Chapter One: A Worthless Daughter

The grand hall of the Moon Pack was teeming with life-a cacophony of clinking glasses, laughter, and hushed conversations that filled the air. Roasted meats, fresh bread, and fine wine wafted through the air, almost letting a person forget this wasn't supposed to be a celebration in the first place. At least, not to me.

I sat alone at the far edge of the hall, in a dimly lit corner, which incredibly fitted my mood. My stepmother, Serena, floated through the crowd as if she was the grand dame of the evening, her golden gown shimmering under the light of the chandeliers. My father, Alpha Jack Moon, stood tall beside her, laughing with the guests as if the world revolved around them.

I swallowed down the bitter lump in my throat as I glared down at the half-eaten fruitcake on the small plate in my hand. Today was supposed to be my day-my twenty-first birthday, my supposed "coming-of-age." Instead of being treated like the star of the evening, I was little more than an afterthought.

The party wasn't for me; it was for show. An obligatory affair to show the rest of the pack and visiting dignitaries that the Moon Pack still had a respectable Alpha and his loving family. A sham.

"Happy birthday to me," I muttered under my breath, forcing a piece of too-sweet cake past the knot in my stomach.

As I sat there, watching the crowd, Serena's voice floated above the din. "Ah, yes, the Moon Pack is stronger than ever, don't you think? My husband has worked so hard to secure our alliances, and of course, our dear Avery is blossoming beautifully."

My gaze snapped to her, narrowing as she led a small procession of women—wives of important pack members—right for me. Honeyed words dripped from her lips, her eyes lighting with a calculated warmth that immediately set my nerves on edge.

"Avery, darling," Serena cooed, reaching out to clasp my hand. "Why are you hiding away here? You should be mingling!"

I tensed up at her touch, my skin crawling beneath her grasp. "I'm fine here," I replied flatly, knowing full well her sudden attention wasn't for my sake.

"Nonsense," she said, her smile never once faltering as she turned to the women around her. "Avery is such a sweet girl. She's a bit shy, but she has such a good heart.

They nodded, still murmuring in agreement, as Serena continued to fawn over me, her hand still resting on my shoulder as if she was some doting mother.

My teeth clenched, but I made myself keep quiet. I knew better than to ruin her little act.

After a few minutes of her nauseating performance, the women eventually drifted away, leaving us alone. The warmth in Serena’s eyes disappeared in an instant, replaced by the cold, calculating gaze I’d grown up knowing all too well.

“You pathetic little brat," she hissed low in my ear, "I wasted so much time pretending to care about you. Do you know how embarrassing it is, having you for my stepdaughter?"

I said nothing, my knuckles white as I clutched the edge of my plate.

“You're nothing but a fatherless parasite," she spat, her lips curling in disgust. "Your father only kept you around out of pity, and even that's running thin. Look at you, sitting here like a useless sack of bones while the rest of us uphold this pack's dignity. You are not even a wolf, just a cursed witch nobody wants.”

She was cutting into me, each word sharper than the last. I wanted to fight back, to scream at her to take it back, but what could I say? She wasn't entirely wrong, was she?

"You're nothing," Serena said, straightening her posture and smoothing her gown as if to erase the moment of venom she'd just spewed. "Just remember that.”

She turned and walked away without so much as a backward glance; her golden figure vanished into the crowd.

I let my breath out in a shaky sigh, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. I wouldn't cry—not here, not now. I was used to the insults, used to being the odd one out in my own family. But that didn't mean it still didn't sting.

A shrill voice cut across the hum of conversation like a blade before I could gather my wits.

"You!"

The single word stilled the space. All eyes whipped toward the source—a meek yet commanding figure draped in flowing black robes. The seer.

My heart shook at the thought of her bony finger directly at me.

Gasps echoed through the crowd, and I froze under her piercing gaze.

“What have you done?" my father growled, advancing on me with Serena at his heels. His grey eyes were flashing with anger and I seemed to shrivel up under their glare.

"I haven't done anything," I whispered.

"Don't lie to me!" he snarled. "Have you angered the seer? What have you done?"

"I didn't”

"You always cause problems," he interrupted, raising his voice. "You can't even sit in a corner without making me look bad!"

His words landed like a blow to my chest, and I hung my head low, chomping on the inside of my cheek against a sob.

"Enough!" the seer's voice thundered, cutting off my father's tirade mid-sentence.

In an instant, all eyes had turned back to her as she took one step closer, her dark eyes ablaze with an otherworldly light.

“She has done nothing wrong," said the seer, her voice level and firm. "But she is far more than you give her credit for."

"What are you talking about?" Serena demanded, her tone weighty with skepticism. "This girl is nothing but a burden.”

"She is no burden," the seer said, her eyes fixed on me. "She is one who shall do great things. She contains within her an essence so unlike any other, and that will shape the future of our world."

There was a moment of astonished silence.

"You must be mistaken," Serena said finally, and in strain. "Avery is nothing special. She's weak!"

Even my father shook his head, his face an accumulation of unbelief and despise. "This girl is useless," he said coldly. "She has never showed any kind of power or potential."

I opened my mouth to deny the seer's claim, agreeing with them, but the words couldn't leave my lips.

"Do you call me a deceiver?" the seer boomed, her face purpling with wrath, and even the earth shook at the fury in her voice. "Do you dare question my vision?"

"No, of course not," my father stuttered, quick, and ducking his head low on his shoulders. "Forgive me, seer. I only meant-"

“Silence!" she snarled. "This child is no ordinary child. She will hold great power-makers of great power that will either save us all or bring about our doom. She is the center of it all."

The weight of her words crushed me, and the room spun.

My father's lips twisted into a cruel smile, and he let out a low humourless laugh. "So," he said, his voice dripping with mockery, "at least you are good for something for once."

The room spun faster, his words echoing in my mind as the reality of my life changed in an instant.