Chapter 1

Sinclaire's Point of View

The forest wrapped around me like a quilt amidst the coldness. The familiar damp smell of the earth grounded me against my nerves that just wouldn’t settle down no matter how many times I do this. Sunlight peeked through the leaves, the silence interrupted by the bird’s singing and the crickets’ noise.

It was another day of hunting in the forest— just one of my many punishments in our pack. I have to hunt for animals that I could offer to the Council so I can prove myself worthy to stay at the village. If I fail, I will face severe punishment that— though I’m used to it— I would rather avoid if I can.

I shifted my hold on the makeshift arrow I personally crafted from a branch I found near the residence I live in. It was rough and uneven, the tip sharpened with my pocket knife that I nicked in the old materials that the Alpha ordered for me to throw. It was not perfect for hunting— so far from perfection— but it’s the only gear I have. I couldn’t afford to buy one, and I wasn’t given any tools for my hunting.

They wanted me to fail by giving me nothing but an order to hunt. No advice, no information about what’s inside the forest, no materials or gears that I could use.

I didn’t even know how to hunt. I had to do it head on and learn from my mistakes. Since I always clean the library— one of the many places I am bound to clean— I decided to read books about surviving in the wilds, how to tame wild animals, and fighting techniques. I also read novels where I could learn a thing or two about survival— though I rarely finished those novels. There I learned how to hunt, what gears are easier and more effective to use. What to watch out for in the wilds, and what’s easy to hunt. I had to do it discreetly though, or else I would be locked inside my room for a week with only a sandwich and water to fill my stomach.

How I live until now is all because of my will to be alive. Despite being malnourished, my body is quite strong. Not healthy, just strong. Though if I continue eating small amounts of food, I know I wouldn’t live past fifty. My body would take its toll as I grew older, and it would weaken me.

But how can I change my life when I’m already bound to this pack? No. I had resigned myself to this. I’m just grateful that they still fed me and gave me shelter, even if it’s in the dungeon of the Alpha and Luna’s mansion.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt a small movement. I spun on my heels, scanning the area for any signs of prey. Aside from the birds and crickets’ noise, there was only the occasional rustle of the leaves.

I stilled on where I stood. I’ve done this countless times in my seventeen years of existence. I memorise the patterns of the trees, the path of the streams, the rare plants growing inside the forest— I’ve learned the rhythms of the wildlife at such a young age. So I know when the prey’s near and how to catch it off guard.

On the corner of my eyes, I spotted a flicker of movement. A flash of brown darted between the trees. My body tensed, heart pounding restlessly against my chest. I breathed in deeply, focusing on my target.

I narrowed my eyes at where I saw the movement. There, stood a short distance away was a small deer nibbling on a cluster of leaves.

My heart instantly dropped at the sight of the beautiful creature, knowing fully well what fate awaits the deer now that I’ve seen it.

I am aware of the cycle of life, and I also resigned myself to being a predator when I’m in the forest. I know the sinking feeling when a predator comes near me, what kind of pain I would suffer in their hands. I know it too well because I am a known prey in our pack.

Crouching low, I was careful not to make any noise. I nocked an arrow, the tip glinting in the meager light that shone directly on me. I felt the roughness and flaw of my hunting gear, but it never once failed me. For what I lacked in gears, my skills make up for it.

Despite my nerves, my body was coordinating smoothly with me. As I drew back the string, my thin arms never once faltered at the weight. Years of practice paid off.

My heart raced when the deer suddenly lifted its head, as if it sensed its impending doom. For a fleeting moment— which always happens when I’m hunting— I was torn whether to let the deer go or not. And just like always, my survival is my priority.

However, just when I was about to release the arrow, the deer suddenly fled. Its movements were fast, as if it sensed my ultimate decision— but I was faster. With a whispered apology, I adjusted the bow on the right where the deer is heading, and released the arrow. I watched in deep anticipation as the arrow soared through the air with utter precision. Even if I already knew it stuck true to its prey, I still felt my eyes tear up when I saw the deer stumble on the ground, twitching in pain. The arrow had struck it directly on its vital point.

I drew closer to the fallen creature. The twitching had stopped and its lifeless eyes stared back at me. My heart twisted painfully as I knelt beside it and extracted the arrow. I murmured one last apology before dragging tying a rope on its neck and started dragging it back to the village.

However, my instinct rose when I saw another flicker of movement on the cluster of large bushes. I let go of the dead creature for a moment in favor of nocking another arrow, aiming it at the bushes. There was the noise of rustle leaves and I knew for sure there was something moving in that direction.

What I’m not sure about is if it’s another animal or a person.

No matter what it was, my survival is my priority. I convinced myself it would not be my fault if it’s a human. I was hunting and they were sneaking around. If I felt unsafe, of course I would strike to protect myself before it could even strike me first.

So without more preamble, I blindly released the arrow at where I saw the movement. There was no groan of pain, just the sound of the arrow striking something and a quick rustling of leaves. Instead of approaching it to see if I had struck something, I took the rope tied around the deer and fled from the forest.

I was panting heavily once I reached the main village where the Alpha and Luna live, as well as the other members of the High Society. I crouched, stopping for a moment to catch my breath before I started walking down the path of the Alpha’s mansion.

It was a long trek because their house is located at the far end of the village— the largest mansion. One of the privileges of the Alpha and Luna.

Once I reached their mansion, the guard opened the gate for me, eyeing the deer I’m pulling with wide eyes. I wonder when he’ll stop being surprised over the animals I caught in the forest. I’ve been doing this for years yet he never seemed to get used to it. He probably thought that I’d die hunting one day. It was not impossible, but my will to live is far stronger than he thought.

I put the deer inside the cage where my previous prey is gathered. I felt my heart break once again at the sight. My success in hunting might have let me live, but it was rather useless because they never used the animals I hunt for any occasion. They let it rot for some reason. Did they think I put poison on it? As if I can afford to buy one, let alone brew it. I’m not as educated as they thought.

“Alpha Dior, Luna Zeah,” I greeted them both once I entered the mansion, kneeling down on the floor.

I winced when Luna Zeah pressed her feet on my head, like what she always does whenever I greet them. I think it was unnecessary, but she seemed to hold some sort of satisfaction over it so I let her. Not like I have a choice, but I didn’t bother with it anymore.

“Stand up, mutt,” the Alpha ordered. I scrambled to get up, wincing at how my back made a noise.

He stepped forward. My eyes remained looking at the floor, not daring to meet their eyes. I’m not allowed to look anyone in the eyes, or else they’ll pluck it out of my face.

“Your eighteenth birthday is in three days,” he started. His deep voice sends a chill down my spine.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“You’ll be presenting then. You’ll get to meet your wolf.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“You don’t have to go hunting tomorrow, and for the next few days that leads to your birthday.”

My head snapped up before I could even think about it. I was surprised, because they never let me stop hunting even if it was my birthday.

“How dare you look at us!” Luna Zeah screamed, stalking forward and landing a harsh slap on my cheeks.

I quickly looked down, ignoring the sting in my cheeks. “I-I apologise, Alpha, Luna. I was just merely surprised by what you said.”

I received another slap from the Luna before Alpha Dior held her. I remained standing straight, my eyes trained down. I can’t show in front of them how much the slap hurt me, or else Luna Zeah would give me more.

“If you dared to do that again, I will be the one to punish you. Remember that, mutt.”

I hastily nodded. “Yes, Alpha Dior. I understand.”

“As I was saying, you will not hunt for the days that lead to your birthday. You will remain in your room and I will have one of the maids bring your meals. Make sure to eat all of it.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“On your birthday, I will have someone fetch you from your room. Behave until then, mutt.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Go.”

I bowed down once again, earning one last kick from Luna Zeah before I headed down to the dungeon where my room is located.

I took a quick shower and changed clothes before lying down on the thin futon that the Alpha gave to me. Once I’ve settled down, I let the floodgates in my mind open. At once, all questions about what the Alpha said burst out.

What is he planning for my birthday? I doubt it was a party. I am not someone important for them to throw a party. But why did he not let me hunt? Is he preserving my energy or what?

I had no answer for all my questions. I wasn’t allowed to ask them anything. I wasn’t allowed to question their decisions, however harmful it was to me. I was destined to accept everything they threw at me, because they had been kind enough to let me live in the village despite what my parents did.

It was ingrained in me to be grateful for everything I had now, because they took mercy on me. I agreed, knowing they could have killed me instead of letting me live, but they didn’t. They gave me a room to sleep in, clothes to wear, and food to eat— no matter how minimal it was. It was not exactly the life I’d dreamed of as a child, but what I wanted became impossible to achieve the moment my parents had committed a crime.

My life has been at the Alpha’s mercy ever since my parents killed Alpha Dior’s twin brother.