CHAPTER 1

“There is nothing more powerful than the love of a pack, but you turn that into anger and resentment? Nothing is more dangerous.”

"No need crying about spilled milk," I muttered to myself. I should have expected this to happen.

"Killer," Lyra scoffed.

Their laughter echoed through the hallway as the walked out of the kitchen. Lyra was just as vicious as Astrid; my sister. I mean it should be expected, birds of the same feather do really flock together.

I scanned around the kitchen, my eyes glimmering with tears. I had just spent a sleepless night cleaning it.

"Daisy," Miss Ruth called, her eyes in a glare as she looked around the kitchen.

Her disapproving stare was all I needed to know, "I can explain, miss Ruth," I said, my voice cracking in fear.

" Tell me what exactly? That you had failed to complete a simple task?" She bellowed, her eyes darkened, showing the presence of her wolf.

I kept my head down in fear, I would only be making matters worse if I said it was all Lyra, the beta's daughter.

"I'm sorry," I muttered.

"You will not leave this kitchen until it is sparkling clean," she instructed, with a sinister look on her face.

I nodded instantly, relief washing through me, I had expected a more painful punishment but I guess today she was feeling merciful.

"Oh, and Daisy, no dinner for you. You do look like you need it," she added, walking out of the kitchen.

Her last words were like a sucker punch to my gut. My arms wrapped slowly around my stomach, which rumbled, reminding me of the last few meals I had skipped.

One would think that being the Alpha's daughter was something of pride and love. But I guess no one would ever love the girl who had killed their Luna, her mother.

My eyes stung as the thought of my mother crossed my mind, and I found myself wondering if she would have ever loved me unconditionally?

I quickly snapped back to cleaning, the faster I worked the better for me. My fingers turned prune as I scrubbed the stained floor.

The kitchen door opened abruptly, startling me. My breath hitched in my throat at his presence, his commanding aura filled the room, and my wolf willingly subjected into submission.

"Daisy," my father's gruff voice called.

My throat cloaked, as I slowly raised to my feet, " Alpha," I replied, my eyes stuck to the ground as a sign of respect.

I knew he could hear how loud my heart was beating in my chest. My father enjoyed instilling fear in me, and I only hoped I had done nothing to anger him this time.

"I heard you are slacking on your duties," he stated, the sole of his shoes thudded loudly on the tiled floor.

"Why must you always embarrass me?" He questioned, his fingers tightening on my chin as he pulled my head to meet his gaze.

"Father," I whispered, my eyes pleading.

" I am not your father," his voice thundered, my head snapping back at the intensity of his slap.

"I am your Alpha and you will show me respect," he shouted, his nose flared.

" I'm sorry Alpha," I whispered, my cheeks burning in pain.

"Too late for that," he smirked, his eyes with a mischievous glint.

"Astrid will be returning with the Alpha king, for the wolf moon ceremony, your fate will be determined by her, but until then," he paused, signaling the guards to grab me.

My eyes widened in fear as I was dragged out of the kitchen, "father, Alpha," I screamed.

Pack members had gathered, watching as I was dragged out of the kitchen like a dirty rag doll.

"Let this serve as a warning to all. No one should ever be caught slacking on their duties," my father addressed the crowd that had gathered.

My cries fell on deaf ears as I was dragged away to the dungeon. It was no surprise how often my father found ways to remind me of how much of an inconvenience I was to him.

"Shut it," the guard growled, his grip tightening on my arm. I winced slightly from the pressure, I understood the underlying warning in his tone.

The dungeon was filled with the pungent smell of urine and dried up blood. "Please," I begged the guard, who had barely acknowledged me.

"Quit whining omega," he snarled, reminding me of my status.

The doors clamped shut, leaving me trapped in the darkness.

Most people found solidarity in the dark, but truth was I was always scared of the dark. The abyss of nothing held a far deeper torture to my mind.

"Breathe through it," a voice croaked through the shadows.

" You are working yourself into a panic attack," the soothing voice continued.

My throat burned, struggling to let oxygen into my lungs. " I can't, I can't," I gasped, my fingers scratching at my throat.

"Quick, list out things that you can feel around you," the voice interjected.

My fingers touched the cold moist floor, " sand," I started.

"That's good, keep going," she praised.

I had successfully found a rhythm for my breathing, " how did you do that?" I asked in a tiny voice.

" I mean thank you," I added, blushing in embarrassment.

Her soft laugh echoed through the quiet walls, "I have had my fair share of panic attacks in my time," she responded.

" I am Daisy," I introduced.

"I know of you Daisy, daughter of Alpha Smith. A diamond in the rough I must say," she replied.

I chuckled nervously, " I am Daisy, but I'm sure Astrid is the diamond." I muttered.

" Oh, dear Daisy," she giggled, her laugh sounded different from scornful chuckles that had been sent my way.

"What defines a diamond?" She asked in a serious tone.

" It's dazzling beauty is only a result of its journey, Daisy, we must all go through the scouring furnace to be crafted to become the perfect art," she said.

" No step is ever skipped, to become the heart of a thousand suns,"

" Are you ready for it?" She asked.