Chapter 1

On my eighteenth birthday, my father sent me to Alpha Marcus's bed to settle his debt.

After that one night, he seemed captivated. He doted on me, keeping me by his side every day.

Then, one day, a phone call pulled him away.

When I saw him again, he was holding his mate, who had been missing for five years. He threw me out of their bedroom.

I confronted him, furious, but his reply was dismissive.

"You're just an Omega bought to pay a debt. I'll discard you when I'm tired of you."

The woman's delicate laughter echoed in my ears all night. I curled up in a corner, my tears soaking through my dress.

I had overthought everything.

But to pay for my mother's treatment, I stayed in the Castella Pack.

Then I saw my mother's body. With trembling hands, I took off the necklace he had given me.

The debt was paid. Any feeling was gone. I never wanted to see him again, alive or dead.

I watched Marcus come home with her in his arms after being out all night.

She was the person in the photo on Marcus's desk-Serena, his mate who had been missing for five years.

Marcus glanced at me indifferently and spoke lazily.

"You. Move to the maid's room on the first floor."

I stood frozen in disbelief. My fists clenched, and I bit my lip hard before the words tore out of me.

"Don't you have anything to say for yourself, Marcus? Anything at all?!"

His face darkened instantly. He looked down at me, a cold sneer twisting his lips.

"You're just a gift. Be grateful I'm not throwing you out of the territory now that I'm done with you."

My heart clenched, the pain stealing my breath.

Serena clung to Marcus's arm, her plea for me dripping with false sweetness.

"Marcus, she did keep you company for three years while I was gone. Why not just put her in a guest room?"

Marcus gazed at her with utter devotion, tapping her nose playfully.

"Anything for you, my love."

When his gaze turned to me, it was filled with cold disgust.

"Aren't you going to thank Serena? If she weren't so kind-hearted, how could you stay by my side?"

I smiled bitterly, desperately trying to control the tears welling in my eyes, but they still fell drop by drop as I bent down to express my thanks.

Marcus frowned at the teardrops on the floor.

"Is all this drama necessary? I'm only asking you to change rooms."

A bitter smile touched my lips. I turned without a word, hurried to the master bedroom to gather my things, and moved to the guest room.

From the doorway came the man's coaxing voice and the woman's departing laughter.

The next moment, I was lifted by the waist and placed on the desk. Marcus's domineering, scorching kiss swept over me.

After the kiss, my mouth was full of the taste of blood. He rubbed my lips and spoke harshly.

"Were you just throwing a tantrum at me? Remember your place! I'm your Alpha. Understand?"

His fierce gaze stunned me, and the stinging pain on my lips brought me back to reality.

So this was it. I'd been deluding myself all along. There had never been any love or affection.

I felt like I'd fallen into an ice cellar, trembling all over as I nodded.

Seeing this, he seemed to feel sorry for me. He gently rubbed the top of my head and kissed my forehead.

Tears immediately filled my eyes. In the past few years, I'd loved it when he did this, but now I only felt mocked.

"Hurry up and pack. I want you moved out in ten minutes.

Don't worry, I won't cut off your mother's medical resources. You just need to stay by my side obediently."

I looked up and met his teasing eyes. My heart felt sour.

He was my Alpha, my support. Only he could afford the astronomical cost of my mother's treatment.

For my mother's sake, I had to endure.

Turning my head, I saw the necklace nearby-the token of love Marcus had given me.

I tentatively asked. "Can I take the necklace?"

Marcus waved his hand dismissively. "It's just a worthless necklace. Take it if you want."

My heart stung like I'd been stabbed with needles. The token of love I treasured so much was just a worthless trinket to him.

I left in disappointment. By the lake, I ran into Serena, who was touring the grounds.