Chapter 2

Jace was the Alpha of Ravencrest pack.

When I turned 18, I discovered I was his mate.

He despised my Omega bloodline, yet was obsessed with my body.

He loved the thrill, always pulling me into sex on horseback, in the forest, even at cliff edges.

I thought this was love.

That is, until today. After he claimed me in the locker room at the rink, I finally asked him.

"Jace, when will you mark me?"

Jace gently helped me get dressed.

"Soon!"

Then he left.

But as I was about to leave the locker room, I heard Jace's men laughing.

"Who knew that Omega was more shameless than a prostitute!"

Jace laughed. "But cleaner than a prostitute!"

Someone asked. "Alpha Jace, are you really going to mark her? I still can't accept having an Omega as our Luna."

Jace said. "No choice-she's my mate. If I break the mate bond with her, my power will weaken."

Then Jace paused before continuing.

"But don't worry, I won't mark her, and I definitely won't let her bear my heir! Only Helena is worthy of bearing my heir!"

A sharp pain pierced my heart.

I should have known. Who wouldn't love the radiant Helena?

But Jace... if you never loved me, why lie?

My face pale, I left the rink alone and went home.

I was the illegitimate daughter of Ravencrest pack's Beta.

My mother was a lowly Omega nurse.

Twenty-two years ago, my father was injured in battle, and my mother took care of him.

Because my mother was beautiful, my father forced himself on her.

My mother got pregnant and gave birth to me.

But afterward, my father claimed my mother had seduced him on purpose.

When I was ten, my father's wife beat my mother to death out of jealous hatred.

Father brought me home, but I was treated worse than a servant.

I once thought Jace was my salvation, that he could take me away from this hellhole.

But I never imagined he was just pushing me into another abyss.

I remembered the first time Jace returned victorious from fighting Rogues. He turned his head in the crowd to look at me and winked.

I had just turned 18. I caught the unique scent of cedar in the air-Jace's scent.

In that moment, I knew he was my mate.

That night, he secretly climbed through my window and took me to the forest.

Under a pine tree, he claimed me like a crazed beast.

It was my first time. It wasn't as beautiful as I'd imagined.

I only felt pain, blood flowing endlessly between my legs.

But Jace comforted me. "I didn't expect you to be a virgin! I'm sorry, I should have been gentler. But you'll get used to it, and you'll even enjoy it!"

I lowered my head shyly.

After climbing off me, Jace got dressed and said.

"With Rogues running wild at the border right now, I can't announce our relationship yet. I'm afraid you'll be in danger."

He kissed my forehead.

In that moment, I was grateful to the Moon Goddess.

But now...