Chapter One.

Erica's POV.

"What?"

Being imprisoned by the dungeon's walls was the worst punishment asides death, and I wondered everyday, why Mom was thrown in there without proper investigation after being accused of poisoning Lady Sara's tea.

Day and night, I pondered how it felt to be chained to the ground, surrounded by mountain ash and wild coyotes, with only a lit candle to betray the darkness inside.

I thought of the feeling of healing again and again after being being clawed, bitten and almost torn apart…but Mom…she endured.

“It's just twenty years my love…twenty years and I'll be free from here.” She would say anytime I visited, I would roar at the coyotes and they would flee to the darkest sides of the dungeon…and then I would talk to my mother who was already losing her life bit by bit.

She hadn't seen the full moon in months…not even the half moon or crescent…this was her punishment, to suffer and lose her powers slowly at the same time.

We were just Omegas, surviving under the wings of Elder Peter and his family as maids. And if not for the kindness of Elder Peter, Mom would have suffered the punishment of death itself.

Mom did the cooking and the serving in the mansion, while cleaning was my job.

But they hated us for no reason, not Elder Peter, but his wife, Lady Sara, and his daughter who was of my age, Denise.

But here it was, the final opportunity to get her out of that hell hole…of course with a price.

Denise looked at me, peering into my eyes.

“Oh dear, she's so in need of her mother... I've never seen this side of you, desperate...” Denise pouted, as if she cared, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

“What is the deal?” I asked, as I shivered at the evil look in her eyes, I fidgeted, digging my fingers in my palm, as my chest heaved up and down slowly. Denise was always known for being selfish...

“Nothing much,” She came closer to me, as she narrowed her eyes at me while folding her arms.

Seconds past, but Denise was not saying anything.

Long silence.

Her eyes scanned me for long, with disgust of course.

“Sleep with the Alpha, tonight.” She said, without taking a breath. A smirk lingered at one corner of her lips, as if she enjoyed my shock and anxiety.

“Wh…What?” I stuttered, and found it difficult to swallow, like something had choked me in the throat.

“You heard me you little hopeless pimp!” She blurted without regret, as she stood straight and proud, her hands, on the sides of her small waist.

“But Miss Denise—”

“Do you know why the Alpha's still looking for a mate? He wants one that's untouched…virgin. We both know…” She paused, and chuckled, "You have no objections to that... unless you want me to kick you out and let your mother rot!"

I gulped, there was no way I'd sleep with Alpha Rowen, he was cold, and had no mercy during judgements…even though I hadn't seen him before, he was the devil I heard of.

“I don't know…I…I…how am I supposed to do that? It's impossible.” I told her.

“Think of it as an opportunity to feel like a woman at least…you can't be a useless Omega, and still be a useless woman.” She raised her eyebrows, like she was expecting a response.

I imagined this to be one of her selfish plots against me, but then...

“Don't think I'm setting you up dumbass.” Her hands balled into fists, as she stared at me in anger. “This is for me.” She added, as she moved closer, giving me an intense gaze that made something crawl under my skin.

“I'll do it!” The words escaped my lips like a stray bullet, somehow I regretted it, somehow I didn't. “Just let my mother go.” I said, barely above a whisper.

“Good.” Denise clapped her hands joyfully, “I never thought you could be bought. But don't worry, I'll keep my own part of the deal.”

She pushed me aside as she headed for her room.

What did I just sign up for?

***

It was a night party, Elder Peter and his wife were having their anniversary and every important person in the pack was invited.

The mansion flickered in purple and red lights, as the guests danced to the slow music.

I was uncomfortable on the short tight dress Denise made me wear, she dyed my white hair into black so I could look exactly like her…with all the make up and the sexy costume mask, she assured me that I would never be recognized.

“My mother will drug his wine, and help him get into my room, and then we'll lock you inside,” She said, as she brushed my hair one last time, “ tonight is full moon, the Alpha will have no control, even though he has, the drug will make you impossible to resist…” She whispered in my right ear, as her fingers ran down from my neck to the upper part of my breasts, slowly playing with the pendant I wore…I shivered.

“You promise to let my mother out after this?” I asked, as I gulped, already freaking out…what if things don't turn out well?

Whatever Denise was planning, I hoped I would be out of this game after this one night.

“Of course!” She patted my back in assurance, as she winked, “Now go,” She pushed me to join the crowd that I almost tripped, but then I gained composure and decided to act normal, and fit in with the filthy rich guests.

I began to feel uneasy.

“Where is he? ” I muttered under my breath restlessly as my eyes darted towards every corner I could imagine he would be.

Just then everywhere became quiet, the music stopped and all eyes stared at the door as it opened slowly.

He made a daring entrance…he was sinfully handsome, huge and muscular than I had imagined, he looked dangerous with that unfriendly demeanor, and the look in eyes as he looked around, would make you think that he was reading minds. A sharp jawline, a tan skin, and radiating aura, one that made my skin itch with fear.

I stepped back afraid, this was Alpha Rowen! The devil everyone talked about.

His physique spoke more than I heard of him, sweats trickled down my face behind the mask I wore, my heart pounding against my chest as I moved back.

“Greetings to you, Alpha Rowen!” Everyone chorused, lifting their glasses in the air in reverence.

He only smiled, an evil smile and said, “Enjoy.”

The music started again, and I ran off to find Denise, to call off the deal, or maybe flee from here at once.

I ran towards the balcony, hoping that I would find her there, but someone grabbed me, covering my mouth and pushed me into a room, locking me inside.

“Let me out!” I yelled, as I slammed hard against the door with my hands.

“You want to betray me at this last hour?!” My heart sank, it was Denise.

“Did you see him? He's literally going to rip me apart when he finds his way under!” I yelled in fright, this was too much, and what if he finds out that he was drugged? I'll still be a victim of his ruthlessness!

There was no way Denise and her mother would take the blame!

“There's no ripping you apart silly, he's just going to fuck you good!” She said, as she slammed the door once with her hand.

“Why me? Why are you doing this to me?” Tears ran down my cheeks.

“What am I doing to you? I'll tell what I'm doing for you! A favor! You hear me?” She said angrily, and suddenly became calm the next second, “Think about your mother, the torture, the loss of her powers…it's going to be twenty years to rot inside that filthy dungeon filled with bones. Only the strong can survive, not a fucking omega like your mother!”

She said and left,as I could hear her footsteps retreating.

“Mom,” I muffled, as tears streamed down my cheeks, feeling suddenly dizzy.

I felt I was making a big mistake. “It's for you Mom,” I whispered, as I shut my eyes, burying my face in my palms as I tried to convince myself that I was doing the right thing.

The door flung open, and just then his thick heavy body staggered in looking around as if he tried to tell where he was…Lady Sara smiled from behind him, as she shut the door locking us in.

The clouds moved fast, revealing the full moon that stared back at us through the ceiling to floor window.

I gulped, so afraid to even look at him, I hated unexpected turn out of events, but here and now, I imagined the worst.

“You,” he growled, as his eyes glowed red.