CHAPTER 1

Karla's Pov

Why? Why was this happening to me? I just wanted to live, I only wanted to stay alive and be who I really was. So why? Why did I have to be an Omega? Why?! I questioned no one in particular as I stared at the night sky, pain racking through my body. The night breeze sent goosebumps rising across my skin, and I shivered from the pain and cold, flinching when my cold tears hit my neck.

I had been outside, on the fields for three hours. It was nightfall, but no one had come to look for me. The sounds of crickets continued to echo in the silent clearing, but amidst the pain, I couldn't help but laugh.

“Pathetic. This was really pathetic.” I muttered, groaning as I pushed myself to stand up. The pain had reduced, and the bruising around my body had begun to heal, “The perks of being this way, I guess.”

What was I? An Omega. But what sort of Omega? I had no idea. One could say I had a blessing from the Moon Goddess Selene ever since I was a child. I healed fast, faster than normal werewolves, even Alpha's. And everyday, I had my blood taken from me. By my classmates, by elders, by everyone I came across. Not only was I a filthy Omega, and outcast, but I was also a freak.

At least, that's what they all called me. Bits and pieces of my flesh had also been torn away.

“This is going to hurt a lot. I better get home soon.” I muttered under my breath. The pain of skin mending together always made me lose my mind. And they knew it, but they didn't care. They always wanted to hurt me. I stood up and began to walk, quickened my pace, eager to get home before the next wave of pain knocked me off my feet. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the field, but even the beauty of Selene’s light couldn’t comfort me. Not when I knew I was alone in this cruel world.

The pack house came into view, it's dark silhouette looming against the night. My heart clenched. I wasn’t sure what was worse, being out in the open, vulnerable to another attack, or returning to the pack where I was nothing more than a punching bag.

As I approached the back entrance, something caught my attention. Voices, hushed but urgent, floated through the air, I stopped dead in my tracks, hiding behind the large oak tree that grew near the entrance. My heart pounded in my chest as I listened closely.

“The boys need to find their mate soon. It’s crucial for the pack’s future.” The voice was deep, authoritative, it was Alpha Joan.

I frowned, leaning closer, what were they talking about?

“They’ll be eighteen tomorrow.” Another voice chimed in, one of the elders, “If they don’t find their mate by the full moon, we could lose everything. The Moon Goddess has warned us before.”

The words sent a chill down my spine. They were talking about the quadruplets… Your tormentors, my brain supplied.

“That wretched girl is turning eighteen tomorrow too, what are you going to do about her?” I heard another voice, my ears twitching as they stepped closer. I quickly hid behind a tree, hoping that they would not catch my scent. I could not move from where I was or they would hear. But I peeled, trying to see who was coming.

“Bryan and Julia.” I whispered, biting my lips. They were the people who took care of me since I was a child, after both my parents died. They were the ones who spread the news about my abilities to heal, the ones who brought attention to me. And they were talking about me, why?

“That's true. And just like the Alpha's sons; she has to get her mate tomorrow. What are we going to do if she actually gets her mate? We already promised her to Alpha Darwin if the Blue Ridge pack, he's coming to take her soon. If she gets her mate, we'll have to return the money.”

I froze, my blood turning to ice. They sold me? My breath stopped and I pressed my back against the tree, my hands shaking uncontrollably, Bryan and Julia had promised me to Alpha Darwin, the Alpha of Blue Ridge pack?!

Alpha Darwin was notorious for one thing, taking young girls and placing them into his harem as long as they didn't have a mate or were rejected by their mates. He tortured them, raped them. And that was the kind of man they were sending me to?! I couldn't breathe, I had to leave. I had to get away. I was planning on leaving on my eighteenth birthday, but I couldn't wait any longer, who knew what they were going to do with me tomorrow.

I turned and sprinted back into the woods, heart racing as adrenaline surged through me. I needed to pack my things, everything I could carry and leave before they could find me. The moonlight guided my path, illuminating the way through the dense trees, but I could hear the distant footsteps echoing in the night, growing closer, pursuing me. They had caught my scent the moment I ran.

Panic surged through me. I couldn’t let them catch me. I sprinted harder, limbs pumping as I darted towards Bryan and Julia's cabin and when I reached the small cabin, I threw open the door, and dashed inside, gathering only the essentials, clothes, a small amount of money I had managed to hide, and a picture of my parents. As I stuffed everything into a worn backpack I heard footsteps outside, growing louder, and my heart dropped. They were coming for me.

“Kayla! Get out here!” Bryan’s voice called, thick with panic.

I didn’t wait to respond, I dashed to the back door, my escape route and ran into the forest, quickly calculating my way out. The darkness swallowed me as I ran, the world around me a blur, I couldn't hear any more footsteps. They might have given up, I thought, but I didn't stop running. However, that was also short lived.

A figure lunged at me from the darkness, tackling me to the ground with a sickening thud. The wind knocked out of me, I struggled against the weight pressing me down, panic clawing at my throat.

“Get off me!” I screamed, trying to shove

Bryan away, but it was no use. My vision blurred, and before I could register what was happening, a fist struck my temple, sending sharp pain radiating through my skull, dark spots exploded in my vision, and everything went black.

When I woke up, I was still enveloped in darkness, but I was tied up. I sniffed the air, panic engulfing me.

“Where am I?” I asked out loud, though I knew the answer. The smell of cigarettes flew into my nose and I coughed lightly. This was a drug, they were trying to drug me. I immediately held my breath, though it was no use, I had already inhaled some of it. But before I could think of doing anything, I heard a voice.

“Well, well, well, it seems our newest lady has awoken. If you hadn't tried to escape, I would have let you enjoy your eighteenth birthday, but unfortunately, you did what you did.”

The smell of fat and disease made me gag, and I instantly knew who it was who was hiding in the shadows.

Alpha Darwin.