed but it was all in vain. "Girl, bring some wine!" They ordered and with a gulp, I arranged the wine on my tray then proceeded to walk with them trying to fight the dizziness that kept creeping in.

All went well and just as I was a few steps from their table, someone pushed me, making the tray fall from my hand and the wine spilling on the man sitting on my left. 

Everyone froze and gasped as the spotlight landed on me and the man I stained. I turned around, trying to find who pushed me but he was out of sight. Questions and accusations filled the air as the man I had spilled wine on stood up, his eyes blazing with anger. He was a towering figure, his presence exuding power and dominance. He wiped the wine from his expensive suit, his jaw clenched in frustration.

"Who is responsible for this incompetence?" he demanded, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.

"I-I'm sorry," I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest. "Someone pushed me, and I couldn't…"

Before I could finish my sentence, I felt his fingers on my cheek and there it was! That static I had been craving to find for years! He made me stare at him. His once cold and angry eyes softened and he whispered, "Mate?”