Chapter One - The Rejected
Cold.
Cold was the first thing Liora could ever remember.
The icy stone floors beneath her bare feet. The frozen castle walls. The judgmental stares that followed her wherever she went.
They had all felt the same.
Merciless.
Being born an omega in the Black Moon Pack was difficult enough.
Being born a cursed omega...
Was unforgivable.
"Liora."
The sharp voice echoed through the castle kitchen.
She flinched, tightening her grip around the wooden bucket before lowering her head and hurrying forward.
"Come here."
She obeyed without a word, careful not to meet anyone's eyes. She had learned that lesson long ago. Looking people in the eye only made them angrier.
The head cook dropped a loaf of burnt bread onto the table.
"Did you bake this?"
"No."
The slap came faster than she expected.
Pain exploded across her cheek as her head snapped to the side.
"Don't speak unless I give you permission."
Liora lowered her gaze again.
It hurt.
But she was used to pain.
After nineteen years, it had become the only constant in her life.
The servants around the kitchen pretended not to notice. No one wanted to be seen standing too close to the cursed girl. Misfortune wasn't contagious...
But fear certainly was.
Just then, a deep horn echoed across the castle.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The entire fortress sprang to life.
Soldiers rushed through the corridors.
Heavy doors swung open.
Footsteps thundered across the stone halls.
Even the head cook straightened in excitement.
"The Alpha Heir has returned!"
Every servant immediately dropped to one knee.
Liora did the same, bowing her head.
She had only ever seen Kael Draven from afar.
The future Alpha.
The strongest warrior of the Black Moon Pack.
The Moon Goddess's chosen heir.
Heavy footsteps approached.
Slow.
Steady.
Commanding.
Every step made the room feel smaller.
Then they stopped.
Right in front of her.
Liora knew she wasn't supposed to look up.
But something inside her stirred.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Her breathing faltered.
It felt as though an invisible thread had wrapped itself around her heart, pulling tighter with every passing second.
A deep masculine voice broke the silence.
"That girl..."
The head cook immediately bowed lower.
"Her name is Liora, Alpha."
Silence followed.
Then Kael took one step closer.
Unable to resist, Liora slowly lifted her eyes.
Their gazes met.
Time stood still.
