Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I wake before dawn, as always. The moment my eyes open, I know what the day holds: an endless amount of chores, insults, and exhaustion. I was already dreading the day as I stood up from the mat.

The pack house was already stirring, the sounds of laughter and conversations filled the hall as I slipped out of the small cot I was given in the omega’s quarters.

My body ached, and my hands were rough from years of scrubbing floors and serving meals. I tell myself that today will be different. Today, I turn eighteen.

I lived in the Blood-moon pack, the tenth pack of the ten founding packs. It was a privilege to stay in a pack like this. At least that was what I was told every morning and night by the head maid and chef.

My name is Emma, and I’m an orphan.

My mother died the day I was born - at least that was what the pack members told me. Not like they ever let me forget. I was the girl who killed her mother.

My father, on the other hand, has been nonexistent. My mother never mentioned him for the two days she stayed in the pack before she died. There were some theories. He was a rogue. A runt even, but all of them were baseless, and because of that, I was nothing.

Just an omega, the lowest rank in the pack and the pack’s burden. It didn’t help that I looked absolutely different from the rest of them. I had bright blonde hair with white streaks, uneven colored eyes which only scared the pack members, and so I wasn’t allowed to look anyone in the eye or I had to cover my eyes.

I swallow down the bitterness as I grab my ragged dress from the small wooden crate beside my mat. It is the only thing I own. The fabric is threadbare, barely holding together, but I smooth it out with care. It is all I have.

As I slip it over my head, I hear the familiar sound of footsteps approaching the omega quarters. My stomach clenches. I already know what’s coming.

“Emma!” a sharp voice barks.

I freeze, then quickly step outside, lowering my head in submission. The head maid, Greta, glares at me, her lips curled in displeasure.

“You were supposed to be in the kitchen ten minutes ago,” she snaps. “Do you think you’re special just because today is your birthday?”

I say nothing.

Greta’s nails dig into my arm as she yanks me forward. “Get moving before I make sure you don’t eat today.”

Hunger claws at my stomach, but I nod and hurry past her.

Breakfast for the ranked wolves is already being prepared, the scent of meat and fresh bread filling the air. I reach for a tray, my hands trembling as I balance the plates carefully. The last time I spilled something, I went to bed without food for two days.

The dining hall is loud with chatter and laughter when I enter. The young alphas, Betas, and high-ranking wolves sit at the grand table, their plates already full. My hands shake slightly as I move toward them, placing fresh dishes in front of them.

No one acknowledges me; I am invisible.

Until I am not.

I hear the sound of a boot scraping against the floor just before something hard slams into my ankle. Pain shoots up my leg, and I stumble, barely managing to catch myself before I fall. But the cup of juice I was holding tips forward, splashing onto the table.

Dread pools in my stomach.

“Are you serious?” a familiar, sharp voice sneers.

I don’t need to look up to know who it is.

Vivian. The Beta’s daughter. The future Beta female of this pack.

Her sharp green eyes narrow at me as she dabs at the few drops of juice on her sleeve. She isn’t really angry. It’s all a show. An excuse to humiliate me.

Of course, the maid can’t even handle serving drinks properly,” she says loudly, making sure everyone hears.

Laughter coursed through the room. I lower my head, keeping my face neutral. I have learned that reacting only makes things worse.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“Pathetic,” she mutters before turning away.

I quickly finish my task and retreat to the kitchen, my face burning.

This is my life. This is how it has always been.

But tonight… tonight, everything will change.

Tonight, I will shift for the first time.

Tonight, I will meet my mate.

A part of me dares to hope. What if my mate takes me away from here? What if he sees me not as an omega, not as a servant but as someone worthy?

I sighed and went straight to washing the pots the chef had used to cook. Minutes later once I was sure they would all be done eating. I slipped back into the dining hall. Unfortunately for me, they were all still gathered, talking and laughing at whatever they were telling each other.

I moved as quietly as I could, collecting the dirty plates and cups.

The door to the dining hall opens, and the air shifts. The laughter and conversation suddenly dimmed a little, almost like a person of power had stepped in.

I don’t turn at first, focused on stacking the dishes, but then the room stills. My skin prickles uncomfortably, and my curiosity wins, and I finally look up.

That’s when I see him.

Aiden Blackwood.

The future Alpha of the Blood Moon pack.

My breath hitches, and for a second, I forget everything. The plates in my hands. The ache in my body. The fact that I shouldn’t be staring.

I can’t look away.

He’s standing just a few feet away, his tall frame blocking out the light from the doorway. Dark brown hair, slightly messy, as if he ran his hands through it one too many times.

The moment our gazes lock, a jolt of something powerful rushes through me.

Everything slows.

The noise fades.

The scent of warm cedar and spice wraps around me, stronger than anything I’ve ever smelled before.

Then, in a low, stunned voice, he breathes out one word.

“Mate.”