Chapter One: The Cruel Reality

LIANA.

I woke up before dawn, as always. No one else in the house stirs this early, but that was by design. If I let the sun rise before I’m on my feet, my mother would make sure I regret it. I slipped silently from my bed on the cold floor—my room was barely a space in the attic, but it was all they allowed me.

With my bare hands, I scrubbed the kitchen floor, every creak and sigh of the house around me was a reminder that my family’s slumber depended on my silence. My stomach growled, hollow as always, but I bit my lip. Hunger was something I’ve grown used to. I got to eat only when they decided there was food left over, and most nights, that meant nothing at all. My body ached from work, and sometimes, I wondered if all this would be easier if I could just shift like everyone else. But I can’t. I’m wolfless—a constant source of their shame and their disappointment.

I paused, just a moment, to stretch out my back, but the sound of footsteps snapped me to attention. My mother’s voice sliced through the quiet.

“Why are you moving so slow, Liana?” Her voice was sharp and unforgiving, and I instinctively shrinked. “Do you think we have all day for your lazy attitude?”

I stammered out a reply, trying to explain that I’d nearly finished. But my words only fueled her anger, and before I could duck, her hand connected with my cheek. The sting radiated down my face, it was a familiar burn.

“You ungrateful child,” she spat her eyes narrowing with disgust. “You think this house runs itself?”

“No, ma’am.” My voice was barely a whisper, and I kept my gaze lowered, knowing better than to meet her eyes.

When I finished in the kitchen, I was sent outside to the garden, hands raw as I dug up weeds. By the time I was done, the day was already slipping away. I looked around for a moment, hoping for a break, but that was when I spotted my father and brother standing by the doorway, waiting. My father beckoned me over, his face a mask of impatience.

“Hand it over,” he said gruffly, nodding towards the small coin purse I kept tucked under my dress.

I opened it with trembling fingers, holding onto the few coins I had earned at the market yesterday. I’d hoped, just for a moment, that maybe I could keep something for myself. But I knew better than to defy him. Reluctantly, I dropped the coins into his hand.

He didn’t even look at me as he counted the money, nodding with satisfaction. “Good. And remember, girl, don’t think you can ever hide anything from me. Every coin you earn goes to this family.”

Or rather, to my brother, who stood there smirking, knowing he’ll be the one to enjoy the reward.

Later that evening, I was scrubbing dishes when I heard muffled voices from the other room. My parents were speaking in hushed tones, but the words were just loud enough for me to catch bits and pieces.

“…old man wants a young bride…”

“…Liana… it’s about time she serves a purpose…”

I froze, the plate slipping in my hands. They were talking about me, and it didn’t take long to piece together their plan. They were arranging for me to be married off to the wealthiest elder in the pack, a man I had only heard about—old, cruel, and known for collecting young, desperate women as his mates.

My heart pounded, every beat echoed in my ears. I clenched my fists, a rush of terror pulsing through me. I would rather run, starve, or die alone in the woods than live my life under the control of some lecherous old wolf.

I couldn’t listen any longer. Quietly, I backed away from the doorway, my mind already racing, grasping at any possible escape. Tonight, when they are all asleep, I would slip away. I didn’t know where I would go or how I would survive, but I knew I had to leave. I had endured enough.

The house finally fell silent as the night deepened, everyone was in their various beds. My heart raced as I grabbed a small bundle of clothes and tucked a piece of stale bread into my pocket. It was not much, but it was all I had. I took a deep breath before moving toward the door, carefully not to make a sound. But as I reached for the handle, a creak in the floorboards stopped me cold.

I held my breath, waiting, but there was only silence. Relieved, I pushed open the door and slipped into the night, my bare feet hitting the cold, damp ground. I barely made it past the edge of the house before I heard a shout from behind.

“Liana!” It was my brother’s voice, cold and furious. “Get back here!”

I didn’t bother to look back. Instead, I broke into a sprint, the wind cutting through me as I ran. The forest loomed ahead, dark and dense, but I plunged forward, ducking under branches and darting around trees. Every step sent a sharp pain through my feet, and I could feel the sting of rocks and thorns slicing into my skin. But I didn’t stop.

The sounds of pursuit increased behind me, I turned back to see my father joining the pursuit with my brother. At this point they had shifted, both of them chasing after me like I stole from them. I didn’t dare to slow down, my thoughts were jumbled, a mix of terror and a desperate need to survive. My breath came in ragged gasps as I pushed myself harder, even though every part of my body screamed in protest.

Their endless growls added more fuel to my tiny legs, I was wolfless but I ran faster than the wolves behind me.

Why was I born like this? The question surfaced in my mind, bitter and raw. Why am I the only one who can’t shift, the only one who has to endure this?

A sharp rock caught the arch of my foot, and I stumbled, biting back the cry of pain. Blood seeped from the cut, warm against my skin, but I forced myself to back up. The forest seemed endless, each step more grueling than the last. I’d lost all sense of direction, and the only sounds were my labored breaths and the now nearing sound of paws hitting the ground behind me.

My father and brother were now closing in on me as exhaustion and hunger gnawed at me. I could see a faint light ahead. It was dim, almost ghostly, but it pulled me forward. With the last of my strength, I stumbled toward it, barely aware of where I was or what awaited me.

Just as I reached the edge of the trees, my vision blurred. The air felt different here, colder, more foreboding. A strange scent filled my nose, sharp and unfamiliar, and a wave of fear swept over me. I recognized the territory markers.

I had crossed into the Silver Moon Pack’s land.

My legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed onto the forest floor, gasping for breath. My skin prickled with fear as I realized what I’d done. The Silver Moon Pack was ruthless to trespassers. If they found me here…

But I had no choice. I can’t go back.