Back to the Beginning.

Few Days ago.

In a confined room filled with eerie creaking sounds—mostly from the rats roaming about—the air was heavy and stale. The small window served as the only source of ventilation. The room was devoid of any decorations, its old paint peeling off the walls, creating a haven for bugs and ants. The only significant items in the room were a worn chair, an old table, and a wardrobe—seemingly the most prized possession of whoever occupied this abandoned space.

It was the very early hours of the morning, and a young girl lay on the bed, her thick black hair spilling over the mattress. She was utterly exhausted from the previous day’s work. She had barely been asleep for four hours when a sudden splash of water drenched her body. Jolted awake, Aurora gasped, her heart pounding as though she had been ripped from a terrifying nightmare. She tried to return to the bed, but another basin of ice-cold water came crashing down on her, forcing her to jerk upright.

Her wide eyes brimmed with fear. She had overslept. Falling to her knees instantly, a sob broke from her lips.

“You ungrateful bitch of a child!” a thunderous voice roared. “What are you still doing on the bed at this time of the morning? Who do you think will get the grains sieved and ground, huh? You wolf-less girl, my shame and disgrace! Get up and prepare the pack’s breakfast!”

The woman's harsh words echoed throughout the room. Aurora scrambled out of the room without a word, her movements sluggish as she headed toward the pack's kitchen. The darkness of the early morning engulfed her surroundings. It was far too early for most werewolves to awaken, but Aurora was an omega. She had no right to voice her thoughts or complain. If she did, she might be sent to the Red Moon pack’s mines—a fate worse than death.

Sometimes, Aurora dreamed of escaping her cruel reality. She prayed not to be mated to a vicious wolf who would treat her as nothing more than a burden. She always dream about her mate. Hoping that he would take her away from this hardship and torture. She always pray to the moon goddess to bless her with a mate that would accept her for who she is as she was wolfless. Being wolfless was a cruel fate she would never wish upon anyone.

The path to the kitchen was dimly lit, and the darkness unnerved her. As she whispered to herself, “It must be around four in the morning,” she approached the unlit kitchen, her steps faltering when a strong hand suddenly yanked her into the shadows.

“Help! Help!” she screamed, struggling against the unknown assailant. But her cries were muffled as a rough hand clamped over her mouth. The figure dragged her into a nearby storeroom, slamming the door shut. With a heavy force, Aurora’s back collided against the wall. Pain shot through her, but she kept struggling until a sharp slap left her stunned and breathless.

“Quiet,” a deep voice hissed, silencing her completely.

Through the dim light filtering into the room, Aurora recognized her captor. It was none other than Kael, the alpha’s son. Soon to inherit his father Alpha Rowan’s title, Kael was infamous for his arrogance and cruelty. Despite his privileged upbringing, Kael had failed to find a mate. He often lashed out at those beneath him, with Aurora being his favorite target.

“What can I do for you, Alpha Kael?” Aurora whispered, trying to keep her voice steady.

Kael smirked, leaning in to cage her against the wall. His piercing green eyes seemed to burn into her soul. “Wolf-less omega,” he began with a sneer, “I didn’t expect you to fight back earlier. You’ve got some nerve.”

He leaned even closer, his voice dropping to a sinister tone. “Soon, the mating ceremony will begin. But we both know no one would ever want a wolf-less omega like you.”

Aurora’s heart raced as Kael continued, “Why don’t we have a little fun before the ceremony, hmm? Consider it a gift. I could spare you from being rejected by your mate and sent to the mines. All you have to do is submit.”

Aurora’s body shook with rage and fear as she listened to his vile words. “Over my dead body,” she spat, summoning all her courage.

Kael’s face twisted with fury. “How dare you!” he roared, striking her with such force that she crashed against the wall.

Aurora groaned in pain as Kael loomed over her. “You think you can defy me? You’re nothing but a worthless omega!” His fists rained down on her, each blow more brutal than the last. Aurora’s body crumpled to the floor, her vision darkening.

Kael knelt beside her limp form, gripping the hem of her dress. “You should’ve just obeyed,” he growled.

Summoning the last of her strength, Aurora glared up at him. “I’d rather die than let you touch me.”

Kael’s eyes darkened with murderous intent. “Then so be it,” he snarled, delivering one final, devastating blow that sent Aurora into unconsciousness.

Kael stood over her motionless body, his chest heaving. “Let this be a lesson,” he muttered. Opening the door, he glanced down the hall to ensure no one had witnessed his crime. With a cruel smirk, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Aurora to her fate.