The sun was just beginning to rise over the dense forest surrounding the Blood Moon pack's territory, casting long shadows over the grand estate that stood at its heart. The mansion, a symbol of power and prestige, was where Selene worked tirelessly, cleaning rooms, scrubbing floors, and obeying every command barked at her. Her thin frame moved quietly through the halls, careful not to make a sound. The fewer eyes on her, the better.
Selene was a maid, but more than that, she was a slave in every sense of the word. Orphaned at a young age, she had been taken in by the pack, not out of kindness, but for convenience. Jackson Richford, the Alpha of the Blood Moon pack, had no use for a weak, powerless girl like her except to do the dirty work his high-status warriors wouldn’t lower themselves to. At least, not until she turned 18. That day was just a week away, and it was the only thing keeping Selene going. In a few days, she would meet her wolf, the other half of her soul. Then, maybe, she could escape this hell. Maybe then, the wolf inside her would be strong enough to protect her from Jackson and his cruel girlfriend, Tiffany Harrington. Selene could already hear Tiffany’s voice echoing through the mansion, sharp and commanding. She winced, knowing what was coming. “Selene! Where the hell are you?” Tiffany’s screech was laced with venom. Selene hurried, wiping her hands on the apron she wore and making her way down the stairs to the kitchen, where Tiffany stood waiting. Her cold blue eyes scanned Selene as if she were nothing but dirt beneath her feet. “You were supposed to be up here ten minutes ago!” Tiffany snapped, folding her arms. “Are you “really” that useless?” “I’m sorry, Miss Harrington,” Selene muttered, keeping her head bowed low. “Sorry isn’t good enough!” Tiffany strode toward her, heels clicking against the marble floor. “You think you can just drag your feet around here because Jackson is too soft to discipline you properly? He may let you off easy, but I won’t.” Before Selene could react, a stinging slap landed across her cheek, sending her head snapping to the side. She bit back the tears that welled up in her eyes. Crying only made it worse. “Now, I want the Alpha’s chambers spotless before noon, or you won’t get any food for the rest of the day. Do you understand?” “Yes, Miss Harrington,” Selene whispered, barely able to keep her voice steady. “Good. Now get out of my sight.” Selene turned and hurried away, her cheek burning from the slap. She could feel the heat of Tiffany’s glare following her as she made her way to the Alpha’s chambers. Jackson and Tiffany ruled the pack like tyrants. She was nothing more than a tool to them, disposable and invisible. As she entered Jackson’s room, she moved quickly, cleaning and straightening with robotic efficiency. She had done it a thousand times before, but today, every movement felt heavier than the last. Her thoughts drifted back to when she was younger before her parents had been killed during a rogue attack. Back when she believed in pack unity, the family. That life was long gone. Jackson’s scent was everywhere in the room, a heavy, oppressive aura that made her skin crawl. She had seen him snap so many times, losing his temper over the smallest infractions, and had been the victim of his rage more than once. Though he rarely hit her directly, his punishments were cruel, forcing her to go days without food or locking her away for hours in the dark cellar beneath the packhouse. But despite all of that, Selene held on to one hope: turning 18. The moment she turned 18, her wolf would come. She would no longer be defenseless. And maybe, just maybe, she would find her mate, someone who could take her away from the nightmare of the Blood Moon pack. It was a distant dream, but one she clung to with every fiber of her being. The door slammed open, and Selene jumped, nearly dropping the bucket she was holding. Jackson stood in the doorway, his towering frame casting a long shadow over her. His dark eyes scanned the room, landing on her with a mixture of contempt and amusement. “I thought I heard Tiffany yelling at you again,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You are hopeless, aren’t you?” Selene didn’t answer. She knew better. Answering would only make things worse. Jackson stalked toward her, and she could feel the tension in the air, the familiar sense of impending doom. He reached out, grabbing a handful of her hair and yanking her head back so she was forced to look up at him. “Look at me when I’m talking to you,” he growled. Selene bit her lip, fighting back the whimper of pain that threatened to escape. His grip was tight, his fingers digging into her scalp. “Tell me,” he continued, his breath hot against her skin, “what are you going to do when you turn 18, huh? Do you think your wolf is going to save you? You think you’ll be anything more than the worthless little girl you are now?” He shoved her away, and she stumbled, barely catching herself before hitting the floor. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to let him see how afraid she was. Jackson fed off fear. “Don’t get any ideas, Selene,” he warned, his voice dripping with menace. “You’re nothing. You’ll always be nothing.” With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving her standing there, trembling. Selene sank to her knees, staring at the floor, trying to gather the shattered pieces of her resolve. She was nothing. She couldn’t be. She wouldn’t let them break her. As she finished cleaning Jackson’s chambers, she couldn’t help but glance at the calendar hanging on the wall. Six more days. In six days, she would turn 18, and everything would change. At least, that’s what she told herself. But in the back of her mind, a small voice whispered: What if nothing changes? What if your wolf never comes? Selene shook her head, pushing the thought away. She couldn’t think like that. She had to believe that there was something more waiting for her. There had to be. By the time she finished her tasks for the day, the sun was already sinking low in the sky. She slipped out of the packhouse and made her way to the small, dingy room in the servants’ quarters where she slept. It wasn’t much — just a bed and a tiny window that barely let in any light — but it was hers. The one place where she could be alone.
