Chapter 1

“Please… please don’t kill me,” Lily begged with blood and tears streaming from her face as the big wolf hovered over her. “I’ll give you anything you want… money… anything!” she sobbed.

The big wolf studied her for a few seconds and then in one haul, he pulled her car from the ditch where it was upturned and set it on the road.

But as soon as it set the car on the road, Lily pumped the ignition as fast as she could and sped off leaving a wake of dust in her trail. As she drove, her eyes darted between the road ahead and the rearview mirror nothing with fear that the Big Wolf was chasing her.

He was gaining in on her… it was only a matter of seconds before he’ll get her and tear her apart.

She drove as fast as she could, crying and begging on the universe to save her. Suddenly the path curved, surprising Lily who wasn’t expecting the path to take such turn. With full speed, she veered of the road and drove right into a tree.

She could hear the pounding paws of the Big Wolf… even in her dying state, he didn’t want to relent.

“Moon goddess, please!” she murmured in her head, tasting her blood which was flowed from her face to her mouth. Just before the darkness enclosed her… she saw it rush towards her, was this really her end?

Chapter 1

Lily POV

I used to think I could withstand anything fate threw at me…

I mean – I was hated by my father and my sister, practically a maid in my own house and the invisible daughter of Alpha Stone … but nothing prepared me for the sight that greeted me.

My hands trembled on the doorknob of my sister’s bedroom as a strangled gasp escaped my lips. The door was slightly ajar, and through the narrow gap, I could see Lucas – my boyfriend and mate-to-be of three years cuddled together with my sister, Vanessa on the bed.

Their voices drifted out, hushed but clear in the quiet hallway.

“Just reject her, and it will be over,” Vanessa murmured, running her fingers through Lucas’s hair. “You promised me, Lucas. Don’t chicken out now,”.

Lucas sighed, pulling Vanessa closer. “I know that, but… it’s her birthday today, Nessa. Can’t it wait?”

Vanessa's eyes narrowed as the corner of her lips lifted into a sneer. “And also, mine, in case you’ve forgotten. So, consider it my birthday gift… it has to be today. Trust me, it’s better this way,”.

The hallways spun under my feet and my vision blurred, my mind reeling as the words I just heard sank in. I stumbled back from the door, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces.

“I’m getting cheated on and rejected on the same day as my birthday,” I whispered to myself as tears rolled down my cheeks “Thank you, moon goddess, a perfect way to start my 18th…,”.

~~~24 Hours Earlier~~~

I was known as the child who killed her mother at birth…

But if you’re kind enough and want to call me by my name, then it’s Lily…Lily Stone.

I was lounging at the small window of my room which was the attic of the Golden Moon Packhouse, gazing out at the lush forest that bordered the pack lands. The evening sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, a beautiful sight that usually uplifts my spirits but today I felt empty.

Tomorrow, was my 18th birthday, a day that should be filled with excitement and celebration. Instead, a familiar sense of dread settled in my stomach.

I turned away from the window, my eyes falling on the small calendar on my desk. Two birthdays were circled in red: mine and my sister Vanessa’s. I was so unfortunate to be born on the same birth date as Vanessa and one would think we would be sharing our special day. When in reality, Vanessa’s birthday always overshadowed mine.

No one even remembers that I was born that day. No gifts, not even a birthday song.

Sighing, I ran my hand through my long, chestnut hair. Wondering what it would be like to have a normal family. One that cared about me. But that was a luxury, I’d never know.

My father, Alpha Gregory Stone had never shown me an ounce of affection; but it was understandable since his mate had died protecting me. And Vanessa? Well, sisterly love was not in her vocabulary.

To her, I was as good as one of the Omegas that served in the pack house.

A soft chime from my phone pulled me out of my thoughts. My heart pulsated with happiness when I saw it was a message from Lucas my boyfriend. If there was one bright spot in my miserable life, it was him. Lucas had been my rock – he was the son of the Pack’s Gamma but rather than bullying me like every other person did, he was the only one who extended a hand of friendship to me and since then… our love had grown into a deep bond.

My hands flew over my phone as I responded to his greeting.

“Hi, Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. What time are you coming?”

I held my breath, waiting for his response. We had a big fight a few days ago, it was a miracle we were still talking to each other. My heart fluttered with warmth when I noticed that he had read the message immediately and was typing back. Even if I had no one to rely on, even if my family seemed to forget my existence including the entire pack, on days like tomorrow, I rely on Lucas.

“Might run a bit late. I have something to take care of first. But I’ll be there, I promise,” he replied.

A small frown creased my forehead as I stared at his message. “Is everything okay?” I typed back quickly.

“Yeah, don’t worry—just some stuff to take care of. I’ve got plans for us,” he replied again.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I sighed with relief. Lucas always prepared something small and intimate for my birthdays. He was the only person that made me feel seen, who made my birthday feel like it mattered.

“Okay, no problem,” I typed back attaching a lot of emojis. “Looking forward to it!”.

I set my phone down and flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off with Lucas lately. We’ve fought more this month than we had in all the years of our relationship and it was over very insignificant issues.

He was becoming more distant these days. His messages were shorter and less frequent and it took him hours to reply every time I brought it up, he would assure me everything was fine or he would say I was obsessing too much over him.

“Stop it!” I muttered to myself. “You’re just being paranoid,”.

I have to give Lucas a break… as a son of our Pack’s Gamma, the beam was on him now that he was an adult. Naturally, everyone expects that he would take over the reins once his father retires, so, I would cut him some slack.

I decided to go downstairs. I had intentionally avoided going there today since the entire Pack House buzzed with activity. The preparations were for Vanessa’s 18th birthday.

As I crept down the stairs, voices drifted from the living room - the unmistakable voice of my father and Vanessa’s pretty high-pitched laughter.

“Sweetheart, you’re going to love your gift,” he said, his voice warm with affection. “I can’t wait to see your face when you open it,”.

I inched closer, peering from the doorway. My stomach twisted with jealousy and sadness as I saw my father sitting on the couch, his arms draped casually around Vanessa’s shoulders. She was curled against him, staring at him with adoring eyes. On the coffee table, was a large wrapped, gift box tied with an elegant bow.

“Daddy!” her delighted squeal filled the air “You shouldn’t have. You’ve done enough already,”.

“Nonsense, Nessa,” he chuckled pressing a kiss on her forehead. “My little girl only turns 19 once and you deserve to have the best party in the history of Golden Moon Pack. Plus, you deserve to be spoiled. You’re royalty,”.

Tears gathered in my eyes as I stared at Alpha Gregory… Our father… I’ve never heard him speak to me with such tenderness. Swallowing hard, I stepped into the living room. They both looked up as I entered and immediately, their smiles faded.

“Lily,” he said, his voice suddenly cold. “What are you doing down here? Didn’t I tell you to remain in your room today? I don’t want you to be in the way of the decorators,”.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “I was just getting some water,”.

“Well, hurry up and get back to your room. I don’t want you touching anything or ruining something. By the way, I was just telling Vanessa about her birthday party tomorrow, here at the pack house,”.

Vanessa smirked, tossing her perfect hair over her shoulder. “It’s going to be amazing. Everyone who’s anyone will be there,”.

I stood frozen, suddenly feeling like an intruder. “Oh,” I managed to say. “That sounds … nice,”.

I watched as the Alpha’s expression hardened. Fixing me a cold stare, he said: “I want to make something clear, Lily. Tomorrow’s party is for Vanessa. I don’t want you showing up and causing any … disturbances,”.

The words hit me like a physical blow. I knew my father didn’t care much for me, but to be explicitly uninvited to a party on my birthday? That was a new low.

Vanessa’s eyes glittered with mockery. “Oh, don’t be so hard on her, Daddy. I’m sure Lily understands. After all, she wouldn’t want to ruin my special day, would she?”

“But…” I started; my voice small. “It’s my birthday too,”.

He waved his hand dismissively. “You know what I mean. This is Vanessa’s special day. You’ll only upset her if you’re there,”.

Vanessa nodded, a mocking sympathetic look on her face. “It’s just… you know how you are, Lily. Always so awkward. It would ruin the mood,”.

The patronizing tone made my blood boil. I wanted to retort and remind them that they made me this way. They made it impossible for me to belong to this pack. From working like a slave in the pack house to Vanessa constantly picking on me with her friends.

So, if I was awkward, it was because of them.

I felt tears pricking at my eyes but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Instead, I lifted my chin, meeting my father’s cold gaze.

“Fine!” I said my voice steadier than I had expected. “I’ll stay in my room and make sure I won’t be in your way. So, happy birthday dearest sister, in advance of course, since I will be making extra effort not to ruin your day. And just so you know, I have plans with Lucas… so, I’ll be busy too,”.

“Don’t be like that, Lily,” she snickered “I would have wished you a happy birthday but, you shouldn’t have been born in the first place and on my birthday of all days. I wish you were never born,”.

Vanessa always looks for new ways to make me feel less of myself but thankfully, I’ve grown a thick skin.

So, I didn’t say anything in reply, I simply flashed her a defiant smile and murmured under my breath as I left.

“I don’t care about your stupid party anyway! I have Lucas!”

Chapter 2

Lily POV

I trudged back to my room, my father’s cold words and Vanessa’s smirk still echoing in my mind. I was used to their ill-treatment. I should be used to it, but every time they spoke to me like this, the sting of their words would pierce through my heart, leaving me miserable.

Collapsing onto my bed, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to drift into fantasies of having the best birthday ever tomorrow – one where Lucas would make me feel special and loved.

I had barely settled into the dream when the annoying buzz of my alarm clock rang, jolting me awake. Stretching like a lazy cat, I stared at the wall opposite me for a few minutes, I couldn’t believe I was 18 today. Instead of excitement, a familiar weight settled in my chest.

No one cared that I was 18 today…

Also, I had to make breakfast for my father and Vanessa and do other chores… it didn’t matter that today was my birthday.

Dragging myself out of bed, I made my way to the kitchen. Since no one was up, I had the pack house to myself for a few minutes.

About time,” Vanessa sneered as she sauntered into the kitchen, shattering my peaceful moment and my daydreaming. She looked dressed up. “I’m starving,”.

A second later, Alpha Gregory came down too, and walked straight to Vanessa ignoring my ‘Good morning Dad,”.

“Happy birthday princess!” he exclaimed, placing a glittering tiara on Vanessa’s perfectly styled hair. “We party hard tonight,”.

Vanessa squealed with delight as she ran to the mirror in the hallway to check the tiara, then came back panting. “Oh, Daddy, it’s beautiful. You’re the best,”.

Alpha Gregory barely spared me a glance as he settled onto his side of the table and picked up the morning paper. After reading for a while, he looked up at me. The first glance he was giving me since he came downstairs.

“Don’t forget to clean up before you leave,” He said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Yes, Dad,” I nodded silently watching as they ate their breakfast. I would eat later after they finish.

After eating they both left the house. Finally, alone, I cleared the table and ate one hard, boiled egg before going back to my room. I retrieved the dress I’d been saving up for months to buy.

Since I didn’t have an allowance like Vanessa, I had to save up the little pennies I scraped from going to the market and running errands around the pack for me. The dress was a beautiful emerald green that brought out the gold flecks in my hazel eyes. Slipping it on, I stood before the mirror, admiring how it hugged my curves.

For a brief moment, I imagined myself as beautiful as Vanessa. My sister was the belle of the pack. She was tall… without being too tall and slender with the right amount of cheekbones, colour of eyes and beautiful hair. She always drew eyes wherever she went. Me on the other hand, my chestnut curly hair was hard to tame, despite everything I had done, my hazel eyes and freckled face made me look like I had existed in the dragon age and it didn’t help that I was fat.

I had bigger boobs, bigger butts and wider hips that I have to always hide with big clothes. I looked like a boar compared to Vanessa who was as beautiful as a gazelle and carried herself well. People often told me I looked like my mother – my father’s mate who had died shortly after giving birth to me. The very reason why my dad – Alpha Gregory hates me. To him, I killed his mate.

Studying my reflection, I felt a pang of longing. I wished I had known my mother, maybe I could have experienced the love and acceptance I’d always craved and maybe my father would hate me less.

I styled my stubborn hair and applied light makeup from the products Vanessa had thrown away last month because another Alpha’s daughter from school told her they didn’t match her skin tone. Satisfied with my little touchup, I headed downstairs.

The house was already bustling with activity. Decorators rushed in and out, shouting instructions to each other, hanging streamers and arranging flowers. The party was supposed to start in the evening and it was only noon, I wondered why they were all freaking out.

The delicious aroma of freshly baked cake wafted from the kitchen to my nose and for a moment, I allowed myself to imagine it was all for me.

Exhaling, I started for me Lucas’s secret spot – a small clearing in the woods near the border of the pack lands. It was when Lucas first asked me to be his girlfriend when we’d shared our first kiss. Surely, he would make this birthday special.

My stomach fluttered with excitement when I arrived at the clearing expecting to see some decorations but nothing was there and there was no sign of Lucas too. Maybe he got caught up with something besides, it’s the thoughts that matter and not decoration. I told myself.

Minutes ticked into hours… and the initial excitement turned to worry. Lucas was never late, not for our meetings. Four hours passed and there was no sign of him. By now, I know the pack house will be filled to the brim with people for the party.

One more hour later, it was dark already and I couldn’t bear waiting any longer. With a heavy heart, I left the secret spot and started heading home. Lucas must have been so busy. As I approached the pack house, the sounds of music and laughter grew louder, a stark reminder of the celebration I wasn’t part of.

“I’ll just go to my room, change into something casual and go check up on Lucas,” I murmured to myself.

“Isn’t that the other ‘weird sister’ – Lily Stone,” someone announced with a microphone, making me freeze. When I turned, it was Vanessa’s group of friends. They came towards me immediately, flanking me on all sides, making it difficult for me to continue to my room.

The others laughed, their eyes roving over my dress with disdain. Since I’d been caught, there was no need to hide now. “I know you all are dumb but I didn’t know you’d be dumb enough not to figure that I live here too…and that means I can come and go as I please. If your alcohol bedazzled minds had allowed you to think, you’d have noticed that I was heading upstairs, to my room,”.

“Wow!” the girls exclaimed in unison, clapping, still laughing “What’s making you so brazen today? Is it the new age?” one of them asked.

“It should be the dress,” one of them pointed out.

“I wonder what charity home she had to go pick this up from. You should swing by my house later, I have lots of clothes that are ten times better than what you’re wearing. Consider it, a gesture to help a destitute like you,”.

“Wouldn’t that make me as dumb as you, Aria?” I recognized her. She was the Beta’s daughter. “I heard you’d need to retake sophomore year for the third time in a row. “That’s too bad dear… all your friends would have graduated and left before you ever caught up,” I retorted with a smile.

Aria scoffed with annoyance. I could see that my words had gone right through her. The other girls snickered, each one of them looking away. Aria scoffed and folded her hands, looking at me with mockery.

“At least my boyfriend didn’t desert me to attend my sister’s birthday party instead,” she said

My heart pricked with fear at her words. It could only mean one thing… Lucas had come to the party just like I suspected. Ignoring the taunts, I pushed past them. I had more important things to worry about now – finding Lucas.

I searched the crowded living room, the kitchen, and even the backyard but Lucas was nowhere to be seen. With each passing minute, the knot in my stomach tightened. Where could he be? Why didn’t he just tell me he was at Vanessa’s party? It was probably his father that forced him to attend.

As a last resort, I headed upstairs. The second floor was off-limits for the party, but I thought Lucas might have gone up to escape the noise. He hated parties just like me. But as I passed by Vanessa’s room, my ears caught muffled voices from within.

I paused for a while, hoping I wasn’t hearing things. There was no way the celebrant of the party would be in her room when the party was just starting. But it wouldn’t hurt to check.

My hand hovered over the doorknob, hesitating. Then I heard it – Lucas’s laugh, followed by Vanessa’s sultry giggle. My blood ran cold. I pressed my ears against the door.

“You should just reject her, Lucas,” Vanessa’s voice came through now. “She’s no good for you. We’d be so much stronger together. My wolf is more powerful unlike her who has no wolf and to the best of my knowledge, she didn’t get any today and you know what it means when someone doesn’t get their wolf on their 18th birthday. Think about it, Lucas, you could be the next Alpha if we mate,”.

My heart pounded in my chest, as my ears strained to hear Lucas’s response.

“I know, I know!” he replied, his voice low and husky. “But I’ve been with Lily for three years. I can’t just dump her, especially on her birthday of all days. It’ll break her. So, we need to take this slow and easy… be smart about it. I wasn’t planning on ending up with her anyways,”.

A gasp escaped my lips before I could stop it. I stumbled backwards, bumping into a small table in the hallway. The vase on top wobbled and crashed to the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces.

The voices in the room went silent. Moments later, the door flew open and Vanessa stood there, her perfect hair slightly mussed, wearing nothing but a silky robe. Behind her, Lucas scrambled to pull on his shirt, his face pale with shock.

“Well, well,” Vanessa drawled, clapping as a cruel smile spread across her face. “Look what we have here. Lily, the little spy,”.

I stood frozen, my eyes darting between Vanessa and Lucas. “How…how could you?” I whispered to him, my voice breaking.

He stepped forwards raising his hands placatingly. “Willow, I can explain -,”.

“Oh, stop it, Lucas,” Vanessa cut him off, rolling her eyes. “No more pretending please. Let’s just put her out of her misery… she deserves to know the truth,”.

Then she turned to me “Did you think he could ever truly want you? Look at you – no wolf, no power, nothing to offer. You’re pathetic, Lily. Always have been, always will be,”.

“Lucas, please,” I pleaded, tears streaming down my face. “Tell me it’s not true. We love each other, don’t we?”

But Lucas couldn’t meet my eyes. “I’m sorry, Lily. I never meant for you to find out like this,”.

Vanessa laughed, “Oh, this is rich. Did you believe he loves you? Wake up little sister. You were just a placeholder until something better came along,”.

The room spun but I refused to believe this was happening. Perhaps, he was under duress, Vanessa had a way to make anyone do what she wanted.

Vanessa then turned to Lucas. “You know what you need to do now, don’t you? It’s time to end this charade once and for all,”.

I saw him hesitate his eyes darting between me and Vanessa. Suddenly, I saw the moment his resolve hardened, and my heart shattered.

“Do it!” Vanessa urged. “Reject her, right now!”

Time slowed as he stepped towards me. I wanted to run, to hide… anything to delay the blow I was about to receive but my feet felt rooted to the spot. I watched, as if from a great distance as Lucas’s lips moved…

“I, Lucas Steele, reject you, Lily Stone as my mate,”.

The pain was immediate and overwhelming, I felt like my soul was being torn apart. I gasped, clutching at my chest as the agony of his rejection coursed through my body. I stumbled to the ground, fighting the darkness that slowly enclosed me.

The last thing I saw before the darkness claimed me was Vanessa’s triumphant smile.

Then… black out.

Chapter 3

Lucas POV

I sat on the edge of Lily’s bed feeling like a fraud, my eyes fixed on her unconscious form.

My heart felt heavy with the weight of what I’d done. I reached out, gently, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.

“I’m so sorry, Lily,” I whispered, trying to rein my emotions in. “You deserve so much better than this – than me,”.

How had it come to this?

As I watched her, memories of us flooded my mind. The first day I met, Lily, she was hiding from a group of girls who had obviously been bullying her. She had looked so fragile that day when she ran up to me and asked me to hide her.

She was so different from the others in the pack. While others mocked me for my status as an adopted child, Lily had seen past that and befriended me.

That was the first time anyone ever needed me or asked for my help. In that singular moment, I felt as powerful as the moon goddess. Our first date had been at a local diner after weeks of saving… I wanted to take her somewhere special but she knew we couldn’t afford the big restaurants in town, so she lied to me about craving locally made food.

But that was the best day of my life to date. After that, we’d spend countless hours studying with Lily patiently explaining complex topics until they clicked for me. The way she’d stood up to a group of bullies picking on a young boy we had seen one of the nights when he had taken a stroll…her bright echoing laughter through the school hallway or the way her eyes would light up with smiles when she talked about her favourite book.

In this world filled with deceit and lies, Lily was the only true thing.

“You were always so genuine,” I murmured “So smart and brave. I admired that about you, and still do. There were times when I worried that you were too good for me,” I added my voice breaking “Turns out you are,”.

I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair. “It’s just that, I wish things could be different. I haven’t told you this before but I know what it means to be bullied. I understand what it’s like to never belong. This pack is the first place that felt like home,”.

I was adopted by the Gamma of this pack when I was 10 years old. As a child, I had to put up with taunts, beatings and constant fear. I was always the easy target since I was small and it didn’t help that I didn’t grow as fast as the other kids.

So, I became the subject of bullying by rogues and senior wolves who made my life a living hell.

The world was cruel… and I was taught to always grab opportunities, especially the obvious ones.

I love Lily but she was just like me. She was a nobody in the pack – no wolf, no power but Vanessa her sister… Vanessa was everything I wanted to have. Strong, beautiful with an equally powerful wolf. Mating her would secure my position. It would elevate me to heights I never dreamed of. No more bullying, no more sidelong glances and no more whispers about the ‘adopted runt’.

“I can’t go through that again,” I said more to myself than to the still-unconscious Lily. “I won’t be weak anymore – I can’t afford to be weak anymore and Vanessa… she can give me the strength I need. If I get mated to her, it means, I would become the next Alpha and no one would dare bully me or you … ever again… or anyone. I would make sure of that. So, I hope you can understand why I had to do that…”.

I trailed off as tears sprung from the corner of my eyes. I love, Lily… so much that it hurts me to see her lying there without smiling or talking back to me with excitement and knowing I was cause pricked my heart more.

No matter how much I’ve tried to fit in here, I was always referred to as the child who was adopted. It was like a stigma and the only way to get rid of it was to be with Vanessa. She wasn’t so great of a woman… but she had the power I needed.

I reached for her hands, pressing tiny kisses at the back of it… I wish I could tell her everything I had in mind… all my plans but I couldn’t risk it. I knew this day was coming… a day when I’ll finally have to let go of her but why did it seem so painful.

Suddenly, she groaned making me jump up startled. I stared at her as she stirred murmuring words that seemed strange to me but didn’t wake. I was beginning to get worried now… if she had fainted like Vanessa had said, she should be awake by now.

I stood, watching her stir again without opening her eyes. I decided to go and call Vanessa, she was one of the pack’s paramedics, so she had sufficient knowledge about keeping someone alive.

I checked in her room but didn’t see her. Taking the stairs, two at a time, I reached the ground floor and was about to call out her name when voices drifted to me. Pausing, I strained my ears recognizing Vanessa’s voice. Following the side of her voice, I arrived at a door at the corner of the hallway. The door was partially open, so it was easy to hear the people talking.

“You don’t have to worry about her shifting, Dad,” Vanessa’s voice came on strong, dripping with hatred “The dosage should be enough to suppress even the strongest wolf. Plus that little bitch hasn’t shown a single sign of shifting,”.

“Yeah! I agree,” Alpha Stone replied. “It’s a good thing that we’ve been poisoning her for years and she hasn’t noticed. Always so clueless… that one,” the Alpha chuckled. “We can’t risk her wolf awakening now, not when we’re so close. Do you think she fainted because of the rejection? You said she held her chest and seemed in pain? Maybe she felt some stirring within her. You know her bloodline…” the Alpha hesitated for a second… “I’m worried that our potion will not be strong enough for it. Plus, with her turning 18…It’s a significant number,”.

My blood ran cold. Poisoning? Suppressing Lily’s wolf? My mind reeled as I tried to understand what I was hearing.

“Once I mate with Lucas and he marks me, it won’t matter anymore,” Vanessa continued, her voice dripping with confidence. “With his strength and my bloodline, we’ll be unstoppable and she will be nothing but a forgotten memory,”.

“And you’re sure the boy will do what we want?” Alpha Stone asked.

“He’s in my palms, Father. He loves me so much and he didn’t hesitate when I told him that we can only be together when he rejects Lily which he did yesterday. Don’t worry, Dad… you can trust Lucas,”.

“Good!” Alpha Stone sounded pleased “After your wedding with the boy, then we would move on to phase 2 of the plan,”.

I stumbled back, my heart pounding as I crept up the stairs, careful not the make a noise. I’d known Vanessa to be cruel, but this? This was beyond anything I could have imagined.

Why were they so determined to harm her? What was phase 2 of their plan? I couldn’t believe I had put Lily in such a vulnerable position. Now, whatever they were going to do to her, I would be an accomplice.

“I must save her!” I murmured urgently to myself, taking the stairs faster.

I couldn’t undo the hurt; I’d caused but I could try to make it right. I had to warn, Lily. To tell her the truth about what her family had been doing to her and what they planned to do.

With shaky legs, I continued until I arrived at Lily’s room. As I pushed open the door, a warm feeling coursed through me as I stared at her… she was awake!”

Chapter 4

Lily POV

My eyes fluttered open, my head pounding with the worst headache I’d ever experienced.

For a moment, I lay still, trying to piece together what had happened. Then like a wave, everything came back to me. Lucas’s rejection, Vanessa’s words that night, the pain I had felt when Lucas rejected me. Everything I had feared would happen had truly happened… the moon goddess knew how to give the best birthday gifts.

I sat up abruptly, ignoring the wave of dizziness that washed over me. This wasn’t a nightmare after all. The ache in my chest was enough proof that everything had happened. This was my new reality and it was a bleak one.

“Happy birthday to me,” I muttered bitterly, my voice hoarse.

As I buried my face in both hands, trying to remember when I had kept the pain meds in my room, the door of my bedroom was thrown open and Lucas ran in. When he saw me, relief flooded his face.

My heart clenched painfully as our eyes met. Part of me wanted to scream at him to go away, to never show his face again to me but another part… the part that still loved him despite everything, wanted him to gather me in his hands and tell me everything would be alright but I was so done with this.

“What do you want?” I asked straightening my shoulders as I glared at him. “And is that a relief expression I had just seen moments ago? Did you think you had killed me with the stunt you played? I bet you’re happy,”.

“No!” he shook his head and rushed to my side. “I’m just so happy that you’re fine. I was worried, you fell hard,”.

“Great news!” I scoffed “Now, can you please leave? Go be with your girlfriend… I don’t want to ever see you around me,”.

“Lily, I…” he started ignoring my threats, then faltered. I watched as he took a deep breath and tried again. “I’m so sorry for everything. I’m sorry that I cheated on you and for everything I said that you must have heard. What I did… what I said … it’s unforgivable but I hope…”.

I laughed humorlessly, interrupting him. “You’re right, Lucas. What you did is unforgivable and I’m not sure I have the good graces to forgive you anyways. Is that all you came to say?”

He shook his head, as his eyes darted nervously to the door and back. His expression grew serious. “Lily, listen to me. You need to get out of here, it’s not safe for you anymore. You need to leave,”.

“Leave?” I glared at him, wondering what he was talking about now. “As in leave the pack? Are you mad? Is it because you’re now marrying my sister that you want me to leave? How much space can I possibly take up by being here? Or did she put you up to this too? She did right?”

“No!” Lucas yelled, running a hand through his hair. “did you hear me the first time. I said it’s no longer safe for you, so you need to leave,”.

I blinked, realizing he wasn’t joking. Confusion replaced some of my anger. “What are you talking about?”

He ran his hand through his hair, for the second time in a few minutes – it was usually a sign that he was agitated. “I overheard something a few minutes ago. Your father and Vanessa your sister, they’re planning something. Something bad. You need to get out of here, now!”

My mind reeled from curiosity and fear. After everything that had happened, now this? Was this another one of Vanessa’s ploy?

“Lucas, slow down. What exactly did you hear?” I asked.

But Lucas was already moving. He grabbed a bag from my wardrobe and started to throw clothes into it. “There’s no time to explain everything. Just trust me, Lily. You’re in danger here,”.

“And you expect me to go with you? You who betrayed me some hours ago,” I scoffed, climbing down from my bed. “Listen, Lucas, my father and Vanessa do not regard me as anything. If that’s the danger you’re talking about, be rest assured it’s normal. So please…”.

Before I could say, Jack, Lucas crossed the room and grabbed my hand, pinning me with his stare. “Why are you so damn stubborn. I just told you your life is in danger and you’re here…” he trailed off, letting go of her hand. “I’m sorry for raising my voice but I don’t care if I have to carry you on my shoulders. We need to leave now,”.

“Fine!” I squared my shoulders. “I’ll go with you but I need to check something. Give me a few minutes. I need to talk to my father,” I said my voice stronger than I felt. I’d spent my whole life trying to earn my father’s love, trying to belong in this family. I couldn’t just leave without answers.

Lucas looked at me like I was crazy. “Lily, No! We need to go,”.

But I was already moving, marching out of my room and down the stairs. I found him in his study, buried in his usual pile of paperwork. As soon as he saw me, he looked up from what he was doing, with a calm expression.

“Ah, Lily,” he said “Feeling better, I hope?”

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “Why?” I demanded, my voice shaking as tears gathered in my eyes. “Why can’t you love me like you love Vanessa? What did I ever do to deserve this?”

He sighed, closing the lid of the laptop. “Lily, I know you’re upset. Perhaps, we should have this conversation when you’ve calmed down…”.

“No!” I shouted, surprising even myself. This was the first time I was raising my voice at him. “I want answers and I want them Now!”.

He stared at me for a while, his expression blank and unreadable. Suddenly, he smiled – making me take a step back in shock. It wasn’t a kind smile.

“Very well,” he said, his voice suddenly turning cold. “You want the truth? You’ll get it. I hate you because you’re the reason why I lost my mate. You were never meant to be a part of this family in the first place,”.

“This same, old story again,” I bit my lips trying not to cry. “I’ve spent every waking moment of my life apologizing for that. I’m sorry, Mom had to die giving birth to me but I’m also sure that she would never want you to blame me for her death, I didn’t ask to be born,”.

“Oh shut up!” he snapped “We lied, okay! She didn’t die giving birth to you… she died protecting you. She gave her life for your sake…”.

I froze as the weight of his words settled in. “What…what are you talking about?”

He stood and came to where I was standing, looming over me. “Your blood, Lily… it’s special and you’re the vessel. You were handed over to my mate by some strange man when you were a child with instructions that she must take care of you and protect you. I guess she took it personally,”.

“That’s… that’s not true,” a tear rolled down my cheek as my voice cracked. “She was my mother… she gave birth to me….”.

“And you think I’ll treat my daughter the way I treat you?” he scoffed “Please... I don’t want to laugh,”.

Tears stung in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. “Then why keep me around all this while? You could have gotten rid of me the moment your mate died? Why bother to keep me here only to maltreat me?”

“Because,” he said, his smile turning cruel “I made her a promise and I intend to fulfil it. By the way,” he paused, went back to his desk to pick up a file which he stretched in my direction “I secured you a spot to go to college in the neighbouring pack’s territory,”.

My head spun; this couldn’t be happening. “You…you want me to leave?”

He nodded, his voice taking on a fatherly tone. “It would be good for you. A chance to start fresh and I could finally have some peace in my own house,”.

“I don’t want to leave, Father, please…” I cried trying to reach for him but the stern look on his face stopped me.

Then everything dawned on me.

“You’re lying,” I whispered turning to face him. “This isn’t about college is it? You’re trying to get rid of me,”.

The smile on his face was replaced instantly by a smirk as he sneered. “Smart girl. Always too clever for your good,” then he sighed. “Yes, the truth is, you were going to leave tonight anyways and as soon as you do, I’m going to declare you a rogue and if you ever try to come back, you’ll be treated as a rogue… just so you know, there are lots of packs who hate rogues, I wish you the best of luck surviving out there,”.

I staggered backwards, bumping my back on the edge of the table in the room. “You can’t do this,” I said, my voice barely audible. “I’m your daughter,”.

“You’re not my daughter!” he repeated “You’re just some stupid girl with no wolf and great blood running inside of you. You have until midnight to leave or I’ll have you dragged out myself and thrown out. Hurry my dearest, Lily… time is not your friend,”.

I felt numb as I dragged myself out of his study, and back to my room where Lucas was done packing. As soon as he saw me, he murmured.

“I’m so sorry, Lily… I never thought… I never knew…”.

I nodded not trusting myself to speak. My entire world had crumbled around me in the space of a day. My boyfriend, my sister, my father and a mother who wasn’t my mother after all. I went from being the girl hated by her father and sister to a … BASTARD! Everyone had betrayed me… I had nothing left.

A few minutes later, I reached the edge of the pack lands with my bag and Lucas hovering behind me. He had kept apologizing and asking for my forgiveness but I had managed to successfully avoid him.

Beyond these lands… I will now be a prey… but it’s fine…I had nothing to lose now.

Without turning back, I drove through the gates.

Chapter 5

Kai POV

Royal Hunters Pack.

I go by many identities…

Some say I am ruthless and do not have blood flowing through me, other’s say I am a reincarnation of the king of death sent to live about werewolves as punishment. Some say I am a human who was punished by the universe but none of these identities stood out more than the last one…

That I was a monster – a monster who had killed his father, to claim the Alpha title.

There was a time when I used to get bothered by the rumours but the more, I lived, the more I slowly got used to these rumours. These days, I don’t bother myself trying to explain how to become a better person. I just wanted to live my life, protect my pack… that’s all,”.

I gazed out from the window of my bedroom to the expanse of my pack lands, loving the way the moon hung low and full over the dense forest, casting long shadows across the land. My pack was like an impenetrable fortress – I made sure of that.

The scent of my Beta Liam arriving wafted up to my nose. His footsteps echoed in the eerie quiet outside the hall. It was quite late; I wondered what could have brought him to my room so late at night. I heard him take a deep breath before knocking.

“Come in!” I said without turning.

Liam pushed open the doors and stepped into my study.

“Why is it so dark here?” he complained turning on the light “Are you some sort of dark lord?” he complained again, “How can you survive staying in the dark for so long? Looking at you now, I could almost believe that you killed your father to claim the Alpha title, goddess?” Liam hissed.

“I think you’re the reason why I’m yet to take a Luna. The way you nag at me is enough to make me stay off women,” I retorted, turning slightly to face him. What do you want again? And please don’t tell me it’s another list of eligible women you need me to go out on a date with?”

“Well!” he stuttered guiltily. “They’re saying that we might be in a relationship and I cannot stand that sort of rumour. You’re not even the kind of guy I’d date if I was into men,”.

“Nice try, Liam,” I chuckled leaving the window to join him “What news, Liam?” I asked, my voice a low rumble.

“Celeste asked me to deliver a message. She said the birds just brought her the information a few minutes ago and it’s from the neighbouring pack – Silver Moon Pack,”.

Celeste was my sister – twin sister. She was born with a special and rare ability to communicate with the elements. She could speak to birds, trees, leaves… whatever that has a natural existence. It gave our pack an edge over every other pack.

I leaned forward, my interest piqued. “Go on,”.

“She says the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack had driven his daughter out of the pack. He stripped her of her identity and declared her a rogue,”.

A slow, smile spread across my face. “Interesting, very interesting. And what of the girl now?” I asked.

I saw Liam shift uncomfortably. “She’s currently on the run, Alpha. Our monitors picked up her scent and it seems she’s heading in the direction of our pack. And …” he paused “She’s not alone. rogues are pursuing her,”.

“I thought we got rid of every one of them outside our territory,” I sighed “Gosh! This is so frustrating. Gather a team of our best men, I want that girl around and brought to me, Alive and unharmed,”.

“And the rogues sir?” Liam asked.

I smiled, “Kill them all,”.

As Liam hurried to carry out my orders, I turned and gazed out of the window at the moonlit forest. Was this what my mother had meant when she sent me a message earlier today about some prophecy? Saying it was going to be fulfilled today.

‘The one who bears the mark of the Moon has the fate of the Gemini and in her flows the blood of ancient Lycan King. It’ll come in an unexpected form… either as a man or as a woman but he who harbours her, shall evoke the blessings of the Universe,’.

That was the ancient prophecy… was it this girl? Could she be the one that could bring liberation to me and my people? I wondered silently. The only way to find out was to bring her alive to the pack.

While I pondered on the words of the prophecy, my phone dinged, with a notification. When I opened it, my brows clouded with anger as I stared at the pictures my mom had sent me. They were pictures of women and the data. I sighed, fighting the urge to hurl my phone to the wall, my mom was on my neck to get married but I couldn’t just find the right woman yet and she was not giving up soon.

Trying to take my mind off it, I decided to join the team going after the rogue and hoping I would also find the girl. I ran out of the pack house and shifted into my wolf. I raced through the forest, loving the way the gentle evening felt on my fur with the moon shining gently on me.

The night air felt strange, I couldn’t place my finger on it. While I stood, trying to figure out the best way to search, my car drove past. I could smell out at least ten rogue wolves chasing after the car. That must be the girl but why was she in a car for moon’s sake?

When with her wolf, she could be faster.

Ignoring my intrusive thoughts, I started running in the direction of the car. The rogues were gaining in on her by the minute and I was a bit far. I needed to do something to distract them.

As I got ready to howl, up ahead, one of the rogues suddenly darted across the road in front of her. Instinctively, she swerved, the car’s tyres screeching in protest. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought she would flip but somehow, she managed to regain control

I was gaining in on the rogues. Without thinking, I reached for the first one, slitting its throat with my claws, making it deep enough to kill it. I grabbed two more rogues at once, snapping their necks with the flick of my wrist.

The woman was driving faster than before now. I wish I could reach out to her and ask her to slow down but I was a bit far. I grabbed three more rogues and snapped their necks. I had like four more rogues to kill. They were still chasing after her like their lives depended on it.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw one of the rogue darts from the corner of the forest and slammed itself into the side of the car. The impact sent the car spiralling out of control as it went off the road, and into the dense forest.

A low, menacing growl escaped my lips and, in a flash, I reached the four rogues and in unison, I tore them apart. I was angry… and I couldn’t even tell why. I looked up to the moon, and howled… it was louder than my usual howl and carried thrice as much strength as it did before plus I didn’t know why I just did that.

I started towards the valley the car had gone into… when I was a few distance away, I noticed about 10 rogues had gathered on the upturned vehicle, looking for a way to bring her out, so they could feast on her.

Something pumped into me… the kind of burst of energy I had felt go through me, some moments ago.

“I don’t mind ripping some heads over their shoulders of these rogues,” I said as I raced towards them. When I got closer… the anger in me at the sight seemed to fill up every part of my body, until I felt they would burst.

Turning to the moon again which was strange… I howled… Lightening cracked through the sky as thunder clapped… when I lowered my face, hoping to reach out for the first rogue… but they had all disappeared and instead, staring at me with fear in her eyes…

Was the most beautiful woman I’ve seen.

Chapter 6

Lily POV

Tears blurred my vision as Golden Moon Pack slowly disappeared behind me.

I was trying so much to be strong… to not feel, but goddess! I’ve been bottling everything up for far too long and I am tired. My knuckles whitened as I gripped the steering wheel, my mind a whirlwind of emotions.

The events of the past 24 hours played on repeat in my head like a cruel, never-ending movie.

I had sincerely hoped that my 18th birthday would be my big break. I would finally feel get my wolf – I thought I could finally belong. Instead, I’d found my boyfriend – no, ex-boyfriend now – tangled in the sheet with my sister. The betrayal cut deep… it was a wound that would never heal.

Then came the shocking truth surrounding my birth and my eminent exile from the pack – as a Rogue. The word tasted bitter on my tongue. How quickly my dad had turned on me, all because I hadn’t shifted. Because I was weak.

I knew I could have insisted on leaving tomorrow… but I was didn’t want to spend another night in the same space with them. I needed a break. Shaking my head to dispel the memories, I tried to figure out where I was.

I’ve been driving for hours; I didn’t know where to go… I knew no one, I had no friends but all I wanted was to put in enough distance between me and Golden Moon Pack. But as the lonely road stretched, Lucas’s warning echoed in my mind.

“Don’t leave, Lily. You don’t know what’s out there,”.

For a moment, I wondered if it was because he still cared or because he was under duress by Vanessa and my father but the memory of how cold his eyes were as he stood by while the Alpha – my own father- banished me, squashed the thoughts.

“There can’t be anything worse out there than what I’m leaving behind,” I muttered to myself, trying to fight the fear that was slowly creeping into my heart.

As I drove, a shrill chirping caught my attention. Sticking my head outside the window of my car to check, I noticed a flock of birds following my car. Their cries seemed almost frantic, as if they were trying to warn me of something and it was strange to see white birds at this time of the night.

Sticking my head back inside, I grumbled “Great, just what I need. Feathered stalkers,” I eyed them warily, hoping they wouldn’t leave their droppings on my car. Several times, I stuck out my hand and tried to shoo them away but it didn’t work either. Giving up, I continued driving.

Finally, I drove through the pack border and into the dense forest that laid in front of it. An eerie silence filled the night, the birds that had been following me seemed to have faded into the darkness. All that was left, was the noise of my rickety car and the eerie silence.

The hairs at the back of my neck stood on its end, my finger tightened on the wheel as my eyes darted from tree to tree, scanning for any of movement. Stories of the forest filled with Wild Werebear, Mountain Lions, Werecats or even Werefoxes and who knows what else could be lurking in the shadows and it didn’t help that I didn’t have a wolf of my own making me feel painfully vulnerable.

I tried to drive as fast at my car could go when suddenly, a twig snapped somewhere in the darkness. My heart doubled its pounding as my foot instinctively pressed harder on the gas. The car surged forward but it didn’t seem to be going as fast as I wanted. I wound up the windows and continued driving, so focused ahead that I almost missed the flash of movement in my rearview mirror. Almost…

My heart leaped into my throat as I caught the massive sizes of wolves racing through the trees behind me. I peered closer discovering they were werewolves. In the mirror, I squinted, trying to check if I would be able to identify their packs but I couldn’t pause long enough to stare. I was driving.

But they were wolves alright and they were gaining fast on me.

“No, no, no,” I chanted, panic rising in my chest. This couldn’t be happening. I’d just left our pack land and I hadn’t noticed them. So, where did they all come from?

A snarl ripped through the quiet forest, closer than I’d expected. I screamed as a hulking figure launched itself at my car, massive paw landing on the hood with enough force to dent the metal.

Time seemed to slow as I locked eyes with the beast. Its lips were pulled back in a vicious snarl, yellow fangs gleamed in the moonlight that peaked through the trees in the forest. This wasn’t a pack wolf – it had no mark on its forehead.

I froze - It was a Rogue!

And from the gleam in its eyes and sinister smile that curved on its lips and the way it was thumping on my windshield, I knew it was trying to kill me.

The windshield of my car cracked as it landed on it with the cracks spreading like spiderwebs across the glass and I knew it was only a matter of second before it shattered completely.

Suddenly, I came alive. Acting on pure instinct, I jerked the wheel hard to the left. The car swerved violently, as the tires screeched in protest. The sudden movement caught the wolve off guard, sending it tumbling off the hood and into the road.

But my victory was short-lived. The ones behind me were running almost side by side with my car. More wolves emerged from the forest, I could hear them snapping at the car’s tires, their thunderous paws and the hungry growls that filled the night air was all the indication I needed to confirm I was supposed to be their feast tonight.

Tears streamed down my face as I pushed the old car to its limits. My eyes shifted to the gas gauge – it was running low. Suddenly, the engine hissed, whining in protest, it was overheating, but I couldn’t slow down. Not now. Now when death was at my door.

“Please!” I sobbed though I wasn’t sure who I was begging. The moon goddess? The universe? Anyone who would listen. “Please, I can’t die like this,”.