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INKA'S POV

"INKA! GET UP HERE! NOW!"

Valerie's shrill voice pierced through my basement room at 5:04 AM, jolting me awake. I dragged myself out of the lumpy thrift-store mattress, my body aching from the cold, damp air of what used to be a laundry room.

I'd barely slept for the last three weeks. My mind had been replaying the same memory all night.

Three weeks ago, I had been cleaning the bleachers when I'd smelled a scent of wet soil, pine, and something that made my legs weak. My wolf had barked in my head, "MATE. MATE. HE IS OURS, INKA!"

I had glanced around, confused, but when Derek's green eyes found mine, I knew right then and there that he was my mate.

Something like mutual recognition had flashed across his face too.

"Is that your scent I'm picking up?" he'd asked, climbing the stands toward me with a charming smile that made my stomach fill with butterflies.

I had nodded since I'd been too nervous to speak.

"Do you have a name, or can I just call you mine?"

I had smiled. "Inka... Inka Ravencrest..."

"You're beautiful, Inka," he'd said, touching my cheek so gently I'd thought I'd imagined it. Right then, he had asked for my number and promised we'd see each other again in the final match.

I'd replayed those words a thousand times since then. His voice. His smile. His dimple. The way he'd kissed my hand before leaving.

Tonight was the night he'd promised. Tonight, everything would change.

"Move your lazy ass NOW! Or I'm coming down there to drag you up by your hair!" Valerie shrieked again, this time louder and angrier.

I blinked away the memory and realized I was late getting upstairs. Panic shot through me.

"Coming, Ma'am!" She won't let me call her Mom, and insists I call her 'Ma'am.' But whatever, I'm over it.

This was my life now. Former Alpha's daughter reduced to a servant in her own home.

Two years ago, my Dad, Alpha Marcus Ravencrest, had gotten corruption charges that destroyed everything. His title, his wealth, his pack, his sanity. The elders had been "generous" enough to exile us instead of executing him.

Now we live in this ugly rental house on the outskirts of Crescent Falls, and Dad spends his days drowning in whiskey, blaming me for everything.

Especially for killing my mother.

I pulled on yesterday's jeans and a faded sweater, then trudged upstairs to find my stepmother standing in the kitchen, arms crossed over her silk robe. At forty-five, Valerie was still beautiful with her blonde hair and bright blue eyes, but her face was pinched with irritation.

"The dishes aren't done," she snapped, not even looking at me.

The sink was loaded with dirty plates from last night's dinner. A dinner I wasn't invited to.

"I was sleeping..."

"Don't get smart with me." Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You live here for free, so earn your keep. Make Cessy's lunch, get her vitamins ready, and that cheerleading uniform you washed yesterday. And don't screw up, or I'm telling your father."

"What about my lunch?"

Valerie laughed. A nasty, cruel sound. "Buy something at school. Or don't. Maybe you'll finally lose some weight."

I bit my tongue and started scrubbing dishes. The water was ice cold because they hadn't paid the gas bill, and my hands turned red within seconds.

"Oh, and Inka?" Valerie examined her perfect manicure. "Don't sit with Cessy at the game tonight. She has a reputation to think about."

My stomach dropped. "But Derek said..."

"Derek told Cessy to make sure you showed up. That doesn't mean he actually wants to be seen with you." She tilted her head, studying me like I was an insect. "Sweetie, face reality. Some girls are meant to be queens, and others..." She shrugged. "Others are meant to serve them."

Right on cue, the 'beloved princess' Cessy glided into the kitchen. Perfect blonde ponytail, flawless makeup, designer clothes Dad bought with money stolen from my savings account.

"Good morning, Mommy!" she squealed, kissing Valerie's cheek. Then she looked at me with pure disgust.

"Ugh, Inka, you smell like wet dog. When was the last time you showered?"

"Yesterday," I lied. The hot water got cut off yesterday afternoon.

"You're totally lying." Cessy wrinkled her nose. "Just stay away from my people today, okay? I don't want my reputation ruined because of you."

"Cessy, sweetie," Valerie purred, "tell me about that boy who was asking about Inka. Derek, right?"

Cessy's face lit up. "Oh my God, Mom, he's so hot! Beta Gregory's son from Riverside Academy, star hockey player, total eye candy. And he's been having dreams about finding his mate lately."

My hands froze on the plate I was scrubbing.

"He specifically asked me to make sure Inka comes to the game tonight," Cessy continued. "Said he has something special planned."

"How lovely," Valerie said coldly. "Though I can't imagine what a guy like that would want from someone so completely unworthy."

They both stared at me like I was a failed science experiment.

"Maybe he feels sorry for her?" Cessy suggested mockingly. "Everyone knows about the curse. How her mom died because of her, how the pack fell apart after she was born. Maybe he's just being charitable."

The plate slipped from my hands and shattered in the sink. We all jumped.

"Look what you did!" Valerie hissed. "Clean that up right now."

I picked up the pieces, and a sharp edge cut my palm. Blood mixed with the dishwater, but nobody noticed.

"Anyway," Cessy said, already bored with my existence, "I need to look perfect tonight. Derek's gonna realize what he's missing out on."

She's been obsessed with Derek ever since she found out he asked about me. I'm pretty sure she already knows Derek is my mate.

"I'm sure he will, sweetheart," Valerie cooed, stroking Cessy's hair. "You're everything a future Beta's mate should be."

I finished my chores in silence, packed Cessy's lunch, and grabbed my backpack.

As I rushed toward the door to catch the school bus, Dad stumbled out of his room, still wearing yesterday's clothes and reeking of alcohol.

"Where are you going?" he mumbled.

"School, Dad."

He stared at me with bloodshot eyes. For a moment, I thought I saw something that might be love. Then it was gone.

"You look just like her," he whispered. "Like Elena. It's like seeing a ghost."

"Dad..."

"Get out of my sight," he said, turning away. "I can't... just go."

That's my morning routine. Every damn day.

***

My life at the academy isn't much better. I walk through the hallways like a ghost, invisible to most people and avoided by others.

"Hey, isn't that the cursed girl?" someone whispers as I pass.

"Yeah, Inka Ravencrest. Her dad's the corrupt Alpha who got exiled."

"I heard she killed her own mother just by being born."

"Gross. Stay away from her, or that bad luck might rub off."

I keep my head down and keep walking. What else can I do?

The day drags on. I eat lunch alone with vending machine chips because I can't afford anything else.

A text comes through.

(Hey bitch, you better show up tonight, don't be late and bring my backup shoes. Since I can't go home. Also bring some of Mom's veggie juice. 5 o'clock sharp!!)

A few seconds later, another one.

(Text me back, idiot! Are you tired of living or what?!)

I replied. (OK)

***

Tonight's hockey game is between the two strongest teams in the region. Riverside Falls vs Snowfang Frost.

Tonight, Derek should acknowledge our mate bond in front of everyone. At least, I hope he does.

At exactly five o'clock, I arrive at the academy with everything Cessy ordered. The field is packed when I get there.

"Inka! Over here!" Cessy shouts from the front row, surrounded by other cheerleaders. All of them looking like they stepped off magazine covers. Perfect.

I climb the bleachers on shaky legs, my heart pounding. Derek is warming up on the ice, his dark hair visible under his helmet.

"Sit here," Cessy says, patting the spot next to her. But when I'm about to sit, she quickly puts her bag there. "Actually, maybe you should sit behind me. Better view."

I sit behind her, trying to ignore the whispers.

"Is that really her?"

"God, she looks even worse up close."

"What do you think Derek wants with her?"

"Maybe it's like a dare or something."

My cheeks burn, but I force myself to focus on the ice.

On Derek.