Chapter 1

AVA'S POV

CHAPTER 001

"You're nothing but a filthy slave," William growled, his hot breath crawling down my neck like a venomous snake. "You should be grateful I even touch something as vile as you."

I wasn’t a stranger to his cruelty. Every day in the Shadow Pack was a waking nightmare, especially in the clutches of my stepbrothers. Since my mother, the rightful Luna, died, my life had crumbled into ash. My father, once a pillar of strength, had married another woman—a cold, calculating creature who claimed his heart and turned it against me. His new mate and her sons became his world, while I was reduced to nothing more than a stain on the pack’s honor.

William and Damian, my stepbrothers, were the pack’s pride, destined for greatness. I, on the other hand, was trash in their eyes, blamed by the entire pack for my mother’s death. The accusations stung like open wounds, but the truth was buried too deep for anyone to care. My mother’s death wasn’t my fault, but no one listened to a broken omega like me.

Now, pinned against the cold stone wall of my room, I felt William’s grip tighten. He was once my mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess during the last mating ceremony—a day etched into my soul with the sharp blade of rejection. He’d cast me aside in front of the entire pack, his laughter echoing as he declared me unworthy. Now, I was nothing more than a tool for his pleasure, a doll to be used and discarded. Tonight was no different.

He seized my chin, forcing a bruising kiss on my lips. I wanted to scream, to fight, but what good would it do? No one would come to my aid. Not my father, not the pack. William was the future alpha, untouchable and cruel. Resistance was futile.

He shoved me to my knees, his eyes glinting with sadistic delight. Without warning, he freed himself from his trousers, his arousal evident as he rubbed himself tauntingly. Before I could brace myself, he forced himself into my mouth, thrusting deep until I gagged, my lungs burning for air. Mercy was a foreign concept to him. My nights were always like this—humiliation, pain, and the suffocating weight of helplessness.

After what felt like an eternity, he pulled back, satisfied for the moment. Tears streamed down my face as he yanked me to my feet and threw me onto the bed. The worn mattress creaked under my weight, a mocking reminder of my place. “This is your punishment, Ava,” he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. “For not finishing the chores.”

Without hesitation, he tore my dress to shreds, leaving me exposed and vulnerable. I groaned in pain as he entered me, each thrust a brutal reminder of my powerlessness. The sheets twisted in my fists as I braced myself against the onslaught, my body screaming in protest. This wasn’t the life I’d imagined as the alpha’s daughter. Fate had betrayed me, and I was trapped in its cruel grip.

The door creaked open, and my heart sank. I didn’t need to look to know it was Damian, William’s mirror in cruelty. His heavy footsteps echoed as he approached, a predator stalking his prey. I was screwed—literally and figuratively. Some nights, they teamed up, turning my torment into a twisted game. Tonight was one of those nights.

Damian didn’t bother waiting for his brother to finish. He shed his clothes with a casual arrogance and climbed onto the bed. I wanted to beg, to plead for mercy, but words had never stopped them before. Without warning, Damian grabbed my hair and forced himself into my mouth, his movements rough and unrelenting. The world blurred as pain and despair swallowed me whole. In that charged, suffocating moment, everything went dark.

************

Hours later, I woke to silence. My stepbrothers were gone, leaving me sprawled on the bed like a discarded rag. Every inch of my body ached, my skin bruised and raw. But I couldn’t afford to stay weak. Today was the day—the day I’d escape this hell.

It was noon, and the annual mating ceremony was in full swing. The full moon hung heavy in the sky, calling the pack to the grand hall to find their destined mates. I didn’t care about mates anymore; the Moon Goddess had already failed me once. All I wanted was freedom, and with the pack distracted, this was my chance.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I dragged myself off the bed. Limping to the closet, I pulled out the black gown my mother had given me before she died. It was simple, knee-length, and practical—perfect for running. I slipped it on, the fabric a bittersweet reminder of her love. Each movement sent sharp stabs through my body, but I pushed through. I couldn’t stay here, not for another night of torment.

I bolted the door, my hands trembling. If anyone caught me, the consequences would be brutal. The last time I’d defied my father, he’d forced me to walk across burning coals, his face devoid of the love he once showed me. The man who called himself my father was a stranger now, consumed by his new mate’s influence. I chuckled bitterly at the thought, the sound hollow in the quiet room.

I grabbed a coil of rope I’d hidden beneath a loose floorboard. It was my lifeline, my only shot at escape. Moving to the window, I tied a knot around the iron bar, testing its strength. It would hold. I secured the rope around my waist, my fingers shaking as I tightened the knot. Peering out, I gauged the drop to the ground below. It was high—too high. A chill ran down my spine, but I steeled myself. Death would be better than another night in this prison.

Climbing onto the windowsill, I tossed the rope down. My heart pounded as I gripped it tightly, easing myself over the edge. Slowly, I descended, the rough stone scraping my hands. The rope held, but my arms burned with the effort. I was almost there when I realized the rope was too short. My feet dangled several feet above the ground.

“Shit,” I cursed under my breath, panic clawing at my chest. Going back wasn’t an option. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and let go. The fall was quick but brutal. I landed hard, my ankle twisting with a sickening crunch. Pain shot through me, and I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle a scream. Tears welled in my eyes as I lay there, the cold earth seeping into my bones.

I couldn’t stay here. Forcing myself up, I tested my weight on the injured ankle. It throbbed, but I had no choice. Limping, I pushed forward, each step a battle against the pain. The mansion gates loomed ahead, unguarded thanks to the mating ceremony. I slipped through, my heart racing as I crossed the threshold into the unknown.

The woods beyond the mansion were dark and dense, the trees looming like silent sentinels. I kept moving until I was sure I was far enough from the pack’s territory. Exhausted, I collapsed against a tree, my swollen ankle pulsing with pain. My breath came in ragged gasps as I stared at the night sky, the full moon mocking me with its glow.

Thoughts swirled in my mind. Where would I go? I had no destination, no plan beyond escaping the mansion. The forest was dangerous, filled with rogues and beasts, but it was better than the hell I’d left behind. Or so I hoped.

A rustle in the bushes snapped me out of my thoughts. My heart shattered as fear flooded my veins. Bats exploded from the trees, their wings beating frantically as they fled. I covered my face, bracing for an attack, but when I opened my eyes, the forest was still. The bats were gone, but their flight wasn’t random. Something had scared them.

I forced myself to my feet, my injured leg screaming in protest. Limping cautiously, I scanned the shadows. My wolf, dormant and silent since William’s rejection, offered no guidance. I’d never shifted, never heard her voice. The only time I’d felt her presence was during that fateful mating ceremony, and even then, she’d led me to heartbreak.

A low growl rumbled through the forest, so deep it shook the leaves above me. My blood ran cold. Tears streamed down my face as I turned and limped as fast as I could, my broken ankle dragging behind me. I didn’t get far before I tripped over a rock, crashing face-first into the dirt. A scream tore from my throat before I could stop it, muffled by my hand as I bit my lip to silence myself.

Footsteps crunched behind me, deliberate and heavy. My heart thundered as I turned, my eyes locking onto a massive figure emerging from the shadows. Its golden eyes glowed like twin moons, piercing the darkness. I froze, unable to scream, unable to run. My chest heaved as I stared at the figure, fear choking me.

Then, a voice broke the silence, low and eerily calm. “Hello, Ava.”