Chapter 1

The Forsaken Heiress

In St. Luna's maximum-security prison, a fight was in progress. Several she-wolves gathered around the compound and placed their bets on who they believed would be the victor.

On the far right was the titan-like woman, Shera, a six-foot-tall 'bone-breaker' who had been undefeated for years. On the far left was the infamous killer heiress and underdog, Delphine, who spent years building her reputation as a 'cutthroat' fighter.

Both women had skills in their own right, but only one could claim the title of 'Luna'. As the fight began, Delphine steadily circled her opponent, analyzing every key detail before making her move.

Shera, on the other hand, wasted no time in attacking her opponent, who was slightly smaller than she was. Size was her advantage, and she used it well. Making the first move, she hoisted Delphine into the air and braced to slam her 

down onto the concrete slab, but her opponent wasn't as cooperative.

Though size was her disadvantage, Delphine refused to let it become her weakness. From her vantage point, she had a clear view of Shera's already scarred-up face; what was one more? Using her uncut claws, she scratched the skin above her opponent's eye, causing blood to drip from her forehead.

Delphine's attack enraged Shera, who, with all her strength, finally slammed her body to the ground. Almost all the air vanished from Delphine's lungs, and she could have sworn she heard a 'crack'.

The crowd of inmates erupted in loud cheers, already declaring Shera the victor. Moved by the cheering, Shera quickly recovered and rained down fists on Delphine; each blow was as heavy as the last.

Just as the fight was about to reveal its winner, Delphine made an unexpected comeback. Staying true to her nickname, she blocked Shera's fist and lunged at her throat, sinking her claws deep into her windpipe.

With the fight now in her favor, Delphine sought to end it. Latching her other claws onto Shera's throat, she applied pressure to block off her air circulation. 

The crowd was in a frenzy. Some howled, and others screamed for Shera to get back up, but the grand majority chanted "Kill." At that moment, painful memories flooded Delphine's mind.

The blood, the sounds of the police sirens wailing, the screaming  — it all came rushing back. It was the nightmare she could never escape, coming back to haunt her.

Unable to go on, Delphine released her opponent's neck; if she held on any longer, she would have actually killed her. Regardless of how the fight ended, she was still the winner, anyway.  

One inmate tasked with being the referee gave a three-second countdown, then announced the victor.

"Shera is knocked out! Cutthroat wins!"

There was a mixed reaction from the crowd, but it did not affect Delphine, for her mood was already sour. Since the fight had concluded, she pushed through the inmates and went back into the building.

~*~

Lunchtime arrived, and all the inmates went back to their normal lives as if nothing had happened. Delphine had plans to skip mealtime, but her cellmate, Gabi, would not let her. 

"I heard we're getting mac and cheese today." Gabi beamed as she picked up two trays and handed one to Delphine.

"Why are you so happy? It's not like the cheese is even edible."

Delphine stood beside her companion, grimacing at the food being placed on her tray. She was about to make another comment on the dishes when a loud voice from within the cafeteria grabbed her attention.

"Hey, Dolphin!" an older woman beckoned Delphine to come closer with her hand. She was someone who she considered a friend.

"Sid, you called?"

"Look..." Sid pointed at the television above her head. "Your family is on T.V again"

"When are they never?"

Delphine rolled her eyes but still looked up at the small black box above her. On its screen was a face she had seen so many times; she started to loathe it; it was her sister's.

On the television screen, Delphine watched with bitterness as her young sister was being interviewed for the millionth time.

The stark difference between where she and her sister were was enough reason for envy.

Seated on what looked like a comfortable chair and wearing what looked like designer clothes, all while being watched by a live audience. The entire scene was infuriating, but what upset Delphine the most was the bright smile on her face.

From the moment of her incarceration, Delphine had not smiled once. It was almost as if she forgot how. And while she couldn't feel joy anymore, her little sister was full of it.

Delphine watched silently as the interview went on. Both the host and her sister smiled broadly until their father's name came up.

"Forgive me if this is too personal, Jenna, but I understand that this is the anniversary of your father's death," the host said with much compassion.

"Yes... It is," Jenna sadly replied.

"How have you been coping since the incident?"

"As well as I can... It is difficult to forget.

"I understand"

Delphine couldn't hide her irritation at the interview. Perhaps it was the bitterness she was still feeling, or maybe it was because she was already in a bad mood. Whatever it was, both the host and her sister made her angry.

"Ever since the incident... my mother and I have looked for several ways to get over our heartbreak and to find joy. This year, I am proud to announce that we finally found it"

"Is it a secret, or can we know as well?" the host asked enthusiastically.

"We were going to keep it to ourselves for a little longer, but I figured today would be a good day to announce it. I don't want this day to only be associated with the death of my father... I want something good to overwrite it finally.

Delphine watched attentively as her little sister Jenna raised her hand and showed off a magnificent ring.

"I'm getting married!" Jenna announced enthusiastically, leaving Delphine shocked.

The live audience erupted into cheers at the news.

"Congratulations!" The host beamed with excitement. "And who is the lucky man?"

"Nathaniel"

Delphine froze on the spot. It couldn't be him, could it?

"Nathaniel Lawson"

It was.

Everything that was said after that in the interview completely passed over Delphine's head. All she could think about was what she heard, and it completely crushed her world.

"Delphine?" Gabi finally met up with her friend, who remained spaced out. "Hey, Delphine!" she called a second time, but was cut off by a guard.

"Menes! Visitor!"

Delphine barely had time to process the shocking news she had just received when someone dropped another bomb on her head.

"Visitor? Since when?" Gabi asked the exact question on Delphine's mind.

"I... don't know"

"Menes! Don't make me repeat myself!"

Still in a daze, Delphine subconsciously walked up to the guard.

"Who is it?" she asked

The guard merely looked at her, then turned to leave the cafeteria. Left with no other choice, Delphine chased after her.

Left in a state of utter confusion, Delphine could only focus on one thing at a time. The surprise visit took up all of her attention because the last time anyone made an effort to see her was eight years ago.

All the important people in her life disowned and cut ties with her, so who, then, could be visiting her in that forsaken prison?

The guard led Delphine to the visitation room. Since she hadn't been there in years, she had even forgotten what it looked like.

As they got closer, the air became thick and almost unbreathable, but there was a scent strong enough to pierce through it.

There was a familiarity to the scent that Delphine was smelling; it was awakening something deep inside her. As they finally reached the room, it was all coming back to her.

That scent  — she could never forget that scent.

The door opened, and inside the room was a man, but just as she had suspected, it was no ordinary man.

"Achlys"