Chapter 1

Athena's Pov

I've never had much in life.

No family.

No friends.

And certainly no freedom.

All I've had are endless chores, cold stares, and the occasional slap when my hands weren't quick enough. 

That was the life of an Omega. That was my life.

DarkMoon pack wasn't kind to the weak and I was the weakest — an orphaned Omega with no rank, no power, and no future. 

I spent my days scrubbing floors, washing clothes, and fetching tea for a Luna who never drank it without reminding me how useless I was. 

If only she knew I wasn't all useless.

I had one secret — a small, foolish secret that I clung to like a dying flame in a storm.

Enzo and Ryan.

The Alpha twins.

They had transferred to my highschool a few months ago, and from the moment I saw them, my wolf went crazy. They were impossibly beautiful — tall, ribbed, and powerful, their piercing amber eyes seemed to see straight into my soul whenever they looked at me. The twins moved with effortless grace and everywhere they went, their presence commanded attention.

I was nothing to them. I knew you that much. I was just another Omega in a world where strength mattered. They probably didn't know I existed. 

But that was fine by me. I had long accepted my fate as it was. 

Well, not until tonight, I didn't.

Tonight, everything changed. 

****

“Athena!” The shrill voice of Luna Mirabella cut through the air like a sharp knife.

I barely had time to drop the rag in my hand before she stormed into the kitchen in raging fury.

My heart jumped as I bowed my head, fearing she would slap me.

“Y - yes, Your Majesty.” I stammered.

“Nuella is missing!” She snapped. “That useless brat snuck out again! I need you to find her before my mate returns. Do you understand?!”

Damn it.

Nuella was Luna's precious daughter and she had a habit of sneaking out and she's done that again. The problem is why am I the one sent to find her? Can't the guards do it? 

“W — Where do I even begin? I - I don't know where she could be…”

Luna Mirabella grabbed my arm and held on so tight her nails dug into my skin. “Your job is to FIND her! I don't remember telling him to complain! If my daughter is not back here in the next hour, I swear, Athena, you'll regret it.”

She didn't need to say more because I knew exactly what she meant and without another word, I ran.

I knew something was wrong the second I stepped foot inside the forest. The forest was too quiet. Eerily quiet even.

The weather was terribly cold and my breath fogged each time I breathed. I had been walking for almost an hour and my feet were killing me. My clothes were too thin to protect me from the chill and my gloves were in worse shape but I kept going. I had to. 

I had to find Nuella before an hour elapsed. Before her mother would —

“Help me!” A blood-curdling scream echoed in the forest.

I froze in horror.

It wasn't just any scream. It was —

“Nuella!” Now, I'm screaming. 

Instinctively, I ran in the direction of the scream, hoping to the Moon Goddess that Nuella hadn't been hurt. That she was safe. That she just tripped over a rock. That —

A growl so mighty shadowed the scream and it stopped.

No

The growl was one but it became two. Two deep, rough and primal growls that sent a shiver down my spine.  

No. No. Goddess, no!

I heard footsteps behind me and turned my head slowly, my heart slamming against my ribcage.

That was when I saw them.

The men the growls belonged to.

My stomach plummeted and I nearly screamed.

They were Enzo and Ryan.

And they were naked.

Covered in thick, red, blood.

An immobile figure was behind them. A body that was barely recognizable.

They sidestepped as if to let me take a closer look at their victim and my blood chilled.

Beads of white pearls scattered about the mutilated body. Her once-white dress was now stained with blood. Her blood. Her silver hair was still braided but not as neat as I had done them this morning.

I knew who that was.

Nuella!

Bile rose to my throat and I clamped my hand over my mouth.

Nuella, the only thing left of her, was torn apart. Ripped. Destroyed. 

No. No. No!

I couldn't breathe. 

I couldn't move.

Enzo turned his head, his crimson-red eyes locking on mine.

Ryan exhaled and ran a bloody hand through his dark hair. “Shit. We have a witness.”

I stepped.

No.

This couldn't be happening.

This must be some kind of nightmare.

Only, it wasn't.

They were real.  

All of this was real.

Without a second thought, I turned to run but before I could take a step, Enzo moved.

He was too fast. 

Too strong.

Too bloody terrifying.

A warm hand wrapped around my wrist, and yanked me back against his chest. 

“Where do you think you're going, little Omega?” He murmured against my ear. 

Enzo.

His voice sent shivers down my spine and not the good kind. The you're-about-to-die kind

“Please,” I whimpered. “I didn't see anything. I swear.” 

Ryan tilted his head, his piercing red eyes studying my green ones. Then, he smiled. “Liar.”

“I swear. I didn't see anything.” Tears burned my eyes.

Enzo leaned closer, brushing his lips over my sweaty temples. “Athena, was it?” 

Shock rippled through me.

He — He knew my name?

“Let's make a deal.” Ryan smiles, walking over to crouch beside Nuella’s body. He dipped a finger into her blood and watched it drip from his finger. “You won't scream. You won't run. If you don't, we won't kill you. How does that sound?” 

He's lying!

I swallowed hard. 

There was no way out of it.

If I scream, I'd die. If I run, I'd die. If I do none of that, they will still hunt me down. 

 aren't known for their forgiveness. They're blood-thirsty monsters. 

“I…” I tried to speak but my voice was shaky. “I won't tell a soul. I swear.”

Enzo chuckled. “You think I believe that?”

Ryan sighed. “Look at her. She's shaking like a leaf. Poor thing.” 

He started walking towards me. 

Oh no

“Look, Athena,” Ryan sighed again. “We're not unreasonable. You're an Omega, right? There's no way anyone will believe you if you told them what happened here.”

He was right.

Even if I told the alpha, he would blame Nuella's death instead. 

I was trapped.

Completely, utterly trapped. 

Enzo's fingers trailed along my jawline, making my breath hitch. “What are we going to do with you?” 

Ryan smirked. “I have no idea.”

That smirk was dangerous.

That smirk meant trouble.

“You're ours now, little Omega.” Ryan smiles. “Consider yourself claimed.” 

I blinked. “What?”

Enzo grinned. “You're coming with us.” 

“No,” I shook my head. “You can't —”

“We can,” Ryan drawled. “And we will.”