LUCY'S POV
The realization that I would be turning 18 soon spread internal dread throughout my body. Turning 18 was typically magical for us werewolves. We could finally scent out our mate—our soul mate, our “Goddess-given” true love. If we are being honest, the thought made me gag.
That last thing I needed or wanted was a mate. Thankfully I was able to get my hands on a descenter. When used, my scent went neutral, giving a slight, earthy aroma that would allow me to go undetected without any alarm bells ringing.
When I was 14, my Alpha father killed my mom in cold blood. She was his true fated mate. She was the most selfless loving she-wolf, giving to others without considering what she would gain in return.
My father, on the other hand, was greedy and controlling. He hid me from our pack my entire life. I wasn’t allowed to leave the pack house, and he never claimed me in front of any pack member.
When my mom was pregnant with me, he relocated her until my birth so that no one would know of my existence. He said my mom was weak for not giving him a male heir. It was safe to say that he was ashamed of me.
I got used to being called a “guest” in my house. Since my Alpha aura wouldn’t come until I was 18, no one batted an eye or second-guessed my father's explanation.
“Yes, Alpha,” I bowed after bringing wine to the pack's elite members during their monthly meeting. He was the first Alpha not to use force or belittle me during these interactions, and I was thankful for that.
When my father murdered my mom, I was the only witness, and I fled. He claimed she took her own life, and once again, no one second-guessed him.
I was captured and considered a rogue slave. They practically passed me around like a hot potato. I have been in the Cresent Moon Pack for the last couple of months.
They’re more civilized than most, and I hope to stay here for a while. I have used the descenter since I arrived, knowing my 18th birthday would be coming up; I didn’t want to make anyone question my scent.
“How old are you, Lily?” Alpha Leander asked me as I poured his drink. He was handsome, and I had to keep myself in check around him. I also never revealed my real name, there was too much fear of my father finding me.
I had heard rumors of him in search of a woman, but I never heard of the reason he claimed to be searching. Of course, he could never tell anyone that I was the only living witness to the murder of my mother or that I was his daughter, the only heir to his throne.
“I will be 18 soon, Alpha Leander,” I said politely with a bow before moving to the next glass. “Do you enjoy serving Lily?” he asked me. I could feel the tension of the others in the room when he asked me such a question.
“It’s my pleasure to serve such a powerful Alpha like yourself,” I lied. He was powerful, but I hated pouring drinks and standing around like my only worth was looking pretty for other wolves to enjoy.
He looked at me with a smirk, like he knew what he wasn’t supposed to know, or maybe it was that no one in their right mind would enjoy this type of position in a pack. They might as well refer to me as a slave since that’s truly what I was.
“Are you lying to me, Lily?” He said my name with a deeper tone than the rest of his words causing an icy tingle to spread down my spine. All the other wolves in the room were either shifting uncomfortably in their seat or staring at me now.
LUCY'S POVWas he trying to humiliate me? He was normally very kind to me and treated me far better than any previous Alpha. My previous pack was the Red Paw Pack, and I swore they were named from all the unnecessary blood they had on their paws. They were ruthless. They often beat me; the Alpha raped me the first night and several times afterward until he found his mate and sold me to Alpha Leander. “I’m grateful to serve you Alpha.” This wasn’t a lie; I was grateful to no longer be a part of the Red Paw Pack. There was no deceit in my eyes as I spoke these words, and he nodded at me curiously. Nia, my wolf, was stirring in the back of my mind from the odd interaction. He knows something Lucy, Nia whispered to me. I feared she was right. When I looked back toward him after finishing refilling glasses, he was looking at me again, his eyes flickered yellow briefly before he turned back to his guest and resumed his conversation. I stood a few feet back from the table, watching and
LUCY'S POVOf course, I couldn’t tell him the truth. I couldn’t go back to my pack, hell, I didn’t want to. It was a death sentence. “I was orphaned as a baby to a human family. I ran away when I found out what I was. I have no idea what pack I belong to Alpha. I’m content with serving you. I have no desire to find my real pack.” The lie flew out of my mouth without hesitation. I was used to having to tell small white lies, but this one was far bigger than any others I had told. Seth was eyeing me from the side of the room. He was on the couch going over some files. He was acting busy, but I could feel his eyes on me now and again. Leander narrowed his eyes at me for a moment. “Are you sure? You should have a pack marking on your wrist, but I don’t see any. That’s odd don’t you think?” So now he is asking real questions, more topics I wasn’t prepared for. As an Alpha heir, my pack mark was above my chest, covering the skin above my heart. I was thankful that he hadn’t questioned thi
LUCY'S POVI was holding back tears as I digested what he had just said to me. Nia was howling in excitement. I had never been given choices or freedom, even when I lived with my pack. Even though my father was disgusted with my mere existence he had assigned me a trainer since I was a mere pup. He always said a wolf was no good if they couldn’t fight for their pack. It was my saving grace. Training was my outlet, my way of letting out steam, much-needed anger and frustration for the way my life had been. Did I want to be a warrior for this pack? Did I want to remain an assistant for this Alpha? Was there something else out there for me besides all of this? Then there was still the concern about my father coming to one of these galas. What would Leander think if he found out? I wondered at that moment if I should just tell him everything, but the words wouldn’t surface. I cleared my throat and adjusted myself in my seat as Leander stared at me, waiting for a response. “If I rema
LUCY'S POVOur Goddess always gifted an Alpha with a male firstborn. My dad considered me to be an abomination and claimed my mom was cursed for not being able to produce a male. I sighed internally at the thought and responded confidently to Leander. “No Alpha, that is all. I promise to serve you well. You have been kind to me, and I will be forever in your debt for saving me and giving me freedom I have never known. I will be loyal to you as I owe you, my life.” My words were the truth, aside from the initial lie. I did feel this way. He saved me and I would never betray him. I would rather serve under him than ever try to take my position as Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. “Very well Lucy, give me your wrist” Leander stated with a slightly quizzical look on his face. I reached my hand over to his. He took my hand in his own twisting my arm slightly putting my wrist upwards toward him. “I, Alpha Leander Goldvale hereby swear Lucy Knight into my care under the Cresent Moon Pack.”
LUCY'S POVThe last few days were very busy. My new room was incredible. It was the nicest space I had ever been able to call my own. Even with my father, he never allowed me into the Alpha quarters as he had to hold on to the illusion that I wasn’t his child. My new room was next to the Alpha and Lunas. Liam and Leon's rooms were across from mine and I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel spoiled. My bed was massive, covered in a silver bedspread the Alpha said suited me well. I could only guess it had something to do with my eyes and that weird flash that happened with my mark. He wasn’t shy about making comments about this and letting me know he was curious about it. I shrugged it off making it seem like I wasn’t fazed by it. I had a door in my room that led to a back patio that was surrounded by the nearby forest that enclosed the pack. This was my favorite part. I had spent the last two nights using this access to let Nia go for a run. I had never shifted in front of anyone
Mr. Shaggy shook my hand first letting me know that he was Liam and Leon followed suit but followed up with a question. “You’re the assistant in training my dad was telling us about?” His question was laced with doubt, but I didn’t let it show that the words kind of hurt me. Both had looked at the pack mark on my wrist to confirm whatever question they obviously had in their mind. “The one and only. I will be sure your things will arrive in your respective rooms. Alpha Leander is expecting you in his office, please follow me” I stated firmly. “We know where his office is, we don’t need you to escort us” Leon retorted in an irritated voice. “I have no doubt you know your way around the pack house you grew up in Alpha Leon. I am following my orders. I’m sure you can respect that and would have the same expectations of your assistant once you’re running the pack. Now follow me.” I wasn’t going to let my age or size let anyone intimidate me, not even my future Alpha and potential
LUCY'S POVWe were now at my door. I looked over to see Liam staring at me. “When do you turn 18?” His question felt intruding. I raised my eyebrow slightly at him causing him to chuckle. He was adorable when he laughed. I sighed before responding. “My birthday is tomorrow but please don’t tell your dad. I don’t want anyone to make a fuss over it being my birthday. We have a gala to worry about” I said with a curt smile. He seemed to be thinking hard about my response. He was still staring at me with a blank expression before finally responding. “That doesn’t seem fair for you to spend your birthday hosting and being part of a gala for us to find our mates. Maybe I can at least get my dad to let you sit this one out so you can do something else for your birthday.” This big tough soon-to-be Alpha was being genuinely sweet. It was probably wrong of me, but I took this as an opportunity, the only one I had had so far. “I don’t mind going to the gala tomorrow. My birthday isn’t that b
LUCY'S POVI had let Nia run her heart out the night before allowing me to be so exhausted that sleep took me easily that night. I woke up at the crack of dawn and showered quickly. I French braided my long black hair and put on some light makeup.I knew that I would have to wear a dress to the gala, but I took advantage of the tasks I would be doing this morning that required less formal attire. I slid on my black skinny jeans and blue and black flannel button-up along with my black combat boots.I changed my nose ring out to a blue gem stud. I looked in the mirror surveying the results. I didn’t have any professional clothes yet so this was as close to that as I could get with my small wardrobe. The Alpha insisted he would purchase work attire for me if I chose to keep the position permanently. “Happy Birthday to us,” I said out loud to Nia while taking one last glance in the mirror.Happy Birthday, Lucy, she responded with a small howl.This had been how it had always been. My bir
LUCY'S POV: He really just asked me that. Do I want my mate?I couldn't tell if Seth started being nice because he knew Leon was my mate or if my honesty and answering some of his questions had helped him open up to me.We were now standing on the porch before the giant mansion-like cabin.I was trying to find the right words to explain my feelings towards mates that would reveal less of what I hadn't said. The truth was, I didn't want a mate for far more than my dad killing my mom.Years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of different packs, especially Alphas, had caused trauma I hadn't even tried to deal with yet.Would anyone want me after they found out how many men had already had their way with me? It made my stomach flip and turn sour from the thought.'Tell him,' Nia encouraged. 'Are you crazy?' I scoffed. 'You told him you'd be honest with all his questions,' she retorted.She loved reminding me of this. She liked Seth and Dax. She trusted them, and I was
LUCY'S POV:It had been four days since the extremely awkward conversation with Seth and Jason. I had already known some things about me were different, but I hadn't questioned them too much, if at all. I was an Alpha female, living in slave quarters at my own pack house because I was convinced that's where I belonged.My father convinced me I was nothing, and that's precisely how I'd always seen myself.'I've been trying to tell you,' Nia interjects my thoughts.'I'm sorry, Nia. I know you gave me warnings. I wasn't hearing any of it at the time,' I spoke lightly back to her, knowing I had failed her.I felt and heard Nia sigh—not out of anger but out of understanding.I realized that her snappiness resulted from feeling pent-up frustrations about being away from Leon. I couldn't deny that the sparks I felt when Leon and I touched were intense. I had 100% recognized that he was my mate, and it was clearly drawing us together by force.Two puzzle pieces that were meant to be together
LEON'S POV:It had been four days since Lucy was put in the dungeon. I went to see her with Liam and Tricia, but she was gone when we arrived.I tried to sniff out where she had gone, but her dull scent ended in the dungeon. It didn't make any sense, but none of this did.She would have had to of gotten past the guards at the top of the staircase but the guards claim no one ever left.My dad acted shocked when he found out that she had escaped the dungeons, but I had a gnawing feeling that he knew more than he had led on. Through my bond with Liam, I could feel that he sensed something similar.Most people never second-guess my dad's words, but Liam and I knew him well enough to know he was hiding something.My dad is a very honest and noble man. He is well respected and loved by our pack and many other packs. Wolves from other packs often jump at the opportunity to join our pack if their mates are here.We also take in rogues. This type of acceptance isn't common. According to my fat
LUCY'S POV:Seth looked at me crazy after my Alpha aura slipped out and onto him. I didn't mean to. I wasn't angry with him; I was angry with my crazy dad and how I felt powerless over everything. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that," I said honestly."So you are Alpha Kragen's daughter?" Seth asked. "Yes," I said without hesitation, but my stomach churned at the honesty I was speaking."Seth, I will speak truthfully, anything you ask me, but I need you to promise that you won't tell OUR Alpha any of this. I understand you cannot lie to him if he asks you directly. However, I would like the opportunity to speak my truth to him myself. I owe him that much. Can we agree on that?" I added.I looked over at Jason, who nodded at me. I didn't have to say anything or ask any questions. I knew that was his way of telling me my secrets were safe with him. For someone who didn't trust anyone, I trusted Jason very easily. Jason was the sweetest soul I had ever met. He always checked up on me
LUCY'S POVLast night, after we got into the cabin, Seth showed me to "my room." This massive building had three stories, but both of our rooms were on the second floor. I was completely exhausted the entire day, and by the time my body reached the bed, I had passed out. I couldn't be sure if I had covered myself at some point or if Seth had. I doubted the second scenario, as Seth had been very cold towards me since he snuck me out of the pack house. I needed answers was my first thought as I woke up the following day.I looked around the spacious room. Dust collected on the surfaces, indicating that this place wasn't often used or visited. There was a large rug in the middle of the room. Across from that stood a massive dresser and mirror. The room was minimalistic. I noticed two doors in the room. One of them I had come in when I entered last night.I noticed a small stack of clothes at the bottom of the bed. I sat up, stretching before pulling myself off the bed. I looked over th
LUCY'S POVDespite my protests to go back, we were still moving forward into the darkness. I wanted to go back for my descenter, but Seth didn't care about my needs or wants. I couldn't blame him. It was obvious that he didn't want to be doing what he was doing, to begin with.Of course, I didn't tell him what I needed, and honestly, I'm not sure why it was that big of a deal to me at this point.Seth didn't tell me where we were going or why. The tunnel was barely lit with luminescent stones. It was a practical and innovative build for a getaway tunnel, which I had assumed the tunnel was for at this point. I was proud of my stamina. Seth wasn't going slow, and I could keep up pretty quickly. I suppose that's from all the muscle and strength I built being used as a pack mule, doing chores, and running from one task to the next as a rogue slave. I felt like we had been jogging down this tunnel for hours.The pack house was more significant than most pack houses I have seen. This pack
LIAM'S POVI don’t know what Leon's issue was. Ever since Lucy got taken, he’s been acting strange. On top of that, I was disappointed that Lucy wasn’t my mate. I was so sure of it. The way I felt like I needed to protect her was very abnormal, even more me. When she had the panic attack in my dad's office, it physically made my heart hurt. Leon always told me I was too emotional. Maybe he was right. I tried not to be agitated that Lucy wasn’t my mate, but it kept hitting me in the chest whenever the thought crossed my mind. She was captivating. The second my eyes landed on her, my mouth watered. Her black hair was as dark as a new moon night, in contrast to her bright blue eyes, which made my knees feel like jello when she looked at me.She was petit but curvy in every place that mattered. Her style was rugged and unique, not prim and proper like most she-wolves who often doted on me and my brother. I was surprised when she snapped at Leon for how he spoke to her. She did it with
LUCY'S POVI don't even know how many hours it had been since I sat on the cold hard floor in my dungeon cell. There was a small cot bolted to the floor. The thin beige fabric was torn and clearly worn out. The cell was lined with silver and the bars were silver as well. This tactic was used to dramatically weaken our werewolf side. Being surrounded by this amount of silver would typically cause your wolf to go dormant. Tears were silently streaming down my face. My father always said I was a dreamer, maybe he was right. Or maybe I was an idiot for thinking that I would get a fresh start or that I could avoid him at the gala. To think that I was more worried about my mate finding me than my father. I wasn’t sure if Leon had caught on yet. I know that my lack of scent had to of been confusing but the sparks when we touched were undeniable. Some part of him had recognized that. He argued with Alpha Leander about me being put in the dungeon which caused a bigger scene. He looked at
LEON'S POVI could tell that I was inside of a closet. Tricia must have been hiding in here I thought to myself. I watched as a pair of sleek black dress shoes moved heavily towards the girl. SMACK! His palm met her cheek forcefully. Her head whipped to the side in my direction only for a moment before her body went limp and fell to the ground with a force stronger than gravity itself. The girls' eyes looked into mine briefly. Lucy's eyes. I wanted to rush out to her and help her, but I was rooted in my spot. My body wasn't my own, it was as if I could only move and look in the directions that Tricia did in this memory. My eyes flickered up through the slats toward the man, who was none other than Alpha Kragen. He stood hovering over her body emitting his Alpha aura on her which was leaving her pinned to the hardwood floor beneath her. She couldn’t be more than 10 years old. I could see bruises on her legs and arms. Some old and some new. Her cheek was visibly red and appeared t