Chapter 1

My whole life has been harsh. I have no purpose but to serve my pack, which constantly abuses me because they blame me for the death of my mother, the pack's beloved Luna, Harper. My father, Alpha Thomas Aeson, and my brother, Duncan, don't care about me anymore. They don't defend me from the bullies.

I cook and clean, and on top of that, I'm their punching bag. I've been verbally and physically abused by everyone who could. I don't always let them mistreat me; I fight back, but when I do, the punishments I receive are harsher. My name is Apphia Aeson. I'm seventeen years old. I belong to the werewolf pack called the Ivory Moon Pack. I haven't shifted yet, so everyone is stronger than I am.

"Apphia!"

I shudder when I hear the voice calling me. He walks in with anger in his eyes. He approaches me and slaps me across the face, causing me to fall to the ground.

"Where the hell were you?" he roars. I shut my eyes, waiting for the burn on my cheek to dissipate.

"I was doing my assignment," I say, pointing toward my book on the table.

He grabs my notebook and tears it mercilessly. My eyes widen in horror; all my hard work is gone.

"Why aren't you in the kitchen making food?!"

Food? The cook, Jeff, didn't give me the menu, nor did he call me. My father doesn't care and slaps me again—blood splatters from my mouth.

"Go to the kitchen!" he commands. I scurry away from his presence.

My fingers touch the cameo purple necklace around my neck, the only thing my mother left me, as I recall the night that changed my life.

It was the night after my seventh birthday when my mom woke me up in the middle of the night. She quickly changed me into a pair of jeans and a shirt. I was excited to leave the house with my mother because I thought we'd go on vacation, like I had been asking. However, my father and brother were nowhere to be seen when I reached the living room.

"Are Dad and Duncan coming?" I asked, frowning.

"It's just us for now, baby. You are in danger, and I need to take you away from the pack," she told me quietly.

"Why am I in danger, Mommy?" Tears filled my eyes.

"You wouldn't understand, but I will explain once we arrive at the Sapphire Royal Pack. They will keep you safe, baby," she assured me gently. I couldn't comprehend anything she was saying. All I knew was that she was more apprehensive than usual. My mother was very protective of me; it made her seem paranoid.

We left the house in haste and went to the car. As she drove fast, no guard was in sight, and my heart was pounding against my chest. I wished Dad were there, but Mom said it was safer.

"They might come. I think he betrayed me, and that's why he was eager to have me take you from the pack on his own time," she murmured.

I didn't understand what she was talking about.

We hadn't gotten far when our car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road, refusing to start again. My mother looked back at me, her eyes filled with fear and tears.

She exited the driver's seat and opened the back door on my side. She grabbed a pink bag I hadn't noticed and strapped it onto my shoulders.

"We have to run now, Apphia," Mom said, grabbing my small hand and starting to run. We dashed into the thick forest, away from the main road. The wind blew harder, and the darkness surrounded us. At one point, she carried me in her arms because I was tired. Then I felt it: a dark shadow was coming for us, whispering taunting sounds. I cried louder as my mother ran faster, her hands holding me tighter.

"I can't let them have you," she whispered, suddenly stopping to look around momentarily.

"There! You can hide in that opening of the tree," she pointed to a large tree with an opening. Mom took me there, and I sat, bringing my knees to my chest, terrified. She was, too. "Listen to Mommy, baby," she said, crouching down to cradle my face warmly. Her big, bright silver eyes filled with tears.

"I need you to stay quiet, Apphia, please. No matter what you see or hear, stay hidden and silent," she whispered, placing a finger on her lips. I was sobbing uncontrollably.

I vividly remember the fear that coursed through my bones.

"Don't leave me, Mommy. I'm scared," I cried. She took a deep breath and wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"I love you so much. Never forget that. Everything I did was to protect you, and I would do it again a hundred times if I had to. You are my everything." She kissed me and embraced me tightly.

"I love you, Mommy," I replied.

"Don't be too sad, baby; always trust yourself," she whispered, giving me an encouraging smile before running off in the opposite direction.

I closed my eyes, praying to the moon goddess for my mother's return. She never did. The silence in the forest grew suddenly heavy.

The following day, my father and our warriors found me, covered in blood and a few feet from my mother's lifeless body. It felt as though I had lost a magical light that would never touch my life again. I was forever changed, and I had no recollection of what happened after my mother left me at that tree.

Everyone assumed I had tried to run away from home, as I often did, and that she had followed me, leading to an attack by feral rogues. Rogues are wolves that don't belong to a pack—either because they are unclaimed due to circumstances or because they were exiled for committing heinous crimes.

No one wanted to hear my side of the story; they blamed me and rejected me.

A/N: Hello, and thank you for opening this book. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, as it contains graphic scenes of abuse, violence, strong language, and erotic elements that might be triggering for some readers. Please do not read this book if you are sensitive to those themes. If you find the pacing too slow, feel free to skip this book and exit peacefully. There's no need to leave negative comments.