CHAPTER 1

Lyra's POV

The cold stone floor pressed against my knees as I knelt before the towering gates of Ironfang Palace. My wrists ached where the ceremonial ribbons cut into my skin, marking me as nothing more than property. A gift. A peace offering wrapped in silk and false promises.

"Keep your head down, omega." The guard's voice was harsh, but I had heard worse. Much worse. "The princes do not like their gifts to show defiance."

I forced my trembling hands to still. Twenty-two years of planning had led to this moment. Twenty-two years of hiding, training, and dreaming of revenge. The violet eyes that marked me as Moonspire royalty were hidden behind brown contacts. My silver-streaked hair was dyed the color of mud.

"Rise." Another voice, deeper and commanding, cut through the morning air like a blade.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I slowly lifted my gaze. Crown Prince Kael Ironfang stood before me, every inch the future king. His midnight-black hair caught the sunlight, and those piercing gray eyes seemed to see straight through my carefully constructed mask. The scar across his left temple only made him more terrifying.

"So this is what the Crescent Moon Pack considers a worthy tribute." His voice held no warmth, only cold assessment. "She looks half-starved."

"My Prince, she is untouched and trained in all the proper ways," the escort stammered. "She will serve your needs well."

Kael circled me like a predator studying prey. I kept my eyes downcast, playing the role of the broken omega. But inside, rage burned like silver fire. This man wore the crown that belonged to my bloodline. He lived in the palace built on my family's bones.

"What is your name?" His fingers caught my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"Lyra, My Prince." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. My real name died with my family that horrible night.

"Look at me when you speak." His grip tightened, not enough to bruise but enough to show his power. "You belong to House Ironfang now. You will learn our ways, or you will suffer the consequences."

I nodded, letting fear show in my eyes. It was not hard to fake. Standing this close to my family's destroyer, breathing the same air, made my skin crawl. But I had a job to do.

"Take her to the omega quarters," Kael commanded, releasing my face. "Have her bathed and prepared. I want to see what we have acquired."

The servants who led me away whispered among themselves, thinking I could not hear. They spoke of the three princes and their appetites. Prince Darius, the middle son, who could break a man in half with his bare hands. Prince Rhett, the youngest, whose green eyes missed nothing and whose tongue was sharper than any sword.

I would have to face them all. Seduce them. Make them trust me.

Then I would destroy them.

The omega quarters were better than I had expected. Clean beds, warm blankets, and windows that actually let in sunlight. The other omegas watched me with curious eyes as I was led to a private room.

"You must be someone special," whispered a girl with kind brown eyes. "New tributes usually share chambers."

Before I could respond, the door burst open. A massive figure filled the doorway, and my breath caught in my throat. Prince Darius was even larger than the stories claimed. His chestnut hair was tied back, revealing amber eyes that seemed to glow with inner fire. Scars covered his hands and arms, proof of countless battles.

"Leave us." His voice was a low growl that made the servants scatter like frightened mice.

I pressed myself against the wall, letting my whole body shake. It was not entirely an act. This close, I could smell the danger rolling off him in waves. He could snap my neck without breaking a sweat.

"Please, My Prince," I whispered. "I have done nothing wrong."

"That remains to be seen." He stepped closer, studying my face with an intensity that made my skin burn. "There is something about you, little omega. Something that does not fit."

My heart stopped. Did he know? Had my disguise already failed?

"I do not understand, My Prince."

"Your scent." His nostrils flared slightly. "It is not like the others. There is strength hidden beneath that frightened act."

He reached out and touched a strand of my dyed hair. "This color does not suit you. What are you hiding?"

"Nothing, My Prince. I am only what you see."

Darius leaned down until his lips almost touched my ear. "I do not believe you. But I will find out your secrets, little omega. Count on it."

He left as suddenly as he had arrived, leaving me shaking for real this time. If Prince Darius suspected something was wrong, how long before the others noticed too? How long before Queen Mother Isadora herself came to investigate?

I sank onto the narrow bed, fighting back tears of frustration. This was supposed to be simple. Get close to the princes, learn their weaknesses, strike when they least expected it. But already my careful plans were cracking.

A soft knock at the door made me look up. A servant girl peered inside, her face pale with worry.

"Miss? Prince Rhett requests your presence in his chambers. Immediately."

The youngest prince. The most dangerous one, according to my sources. The one who collected secrets like other men collected gold.

As I followed the servant through the twisting corridors of the palace, one thought echoed in my mind. I was walking into the heart of enemy territory with nothing but lies and determination to protect me.

But I was also walking toward my destiny. Toward the crown that was rightfully mine.

Even if it killed me.