Chapter 1

Liora’s P.O.V.

And I was late. Again!

The morning air smelled faintly of baking bread as I ran down the hall, bracing myself for punishment. Despite the fatigue of yesterday’s session, I had to report to my duty on time.

The kitchen doors swung open with a groan. I nearly collided with Beatrice, my stepsister. Her arms were crossed, a sharp smile tugging at her lips that never reached her eyes.

“Have you seen the time?” She said with mocked sweetness. “You were supposed to be here an hour ago.”

Shoot!

Beatrice caught me red-handed, ringing ominous bells in my head. She never missed a chance to push me into trouble. My chest heaved as I picked a dirty pot from the slab to wash it, trying to please her with my obedience. But Beatrice wasn’t satisfied. She snapped her fingers near my ears.

“Hello? Did you lose your hearing too, dumb mute?”

Clenching my fists, I could only look at her as the Moon Goddess took my ability to speak when I was young. It was like she had some personal agenda against me. She first took my mom, and then my voice, making me a maid in my own home!

Suppressing my unease, I signed the truth with trembling fingers.

“I overslept because of fatigue. Yesterday, the doctors had taken my blood.”

Beatrice raised her brow and laughed as if I had told her a joke. “Of course. You are always the noble little mute, giving blood to save my life. But remember, you’d be nothing without me reminding everyone of your use.”

Heat prickled behind my eyes, but I dropped my gaze to the floorboards. Beatrice wasn’t wrong. The blood I gave her was the only reason I could live in the safety of this pack.

After my mom’s death, my stepmother would have kicked me out if Beatrice wasn’t born with sickness. The doctors prepared a special medicine for her that needed my blood for its effectiveness.

I still remembered the softness of my dad’s tone when he asked me. “Your baby sister needs you, Liora. Won’t you do it for your family?”

Hoping for my dad’s love, I have given my blood once a week since then. But it cost me my health. For a normal werewolf, this blood transfusion wouldn’t be a problem, but it was a life-and-death matter for a wolf-less omega like me. Not to mention, the doctors had started draining more blood after my eighteenth birthday, claiming Beatrice was critically ill.

A sudden dizziness washed over me, unsteadying my steps. I leaned against the counter, breathing heavily. After the blood transfusion, I always felt dizzy and weak for hours. That was the reason I got late for work the next day every time.

Beatrice’s lips curved in satisfaction as her gaze swept over me. She twisted a strand of her pale hair around her finger and tilted her head.

“Did you notice how beautiful I have become lately, dumb mute?”

Of course, she glowed. Beatrice wore my blood on her skin while I worked twelve hours in the kitchen for stale pieces of bread.

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Do you want to know a secret?”

I lifted my hands reluctantly to sign. What?

Her smile widened. “You know, dumb mute. I recovered long ago. But when I found that your blood can make me look radiant, I asked the doctors to drain more blood for me.”

Goddess! I-I was suffering because she wanted to... look beautiful?

Beatrice’s eyes glittered cruelly as she spat out how she always hated my face. Then she went on, slow as molasses. “You know what I hate the most? Your mother!

If she wasn’t here, my mother would be the first one to get pregnant. She would be Luna of the Ember Howl Pack.”

Her audacity to blame my mom after draining my blood set me on fire, making me forget the long practice of obedience and endurance. I wanted to swing the pot at her head to shatter the smug mask on her face. But just as I grabbed the handle, the head maid, Nora, interrupted us.

“Greetings, Beatrice!” She bowed and then addressed the staff.

“All the maids must be extra careful today. Our Alpha is receiving important guests.”

Then she ordered me.

“Liora, serve the wine to the Alpha’s office. Now!”

Among all the people here, Nora was the only wolf who treated me properly. She handed me the tray with a bottle of wine and two glasses, sending me away.

I threw one last glare at Beatrice and stomped out of the kitchen, my insides still ablaze with fury. It was impossible to stay calm after learning the ugly truth.

Fuming, I reached the Alpha’s office at the end of the second floor and knocked at the door. But just as I strode in, the sight before my eyes stunned me.

Instead of my dad, a handsome man in a dark tailored suit was sitting in his chair, engrossed in a file. His dominating aura screamed danger, clenching my stomach. He raised his ocean-blue eyes and frowned, observing me with his burning gaze.

The shadows of fury on that Greek god’s face shook me to the core, and I bowed, properly showing respect. Then, with trembling hands, I placed the tray on the table, every speck of my existence urging me to run away to avoid any blunder.

However, just as I turned to leave, his Alpha command cemented my feet on the ground.

“Stop!”