Capìtulo 1

**Aella's Point of View**

I hummed softly as I watched the sunrise. The orange hue of the sun struck the sea, giving each ripple a sparkle of gold—one of my favorite sights.

"Happy birthday to me," I whispered, making a silent wish.

The air smelled of sandalwood, the kind that made you think of home. My nostrils flared at the sweet aroma; it called to me.

A twig broke in the distance. My ears perked up. I turned and saw a silhouette transforming into a man.

"Mate," I blurted out, overwhelmed by the feeling.

The air froze as I stared at my supposed partner. Of all people, it had to be him. I almost clutched my heart when recognition flashed in his eyes.

Crux Bane. A cruel boy turned Alpha, one of the protagonists of my nightmares. Alphas were meant to protect everyone, but not him. Without thinking, I took a step back.

Would he love me now that I was his mate? Hope grew in my heart at the thought that the pack might accept me now that I was about to become his moon.

Dad would finally look at me with approval, perhaps in the same way he looked at my half-sister Lilith, with tenderness and affection.

"No. This can't be happening," he growled as he approached.

"What?" I said. I felt my heart crack at her words.

"I said no. I refuse to be paired with a beta without a wolf," he said, turning his head away with a grimace of disgust.

"No!" My voice trembled. "Mate," I croaked, reaching out at him.

He took a step back, out of my reach.

—I, Crux Bane, son of Rand Bane, Alpha of the Moonlight Pack, reject you, Aella Crane, as my mate and Moon of the Moonlight Pack.

—Please… —Tears streamed down my face as my knees hit the stony path.

His face hardened.

"Accept it," he growled, and his Alpha aura pressed me down.

My lungs were burning, I couldn't breathe. Hot tears streamed from my eyes. I could hear my heart beating.

"I…" I began. The words felt too heavy in my mouth. I searched his face for any emotion, anything, but he just stared at me blankly, his jaw clenched as he waited.

—Hurry up, I have better things to do—he ordered.

Accepting my fate, I parted my lips and uttered the words I feared most:

—I, Aella Crane, beta and daughter of beta Andrew Crane of the Moonlight Pack, accept your rejection.

My body convulsed as I felt the invisible line connecting us break before we could even begin anything real. The pain forced me to my knees.

I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand up. My knees were trembling, about to give way, but I stayed on my feet.

I looked into his eyes for just a second and instantly wished I hadn't. There was nothing there. No warmth. No doubt. He was just looking at me the way he always had: with eyes full of hatred and disgust.

I laughed at myself, mocking myself. Who was I thinking? What made me believe that an Alpha would settle for a fat, illegitimate, werewolf daughter of a Beta?

I turned around and tried to go back to where I was sitting by the river.

He grabbed my arm.

—If you know what's good for you, you'll keep your mouth shut about what just happened.

I inwardly scoffed at their ridiculous words. Even if I wanted to, I had no one to tell. They'd made sure of that. If anything, I'd be punished for trying to get into the Alpha's bed and lying against their precious Alpha.

I pushed past him and tried to walk by. He grabbed my arm again, this time harder. I winced in pain.

"Don't think you can be my Luna, whining in front of those old idiots. I'll destroy you," he growled. His eyes darkened as they locked onto mine.

"Why?" I moaned. My heart cracked, shattering at her words. Why had the moon goddess cursed me so cruelly? What had I done to deserve this?

"I know your type, Aella. If you so much as breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll make your life a living hell." Her eyes flickered between orange, the color of her wolf, and her natural gray. I could tell she was fighting her wolf for dominance.

His grip tightened with every word. I pulled back, trying to break free, but his iron claw strength held me immobile.

"Is that clear?" he barked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

—Crystal clear —I replied, pressing my lips together.

He pushed me aside, wiped his hand with a handkerchief, threw it on the ground and, with one last look at my trembling figure, left.

My knees slammed against the stony path. Blood trickled down my knees, but I barely felt it. My eyes were fixed on the furious red lines my now ex-mate had left on my arm.

The day blurred as I lay there, lost in the world and in myself. By the time I managed to piece myself back together, it was already night.

I stood up, staggering like a woman struck by lightning, and started running home, ignoring my now numb heart. Small stones dug into my heels as I ran, and thorny leaves nipped at my skin as I cut through the wooded path.

I was already late. I could hear Andrea's high-pitched squeal in the back of my mind. I could almost feel her long, manicured nails digging into my thighs again and again, her favorite routine.

The mansion came into view. I thanked the stars that the lights were off; I still had time to prepare dinner before they returned.

I slipped inside the mansion and froze when the lights suddenly switched on. My pulse quickened.

"Whore!" I heard the voice I feared most in the world.