PROLOGUE

Alisha

I was trembling in his presence - in my would be mate’s presence who never acknowledged me for anything, except when he needed a toy.

Why had I come to the common room again, I wondered as he stood towering over me. All my words had failed me and I was left floundering.

Despite that, I was glad to have his eyes on me and not on any other girl. Somewhere in my heart I still loved him, even when he hurt me so much. Why couldn’t he love me the same in return?

“What do you want?” He sneered at me and I tried to stop my eyes from welling up with tears but it was inevitable.

“Please,” I begged him. “If you could make an announcement… or anything-“ my voice broke at the last word. I couldn’t say anything more without having the tears spill down my face.

All I heard from Sebastian was said with a tone of absolute disdain.

“You’re nothing to me,” he all but spat at me and I flinched.

If it was possible to break my heart into pieces a second time I was sure that he would.

His dark eyes bore holes into me like a searing, laser-focused beat.

Deep in my chest, my wolf whimpered.

“Why…” I barely managed to get out brokenly. “W-why…”

Sebastian only laughed, and his laughter was so filled with a mocking tinge that it was like nails raking over my skin and digging in with precision.

“Why?” He scoffed, folding his incredibly muscular arms over his chest. “Why not? Tell me what benefit you would ever bring to my life? Why would I ever want some bitch like you? The only thing I need you for, you’re not even good at.” He sneered, and all around him, laughter echoed by his friends was stirred up.

I was the object of their mocking, their sneers and taunting grins. I was nothing to him, to the mate I had hoped would love me back someday.

I couldn’t take his presence any more. I turned around and fled, without having any idea of where I was going to end up.

My legs carried me deep into the forest, and only my sharp instincts must have saved me from tripping over or bumping into any of the trees.

Why? Why didn’t he love me?

Why would the goddess give me such a mate that couldn’t even be pleasant to me?

And why did I have the misfortune of loving him? Him, the Alpha’s son… and I… one of the lowest ranking wolves in the pack… was there even hope of me being loved by him?

I came to a stop breathing heavily. My eyes hurt, and her I felt the tears spilling down my cheeks. I was spent.

My knees buckled and I fell to the ground, sobbing loudly.

The ache in my heart was only getting worse; I pressed my hand against it, trying to stem the pain.

Oh goddess, please help me.

I prayed long into the night, my tears and burning chest as my anchor.

But no one answered back, as I knew it would happen.