WINTER'S POV
I didn't know how long I had been staring at the gorgeous woman, but I was snapped out of my daze as I sensed my parents behind me."What's taking you so long, Winter? Who's at the door..." My mother trailed off, and I felt her stiffen as she stood behind me."Someone is here," I mumbled, unable to tear my eyes away from her face. It had suddenly turned pale. Even my father's expression mirrored the same shock.I didn't know what was happening, but it didn't seem like a good sign. They both looked as though they had seen a ghost, their mouths opening and closing like fish gasping for air."Luna Ashley?" My mother stuttered, breaking the silence.Frowning, I stared at her, and it dawned on me that the woman before me was Luna Ashley, the Luna of the Royal Moon Pack.I hadn't recognised her at first, but now it was clear. So, why was the Luna of the Royal Moon Pack standing at our doorstep? What could she possibly want?I couldn't tell, and I certainly hoped it had nothing to do with my parents being indebted to her."You can go out for a while, Winter," my father said, placing a hand on my shoulder.Seeing Luna in front of our house wasn't unusual, but my father's statement caught me off guard. He was never willing to let me leave the house willingly, always throwing a fit whenever I was away or out late. Even though he benefited from whatever I brought to the table, he would still flip out. Now, he was telling me to go out without even questioning him. It was news to me.I tilted my brows, staring at him, but the expression on his face left no room for argument.Nodding, I shrugged and glanced at Luna again before walking out of the house.During my walk, my mind raced, contemplating Luna Ashley's presence, her resemblance to me, and the reason she was here. I couldn't make sense of the situation, and each thought led me to more confusion.Puffing out a breath, I trudged back to the house, my exhaustion weighing heavily on me after aimlessly walking for almost an hour.As I entered, the atmosphere that greeted me was even tenser and colder than before. My eyes narrowed as I observed my father and mother, sensing that something had transpired while I was away. My voice came out in a murmured question, "Did something happen while I was gone? Is it about debt? Don't worry, my pay at the plaza should cover...""Pack up; you're sold to the Luna," my mother coldly declared, her gaze shifting away, fixated on nothing in particular."W-what?" I stuttered, my gaze locked on her. When she offered no response, I asked again, desperately seeking clarification. "You sold me? What does that even mean?!""You're leaving first thing tomorrow on her orders, and we have no right to keep you here anymore," my father added, further confusing me.My parents had sold me off to someone I barely knew. Was it because of debt? Was I being used as payment?My head spun with countless unanswered questions. "Why?" I muttered, but both stared back at me with blank expressions as if they were seeing me for the first time. "Did she threaten you?!" I demanded but received no answer.With their backs turned to me, they walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.The feeling of betrayal was beyond anything I had ever experienced. I had sacrificed so much to make them comfortable, going above and beyond what any daughter should have to do in our pack.I had endured insults and ridicule due to my inability to pursue higher education, as I had left school to work and support my family. Yet, here I was, sold off without an explanation.My chest tightened as I stumbled up the stairs to my room. Kicking the door open, I marched inside, not bothering to close it behind me. I collapsed onto the bed and unleashed my frustration, punching the pillow repeatedly and finally releasing a scream into its softness.I couldn't believe my parents would do that, and I didn't understand why they did. I was their daughter, after all. Or had something changed? Not that I knew of.But the hurt was overwhelming. I had trusted them so much, never suspecting they could betray me this way. I had always believed they loved me even though they didn't show it. Or perhaps I had been delusional, assuming too much.Why was I being sold? Why were they pushing me away? Was it all about the large sum of money that must have been promised to them?I had no answers. Questions swirled in my mind, adding more pain to my throbbing head. Mother showed no remorse; she and Father had left as soon as the news was delivered. Maybe the money meant more to her than I did.I bit my quivering lower lip, blinked away tears, and gasped, clutching my chest as my heart constricted.Try as I might, I couldn't hold back the tears. I didn't know how to escape this predicament. Even if I wanted to run away, I had nowhere to go. I wasn't familiar with many places, but maybe I could find a hiding spot until I devised a better plan.The Royal Moon pack loomed ahead, and I had no idea what life would be like there. I expected everyone to act superior, as if they had sticks lodged in their asses, although I hadn't witnessed it personally—just heard stories.But that wasn't the worst part. I dreaded the thought of living with the others in the pack. How would I possibly fit in? Would I be reduced to a mere maid, ordered around and treated poorly?"No... It hurts," I whimpered. I didn't want this life, but it still seemed better than moving to an unknown place.At this moment, staying with my abusive parents felt like a luxury, yet I had no clue how to persuade them. I highly doubted I could change their minds.When morning came, I dragged my belongings out of the room, and as soon as I stepped outside, I noticed a luxurious car waiting to transport me. It was unlike anything I had ever seen or been in before. The car seemed too extravagant for someone like me, an omega daughter.Reluctantly, I made my way towards it, but a sudden urge to run away surged through me. Without thinking, I flung my bag onto the ground and sprinted back towards the house. My heart pounded with desperation.In my haste, I failed to notice a small pebble on the ground, and my feet collided with it. I tumbled forward, landing face-first on the hard surface. Thankfully, I managed to brace my fall with my palms, but my knees bore the brunt of the impact. A sharp stone had cut through my skin.Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled out a tissue I always carried for moments like these. I covered the wound and glanced towards the house entrance. My parents stood there, watching me without a word or any concern."You need to leave, Winter. You no longer have a home here," Mother said coldly.I couldn't fathom what had caused them to change so drastically. Did they hate me now? I racked my brain, but I couldn't think of anything I had done to deserve this treatment. Reluctantly, I trudged back to where I had tossed my luggage, and with their threats lingering in the air, I made my way to the waiting car.As we drove away, I wished I could turn back time to restore things to how they once were. But deep down, I knew it was impossible. I had to accept who I was and prepare myself for the uncertainty that awaited me.The car arrived at the Royal Moon Pack sooner than I had anticipated. I was escorted to the Alpha's residence by the chauffeur. When I stepped into the spacious room, Luna Ashley greeted me with excitement."Winter, I'm thrilled to see you here!" Luna Ashley exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.She rushed towards me, her eyes flashing with excitement as though her long-lost daughter had just arrived.I raised my eyebrows, taken aback by her display of emotion. "W-what did you offer to my parents?" I murmured, hoping to understand the deal they had struck and perhaps negotiate a way to repay any owed debts, as I had done with others in the past."Offer?" Luna Ashley asked, her expression filled with confusion. I nodded, searching for answers."I can't believe they would be so heartless as to let me go without a reason," I said quietly, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and uncertainty."They didn't tell you why you're here?" she asked, disbelief lacing her words."I don't think there's anything for them to tell me," I replied, my voice trailing off, "because I know I'll be here as a maid..." Before I could finish my statement, she interjected."You are here because you are my daughter, Winter. I am your mother, and you are Winter Marvel." Her words hung in the air, leaving me stunned and speechless.WINTER'S POVI didn't know how long I had been staring at Luna Ashley. My mouth opened and closed before I finally shook my head."How? I mean, how did I become your daughter when my parents are apparently the omega of Silvermoon Pack?""You were switched at birth, darling," Luna Ashley said, stepping closer to me. She pushed down the collar of the dress I was wearing."What are you doing?!" I moved to swat her hand away but stopped when she did the same to her dress.She pointed to her neck, where a crescent-shaped mark was visible, and said, "Not only are you my replica, but you also have the birthmark that is only noticeable in the females of our clan, the Hugh."I recognised the mark she was talking about. At one point, I had considered covering it up as people had started calling me a freak. However, I eventually embraced it and realised how unique it made me look compared to others. I had always assumed it was just a birthmark and never attributed it to anything until now.Still,
WINTER POVI should have known her cheeriness towards me was for show. I knew she never liked me when I saw her yesterday, as she was discretely shooting me a death glare. But I never knew it was like this."I won't pretend to you, and I hope everyone acts the same way I do. No one likes you. It's best you went back wherever you came from, dog poop girl."I ignored her words and wanted to go back to meet Luna. But Summer thwarted all the movement I made.She gripped me tightly, and I nudged her while raising my hands to stop her from grabbing me again.Summer fell to the ground, and I gasped."Bitch!" She sobbed, gripping her leg.I didn't touch her! I knew that, but I didn't know what she was trying to do.Kendall, my twin, rushed over, shooting me a glare. I guess he was watching this exchange all along and was waiting for the time to come out to attack. "What the hell is wrong with you? You just arrived and started damaging things!"But I didn't touch her, I murmured to myself, star
Oh, my moon goddess!He was fucking hot. The hottest werewolf I had ever seen and come across!My eyes raked the strong muscle on his stomach, and my hand itched to caress them and see if it was as complicated as it seemed.I swallowed the hard lump that formed in my throat and glanced away briefly as I felt him staring at me."Hey, you are awake." He murmured."So are you," I muttered, walking by him. As soon as I got to the refrigerator, my grip tightened on the metal handle.I couldn't open it to get what I wanted due to his presence.Slade was beside me, and I could feel his skin's temperature engulfing me.He must have taken a hot bath. It was frigid here, unlike my previous home, where it was often warm.I wanted to steal a glance at him. To see what he was doing as he leaned over the counter. But I couldn't!I shouldn't!I hastily poured myself a glass of water and walked to my room while reminding myself he was my brother. And, of course, I shouldn't have such thoughts about hi
WINTER POV"Hi!" The voice repeated, and it was clear this time."Who are you?!" I stuttered, confused as to the reason I was hearing another voice in my head.I furrowed my brows, awaiting its response.After a while, it said again."It is I, your wolf." She said excitedly. "And nice meeting you, Winter. I am Flora."I had a wolf?!Shit!I couldn't believe it. I had thought I was wolfless and would be that way forever, seeing as I was getting past the age my wolf should appear.Heck, many people my age already had their Wolf a long time ago. And having no wolf was one of the reasons I got bullied in my former school.They called me all kinds of names ranging but not limited to weirdo, wolfless, and cursed.I had even started to agree I was cursed. I guess I just needed to give it time.Now she was here, and I couldn't be happier. I was even more excited to meet her than to be the Alpha's daughter.And oh boy, was she freakishly strong. I felt a surge of energy rushes through me, from
SLADE'SPOVWhen I heard my parents had found their real daughter, the question I had been asking were partly answered.Which was?How the hell was Summer the way she was?I had sensed her oddity but couldn't place my fingers on what it was and where she had gotten her personality from.I was adopted twenty years ago, and I was a child of about five then. The Luna Ashley and Alpha Charles of the Royal moon pack had adopted me out of the several children that lined the pack's orphanage I was in.I wasn't the best, but they had taken a liking to me, and maybe luck contributed to it. Moreover, I was adopted because they couldn't have a child and needed an heir. So, they took me in without looking back.I was given the best to make myself as comfortable as possible, and never for once had I felt out of place in the household. Heck, it felt as if I was their natural child. Although since they signed the adoption paper, I was technically theirs.I guess family didn't necessarily need to be r
WINTER POVHow was this possible? Was my brother my mate? We were supposed to be related and not mated!Perhaps there was a mistake somewhere. I hadn't heard of cases like this. It was the first time I saw it, and I wouldn't say I particularly appreciated it happening to me.I wish there were a written manual on 'how to deal with your brother as a mate'.But I guess I was on my own.'He's hot, isn't he? And he's strong! You both will make cute pups!'I shook my head, shoving the thoughts of Flora out of my head. I was still trying to accept the fact that my brother was my mate and she was planning on the children we'd have.I had never for once thought of that. I know I'd get some someday, but that would be when I advanced in age. I was still eighteen years old and never saw myself having any children until I was twenty-five.It was strange, but all that I ever thought of was getting my wolf and making as much money as I could.I jerked as I felt Slade's warm hand touch my cheek.I gaz
WINTER POVI saw the stupid grin plastered on Summer's face, and she tilted her upturned nose in the air as she neared.The other girls with her might be her clones, I presumed. They had the same blonde hair, and I could see some weren't even natural. They had dyed it just to fit in.Their make-up was perfect, and it was as if they had an exceptional stylist and make-up artist who attended to them. Their dress was overly short.I noticed none of the pink plaid skirts they wore reached their knees.I had seen girls like them in Lanes Academy, the school I attended in the Silver Moon Pack.They tormented many people, especially if you weren't part of the popular crowds, and they were called the elite girls.I guess they were not any different from Summer and her friends.Summer snatched the book I had picked and tutted. "Look, if it isn't my Omega sister. Besides, why are you reading this kind of book? Do you still need to read books? I can't believe you are as dull as I imagined."Summe
WINTER POVWhy would he be here?!I guess there wasn't a rule that said he couldn't.But I wasn't okay with seeing him. At least, for now!I was hoping it would take a while before we'd see each other again, and perhaps, I would have had an answer to the question swirling in my head about our mate bond.My heart palpitated as Slade walked towards us. My hands clenched the tulle material of the ball gown, and my palms were clammy.Since today I haven't seen him until now. But somehow, I doubted his coming here had anything to do with me.'Mate!' Flora whimpered. She jumped inside me, and I grimaced, holding a tight rein on her before she tore herself out of me.Because what she was doing at the moment could warrant that.Yet, how the fúck was my wolf excited about my mate, and it was the opposite for me?I dreaded it!'He's near, and he's so hot!'I shoved back the thought of Flora rambling and concentrated on him. Slade was near the Luna, and I could hear everything they were saying.