Chapter 1

Veronica’s POV

Everyone in my life has betrayed me.

This realization dawned on me as I felt my numbing wrists from the heavy metal cuffs they put on me, chaining me to the crusty brick wall of the packhouse’s basement prison.

My vision is slowly becoming blurry from dehydration and starvation. I can barely see my scarred legs and I couldn’t remember how long I have been locked up in this dark place.

Suddenly, as I was on the brink of losing my consciousness, the sound of the cell bars opening and the looming shadow of a person from the light outside woke me up.

“Ah, what a sight to behold,” the moment I heard her pesky voice, rage took over my exhausted body. I clenched my fists, the nails digging deep in my palms that I am sure were bleeding.

Even with my messy long hair covering my face, I felt her bending down before placing her hand fan below my chin and lifting it for me to see her unsightly face.

“Oh how the high and mighty Veronica has fallen,” her mocking tone and grin made my stomach churn. She turned and examined my face with a satisfied look, as if she was delighted to witness my sorry state. She definitely is.

“I am truly, really, saddened by what happened to you dear. How I wish I could have prevented this,” she gave me her fake sympathy in much exaggeration.

“You set me up!” I told her in gritted teeth.

“Set you up?” she backed away and placed her hand on her chest, feigning shock with her high tone. “Why would I set my lovely, perfect, daughter up?”

My glare sharpened more, the purple glow of my eyes glowed in the shadows of the prison. “You are not my mother!” I yelled, echoes rang inside the four corners of this cold prison.

And yet she cackled. She laughed at me. She made sure I understood her mockery. She wanted me to know how much she enjoys tormenting me like this. Then she looked at me straight.

“Well, yes! I am surely disowning you now after humiliating our bloodline!” she plastered a wide smirk at me and I snapped with what she said.

Our bloodline? Our? She was nothing but my father’s second wife! And she was not a good wife nor a good mother figure for me. She is not part of our clan! I am the only remaining rightful member of our bloodline. Yet after forsaking me she wants to take the title of my lineage next!

“You are not a true blood!” I flailed even despite being held back by the rattling heavy chains on me. I did not care if I broke my bones or if I lost my voice. I shouted at her, “You will never be!”

She rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively, “Oh please,” her eyes scanned my state up and down. “You have too much pride for a fallen Luna.”

I clenched my teeth and bit my tongue. I was trembling. But not in fear. I am trembling with anger, wrath that seeps through my skin so deep right now.

She turned her back at me and started heading towards the cell bars again.

“I think you should worry for yourself, darling,” she spoke again and turned her face to the side. I couldn’t make up her image from the corner where I was at but her wicked smile is still very evident.

Then, she left with the following words, “Take care… At least for the remaining short time of your sad and pathetic life.”

The next time I opened my eyes was when they were unchaining me. My old subordinates who cannot even look me in the eye right now. I used to be their ruler and here I am now being dragged like a criminal.

It is what everyone thinks of me. Or at least most of them. Others who might think I am innocent are turning a blind eye to this, too afraid to speak or get kicked out of the pack. I have no one. Even after I dedicated my entire life for our pack, in the end, no one stood by me.

I really am pathetic.

As I was being guided out of the cell, I noticed how dark it was. It must be late at night. I could sense people outside as we climbed the stairs. I tried my best not to stumble even as I felt my legs wanting to give up. I will not give them what they want. I would never let them see me fall to my knees. Not even until my last breath.

We reached the opening of the entrance and I could see the moonlight. It gave me a split second of relief but just before I could let out a short sigh.

There they were. Standing together, side by side. Like they did nothing wrong. Like they did not conspire for this.

Maybe I was too naive. Maybe I wanted things to work out so much that I ignored the signs. I should have known. I was too gullible, too much of an optimist. And it led to my ruin.

I could say I have no one to blame but myself, except I do have someone to blame.

I could blame the two people who I never expected to betray me. I could blame the stepsister I trusted and the man I gave my heart to. My Alpha. At least he was supposed to be my Alpha. Now I just get disgusted with the thought of it.

My wolf growled inside me. I wanted to shift. I wanted to lash out. But I am trapped. The chains that they used on me are laced with wolfsbane. I cannot shift even if I wanted to and even if I did, the whole pack would stand against me.

Because tonight, they are going to sacrifice me and have me killed.

This is how I will die.