CHAPTER 1

 Scarlett

I sank deeper into the cozy booth, my legs stretched out, poking the little miss who was too engrossed in her own world to acknowledge the gazes that pinned me down.

“I still can't believe the Alpha is coming back.”

“Technically, he is the prince. He didn't complete the Alpha ceremony before they sent him off to some fancy school outside the pack,” I chimed in, glancing at the cup of coffee that sat on the wooden table.

“Still, he was partially ordained as the Alpha, so yes, he is the new Alpha,” she interjected. “Plus, he is coming back after over a decade.”

14 years.

I didn't dare correct her, not when she was among the 99.99% of the pack who were going crazy about the return of the Alpha. The same Alpha who left his pack to study abroad—something about staying with humans must have been so improving.

I snorted.

A huge part of me knew I was being selfish. The Mooncrest pack hadn't been the same since he left. Although we smiled and laughed, a little part of us missed our young, arrogant, and cocky Alpha. I couldn't remember much about him, but my father sang his praises, recalling how close we were until he had to leave.

“Sooo…” her words broke my train of thought. “I was thinking, since you and the Alpha were such good friends when you were still kids, maybe you can introduce me to him.” She leaned in, her eyes shimmering with hope.

“I would be lucky if Father lets me exist in the same space as the Alpha.” My shoulders slumped. I loved my father, until his duties as the right-hand man to the Alpha overpowered his fatherly love.

Loved.

Father wasn't just the right hand, but the special advisor to the Alpha. Together, they built this pack, brick by brick, layer by layer, with years of sweat, blood, and sacrifice that could have killed them. To the world, the Mooncrest pack was nonexistent; we were a little town hidden in the A****n, written away in the history books. But to us, we were wolves—pure-blooded wolves. Beasts carved into the surface of the earth, hidden away from predatory eyes.

“Can you?” She fluttered her lashes at me as I sank deeper into the seat.

"No, you know I left home." My voice came out low.

"But your father loves you."

"No, he doesn't." He loved the idea of me—the perfect future he had plotted. He wanted me to marry the young prince, creating ways for me to win him over. But those dreams shattered after my 18th birthday.

The day every wolf's patience awaits, mine came and robbed me of the little happiness I had.

Beta Richard's daughter is wolfless.

The news rang out for a long time—not days, not weeks, but years. For years, the stigma followed me. The scar remained open, fresh, and ready to be cut deeper. But that… that wasn't what broke me. The taunts from people I gave no shit about, the judging eyes—they didn't break me. 

Father did.

His words, his attitude, the look of disappointment. His love perished; he turned his back and never looked at me.

The people who once praised me, who once said I would be perfect for Alpha Creighton, the ones who kept pushing me toward the Alpha—they spat in my face, saying I wasn't even good enough for a rogue. I didn't just lose my wolf; I lost my perfect future. And maybe... maybe I cared.

But now, I am happy. Not perfect, but I had everything I wanted. A little apartment, a man I loved, and he loved me, too. James was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. That was all I could ask for—not a throne or a crown, just a home.

"But..." She paused as my death glare leveled her. "I am not trying to defend your father, but..." She let out a sigh. "Forget it."

Good.

We relapsed into a different conversation before she somehow drew it back to Alpha Creighton—how perfect he must be, fantasizing about his looks and his height. About things that made my skin crawl.

“I was thinking of throwing a surprise birthday party for James,” I chimed in when she paused to take a sip of her drink. James's birthday was in a week, and in our three years of dating, I hadn't really done anything special.

“Throwing a party is perfect!” Ana grinned.

“Indeed, but the problem is the guests. Half the pack hates me. The others who are friends with James would rather gnaw their skin out than stand in the same place as the cursed, wolfless omega.”

“Then fuck all of them,” she spat. “You can just host a special dinner for you and him. Just the two of you.”

I nodded, my lips pressed into a thin line, while I contemplated the odds of my next words. “Uhm, I was thinking…” I breathed in. “Maybe a good birthday gift is my V-card.”

All traces of warmth evaporated from her features before she forced a weak smile. “Scar, I don't want to seem like a party pooper, but… isn't it too soon?”

It wasn't. Three years was more than enough. But it wasn't just about the years; it was about James. Sure, she approved of our dating—mostly because she didn't have a choice—but I knew she didn't like James. She had said it more than once; “He isn't worth you.”

But deep down, we both knew the roles were reversed. I was the wolfless one, the one rejected. I was the burden. I didn't deserve him.

“Maybe you need time to rethink your decision.”

“I guess you are right,” I said. If I pushed further, then she would go on another rant, listing reasons why she saw him as unfit.

I turned to my phone. It was 8:05. Damn, too late.

“I just remembered, I have something to do.” I grabbed my purse while she just stared.

“I know you are trying to avoid this topic, but…. fine. Good night, Scar.”

I laughed. “Night, Ana.”

The walk from the Moonlight Cafe to my apartment was meant to be thirty minutes. Forty, because I stopped midway when a group of wolves had been loitering around. I wasn't afraid of them, but I didn't have the strength to bear their hurtful words.

I took a turn, finally reaching my door. I had informed James that I would spend the night at Ana's, which I would have, if my chicken ass didn't get scared of her saying hurtful words about him. I love her, but sometimes she doesn't hold back on her opinions.

I twisted the doorknob, pushed the door open, and froze.

The air was thick, and the curtains were draped, leaving little to no source of light. I slid in and shut the door. The air clung to my nostrils and twisted. It smelt weird, like….

I stilled, and then a sharp scream tore through the air. The scream came again, this time louder, deeper, and filled with arousal.

My heart rate slowed. I dragged myself along the walls toward the source of the voice, my feet bringing me to a stop right in front of our bedroom door. Maybe he was just watching p**n. Maybe it was coming from another apartment. Maybe….

I gripped the handle, pushing the door slightly open. My gaze met them, and I stilled. My gut twisted, my breath hitched in my throat, and my world crumbled, trapping me beneath the ruins.

Because in the bed, naked, was my boyfriend—the man I loved, the same man who held my hand and promised never to let go. He was wrapped around a woman, his balls slamming into her while he groaned out how good it felt, how slutty she was, and how he loved her.

I didn't just freeze; my heart shattered into tiny pieces and stabbed my gut. Their moans rang through the room, accompanied by the sound of their skin flapping. 

The knot tightened still I couldn't breathe, a loud scream rolled off my throat.

They jerked away. Their gazes snapped to me, and I could see the horror that crept into James's eyes. He scurried off the bed, tossing on his boxers, his body sweaty—clear evidence of their filthy activities.

“You scream so loud, it hurts my ears,” the slut purred, standing stark naked. A mocking smile tore across her lips when I looked away.

“Scarlett, I can—”

“Oh, please,” she chimed in, then strode to stand in front of me. “It's pathetic watching you act like the victim."

Act? I was the one betrayed, the one in pain. I turned to James, who hadn't said a word, his head lowered.

“James has tried his best, being with a wolfless bitch who is a disgrace to her father and everyone. You're the one with the issues.” My gaze didn't leave James, as tears burned in my eyes. “The best you could have done was offer him your body, but no.”

The slut snorted. "You don't deserve him. You are worthless."

She turned to James, who just stood there, his face lowered. He didn't even defend me. He didn't even apologize. He said nothing—nothing to justify this, nothing to tell me that three years of our love wasn't gone.

I waited for a second, and when he just stood there motionless, my heart broke even more. I turned, head down, and walked away.

Only when I was out of the building and thrust into the cold night air did I finally break. Tears streamed down my face, my throat cracked, and my hands trembled. I didn't walk; I ran, trying to find a place where their betrayal didn't stain.

Their words rang in my ears. Every single taunt, the pack's disappointment. It consumed me whole. They were right.

~~~

After what seemed to be hours, my legs gave in. I fell, hitting against the thick grass. My back leaned against a tree trunk, and my legs were pulled to my chest as I cried out.

I cried harder, clawing at my heart. It hurts. Everything hurts. The pack, the disappointment, James's betrayal. My heart was breaking. The pain intensified.

My face contorted in agony. The pain spread from a clawing in my heart to my spine, and then to my bones. The unmistakable sound of my bones snapping echoed through the forest, followed closely by my scream.

I fell, agonizing in pain. My hands twisted backward, my spine popped, and a hellish pain coursed through me. Soon, I was on all fours. My blue eyes darkened.

I cocked my head back as my wolf howled.

My wolf?

My wolf had emerged.

My wolf was here.

I growled louder, and the ground beneath me rattled.

Seconds barely ticked by before the pain surged back. I crumbled, howling in agony, my gaze blurring. And before the darkne

ss enveloped me, the faint scent of vinegar peppered my lungs, and a deep voice whispered.

"Mate.”