Prologue

Prologue

It was one of those dull, cloudy mornings in Dark Slayer Pack — not quite raining, but the kind of grey that made everything feel a bit heavier. Jolene sat on her bed, legs tucked under a blanket, flipping through the final pages of her well-worn vampire novel. Her heart raced with anticipation; she was getting close to the climax.

Forbidden books always hit harder. Especially vampire ones, completely banned in the werewolf realm. That only made her obsession with them more delicious.

“Jo!” someone shouted from outside her room.

“Damn it,” she muttered under her breath. She quickly dog-eared her page and slid the book under her pillow just as the door burst open.

“Our Alpha’s expecting important guests soon,” said Polly, practically bouncing with excitement. “We have to start the preparations!”

Polly, her black hair swishing as she moved, clapped her hands like a child on sugar. She was Jolene’s roommate — and perpetually high on life.

“Oh! And the warriors are returning today!” she added, shaking Jolene’s arm with glee.

Jolene gave her a knowing look. “Jake, right?” she said dryly.

Polly blushed but didn’t deny it. Jake was a young warrior always sent away on assignments — a constant heartbreak for Polly.

“I already helped Gina with her wardrobe. She said I’m done for the day,” Jolene offered, hopeful.

“Alpha said all omegas are needed — kitchen or mansion. Your choice.” Polly smirked.

“Fine,” Jolene sighed. “Kitchen.”

She didn’t even get to tie her apron before chaos erupted.

Slap. Slap.

“You little bitch!” Gina’s voice echoed down the hallway.

Jolene stepped out of the kitchen just in time to see Gina yank a young girl’s hair.

Lucy.

Eight years old, accused of killing her own mother. Nobody believed her cries of innocence back then. They said her fingerprints were on the dagger. But Jolene always suspected she’d been framed. The evidence came too easily.

“You think you’re better than me, huh? Whore!” Gina’s boot collided with Lucy’s ribs.

Lucy didn’t fight back. She never did.

“Miss!” Jolene called out, loud and clear.

Gina paused mid-slap. “What is it, Jo?”

“The Alpha… he was asking for you. Right now,” Jolene lied, managing a straight face.

Gina blinked, fluffed her hair, and hurried off, forgetting Lucy entirely.

Jolene exhaled and crouched beside the trembling girl. “Come on,” she said gently. “Let’s get you out of here.”

“I’ll be fine,” Lucy whispered, trying to stand, but her knees buckled.

“Nice try.” Jolene steadied her and led her down the hall, away from prying eyes.

She hesitated at the door to Lucy’s usual room — a dingy basement crawling with insects and stale air. There was no way she’d leave anyone in that place, not tonight.

Instead, she led Lucy to her own room.

“Just stay low,” Jolene said as she helped her into bed. “Gina will cool off eventually.”

Lucy looked around, overwhelmed. “No one’s ever helped me before,” she said softly.

Jolene offered a small smile. “Well, now someone has.”

She rummaged through her drawers and handed Lucy a clean shirt and joggers. “Change into these. Rest. I’ll cover your shift in the kitchen.”

By the time Jolene finished plating the final dish — seared steak with cream risotto, brioche buns, fresh juice — the mansion buzzed with anticipation. Guests would arrive any minute now.

She was lining glasses on a trolley when a furious growl ripped through the air.

Her heart froze. Alpha Jayden.

People were already crowding near the entrance as she stepped out of the kitchen. Curious murmurs, gasps.

At the center of it all — Lucy.

She stood there, terrified, facing Alpha Jayden’s wrath.

“You can’t be my mate!” he bellowed, eyes burning.

The room went silent.

Lucy stood frozen, lips parted, eyes brimming with fear and disbelief.

Shock rippled through the crowd.

Gina’s face twisted into something vicious. She looked like she could kill.

And Jolene?

Jolene stood still, watching from the edge of the crowd, her heart sinking.

Because Lucy wasn’t the Alpha’s true mate.

She was.

But no one knew.

Not even Alpha Jayden himself.