Pocket FM Stories

To find out, listen to the audioseries 'Crowned in Shadow' (FREE for a limited period of time) Click on the link below to download the PocketFM app, now!

Ad Copy

Who did this to you? Tell me it's my alpha. What kind of alpha hurts his own pack? I'll kill all those who tried to hurt you. Tell me everything. Before she can say anymore, the dream breaks. Damon wakes up, breath uneven, his body covered in sweat. It always ends there. But night after night, the same girl returned with the same wounds, fear, and the same desperate plea for help. Please help me. Alpha Damon had never bowed to beauty or cared for desire. Yet this girl was upsetting him greatly until one day he was patrolling the woods and chanced upon a seer. She told him the girl in his dreams was real, fated to be his mate, and that she was suffering. Tell me her name, Damon demanded, but the seer vanished without answering. From that moment, Damon searched. He crossed territories, questioned alphas, tore through every place that might hide her, yet found nothing until he was summoned to the Red Moon pack for an alliance marriage with Marcy, the daughter of Alpha Edward. He accepted coldly, but the moment he entered the Grand Hall of Red Moon and crashed into me, a servant girl of the Red Moon Pack. Everything changed. I flinched under his gaze, lowering my head again as if I expected punishment for simply existing. Daemon felt a foreign surge. Rage at my fear. Fury at my trembling. And a terrifying protective pull he never knew he was capable of. But for me, the look he gave me sent fear straight through my chest. My thoughts began to race, pressing in from all sides. Panic crept in before reason could catch up. Was I about to be punished? For spilling the water? Or simply for existing? Marcy walked toward him with a bright smile, greeting him loudly. But Daemon didn't even look at her. He was still staring at the girl kneeling on the floor. A slave. An Omega. A girl everyone ignored. A girl who lived in chains. Marcy's rage flared. She couldn't tolerate his attention drifting. Especially not to the one whose voice had been silenced. She grabbed my arm and dragged me into the kitchen. Meanwhile, Daemon stood frozen, unable to process what he had just seen. Those eyes. They were the same ones that haunted his dreams. That face. The one that had refused to fade from his memory for years. At that moment, Luna Layla, Marcy's mother, stepped in. Her presence commanding the room. Alpha Daemon. Your room is ready. Please rest. Daemon gave a brief nod and walked away. But in the kitchen, a very different storm raged. Marcy's jeweled hand cracked sharply against my face. She hissed. Can't you handle a simple job of serving? Her pride wounded. Her control slipping. Blood spilled from my mouth and pooled onto the kitchen floor. Clean it up. Do you have any idea how disgusting your filthy face would look to Alpha Daemon? Don't you dare ruin the alliance. Stay out of sight. Stay invisible. And remember, one wrong move and you'll pay for it! The princess had always been cruel. But this time, it was her wounded pride that burned hottest. How could an Alpha who came for her let his attention drift to an Omega? I scrubbed the floor, bruises blooming across my knees, mirroring those already carved into my body. I was spared this time. Only because Marcy was in a hurry to attend Alpha Daemon. But the relief was brief, fragile. Because I knew what came next. Our next meeting already haunted me, fear curling tight in my chest. I had no way of knowing my fate was about to change. No way of knowing that Alpha Daemon, the most powerful pack leader in the realm, had caught my scent. They said I was born a slave, meant to suffer and bow my head forever. And somewhere along the way, that lie became my truth. For years, I grew up in the depths of the packhouse, where black mold poisoned the air, where pipes leaked dirty water, where everything unwanted was thrown away, including me. Every day, I endured the wrath of Alpha Edward. Nightly beatings weren't punishment anymore. They were routine. Tonight would be no different. It's 11.30pm when I hear the dungeon door slam open. Great. What did I do this time? It doesn't take much. Alpha Edward is an alcoholic. It takes enough liquor to drop a bull just for him to feel anything. Which means he fought with Luna Layla. Which means she locked him out. Which means he came looking for me. Just an average Tuesday in the packhouse. A whiskey bottle explodes against the wall beside my head. Before I can breathe, his hands close around my throat, lifting me off the floor. My vision blurs. Darkness creeps in as I claw helplessly at his fingers. His eyes are pitch black. Ruckus is in control. I hit the wall so hard the glass shards sink through my shirt into my back. The burn of whiskey in the cuts nearly steals my voice. Then his boot crushes my ribs. Another snap. Another scream swallowed. Please! He's done this for years. But tonight is different. Don't you think you should keep your filthy face away from the delegates? Especially from Alpha Damon. If your presence disgusts him, if it disrupts the alliance even slightly, you won't draw another breath. Remember that. With these words, he returns with the whip dripping wolf's bane. Each lash tears through skin and glass. Pain becomes static. The world fades. Numbness. Silence. Is this what dying feels like? I must have passed out after that. My body couldn't take more of it. Everything went blurry, then black. I don't know what happened after Edward left the room. I don't know if he came back or if someone else did. But deep down, I'm sure of one thing. A man like him wouldn't have stopped easily. At the very same time, Alpha Damon was searching the entire pack. Searching for the girl whose face matched the one from his dreams. The girl he had seen in the cavern. The girl the seer had spoken of in a prophecy long ago. He didn't know her name yet. But he knew his purpose. To find her. To save her from the humiliation she endured. And to fulfill the mission fate had brought him for. Meanwhile, I don't know how long I lay there on the cold dungeon floor. Half-conscious. Trapped between pain and darkness. Eventually, awareness crept back in. Slow. Reluctant. I tried to move, and the cold stone floor bit into my skin. Every inch of my body screamed in protest. Bruises throbbed. Muscles burned. I forced myself up anyway. Shaking. Unsteady. Dragging my weight toward the washroom. I rinsed my hands. My face. Watching red swirl down the drain. I wiped at the bruises. The swelling. The marks left behind like proof of something I couldn't forget. Then I finally looked up. And froze. The reflection staring back at me was not the face I remembered. My face is still bruised. But that's not the part that steals my breath. My left iris is violet. Not the reflection. Not the lighting. Violet. I blink. Rub my eye. Look again. It doesn't change. Then I noticed my right eye. My breath hitched as I leaned closer to the mirror. Its color matched the left. Not a trick of the light. Not exhaustion. I I splashed cold water into my eyes. Desperate to prove myself wrong. The chill burned. But when I looked again, the color remained. Deep. Unnatural. Alive. My heart began to race. That's when I saw it. A single silver strand peeking through my hair. I reached up. Fingers trembling. And touched it. It wasn't just one strand. I parted my hair slowly. Dread curling in my chest. Almost half of it had turned gray. Silvered. Pale. As if moonlight itself had threaded through me overnight. I staggered back, gripping the sink. This wasn't an injury. This wasn't a shock. Something inside me had shifted. Awakened. And whatever it was, it was no longer hiding. What is happening to me? I whisper. Is this because of Alpha Edward's beatings? Because of the wolf's fang he had struck into my body with his whip? The thought made my stomach twist. These changes weren't normal. I had seen others awaken their wolves. This was nothing like it. My hands began to shake as the truth settled in. Whatever was happening to me, it wasn't natural. And somehow, deep down, I knew. This was only the beginning. I was still lost in my thoughts when the sound reached me. Footsteps. They echoed from the dungeon stairs. Instantly, I freeze. I can smell Marcy's scent getting closer. Instinctively, I scramble and stand in the middle of the room, just as she gets to the doorway. I look up just enough to see Marcy standing. And I can feel tears starting to sting the corners of my eyes. Marcy reaches forward and claps the back of my neck. Do you have any idea how disgusting your filthy face would look to Alpha Damon? She snapped. A squeak escapes my throat. I am so scared I feel like I am going to pass out. It almost felt what Alpha Edward began. Marcy was here to finish. Her face is contorted with anger. She grabs my shoulders, shaking me roughly. Don't you dare ruin the moon ceremony in any way. Stay out of sight. Stay invisible. And remember, one wrong move and you'll pay for it. I try to speak. It lands me a hard crack in my face. Marcy shakes me again. You will only speak when spoken to. I stiffened my whole body, avoiding eye contact with her. I'm shaking. I can't even speak now. The thought of two people doing something bad to me regularly for the rest of my life. It just can't be real, can it? How can the Moon Goddess allow this to happen? I want to leave the world. That's not an exaggeration. That's not me being dramatic. Please, Moon Goddess, don't let this happen. Just let me go. I shake so badly that I fall to my knees. I start to sob hysterically, and my brain shuts down from being able to think rationally. Marcy grabs my chin and forces me to look at her in her cold, gray eyes. She looks at me in horror for a moment. What happened to your eyes? She moves her hands up from my chin to just below my eyes. It feels like her hands are trembling against my face. Are you a mixed blood or something? All I can manage is to shake my head no between sobs. As I shake my head, I feel her starting to press her thumbs against my lower eyelids, obstructing my vision. Oh no, she's going to poke my eyes out. She saw the violet color. She was going to blind me. I place my hands on top of her, trying to push her away. I hear myself screaming. No, stop! Don't take my eyes out, please! For just a moment, time freezes. I don't mean like it feels like time is standing still because I'm in the middle of a traumatic situation. No, time is frozen. Well, frozen for everything except for me, I should say. I can feel it in the air. It only lasts for a moment. I pulled Marcy's hands away from my face easily. The look of anger combined with confusion is stuck on her face. Next to her, a fly is suspended in midair. The second hand on the clock has stopped on the wall behind her. Drips of water aren't finished falling, leaving umbrella-shaped splashes in the puddles on the floor. What? Did the moon goddess hear me? Did she have mercy on me? I look back at Marcy with wide eyes. My hands are glowing purple. As quickly as it stopped, time started again. Marcy starts screaming and pushes herself away from me. The tops of her hands where my hands were touching her were burnt. I look down at my hands. They are normal again, not glowing purple. Seriously, though, what happened? I shut my eyes tight, waiting for Marcy to retaliate. If you tell anyone, I will kill you, she says in my ear. Then she punches me in the stomach, knocking the air out of my lungs. I hear her footsteps running down the hall, then out the door. I don't know how long I sit like this, but when I finally open my eyes, I breathe a sigh of relief. I lean against my body for a while longer, sobbing, shaking, and trying to catch my breath. She didn't harm me? Surely she was coming back. I sniff the air, but her scent is gone. I listened carefully, but there were no sounds in other parts of the dungeon. I'm alone. Moon Goddess, thank you for saving me. Thank you, I say out loud, just in case the miracle I just experienced was because of her. But anyways, I didn't even have the luxury of thanking the Moon Goddess or taking a breath of relief. Tasks were already lined up, waiting to be done. There was no pause, no mercy, no space to feel anything at all. I gathered myself and made my way toward the kitchen. I have to make dinner for the pack before Alpha Edward finds me. He really might kill me if I don't. Running isn't an option. He or Marcy would catch me before I got far. I force myself down the hall to the sink, splash cold water on my face, and look in the cracked mirror. My eyes are now pure violet. Silver streaks thread through my hair. Not gray, but metallic, shimmering even in the dungeon's dim light. Strange. I'll never get used to it. These sudden changes in my body left me deeply unsettled. I couldn't understand what was happening to me, and the uncertainty frightened me even more. But my biggest concern now is staying away from Alpha Damon and the delegation. Because the first time I stood in front of him, the gaze Alpha Damon gave me filled me with fear. It wasn't deliberate. My hands trembled, and the jug slipped from my grasp, crashing to the floor. But intent never mattered. For that single mistake, I had to endure Marcy's fury and Edward's scorn. Their voices sharp, relentless, unforgiving. I learned then what I was expected to be. Invisible. With these thoughts echoing in my mind, I prepared the food. At dinner, Alpha Edward's glare burns holes through me. I keep my gaze on the floor, avoiding his eyes. Marcy's glares follow me too. Afterward, I was sent to restock the pantries. But what unsettled me more was the silence. Since returning after my unconsciousness, I hadn't seen any of the guests. Not even Alpha Damon. The pack felt unnaturally quiet, as though something important had already taken place without me. As I worked, I couldn't stop wondering what I had missed while I was gone. Somehow, after finishing all my work, I started making my way back to my room. That's when I overheard two Omegas whispering in the corridor. Alpha Damon had left on an important expedition near the kingdom. One that would last three months. He wouldn't be returning to the pack anytime soon. Hence, no active workload. A strange sense of relief washed over me. Relief, but not peace. It was the kind of relief that still bothered my heart. A temporary calm, knowing I had a few quiet months before he returned, and everything changed again. Until then, I could breathe. At least for now. My attention snapped back when one of them whispered that no one truly understood what Alpha Damon was searching for. That single sentence unsettled me. Was there something hidden within the pack that he was looking for? Some secrets? Some motives? No one knew about? Fear curled in my chest. What if it was me? The thought wouldn't leave me. Especially after the keys he had given me on the very first day. That gesture alone had meant far more than it seemed. And suddenly, everything felt connected in ways I wasn't ready to face. Trying to steady my racing thoughts, I dragged myself toward my room. It's well past midnight when I finally collapse onto my bed and close my eyes. I wallow in self-pity for a bit before I roll over and try to fall asleep. I'm almost asleep when I hear a woman's voice. Hello. I quickly scramble to my feet, looking everywhere for who it could be. I'm the only one in the room. I peek into the hallway and look around, but no one is there either. Hello? I whisper loudly down the hallway. Uh, Talia, this is no way for a warrior to behave. Get yourself together. The voice chides. I realize the voice is coming from inside my head. Who… who are you? I ask hesitantly, worried that I've gone insane. I am the messenger of the moon goddess. The Whisperer of the Moon. But I like you, so I'll let you call me Sylvie. Whisperer of the Moon? Are you my angel, Sylvie? I asked in shock. Maybe. Who knows? Angels. Godmothers. Messengers. They all come in different shapes and sizes. Came the quick reply in my head. You came late. Our alpha has already turned me into an official slave. We have no way to escape now. I feel tears welling up. My voice trembled as I told Sylvie everything. Every memory. Every fear. Every truth I had kept buried for years. I swallowed hard, the hope trembling inside me like a frightened bird. I'm here now, Talia. Don't worry. You are a child of the moon goddess. You are a warrior, which means you are strong. You will get through this. Moon goddess's daughter. Those words echoed in my mind, leaving me stunned. I couldn't fully believe what she was saying. Yet somehow, her words seeped into me, settling just beneath the surface. Curiosity finally overcame my disbelief. Sylvie? I asked hesitantly. Earlier, when my hands turned purple and burned Marcy. Was that you? Sort of. That was you, but I helped a little to activate your power. I can explain more later. The next month and a half are the worst of my life. Thank the goddess for Sylvie. She's the only reason I'm still standing. My motivation's gone. Every moment is work. Now I make breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Still on pantry duty, with no rest between. Cooking with Sylvie is my only peace. No one bothers us in the kitchen, and we talk freely while we work. I even found a few old recipe books and taught myself new dishes. At least I can create something others enjoy. The one part of my life that still feels mine. Everywhere else, misery rules. Alpha Edward lets the pack torment me, and he visits often to hurt and humiliate me. Sometimes Marcy watches. Once she even fetched the whip for him, smiling as she stood by. Sylvie urges me to fight back, but that would be suicide. If I fought or shifted, I'd be dead. She keeps insisting everything will change when I shift. You're a daughter of the moon goddess, she says. Her warrior. She hates that I hide her. Claims my silence makes her weaker. Okay, Sylvie. I sigh for the hundredth time. First, I don't know when I'll have time to shift. I'm up from five till after midnight. Second, if the alpha finds out I'm talking to someone in my head, he'll think I've lost it and kill me. And lastly, I'm a slave, not a warrior. Talia, she says firmly. You are not just a warrior. You are a child of the moon goddess. She is your mother. You are destined to be queen. I roll my eyes. Fine. The first chance I get, I'll let you help me. Promise. That satisfies her. For now. We keep arguing about whether I'm literally the moon goddess's daughter. I don't think she gets the difference. Suddenly, she snapped, her voice firm. Your fate is coming, Talia. You will escape this suffering. Your maid is coming to claim you. I froze. What are you saying, Sylvie? I whispered, shaken. That can't be true. I'm just a slave. My voice faltered as the truth I'd lived with pressed in around me. This is my reality. I said quietly. No mate could ever save me from it. She shook her head gently, as if correcting a child. No. He will change your life. He will take you away from this world of humiliation. I let out a weak, disbelieving laugh. Oh, come on, Sylvie. I couldn't accept her words. Not then. Not like this. Exhausted. Physically and emotionally. I dragged myself toward the bedroom. The weight of the day pressing heavily on me. And yet, her words followed me into the darkness. By night, I collapse exhausted. Especially after Edward's visits. Sylvie stays with me. My only friend. Always pushing me not to give up. I feel guilty for not being able to do the same for her. One day, the Alpha's personal Omega bursts in while I'm cooking. He wants to see you. Now. Drop everything and go. I knock softly. You called for me, Alpha? I ask, keeping my voice low. Fewer words mean fewer reasons for him to lash out. Don't just stand there. Come in. He snaps. I step inside, staying near the door. Always ready to run. Talia. He says. Alpha Damon will be visiting the pack after his long expedition. You are responsible for all preparations for the delegation. If all goes well, we'll form a pact. And of course, above all this, Marcy is going to marry Alpha Damon. Make sure nothing goes wrong. You'll prepare formal dinners daily. Keep the pantry stocked. And stay out of the way. Got it? Somehow, just hearing that Alpha Damon had his returning to the pack filled me with fear. The memory of his gaze. Intense. Unreadable. Only made it worse. My chest tightened as the feeling resurfaced. Whatever it was that lingered in his eyes, it unsettled me far more than any punishment ever had. I look up from under my hat, still keeping my face. I face low enough that he can't see my eyes. Yes, even after almost two months, he still hasn't noticed that I have purple eyes. Or if he has, he hasn't pointed it out. He also hasn't said anything about my silver hair, which is just fine with me. Yes, sir. Everyone will be here on Monday. We'll be having a party after dinner to welcome him. Make sure there is enough food for the party. If everything goes according to plan, he will be wed to Marcy, and our packs will be united forever. Give George the information for the additional food you need to make. Do you understand? Yes, sir. Good. We need to keep the Alpha happy. And you will not pull any stunts like you did before. You will do everything from behind the curtain. Do not show your face. If not, I won't hesitate to harm you. Do you understand? He stands up with his hands leaning on the desk, looking very intimidating. Yes, sir. Now get out of my sight. He points to the door behind me. I scramble out of the room as fast as possible to find George. George is in charge of ordering supplies for the packhouse. He should be in his office right now. My mind is already churning through the special foods to make and the groceries I need for them. I also need extra supplies for the guest suite pantries. I get to George's office and knock on the door. I can hear noises coming from inside, but he doesn't answer. I knock a little louder. What the hell? He has to know I'm here. He knows my scent. Just tell me to come in already. I don't like this guy, Talia. He's creepy. He stares at you. Sylvie complains. Well, we don't have a choice but to work with him, Sylvie. He's the money. Ugh, fine. But let's make it quick. I knock again, more impatiently this time. What is it? He finally growls from inside. I open the door to find there's a female wolf sitting on his desk. She hides her face in his chest. I can't see who she was, but there is no denying whose scent it is. George is not wearing any pants and he is sweating. Get the hell out, Talia. I'm busy here. I stand there wide-eyed, jaw slack for a moment. I can't be seeing this. George is having a fun time in his office with Marcy, the alpha's daughter. This is bad. She's supposed to marry the alpha from the dark howlers if they ever found out. Get out, Talia. He yells louder. I come to my senses and slam the door closed. I run back to the kitchen as fast as I can. I can feel the drip from my face. If anyone finds out what I just saw, I am finished. Sylvie thinks it's hilarious. She laughs in my head throughout lunch preparation. I'm just trying to erase the scene from my mind. I'm about to take the platters out to the dining room. George comes charging into the kitchen. He makes a beeline at me, grabbing me by the throat and pinning me against the wall. He hauls back and slaps me square in the face. The back of my head slams against the wall so hard I see stars. I can feel my cheek burning as I slide down the wall with a groan. You didn't see anything. He growls at me. I can feel his claws extending into my neck, drawing blood. You understand, you little monster. I'm paralyzed with fear. I can't answer. I can't even nod. Suddenly, I feel like I'm falling backward in my mind. I blink quickly a few times. It feels like I'm looking out of someone else's eyes. Let her go. The voice comes from me, but it isn't my voice. It's Sylvie. Her voice booms and sounds almost ethereal. The dishes on the counter shake as she growls deeply at George. I watch helplessly as my hands glow violet and grab George's wrists. As I grab him, his eyes widen in fear and he starts howling in pain. A sizzling sound comes from where my hands connect with his skin. He quickly releases my neck and we both fall to the ground. How are you doing this? What are you, Talia? I stand up, feeling much taller than my five-foot-tall frame. Sylvie's voice booms from me. I'm a warrior child of the moon goddess. If you tell anyone what has happened here today, I will make you suffer. Sylvie threatens. George scoots back on his backside away from me, wide-eyed, then clambers up and runs away as fast as he can. Suddenly, I come back into my normal state of mind and I fall back to the ground. Exhausted. My hands are no longer glowing, but they feel like they are on and full of static electricity. Sylvie! What was that? I scold her, but mostly because it scared me. I couldn't help it. He was threatening you. Okay, but what was with the glowy purple burnt hands thing? That's not normal. Talia, we've been through this. You are a child of the moon goddess. You are a queen. There is more too. You will see after we shift for the first time. Until then, I'm not strong enough to show you. Besides, it isn't like I hurt him badly. His wolf will heal him before he is back in his office. I don't... Wait, you mean the moon goddess is my actual mom? Like, she gave birth to me, specifically. Not just, like, mother of all werewolves because she created us a gazillion years ago. That's what I've been saying since I came. It's not my fault you didn't believe me. I picked up a towel to wipe the stain from my nose. Sylvie is already healing me, but my face is going to be bruised for a couple of days. I pull my hat down low so no one can see the bruises, then pick up the first two platters and rush out to the dining room. Okay, well, if you're able to do that to George, how come you can't do it to Alpha Edward or Marcy? Well, I think it happened one time before, but I wasn't fully in control then. I can't do it now because he's your Alpha, Talia. I can't go against what he says. I can't attack your Alpha or his daughter. Fine, I concede. I don't want to argue with her. I'm just trying to figure out the rules. I'm in uncharted territory here. I mean, it's cool territory, but I don't know what our limits are. Once all the platters are out, I make the list of extra supplies I need and put it in the box hanging outside George's office. That way, I don't have to face him again. I clean up the dining room from lunch and still have about 45 minutes until I need to start dinner. I decided to go to the stock room and put supplies on the pantry cart for later. As I'm working, I hear someone clear their throat behind me. I look up to find Marcy standing uncomfortably close to me. Can I help you with something, Marcy? I try to swallow the panic that instantly builds in my throat. Talia, I'm getting married. I'm going to be the Luna to the most powerful Alpha in the realm. The Luna of the Dark Howlers and the Red Moons. And when I am, you won't be treated the way you are now. She takes a step closer, forcing me to back up against the cart. Marcy, please stop. I put my hands up and push lightly against her to get her to move. But she's stronger than me and doesn't budge. I look up at her to see an evil grin distorting her face. I see the way my father treats you the way he does, don't you, Talia? Marcy's voice slithered. It's because you're weak. You just take it. You never fight back. You never learn. She stepped closer. You know what you are deep down. You're nothing. Marcy smiled. When I become Luna of the Dark Howlers, you'll belong to me. My slave. My little reminder of what happens to women who forget their place. And when my Alpha arrives... She leaned in, her breath brushing my ear. You've heard how vicious he is, haven't you? I can't wait to let him put you in your place. She circled me like prey. So if you're even thinking of opening that mouth of yours about what you saw with George, don't. Because if you ruin this for me, I'll feed you to the things you fear most, piece by piece. Moon Goddess, if you're my mother, please help me. Please save me from this. I cry in my mind as Marcy takes her claws, digging them into my skin. She finally releases me and I fall to the floor. She tears the back of my shirt open and strikes with her claws on my back, as if to mark me as her property. I lay on the floor of the supply room, crying. Get up, Talia. Sylvie commands in my mind. I said get up. She repeats. Her voice is stern, but caring. You're better than this. You will survive this. I want to leave the world, Sylvie. I can't do this anymore. I can't. You can, and you will. Soon our fated mate will come and everything will change. He's coming for us, Talia. He's coming for his queen. Could it be? Was this my fated mate? Was it more than just a fairy tale? How can you be so sure? You will see. Glowy, burning hands are not your only gift. I get up, find an old cardigan in the back of the stockroom, and put it on. I go back to my room to find new clothes before making dinner. The next four days go without incident. Unless you consider I have gone to the roof several times contemplating my existence. Each time, I stand with my toes at the edge and stare down from the four-story building. I can't bring myself to do anything except cry and go back to my room. I can't do it to Sylvie. I can't take her life because I want to take mine. Sunday after dinner service, I see Marcy in the hallway while I'm refilling pantries. She quickly approaches me and grabs me by the arm. She extends her claws into my bicep, drawing blood. Remember our little chat, Talia. If you tell anyone, and I mean anyone, what you saw in George's office, I will make you suffer again, she says in a low, threatening tone. Not again. I'm fed up. Does she want to bully me? Okay, fine. I lift my hat and let my violet eyes look directly at her. She gasps at the unusual sight. Marcy, it would be a relief, and I would welcome it. You don't care how I'm treated by this pack, including you, your father, your mother, and your lover, too. Tears choke up in my throat. I cannot take any more punishment or threats from anyone else. I'm at my wit's end. If she takes my life right here in this hallway, it would be a relief. I'm sorry, Sylvie. I just can't do it anymore. I say to my angel as I'm staring down Marcy. She doesn't respond. She shuts our mind link and crawls into the corner of my mind. Marcy pushes me away. Insolent bastard! You should be grateful for your life. The Alpha will hear about this. I'm not grateful for this life, Marcy. And if you think I should be, you are part of the problem. If you want to tell the Alpha about this incident, I'm more than happy to tell him what instigated it. She stares at me with pure anger and hatred before walking away without a word. I guess fate has other plans for me. I stand in the hall for a few minutes to see if she is coming back, but she doesn't. I'm certain she is going to sabotage me. Maybe she's going to smother me in my sleep or just stab me straight in the back. Either way, I was serious when I told her I welcome her. I finish pantry duty making sure everything is set in the guest rooms. I had George order bouquets for each of the suites as an extra touch. In the guest Alpha's suite, I also added a bottle of champagne. If this is the last thing I ever get to do, I want it to be something that makes someone else happy. It is almost 1.30 in the morning before I plop into my bed totally exhausted. It has been a day. If Marcy has anything to do with it, it will probably be my last. Sylvie is exhausted too. She stops sulking long enough to tell me she needs me to shift, but I can't. I have no time or energy. I keep promising her I will, but I feel like I've broken that promise. I float off to the sounds of her whimpering in my head while I cry into the pillow. To my surprise, my alarm wakes me in the morning. Sylvie makes me promise to hang on for one more day. We go through the motions of the life I hate. While I'm getting ready, I look in the mirror to find my hair is completely silvery now. I tuck it into a bun to try to avoid people noticing it. The delegation from Dark Howlers arrives in the early afternoon. They are all tall and intimidating with tattoos and big muscles. Some of them have visible scars on their arms and faces. They're wearing matching business clothes or security uniforms. And with their arrival, my heart began to beat a little faster. The fear walked in. The fear of Marcy, Edward, and of Alpha Damon. The rest of the day goes without a hitch. The guests seem pleased with dinner. Plates are finished and drinks continue to pour. In the evening, I go to each guest suite to make sure everyone is happy with their accommodations. A couple of people ask for more bags of chips or soda, but on the whole, everyone seems satisfied. But throughout it all, Alpha Damon's eyes never left me. I didn't understand what he wanted or what his intentions were. All I could think about was punishment. Wondering what I had done wrong this time. And not knowing was the worst part. Because in my world, I didn't need a reason. Simply existing was often enough. What I didn't know what I couldn't possibly understand was that I was the girl from Damon's dreams. The one he had been searching for. The one his wolf had sworn to protect. He wanted to save me, and I remained completely unaware of it all. While fate closed in around me, I was still bracing for punishment. I was walking along the corridor to check on the final requirements of the day in the guests' rooms. The last door is the Beta's room. She opens the door. I can't explain it, but I feel a friendly warmth when she does. She introduces herself as Maya. She has a large tattoo of a rose and a dagger on her forearm. Her dark hair is still pulled back, but she isn't wearing makeup. I can see now, she looks only a few years older than me. I can hear her mate inside talking on the phone. Thanks for checking on us. Everything is wonderful. The flowers are a beautiful touch. You have good taste. She smiles at me. I bow to her slightly, then turn to leave. Wait, what's under your hat? I stop in my tracks and turn around. I'm sorry, ma'am? I ask. I feel the blood drain from my face. Your hat. Why is it so low? What are you trying to hide? She asks. Come closer. I come closer and slowly take off my hat. Keeping my eyes to the ground, my silver hair cascades down my back. It is embarrassingly greasy and visibly dirty. I feel myself blush. Oh, I see, she says with surprise in her voice. Now, don't be disrespectful. Always look me in the eye when I speak to you. I look up at her. The light from her room shines right into my eyes. She looks at me blankly for a moment, trying to process what she is seeing. What are you, a hybrid? No, ma'am. The pack doctor detests but doesn't know why it happened. He thinks it must be a transformation related to my wolf getting ready to wake up. I mean, it's not a lie. It's just not the whole truth, right? How am I supposed to tell a stranger that my wolf says I am the moon goddess's actual daughter and that is why I have silver hair and violet eyes? She grabs my chin and pulls my face closer to hers, inspecting closely. And does the pack doctor know someone has been hitting you recently? You still have bruises. He's treated my injuries in the past. I'm not trying to elaborate or implicate anyone to this person I don't know. Who's at the door, Maya? The beta inside calls to her. Just the omega assigned to us, Kaden. What's your name, again? It's Talia, ma'am. But please, call me Talia. I'm not an omega, though. I'm just a servant. Her name is Talia. She picked out my beautiful flowers. She's still talking to her mate, but she hasn't taken her eyes off me, as if she is trying to size me up for some reason. Her brow furrows slightly as she stares. She's making me self-conscious. That's nice. Ask her if I can get bubbly water in the refrigerator. No problem, ma'am. She and I share a smile at bubbly water. I will bring it shortly and leave it at the door. Thank you. Oh, and Talia, if those bruises aren't healed tomorrow morning, find some powder. Alpha Damon wants to see you tomorrow. And he does not tolerate seeing injuries like that. Uh, yes, ma'am. Her words made my mind swirl with questions I couldn't escape. Why would an alpha ever want to meet me? An omega. A girl kept in chains her whole life. Was I right in thinking that Alpha Damon had something to do with me? Was there a connection that I couldn't understand? Had he warned everyone about me? Silenced them in ways I didn't know? Why did they speak my name as if they already knew me? As if I wasn't just another servant hidden in the dark halls of the pack. Nothing made sense. Nothing fit. But somehow, despite all the confusion, one thought kept swirling inside me, circling my heart faster than my mind could catch it. Soon, I run to the stockroom, get four bottles of San Pellegrino, and put them in front of the door, then run away as fast as I can. A million questions race through my head. Would their alpha be angry that I'm weaker, even though I'm not part of his pack? If he's as vicious as they say, I hope I don't cross paths with him. Was she going to tell Alpha Edward about my... differences? Or call him out for letting someone break my nose? If she thinks that's bad, wait until she finds out the rest. Then I'm dead for sure. The next morning, Edward comes down later and whips me for not having every item our guests wanted. By morning, Sylvie still hasn't healed me completely. The pain is brutal. Even cooking, carrying trays, or leaning over to clean tables makes my scabs tear open, dampening my shirt with blood. That evening, I forced myself through the pain to dress. The visitor's uniform, a crisp blouse and fitted skirt reserved for our most esteemed guests. I smoothed it over the stinging welts and tied my hair as they preferred. Neat and obedient. Maya meets my eyes a few times. She knows something's wrong but says nothing. Sylvie, meanwhile, is buzzing in my head all day. The beta is so nice. I can't wait to meet the Alpha again. Sylvie, we're not meeting anyone. We're going to melt into the wallpaper and pretend we don't exist. I want to meet them again. Well, hate to disappoint you but you're gonna be disappointed. Luna Layla interrupts my thoughts to announce the Alpha's arrival and that I'll need to make his meal too. Luna Layla seems extremely excited about this. She's beaming over the wedding plans for the Alpha and Marcy. I bring trays to the conference room. Alpha Damon's seat is empty, so I leave his food. The dark howlers thank me politely. My own pack doesn't even look at me. After clearing the dishes, Luna Layla takes over so I can start dinner. Needing air, I step outside. In the distance stands a tall man with dark hair. Must be the Alpha. His scent drifts toward me, rich like coffee and dark chocolate. My knees begin to wobble. It's intoxicating. A mocha drinker? The thought makes me smile. Dinner's a four-course meal. Caesar salad, bacon-wrapped shrimp, beef wellington with brussel sprouts, and key lime pie. For the party, I add appetizers and desserts. Bruschetta, fritters, calzones, veggie trays, truffles. Cooking actually makes me happy again. Maybe it's Sylvie's influence, or maybe serving someone new. I stay in the kitchen, making sure every plate's perfect. Guests seem pleased. Edward drinks too much, despite Luna Layla's attempts to stop him. I never see Alpha Damon clearly, but Maya's quick wink from the dining room lifts my spirits. Afterward, I help set up the ballroom. Food, drinks, decorations. When the guests arrive, I slip out the back to restock upstairs, humming softly, oddly calm. You're in a good mood, Sylvie teases. Guess so, not sure why. My back and feet still ache. Well, I'm happy you're happy for once. This version of you is pretty cool. Thanks, Sylvie. You're not half bad yourself. I restock the ranked members' rooms on the fourth and third floors, then move to the guest suites on the second. The cleaning staff's already handled everything. I just replace toiletries, pantry items, and fridge stock. I make quick work of it. Extra San Pellegrino for the Betas. Fresh flowers. A little tent card with a smiley face on the counter. It's almost midnight by the time I finish. The ballroom's still alive with music. I close the Betas' suite door and move to the Alphas', the last one. He must be at the party too, but I knock just in case. Hearing nothing, I unlock the door and step inside. The moment I see what's inside, my heart stops. I freeze. Standing there was the most handsome werewolf I've ever seen in my life. Easily six foot six inches tall, looked to be about 250 pounds of solid muscle with the broadest shoulders. But he wasn't alone. An icy blonde stood in front of him with her hands undoing his belt. It's him, Sylvie howls in my mind. The smell of coffee and dark chocolate filled the air, and my mind went hazy as I froze, seeing two piercing blue eyes staring back at me. Stop, he shouted. Is this it? Is this the day I die? I wondered. I was only doing my job, but that did not change the fact that I had witnessed something that should not have been seen. Before I could move, he lunged forward and roughly pinned me against the floor outside the room with a low growl. He placed both hands on my shoulders, preventing me from escaping, put his face against my neck, and inhaled deeply. My heart was pounding in my chest as overwhelming panic began to set in. Alpha Damon, is this Omega trying to steal something? A guard said, seeing the struggle. Get back. He snarled, flashing his large fangs. Mine. He growled. Over his shoulder, I could faintly see Marcy staring daggers at me, and down the hall, I heard Alpha Edward shouting. What a disaster, I thought. They're all going to kill me. My head started swimming, and I felt even dizzier. Maybe I was finally dying. Look what you've done, you little bitch! Marcy yelled as she reached out to grab me, but she never touched me. Alpha Damon snarled, snatching her hand out of the air and snapping her wrist. Alpha Edward roared, How dare you! This is war! I watched them fight as if it was a dream. They looked as though they were moving in slow motion. Alpha Edward yanked Marcy, pulling her back as Damon snarled at them. He was vicious. Beautifully vicious. A guard tried to separate them as Beta Caden and Maya took defensive positions around Alpha Damon, and George lunged at Damon, but he was no match for the Alpha. Damon grabbed George by the throat and threw him into the wall as though he were a tiny pup. I almost laughed, but I was shaking all over, barely able to stand, but in the chaos, I managed to crawl away and slink down the stairs. I looked around to see if anyone noticed me, but they were all too busy arguing. I looked down to see blood running down my legs, dripping onto the floor. I started to lose consciousness, and then I heard it. The most guttural, ear-shattering roar. Where is she? Where is who, Alpha Damon? Where is my mate? Is it possible? Has he finally come for Talia? Could this terrifying, vicious Alpha actually be Talia's fated mate? Will their bond ignite a war between the two most powerful packs in the Order? Will any of them leave Red Moon Territory alive?