Chapter 1

After years without an heir, the ruthless Alpha King finally had a pup on the way, and the entire Blackthorn Pack nearly wept with joy.

But at the celebration feast, his favored Chosen Luna, Selene Vale, announced in front of everyone that she was going to end the pregnancy.

“I won’t spend my prime years breeding heirs for this Pack. I was meant for more than lying down and carrying an Alpha’s bloodline.”

“My fate is mine alone. Not the Moon Goddess’s. Not Kael’s. No woman should be chained to her womb and called useful.”

She rested a hand on her belly, her face full of pride.

“So, Alpha King, give me a bowl of moonbane.”

Kael Blackthorn crushed the cup in his hand.

Elder Luna Mara’s face went white with rage.

I shrank into the corner, wishing I could crawl under the table and disappear.

Then a soft babyish voice suddenly rang inside my head.

[Is she stupid?]

[The Moon Goddess gave her this kind of blessing, and she wants to throw it away? Does she really think I want to stay in her belly?]

I froze.

The voice had not come from the hall.

It was inside my head.

A mind-link.

But I was Ivy Reed, the lowest Omega servant in the Pack. I had no wolf. No scent. I should not have been able to hear any mind-link at all.

The little voice went on, furious.

[I’m the Moon-blessed pup. If she doesn’t want me, plenty of people do.]

My head went hot.

Before I could stop myself, I whispered, “I do.”

The whole hall turned to look at me.

Selene narrowed her eyes.

“What did you say?”

Kael looked over too.

His wolf growled.

The force of his Alpha pressure hit me so hard my knees went weak. I dropped to the floor, my forehead almost touching the ground.

“I didn’t mean to speak out.”

My voice shook.

But if I said nothing, I might die tonight.

So I forced the words out.

“I only meant... I’m willing to ease the Alpha King’s burden.”

“If someone doesn’t want to bear his heir, I’m willing.”

Pack Hall went silent.

Then Selene laughed.

“You?”

She walked toward me, her voice full of contempt.

“Ivy Reed, a wolfless Omega servant. You think you’re worthy?”

I kept my head down and said nothing.

But the little voice in my head exploded.

[She’s the one who isn’t worthy!]

[Her whole family isn’t worthy!]

[How did I end up in this stupid woman’s belly?]

I bit my tongue hard to keep from reacting.

Kael stepped in front of me.

“An Omega servant dares to say something like that?”

My palms were slick with sweat.

“I just want to live.”

His gaze paused.

Mara suddenly spoke.

“Ivy, lift your head.”

I slowly raised my face.

She studied me for a moment.

“You know herbs?”

“A little.”

“You know how to care for a pregnant Omega?”

“Yes.”

Mara looked at Kael, her voice low and firm.

“If someone is willing to bear your heir, that’s better than letting someone threaten the entire Pack with a pup.”

She paused.

“Tonight, go to Ivy.”

Selene’s face changed at once.

“Elder Luna, what do you mean?”

Mara looked at her coldly.

“You don’t want to give birth. Someone else does.”

Selene’s fingers clenched. Her eyes landed on me like blades.

I stayed on my knees, my heart pounding so hard it hurt.

I knew there was no going back now.